subject: Are Coerver Drills Good For a New Soccer Coach? [print this page] At the beginning of every soccer season, I have new coaches asking me about Coerver Drills. Coerver drills are well respected wrold wide and considered the authority on teaching youth proper soccer technique. The list of professional soccer players endorsing the drills is truly impressive. The question that I get asked most often is will they help a new coach. Personally, I find that the Coerver method is one of the best at making quality soccer training accessible to a new coach with little or no soccer experience.
The first reason that I recommend Coerver drills for all new soccer coaches is because of the simplicity. Ball control and skill development, or Ball Mastery, is introduced starting very simply, progressing to meet any team's skill level. Having this base and seeing the more complex moves broken down into their simpler parts is very helpful for the beginning coaches that I have mentored.
Another reason that Coerver drills are great for a new coach, is that it provides drills to take these new skills from no pressure all the way through game-like situations. Many new coaches are frustrated that their team looks great in practice, but cannot reproduce their skill when it counts. The progression that these drills provide allow coaches to teach players not only how to do a move, but when and where to use it.
One final reason that Coerver drills will dramatically help a new coach is that it will help you to teach skills correctly. Most new coaches that I talk to have not played much soccer. This makes it difficult for them to teach and demonstrate skills correctly. Seeing the skills taught simply through video makes it much easier for a new soccer coach to teach their players correctly.
As a lover of the beautiful game, I truly appreciate all of the volunteer coaches who make soccer enjoyable for hoardes of kids every Saturday. And the fact that you are looking for ways to improve as a coach says a lot about your desire to help your players improve, and I salute you for that. Thank you for fostering a love for the beautiful game within a new generation.
