Sunflower Soccer | COACHES

Resources for Coaches

Coach Background Checks
Kansas Youth Soccer requires that all adults involved with our organization complete a background check. The first step is to complete the disclosure statement found at this website -
http://kansasyouthsoccer.org - click on risk management and then disclosure form.

Please choose Sunflower Soccer Assocation as the organization. Thank you for volunteering as a coach or assistant coach!

Coaching Articles

Articles from Dr. Mary Fry, KU Sport Psychology - referenced during Spring 2011 Recreational Coach Meeting

Creating a Positive Climate for Young
Athletes from Day 1

Young Athletes Perceptions of their Coaches' and Teammates' Caring and Uncaring Behaviors.

Footwork - Soccer Speed
Mike Flynn, Rebound Sports and Performance

First Aid - click here

Common Faults of Coaches as they Teach - US Youth Soccer

Role Models for Life - US Youth Soccer

Coaching Websites

There are various websites available with coaching information. A few are listed below. If you find one you would like to share, please send the information to the SSA office.

US Youth Soccer	National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA)
TactFOOT Training Drills	Responsible Sports
Soccer Traning Info	Footy 4 kids
Decateur Sports Page - Soccer Drills and Articles	4Skills.com
World of Soccer	Soccer-for-Parents
Character Counts	We Coach Kids
Soccer XPert	Soccer Drills Review
Youth Soccer Drills and Skills	Better Soccer Coaching
Elite Soccer Conditioning	Professional Soccer Coaching
SureFire Soccer

Coaching Drills

Coaching Corner: Crossing to Near- and Far-Post Spaces

This installment of the Coaching Corner comes from the NSCAA book Soccer Skills and Drills, published by Human Kinetics. It comes from Chapter 8: Applying Techniques Tactically. For information on how to order a copy of Soccer Skills and Drills, CLICK HERE.

Purpose: To practice quality strikes to near-post and far-post spaces.

Procedure: This drill becomes more specific for the crosser, as a near-space and a far-post space are marked on the field (in addition to the second six-yard box). The coach may use cones or vests to make a visual representation of the general size and location of the near- and far-post spaces. The far-post space is larger and located diagonally behind the near-post space (depth). The crosser will dribble the ball diagonally from the touchline cones toward the goal-line cone. As the crosser nears the goal line, he or she makes a long preparation prior to striking the cross. Attackers 1 and 2 make their runs and read the body language and position of the crosser to know when to arrive in their respective spaces. Timing of the runs is essential!

Coaching Points: The attackers must time their runs so that they arrive in the near- or far-post space at the same time as the ball. Split-second timing will give the attacker the advantage of being a step ahead of the defender. This exercise should be done from both flanks.

For drill animation, CLICK HERE.

For more information on TactFOOT discounts for NSCAA members, CLICK HERE.