Soccer players do not automatically know how to execute the various techniques (skills) associated with the game. Even after learning the basic skills, players need instruction on how and when to use the techniques they have learned in a game situation.

Our job as coaches is to teach our players the basic techniques and give them the knowledge of the game and confidence in themselves that will help them reach their full potential as soccer players. Here are some tips to help you teach the fundamentals to your players:

1. Explain the importance of the technique ... (keep it short!)
2. (The players are more apt to want to learn if you tell them how and when the technique fits into a game setting.)
3. Give 3 or 4 key points to help the players perform the technique ...
4. (See Key Points for Teaching Soccer Techniques below for some guidelines.)
5. Demonstrate the technique ...
6. (If you are unable to do it, ask one of your better players to do it for you.)
7. Organize the team into small groups ...
8. (The smaller the better, depending upon the technique and the amount of help you have.)
9. Practice the technique ...
10. (Observe the players trying to do the technique.)
11. Make corrections as necessary ...
12. (Be POSITIVE and try to point out when the technique is being done well; however, you must correct technique that is being done wrong. You can do this without directing your corrections at any particular player. If none of your players can perform the technique, you need to reconsider whether it is appropriate for their age and experience level.)
13. Practice under match conditions ...
14. (In order to tell if the players can do the technique in a game situation, increase the difficulty by adding a defender, making their space smaller, or by speeding up the pace of the activity. Small-sided games work well to show whether a technique has been learned.)

The basic idea in teaching soccer techniques is to start simple and increase the level of difficulty.

• Start with the simplest elements of the technique. Let the players learn initially without any pressure.
• Gradually add more elements of the skill.
• Gradually increase the difficulty level of the activity. Increase difficulty (pressure) by:
• increasing the number of players executing the skill in a limited area
• reducing the space available for executing the drill
• specifying the direction the player must move
• adding a passive defender ("shadow defense")
• adding an active defender
• Finally, perform the skill in the way it would be used in a game.