Lapilo Kids Soccer Coaches Guide

By Chris Walker December 2010

Coach and Referee Mandate,

With each game we really want to re-enforce learning in the following areas

Good Christian Attitudes Fair Play Team Play Vs the One Man Show Position Awareness (pages 7-10) Rules Awareness Off-sides Penalty Kicks Throw-ins Hand balls Communication between teammates
Some observations of kids playing soccer
Its a real joy to get to know the kids who come to play, regardless of ability their excitement impossible to miss. After some time watching kids play, you may notice a few common tendencies; here are a few classics we can help them work on.

Without guidance, kids just run after the ball

Kids often just kick the ball as hard as they can, regardless of direction.

Dont always realize they need to pay attention

Kids of course are going to be kids, however while it takes time, helpful guidance can only benefit them, giving them a framework to develop critical thinking skills, timing and discipline and strategy. Any help we can offer could have a lasting effect!

Player Positions
The following pages will provide some suggested team position strategies coaches can employ to help foster greater understanding for players as to their role on the team. Association Football Positions

According to Wikipedia: Association Football designates that each of the eleven players on a team is assigned to a particular position on the field of play. A team is made up of one goalkeeper and ten outfield players who fill various defensive, midfield and attacking positions.

Too Complicated!
For our Lapilo Kids Soccer Program, play takes place in the Lapilo gym which provides much less space and generally with far fewer than 11 players per team. In fact, the teams would be too crowded if they exceeded 8 players per team. Therefore its probably best if we adapt the sport simplify the number of positions to no more than 8. The remainder of this Coaches guide attempts to do just that. (While there are truly many more possible positions and configurations, this guide seeks to offer helpful suggestions. A coach may at any time however make custom alterations that best adapt to the circumstances on the field. )

Team

Configurations

4 Player Team Configuration (Goal Keeper, Right & Left Forward, Sweeper)

5 Player Configuration (Goal Keeper, Right & Left Forward, Sweeper, Striker)

6 Player Configuration (alternative 1) (Goal Keeper, Left & Right Forward, Sweeper, Striker, Center)

With 6 players on the team, if the coach wishes to project a very offensive stance he/she may choose to add the sixth player as a center.

6 Player Configuration (alternative 2) (Goal Keeper, Left & Right Forward, Striker, Left & Right Fullback, )

With 6 players on the team in order to evenly distribute players on the field, a coach may choose to eliminate the sweeper position in favor of a pair of Fullbacks to project a more even, defensive stance. 7 Player Configuration (Alternative 1) (Goal Keeper, Left & Right Forward, Striker, Sweeper, Left & Right Fullback, )

Note: For a more for a more defensive strategy, a coach may wish opt to place the 7th player in the Sweeper position instead of the Center position. 7 Player Configuration (Alternative 2) (Goal Keeper, Left & Right Forward, Striker, Left & Right Fullback , Center)

Note: For a more for a more offensive strategy, a coach may wish opt to place the 7th player in the Center position instead of the Sweeper position. 8 Player Configuration (Goal Keeper, Right & Left Forward, Sweeper, Striker, Right & Left Fullback, Center)

Zones
Thats it, at the most 8 different positions possible. Now this next section demonstrates the suggested zones for each of these positions. Players should be added to the team in the following order. 1. Goal Keeper

2. Forwards

4. Sweeper

5. Striker

6. Fullbacks

7. Center

Random Notes on Other stuff.

The spirit of this document is simply to be helpful, not rules written in stone Coaches, please encourage kids not to wear red as this confuses players, as our pennies are also red. Im thinking team captains may be taking a back seat to a coachs leadership, perhaps to throw a bone to the kids, the team captain can pick the coach & team name. But coaches will provide immediate leadership to the team, choosing goalies at their own discretion (No more announcements from the Ref for goalie switches etc.) Throw-ins, kick-offs and all the other perks that the kids think are big deals will be directed at the discretion of the coach Coaches should be able to call time-outs at any reasonable time. Switching player positions, particularly to accommodate a player who is joining the game late is a good idea, this also provides a good time to re-enforce each players understanding of the role he/she is playing on the team. Any additions, corrections or suggestions to make this document more useful are welcome!

for being willing to coach a team!!