Well, we are about one week into 2009 and here in Australia things are starting to ramp up for the new soccer season starting shortly.

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As President of my local soccer club I get a few complaints from parents with regards to some of our coaches. Since I took over about three years ago, I must be honest and say the complaints have decreased, however there is one complaint that comes up consistently every year and throughout the year. Do you know what it is?

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When coaching youth soccer, it may seem fairly basic to coach players on how to tackle. After all, all you have to tell them is get in there, win the ball and start going forward – right? No, not quite!

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The primary objective of coaching youth soccer is to win the game.  Therefore, it is very important for a team to score goals, but it is also equally important to prevent the opposing team from scoring goals.  This task of preventing the opposing team from scoring falls to the players known as the defenders, or does it?  You may have heard in some games where a striker will call out and blame the defenders for a goal being scored against them or a soccer parent on the sideline blaming the defenders for letting another goal in. However, if you are coaching youth soccer, your defensive soccer tactics requires the involvement of every player as every player on the field has a role to play when it comes to defense.

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Coaching soccer, in particular coaching youth soccer? Have you noticed in games that players are struggling to find the back of the net? There are some great coaches out there teaching many terrific techniques and skills but many coaches overlook one of the most important skills – Finishing technique. Being able to finish off an attacking movement is vital. Even though it is one of the most important aspects ofsoccer, it is unfortunately overlooked or not adequately addressed at soccer training sessions. Many players don’t know how or have never learned to finish off attacking movements, leading to missed opportunities and frustration for everyone involved. These tips and soccer drills will help those coaches in charge of coaching youth soccer and give the strikers in the team the confidence needed to become more efficient in front of goals.

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After a very tense weekend, the final four teams have been decided in the Hyundai Australian A-League season with the Central Coast Mariners finishing first, followed by Newcastle Jets, Sydney FC and Queensland Roar. It all came down to goal difference and Football Federation Australia could not have scripted a better finish to the season.
By winning the Minor Premiership, the Mariners have officially qualified for the 2009 edition of the AFC Champions League, the most prestigious club competition in Asia. Has the Central Coast Mariners been the best team all year and deserve to finish on top of the A League ladder and earn the right to compete in Asia in 2009?

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Why is dribbling one of the most basic soccer skills but probably the most important skill a soccer player should be practicing? Firstly, if you are coaching youth soccer you need to understand why a player needs to learn such a skill.  Let me explain further….

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Some sports only offer players the opportunity to compete against other teams from their own country, with international play only possible during the Olympic Games. However, soccer is one sport that offers its players the chance to compete against teams from all over the world every four years outside of the Olympics. The competition is known as the Soccer World Cup.

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