Are Sports Drinks Useful and Better than Water for soccer players? Should the Coach be Proactive?
Whether you coach a Rec team or travel, you should consider where the player wishes to play and, ideally, allow a great athlete to try several positions, since he or she could play almost any position successfully.
Starting at U-8, you should teach your players the concepts of "Positions" (i.e., that there are "Forwards", "Midfielders", "Fullbacks" and a "Goalie"), "Support" and to "Shift & Sag".
Should basic instruction be given before a child plays soccer Goalie?
Two other games that can teach your players to be aggressive are "Defend The Goal & Clear Game" and "Corner Kick Simulation" (these 2 also teach some other useful things).
"Coaching Rule No. 3" is very important because there are so many throw-ins, goal kicks, punts and free kicks, and each one is an opportunity for your team to win the ball.