Coaching the Early Years: 100 Soccer Activities That Stimulate the Imagination and Maximize Fun, Ages 4-7

With its 100 practice activities expertly tailored to the developmental needs of 4- to 7-year-olds, Coaching the Early Years is the ultimate youth coaching guide. Author and coach Rob Ellis draws on his 30 years of coaching soccer and 15 years of teaching physical education to provide in-depth advice on coaching this unique age group.

Whether an experienced youth coach or a volunteer or parent coach, this book is essential to leading a productive and fun practice. With the comprehensive coaching instruction, the reader learns
* how to plan coaching sessions,
* how to manage the activities in each session, and
* how to deliver the session in a way that will both engage and instruct the players.

The book's 100 activities and accompanying diagrams are divided into three levels of difficulty from beginner to advanced, outlining a clear developmental path for children ages 4-7. Each activity has a child-focused theme that is guaranteed to engage and stimulate their imaginations as well as maximize fun and enjoyment for both the players and the coach.

In addition, the wealth of information on session planning and management, technical advice, and coaching points provides the coach with the knowledge and confidence to lead each practice. By creating engaging and fun environments, children in the early years of soccer will come to not only love the game, but also want to continue playing as they grow.