Does Soccer Practice Make you Soccer Perfect?

I see many soccer players going through the motions when they are supposed to be practicing. Maybe it is because practices for some teams are too long. (Some youth teams will practice 2.5 to 3 hours.) Maybe it is because the coach is in a rut with his practice methods and they seem to be the same old session being regurgitated to the players over and over again. Or maybe it is because the players are not into it...

Whatever the reason, just going through the motions while at soccer practice is not helping your soccer player get any better.

I am sure you have heard the old saying "Practice Makes Perfect" right? Well, just because a player shows up for practice, that doesn't mean a darn thing if they aren't working on preparing themselves to get better. When a player practices, please make certain that you are encouraging all of your players to work on their weaknesses in practice...just don't go through the motions!

Sometimes it is too easy to look the other way and allow your players to become uninspired at practice. If that is the case with you, please make a concerted effort to change that trait about yourself. Players can't just "show up" to play and neither can you! Before a practice, write down your session on paper, familiarize yourself with the coaching points you want to make and most importantly bring some energy to the practice. Doing that will make you a better coach and your players will appreciate it too!

Take it upon yourself as the coach to encourage your soccer players to practice the right way, learn and work on something that will make them a better soccer player at every practice and most importantly don't allow your players to just "go through the motions!" The players have to do more than just show up for practice! Getting them there is part of the battle, helping them learn and be better soccer soccer players is the key! Practice alone doesn't make you a perfect soccer player, but perfect practice will.

Leave me a reply about how you help your players stay motivated at a practice!

Have a great day!

Gary
www.soccerandspeedcoach.com