1) Make it FUN!
If it's not fun, fix it. Sometimes you will come up with what you think will be a dynamite practice, but when you get to the field and begin to work it, it falls on it's face. Relax, take a breath, and switch to something else (Theme related) that you are more comfortable with and that the kids like. Then, sit down afterward and try to determine what you could do differently next time.

Koach Karl - You may also want to ask the players 'what is going wrong?' 'what went wrong?' and how they would like to see the practice adjusted. After all it is their practice allow them to have some input!

This is also the beauty of the 'FUNdamental Practice Routine', when you 'observe' that the players are not having any FUN - just go to the next Step of the practice. Simple!!!

2) FOCUS!
If you want to run a practice on dribbling. Make rules for the game that require a lot of dribbling. When you pause the players ("Freeze") don't make a point about defending - make a point about dribbling. Your players will retain much from your practice if you stay on the Theme.

Koach Karl - A major point in our 'FUNdamental Practice Routine'. We can only learn 'one thing' at a time. Therefore, it is wise to coach only 'one Theme' at a time.

3) Build from Small to Large, Simple to Complex
Start with your warm up where every player has a ball. Incorporate stretching. Move to some partner exercises and then play one on one's. After a break, play small-sided games of some sort. Finally, end with the full game and free play.

Koach Karl - Soooooooo Simple!

4) Maximize Touches on the Ball
Make rules for the game that gets the players touching the ball as many times as possible. Try not to have players standing and waiting. If you are introducing a 'new' rule' into the game, demonstrate it clearly and briefly, then get all of the players involved with it.

Koach Karl - If the ball is moving and the player is moving - soccer learning is taking place. Once the ball stops moving or the player stops moving - soccer learning stops. Think about it…!

5) No Laps! No Lines! No Lectures!
This could be a sub-category of number (1) but it is worth emphasizing. Running without a ball does a youth soccer player no good. Many scientific and medical studies have shown this. Have players motionless (i.e. standing in line) as little as possible. Don't talk or explain a point for more than 30 seconds at a time. Your players will tune out after that - keep them moving.

Koach Karl - Ask yourself. Does it happen in the game?
If the answer is NO - Then, don't do it in practice.
If the answer is YES - Then, do it in practice…!

6) Evaluate
This step is important. Ask yourself after each practice what you thought went well, what you thought went poorly and why for both. Try to fix the problem for the next time you want to work on that Theme. If something went poorly and you don't know why, investigate -ask another coach, look in a book or a web site. Someone will have the answer you need. You are not alone!

Koach Karl - Involve your players in 'their' practice evaluation - Ask them! Or ask us here at FUNdamentalsoccer.com.