Dear Soccer Coaches,

Thank you for volunteering!! Remember, everyone gets to play! We are in it for fun, learning, exercise, and sportsmanship.

We know you are busy and we appreciate your time in helping provide this activity for the area kids. Please let us know if you need any support or have any questions.

Communication is key! As the coach, direct communication with parents is very important. We will use this website for scheduling and general information, but make sure your team's parents are aware of what is going on.

A few coaching pointers:

1. Kids should leave red-faced and a bit sweaty. This lets you know they are active enough. If they are not a bit sweaty and tired, add some more active drills to the practice.
2. You have about an hour for practice.
3. Find three easy drills from the site listed below.
4. Divide the team into three groups.
5. Rotate 10 minutes each at each drill.
6. That’s 30 minutes. Then divide into teams and play a game.
7. End the practice with a review of what skills you worked on. Remind them of the next practice or game.

When games start, please communicate when your team will be practicing. Often teams only practice once a week if there is a week-day game.

There are many videos and resources available online. Feel free to search for age appropriate lessons on youtube, or check out the South Dakota Youth Soccer Association practice plans here:

• SD Soccer Practice Plans for each age group