It’s like clockwork when you have a soccer field diagram before you and you are planning to teach the kids soccer formations and positions. It’s advisable that young kids between 4 to 6 years in age should be made to play in small sided soccer like a 3 v 3 or a 4 v 4 with no goalkeepers.
Then move to a 5 v 5 including a goalkeeper as the kids mature. There are countless benefits. This will result in kids having a lot more fun, learn the theory of the game better, and get touch the ball many times.
This is a tender age when the kids are almost learning to pass and control the ball. Also start training them on different soccer positions and formations. It is a good time to designate players as forwards and defenders. You should also ensure that they get to their positions as much as possible.
With time, the number of players will someday increase with the size of the soccer field. Then it becomes a little tricky to create formations. Even then the players must be designated at various positions and see that they are performing sincerely from these positions.
You should have dialogue with the players after you’ve decided the formations. Explain to the players why one player is preferred for a specific position in comparison to another and also the theory that follows it. This is where the soccer field diagram helps the most. Kids learn better by looking at visual representations. You’ll also find those who prefer to learn by studying the content available in print, or on the field by watching you carry out the drills.
There are a few rules and soccer tactics that are a part of every soccer position, like defenders, midfielders, and forwards. These descriptions are apt for a 2-2-2 formation in a 7 v 7 game. These guidelines are general in nature and you must modify them a little to suit your style, plan, and approach.
For instance, you can choose to have 3 midfielders in place of 2. You may need your center midfielder to act aggressively on offence or simply mark the midfielders from the opposition on defense. You may wish your wing defenders to take all throw-ins. There can be many alterations.
In addition to the diagram, it is always a good idea to document your thought process in writing. This allows the players to read through your instructions again and again and so the understanding improves. The parents can also glance through it and get to know your views and goals for the team and individual players.
In order to teach soccer positions, make it a point to make an extensive use of field diagrams in whatever you do. This can help you save on a lot of time and energy required to explain formations and is therefore a great mechanism.
Where’s the time to wait now? Go ahead and use a soccer field diagram to start teaching your players various formations and positions on the field. You’ll find a wealth of information on our youth soccer coaching community. Join now to gain from all the benefits.
Andre Botelho is known online as “The Expert Youth Soccer Coach” and his free ebooks and reports have been downloaded more than 100,000 times. Learn how to skyrocket your players’ skills and make practice sessions fun in record time. Download your free ebook at: Soccer Coaching.
Tags: diagram of soccer field, Soccer field diagram, soccer formation, soccer formations, soccer positions, soccer tactics