Some food for thought on how to coach young soccer players. Check out this interview with US Youth Technical Director and former US National Team player Claudio Reyna. Arguably the best all-around soccer player the US has produced, it's fantastic to have him heading up youth development for US Soccer.
"The easy way, absolutely, to play for wins at the younger ages is to tell the goalie to kick it up the field, and everytime there’s a throw-in or a free kick, to send it to the corner and everyone chases it, but I don’t think I’m unveiling any secrets when I say that’s not going to develop players.
You’re not going to get results all the time encouraging your young players to play out of the back, but you’re going to get better players. And I believe, in the long-term, you’re going to have better teams."
The key for coaches to develop players is to stay consistent in what we are asking our players to do in practice and in games. In practice, work on ball control, sharp passing, movement off the ball, etc., and then expect the same in games.
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