As you can imagine, teaching a child aged five to play soccer is a lot different from trying to teach a ten year old.
In some ways, it’s a lot easier, because the number of qualifications and amount of training you’ll require to work as a kid’s coach is cheaper the younger the kids are.
However, in other ways, it’s a lot more difficult.
Prioritizing fun is your easiest way to success when coaching kids. The minute they get bored and distracted, it’s over - no matter how many times you call their name, whatever has stolen their attention is going to take precedence over a soccer ball.
Mixing up the activities you perform on a weekly basis is one way to keep them interested, rather than focusing on the same drills and routines every time. It’ll quickly become clear which games and activities they enjoy most!
Don’t just assume that because they’re young, they’ll do as they are told and won’t misbehave. Though they’re more likely to listen to grown ups, they’re also less used to being told what to do, and more susceptible to peer pressure.
Also, remember that all kids are different, and this applies especially to little kids. What one enjoys and responds to, another could completely hate! You can’t please everybody at once, but you can try and make everyone happy at some point!
It’s important to remember that the younger a kid is, the more sensitive they are likely to be. Expect tears, arguing, refusals to share and having to wipe up a lot of snotty noses because there will be disagreements and squabbles to manage.
As long as you keep everyone happy and entertained, your job is done. It’s not about skills here, it’s about enjoyment and encouraging an interest in soccer that will grow as they get older!