| Most coaching books for youth soccer are too | | | | If the other team has the ball, your job is to: |
| complicated for inexperienced coaches to use. The | | | | 1. Get goal-side quickly |
| problem is that they are written for adults by adults. | | | | 2. Pressure the ball, but don't let them past you |
| What we need are key phrases and words easily | | | | 3. Support your teammates |
| understood by our young players so that during the | | | | 4. Force the ball wide |
| game the right words are in their hand to guide them. | | | | 5. Don't let them cross it easily |
| Here are a set of simple rules for defense in youth | | | | 6. No easy shots! |
| soccer that will help you build winning teams and | | | | 7. Support your goalie |
| winning seasons. | | | | 8. Clear the ball to the outside |
| You should put these rules into writing for your girls | | | | 9. Point to the player you are marking |
| and have them keep this list in their Soccer Journal. | | | | 10. Talk to your teammates |
| Test them on this during practice and reinforce a | | | | Soccer is a simple game and a beautiful game but it |
| couple rules during the game. You will find their | | | | can be very difficult coach. Don't make it harder for |
| defense improving and their love of the game growing | | | | your young players than it needs to be. Make sure that |
| as they start winning more games. | | | | you talk to your girls and words that stick. I hope this |
| Make sure that you reinforce these defensive | | | | list helps you like it's helped us. Good luck! |
| principles for youth soccer: | | | | |