Have you ever imagined the kind of advantages [2] soccer practice games give the players? It’s not just the chance to make contact with the ball many more times but also the open space that they get to experiment with their playing skills.

In soccer training, a 4v4 small-sided game is set up in a small area and is beneficial not only to the coach but also to the players. The coach has the opportunity to watch over all the players on one side because there are only 4 players. The players get ample time to play with the ball. Also, it allows the players to practice the process of distribution - collecting the ball, looking up, and taking quick decisions.

It’s the responsibility of the coach to push the kids to utilize the above procedure by remaining present on the ground. To begin with, the kids may find it difficult to adjust to it. For example, they may still adopt the kick and run style. This is normal. Nevertheless, you’ll be required to train them on various methods that can be used in the process of distribution.

You can initially use a diagram for making the kids understand the process. Subsequently demonstrate it too for the kids. Be a little persistent and the kids will find it easy to accept and follow it. After they begin utilizing the process, they’ll try to make the best use of the available space when they have the ball.

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As a result of it, the team’s game gets a sort of constitution. This also causes the players to work on their skills as well as manipulate the speed of the game. You must know that this process of distribution is applicable only to players who have made some advancement in their training.

The beginners should not be introduced to this in soccer practice games. Their soccer drills should enable them solely to play soccer and not bother about rules and regulations. The focus should not be the development of the technique but free play and enjoyment.

When you teach players the process of distribution, it also makes sense to teach them to maintain balance with the ball. The player who has the ball must retain the possession but at the same time keep looking up and decide where to play the ball next.

Instruct the players on how to create space around the player with the ball so that he has protection and space to move the ball. A 4v4 game is best suited to teach such things.

Another duty of the coach is to teach the players different positions such as forward, defender, right flank, left flank. The kids should work on understanding these positions and the best method is that the coach calls these positions by name during practice.

You must remain patient with the kids while they are trying to absorb all these soccer exercises. It may take them some time in absorbing these things.
So move on and make your kids learn these skills through soccer practice games. To gain more information on a 4v4 game, enroll for our youth soccer coaching community that has several useful resources on youth soccer.

Andre Botelho is the author of “The Expert Youth Soccer Coaching Guide” and he’s a recognized expert in the subject of youth soccer coaching. Learn  how to explode your players’ skills and make coaching sessions fun in less than 29 days! Download your free pdf guide at: [4] Soccer Training Tips.