Articles by Trevor A. Sumner on ArticleSnatch.com

What to Look for in a Youth Softball Coach

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 16:52:41 -0500

To illustrate the importance of solid coaching when it comes to youth softball there is a story of a softball coach who established a 93-4-2 record over five years in an 8 and under fastpitch league. Every year he lost several players due to age and had to retool the team with new players. Now, I'm not saying winning is everything, but that's an impressive record. Keep this in mind as you decide where you want your child to play softball. Qualified youth softball coaches with leadership abilities, a positive attitude, and a desire to inspire children are worth their weight in gold.So, how do you go about locating these types of softball coaches for your children? For starters, speak to the various softball coaches in the league you are targeting. Online softball directories can provide contact information in many cases. Of course, you'll want to speak with other parents for their opinion on various coaches as well. Online softball directories are also a rich source of information for researching different softball leagues, equipment suppliers, and youth softball camps.You can also find coaching resources online at free websites like weplay.com. **End Summary** Topics: Youth Softball Coach]]> youth softball drills]]> youth softball]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> By Trevor Sumner who works for Weplay.com, a youth softball community dedicated to providing parents, coaches and athletes the tools and information to celebrate the love of the game. Weplay.com has one of the most comprehensive, free softball drill libraries in its active softball community.

Youth Soccer Passing Drill

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 15:25:11 -0500

When it comes to passing in youth soccer, the "push pass" is one of the basic soccer fundamentals every player should learn. Most youth soccer players can learn this technique when they reach the ages of 8 to 10 years old. Learning to pass quickly and efficiently allows for clean breakouts from your own end of the field, swift counterattacks at midfield, and fast breaks to the opponents goal.Below is a detailed description and soccer drill for the push pass, but you can also find more free soccer passing drills online at websites like Weplay.com.How to Master the Soccer "Push Pass"Sometimes referred to as the instep pass, the push pass is performed using the inside of the foot along the arch.As the soccer player approaches the ball, they will plant their non-kicking foot roughly 12 inches to the side with the knee slightly bent and the toes pointed towards the target.The kicking foot is turned outward from the body with the ankle locked. Swinging the leg from the hip pivot, the soccer ball is to be struck in the center with the side of the foot. **End Summary** Topics: Youth Soccer Passing Drill]]> free soccer passing drills]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> By Trevor Sumner who works for Weplay.com, a youth soccer community dedicated to providing parents, coaches and athletes the tools and information to celebrate the love of the game. Weplay.com has one of the most comprehensive, free soccer drill libraries in its active soccer community.

5 Traits of a Successful Youth Soccer Coach

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 15:14:06 -0500

Another youth soccer season is fast approaching. Parents are getting their children registered, referees are brushing up on the rules, and youth soccer coaches are getting prepared for the first practice. It can be tough coaching youth soccer. It takes a special person to deal with the various personalities of both the children and their parents. A youth soccer coach has to be able to motivate the shy kid, the exuberant kid, the aggressive kid, and all other manner of personalities while molding them into a cohesive unit. The following are 5 traits of a successful youth soccer coach.You can also find other soccer coaching resources online at websites like Weplay.com.Use Your Creativity - Discipline in practice is one of the surest roads to youth soccer success. Ball handling and play development will have your charges developing the skills required to win soccer games. But remember, these are children and they need to have fun, positive reinforcement while they are learning. Use your creativity to add variety to your practices. Additionally, short, innovate soccer drills will help hold their concentration while they practice. **End Summary** Topics: Soccer Drill Fundamentals]]> advanced soccer drills]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> By Trevor Sumner who works for Weplay.com, a youth soccer community dedicated to providing parents, coaches and athletes the tools and information to celebrate the love of the game. Weplay.com has one of the most comprehensive, free soccer drill libraries in its active soccer community.

Youth Basketball Free Throw Shooting Tips & Drills

Tue, 05 Jan 2010 14:55:13 -0500

It's tough to find a way to get through, over, and around five defenders in youth basketball game, so any time you are given a free opportunity to put points on the board, you have to be able to take full advantage of it. The ability to get to the foul line and then make a high percentage of your free throws is critical to the success of any basketball team, and free throw shooting is something that one can definitely improve through attention to detail and a good bit of practice.When it comes to free throw shooting from a basketball team perspective, there is a huge swing in potential advantage depending upon a squad's ability to drain their foul shots. If you are nearly automatic when you head to the charity stripe, each time your opponent makes a mistake and commits a foul they pay for it and you put easy points on the board. If you miss, their mistake doesn't hurt them, and you waste a possession when the defense did not actually stop you. **End Summary** Topics: Basketball Free Throw Shooting Tips Drills]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> By Trevor Sumner who works for Weplay.com, a youth basketball community dedicated to providing parents, coaches and athletes the tools and information to celebrate the love of the game. Weplay.com has one of the most comprehensive, free basketball drill libraries in its active basketball community.

Youth Basketball Ball Handling Tips & Drills

Sun, 03 Jan 2010 14:48:38 -0500

The point guard is the straw that stirs the drink on the basketball floor, and though he or she generally does the majority of a basketball team's ball handling, all players should develop their ball handling skills. It is a core basketball skill for the guards and somewhat less important to the forwards, who in many cases should be discouraged from putting the ball on the floor at all. However, youth basketball coaches should have the long term development of their basketball players in mind. A player who is a forward or center at a young age may only grow tall enough to play guard by the end of high school, so even players who dribble less early in their development need to work hard on their ball handling skills.One of the great things about ball control basketball drills is that you can do them anywhere, so it is easy to get in as much ball control practice as you want. **End Summary** Topics: Basketball Ball Control Drills]]> Basketball Drills]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> By Trevor Sumner who works for Weplay.com, a youth basketball community dedicated to providing parents, coaches and athletes the tools and information to celebrate the love of the game. Weplay.com has one of the most comprehensive, free basketball drill libraries in its active basketball community.

Youth Basketball & Individual Defense

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 01:51:14 -0500

Most people become interested in basketball because they want to dribble and shoot, and indeed, these are fundamental elements of the game. However, you need to have the ball and the way you get it is through playing defense. You need to stop the other team from scoring more often than they stop you to win the game, so though it may not seem like it's as much fun, defense is equally as important as offense.Youth basketball coaches need to sell their players on this fact and get everyone on the same page. One of the best selling points is this: stifling defense leads to easy offense. Most of the highlight reel, launch-from-the-foul-line dunks that you see are the result of steals. The more pressure you put on the opponent's offense, the more you will wear them down over the course of the game, and that too leads to easier offensive opportunities. The bottom line is that winning teams play good defense, and youth players need to understand that they need to be willing to invest the time and effort into continually improving their individual basketball defensive skills. Defense is all about heart and work ethic. **End Summary** Topics: Youth Basketball Defensive Drills]]> Basketball Defensive Drill]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> By Trevor Sumner who works for Weplay.com, a youth basketball community dedicated to providing parents, coaches and athletes the tools and information to celebrate the love of the game. Weplay.com has one of the most comprehensive, free basketball drill libraries in its active basketball community.

Youth Basketball Rebounding Tips & Drills

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 13:51:56 -0500

It is natural for casual observers of the game of youth basketball to focus on shooting and scoring as the crux of the sport, but coaches and players know that there are other crucial factors that help to decide who is going to win a given ballgame. Rebounding is huge, and in many ways it is more important to rebound the basketball well than it is to shoot at a high percentage. Offensive rebounds provide easy put-backs and second, third, and fourth chance opportunities to put the ball through the basket, and on the other side defensive rebounding prevents the other team from having those multiple chances to score.At the end of any youth basketball game, if you hold the rebounding edge, you are probably going to be going home on the winning end of the score. Rebounding is a science, and though height and jumping ability have a lot to do with it, anticipation and positioning are equally important. A smart player who anticipates where the missed shot is likely to ricochet depending on the position of the shooter is going to head for the correct spot and get a lot of rebounds. **End Summary** Topics: Basketball Rebounding drills]]> Basketball Drills]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> By Trevor Sumner who works for Weplay.com, a youth basketball community dedicated to providing parents, coaches and athletes the tools and information to celebrate the love of the game. Weplay.com has one of the most comprehensive, free basketball drill libraries in its active basketball community.

Youth Basketball Passing Tip & Drills

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 07:07:18 -0500

Though we all love to see a dazzling crossover dribbling move, a sweet jumper that tickles the twine from beyond the arc, and the monster slam from behind the ear, in the final analysis, youth basketball is a team game. There have been many NBA players who have put up enormous individual numbers without ever winning a championship, and there are others who have multiple rings who didn't score much at all. In basketball you need to get good, high percentage shots, and to do that consistently you need to find the open man and play selfless basketball. A smart pass often results in a very easy shot, and every good youth coach needs to emphasize the importance of passing to his or her team.Making a nice pass that turns into an easy basket is one of the best feelings you can have on the court, and these assists do more than put two points on the board. They feed a culture of teamwork, and no team is going to be successful over the long haul unless there is a shared commitment to the team over the individual. **End Summary** Topics: Basketball Passing Drills]]> crossover dribbling move]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> By Trevor Sumner who works for Weplay.com, a youth basketball community dedicated to providing parents, coaches and athletes the tools and information to celebrate the love of the game. Weplay.com has one of the most comprehensive, free basketball drill libraries in its active basketball community.

Youth Basketball & Improving Jumping Ability

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 04:21:04 -0500

Unless you happen to be seven feet tall, jumping ability has a great deal to do with your success as a basketball player. An above average vertical leap can in essence add inches to your height, and since there are no exercises or basketball drills that will make players taller, the best way to help players get up higher is to guide them through some basketball training exercises that will improve their jumping ability. It's important to remember that you also want to be able to jump quicker than your opponent.Aspiring basketball players need to refuse to accept the perception of limitations. We have all seen and heard stories, like the Vince Papale inspired movie Invincible, that depict real life instances of athletes defying the odds and achieving things that they were told were not possible. Michael Jordan was cut from his high school team as a sophomore, and he used that as motivation to practice on his own for hour upon hour. **End Summary** Topics: basketball drills]]> Youth Basketball Drills]]> basketball]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> By Trevor Sumner who works for Weplay.com, a youth basketball community dedicated to providing parents, coaches and athletes the tools and information to celebrate the love of the game. Weplay.com has one of the most comprehensive, free basketball drill libraries in its active basketball community.

Youth Basketball Shooting Drills

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 08:56:30 -0500

There is nothing more satisfying than watching a basketball leave your fingertips with the perfect backspin and arch on its way toward the hoop until you hear the sweet sound of the swish. Like anything else it takes practice to become a good shooter, and though some people have more natural shooting ability than others, shooting drills can help any player improve their shot and become more of a scoring threat. However, no matter how much you practice, if you are simply going through countless repetitions of shooting the ball using poor form you won't be getting much accomplished.Below are some tips for proper basketball shooting techniques as well as some fun drills for your youth basketball team's practice. You can also find more free basketball skills & drills videos and tutorials online at websites like Weplay.comBasketball Shooting FundamentalsKeep your elbow aligned with your shoulder rather than allowing it to drift off to the right. If you stop and simulate that position right now you'll recognize that the correct alignment will leave your hand and fingertips correctly centered on the ball.Square your body up to the hoop. **End Summary** Topics: ]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> By Trevor Sumner who works for Weplay.com, a youth basketball community dedicated to providing parents, coaches and athletes the tools and information to celebrate the love of the game. Weplay.com has one of the most comprehensive, free basketball drill libraries in its active basketball community.

Youth Soccer Attacking Drills

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 13:53:29 -0500

In youth soccer, goals win games and goals come from your offensive attack. Attacks are about good teamwork, creativity, speed and composure. There are so many different ways of attacking in soccer, and that is one of the beauties of the game. Your soccer offense must be able to attack using multiple methods to be successful. It's not enough just to score from crosses - the other team might stop you from crossing the ball and then you'd be stifled. Attacking is about outthinking and outmanoeuvring the other team's defense. Then, when your offense finds an open shot they better shoot at the goal accurately, because there will be limited open shooting opportunities during the game.In the heat of the match, soccer players don't have too much time to plan their attack. By practicing soccer drills and playing a ton of games, players build up their soccer speed of thought - so that eventually they always know what the best option is in an attacking move.Attacks nearly always start in the team's own defense. Yes, even defenders in their own half have an attacking role. They should make intelligent passes that springboard the attack. **End Summary** Topics: Soccer Drills]]> Soccer Attacking Drills]]> Soccer]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> By Trevor Sumner who works for Weplay.com, a youth soccer community dedicated to providing parents, coaches and athletes the tools and information to celebrate the love of the game. Weplay.com has one of the most comprehensive, free soccer drill libraries in its active soccer community.

Youth Basketball Defensive Drills.

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 16:49:53 -0400

They say no man is an island, but that is exactly what it can feel like when you are defending the player with the ball. At its core, though, it is the essence of good defensive basketball. At some point in the game, every player on the floor will have the ball and every player on the floor will be responsible for keeping that player from scoring or creating a scoring opportunity. Basketball defense is one of those areas that is a prime example of personal responsibility within a team sport.Like every other aspect of youth basketball, you will have success defending the player with the ball if you work on and follow some basic principles. All of that starts, though, with knowing the strengths and weaknesses of the player you are guarding in relationship to your own strengths and weaknesses. What is your opponent's dominant hand? Do they prefer to dribble penetrate or shoot from the perimeter? Are they quicker than you? Taller? Once you know this information, the job becomes much easier.The first rule of defending the basketball player with the ball is to stay in front of them, or between them and the basket. **End Summary** Topics: Basketball Defensive Drills]]> Basketball Defense]]> ]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> By Trevor Sumner who works for Weplay.com, a youth basketball community dedicated to providing parents, coaches and athletes the tools and information to celebrate the love of the game. Weplay.com has one of the most comprehensive, free basketball drill libraries in its active basketball community.

Youth Basketball Fast Break Drills

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 16:11:15 -0400

A well-run fast break is one of basketball's most thrilling plays. Most fans of the game love to see a fast-paced tempo with plenty of running and scoring. Strategically, the basketball fast break makes sense in the simple fact that the goal is to push the ball up the floor quickly and efficiently in order to have a numbers advantage over the other team. Either way you look at it, a well-executed fast break can be an important weapon for your team's offensive arsenal.You will often hear a coach use the phrase "no numbers." Or he/she may instruct your team to run when "we have numbers." These phrases simply identify if your team has more players than your opponent on a given play. For example, if your team rebounds your opponent's miss and makes a quick outlet before your opponent transitions back to defense, you may have three of your players attacking two of your opponent's. This is "having numbers." When you have such an advantage, attacking your opponent for a quick score makes good sense.Before you can consider transitioning quickly for a fast break opportunity you obviously first must have the ball. **End Summary** Topics: Basketball Fast Break Drills]]> Fast Break Tips for Basketball]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> By Trevor Sumner who works for Weplay.com, a youth basketball community dedicated to providing parents, coaches and athletes the tools and information to celebrate the love of the game. Weplay.com has one of the most comprehensive, free basketball drill libraries in its active basketball community.

Youth Basketball Fast Break Defense

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 15:13:29 -0400

Few things can swing the momentum of a basketball game like the fast break. Transition basketball is designed to get easy and quick offensive opportunities before the defense can get into place. In fact, some teams make the fast break their dominant style of play. Your youth team will be able to accomplish its defensive goals and increase its chances of winning by properly defending the fast break.While the obvious and most full proof way to stop your opponent's break would be to always have your entire team back on defense, it is a simple fact that throughout the course of a game, there will be times when your opponent has a numbers advantage. Your youth basketball team should devote practice time to both transitioning back on defense and how to defend a fast break when you don't have everyone back.Priority number one is hustling back on defense. Once your opponent has secured a defensive rebound every player on your team has the responsibility to transition as quickly as possible to the defensive end. The best route is straight down the floor and into the key area. That helps prevent easy baskets. **End Summary** Topics: Basketball Fast Break Defense]]> Fast Break Basketball Drills]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> By Trevor Sumner who works for Weplay.com, a youth basketball community dedicated to providing parents, coaches and athletes the tools and information to celebrate the love of the game. Weplay.com has one of the most comprehensive, free basketball drill libraries in its active basketball community.

Youth Basketball Free Throw Shooting Drills

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 14:02:46 -0400

Though it may seem like one of the least exciting offensive aspects of the game of basketball, free throw shooting is every bit as important as making lay ups, knocking down open jump shots, or hitting the three. It is not a basketball cliché that games are won and lost at the free throw line. It is a fact.The game's greatest free throw shooters have three things in common. They spend countless extra hours practicing free throws, they establish and follow a free throw routine, and they shoot with confidence.Remember, a free throw is the only shot during the game when it is guaranteed that you will not be guarded. You are limited, therefore, only by your own ability to make the shot. Visualize success at the free throw line, and be confident.All of the keys to good shooting obviously apply to shooting free throws. You should be balanced in a good athletic stance with your feet slightly wider than shoulder width. Shoot with the ball in the pads of your hands and fingers, not your palm. Follow through by envisioning your hand slapping the front of the rim. **End Summary** Topics: Basketball Free Throw Shooting Drills]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> By Trevor Sumner who works for Weplay.com, a youth basketball community dedicated to providing parents, coaches and athletes the tools and information to celebrate the love of the game. Weplay.com has one of the most comprehensive, free basketball drill libraries in its active basketball community.

Youth Basketball Ball Handling Drills

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 15:07:27 -0400

Every fan enjoys watching the creativity of a great ball handler. Few plays in basketball are as athletic and graceful as a well-executed spin move, an ankle-breaking cross over, or a behind the back dribble to avoid a defender. The purpose of these dribbling moves, however, is quite simple: to change direction. When you are dribbling the basketball and your defender alters your path, you must have at least one of these moves ready.Assuming that you are already handling the basketball using proper technique, the keys to a good change of direction dribble are planting and cutting hard on your outside leg, and dribbling the ball low, close to the floor. Usually, if play has dictated that a change of direction dribble is necessary, there will be a lot of traffic and/or defensive pressure. Keeping the ball low will make it much more difficult for the defense to steal it. **End Summary** Topics: Basketball Ball Handling Drills]]> Basketball Handling Drills]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> By Trevor Sumner who works for Weplay.com, a youth basketball community dedicated to providing parents, coaches and athletes the tools and information to celebrate the love of the game. Weplay.com has one of the most comprehensive, free basketball drill libraries in its active basketball community.

Coaching Youth Basketball: Set Plays

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 08:17:18 -0400

Basketball is one of the most popular youth sports for many reasons, but undoubtedly the creativity involved is a driving force why it's fun and exciting for kids to play, coaches to teach, and fans to watch. There's always an opportunity to surprise the defense or offense either with clever dribbling moves, strategically moving without the ball, deceptively getting your shot off, or executing innovative & trick plays.Practicing set plays in your youth basketball practice can be tedious and repetitive though so it's important for the coach to find ways to make it interesting and more fun to keep the team engaged, especially with youth basketball players whose attention spans are often short.Below are some tips to coaching basketball set plays as well as some basketball offensive and defensive plays for youth basketball teams of all ages. You can also find many good free youth basketball set plays and drills online at websites like Weplay.com.Basketball Coaching Tips: Set PlaysOffensively, the key to executing plays efficiently in games is through tons of repetition in practice so that every player knows exactly what they're doing by muscle memory. **End Summary** Topics: Youth Basketball Offensive Plays]]> Basketball Defensive Plays]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> By Trevor Sumner who works for Weplay.com, a youth basketball community dedicated to providing parents coaches and athletes the tools and information to celebrate the love of the game. Weplay.com has one of the most comprehensive, free basketball drill libraries in its active basketball community.

Youth Basketball Rebounding Drills

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 06:16:56 -0400

Rebounding is a tough job. It is called "pounding the boards" or "cleaning the glass" for a reason. It is hard work and a skill that can only be developed by practicing basketball rebounding drills as often as any other basketball drill. Rebounding is probably the most physical aspect of the game of basketball, and also one of the more underappreciated. However, it is the single most effective way to gain possession of the ball. A quick check of recent champions at any level will show that success at the highest level depends quite a bit on the number of good rebounders a basketball team has. Some players incorrectly assume that the key to basketball rebounding is being tall, or being able to jump high. The truth, however, is that the key to being an exceptional rebounder has more to do with position, timing, and desire. Defensively, you should already be between your opponent and the basket, so when a shot goes up, if you make contact by boxing out and maintain your leverage, you have the advantage to get the ball. From that point, it is all effort. **End Summary** Topics: Basketball Rebounding Drills]]> offensive rebounding drills]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> By Trevor Sumner who works for Weplay.com, a youth basketball community dedicated to providing parents coaches and athletes the tools and information to celebrate the love of the game. Weplay.com has one of the most comprehensive, free basketball drill libraries in its active basketball community.

Youth Basketball Defensive Drills

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 04:16:51 -0400

There is a famous sports saying that offense wins games and defense wins championships. In basketball, if your team doesn't possess a healthy dose of defensive consistency to go along with its offensive firepower they will find it difficult to win. Unfortunately, most youth basketball team practice time and individual basketball drill work tend to focus on offensive skills.However, just like every other aspect of the game, if you desire to be a top-notch defender, you must put in the work, individually and as a team. There are basketball focused drills you can use to improve you quickness and conditioning so you can defend your opponent as well in the fourth quarter as you did in the first. Conditioning and defense isn't fun, but it's this commitment that separates successful individual players and teams. There are also youth basketball defensive strategies that you must practice as a team in order to defend your opponent as a cohesive group.Desire is the top ingredient to becoming a defensive stopper. You have to be willing to put in the extra work and put your team success ahead of your own. **End Summary** Topics: Basketball Defensive Drills]]> Defensive Basketball Drills]]> basketball drills]]> Defensive Tips for Basketball]]> basketball skills drills]]> basketball ski]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> By Trevor Sumner who works for Weplay.com, a youth basketball community dedicated to providing parents coaches and athletes the tools and information to celebrate the love of the game. Weplay.com has one of the most comprehensive, free basketball drill libraries in its active basketball community.

Youth Basketball Offense and Set Plays

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 15:55:07 -0400

One of the most interesting aspects of participating or even being a fan of basketball is how much variety the game has. It's true in basketball that there is more than one way to "skin a cat." Your team can find its identity and pursue success by a collection of vastly different styles and strategies. Depending on your personnel, your youth basketball team can rely on the fast break, half-court execution, pressure defense, a strong perimeter game, dominant post players, or even a stall. Your basketball team's style of play will probably be determined by its roster. Is your team small and quick? Do you have a dominant center? Great perimeter shooting? Usually, a good youth basketball coach will adjust his/her personal strategies and game plans around the team's talent. At higher levels of basketball (college and pro) a coach actually has the benefit of acquiring players that fit into the style of play the coach prefers. Whichever style of play your team employs, the fundamentals of basketball (shooting, passing, rebounding, defense, ball handling) are still vital. Once your team has established its identity, it still must be prepared for specific moments that occur in the game. **End Summary** Topics: Basketball Offense and Set Plays]]> free basketball skills]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> One of the most interesting aspects of participating or even being a fan of basketball is how much variety the game has. It's true in basketball that there is more than one way to "skin a cat." Your team can find its identity and pursue success by a collection of vastly different styles and strategies.

Youth Football Running Back Drills

Sun, 13 Sep 2009 16:09:04 -0400

Youth football rushing drills used to consist of practicing handoffs, holding on to the ball while being hit, and blocking for the quarterback. In today's game, a running back needs those rushing skills in addition to "reading" the defense for blitzing linebackers and catching the football out of the backfield. In many cases, the running back acts as an option for the quarterback if no other play is available. To play the position effectively, the running back must be quick on his feet, drive forward with power, and be able to react reflexively in an instant.Below are some youth football rushing drills, but you can find more free football drills online at websites like Weplay.com.Youth Football Running Back DrillsWeave DrillThe Weave drill teaches aspiring running backs proper footwork techniques. It focuses on balance while planting the foot and driving in another direction. Place 5 cones in a straight line on the field about one yard apart.Have the running backs line up near the first cone.To begin, the coach hands the football off to the first running back. **End Summary** Topics: Youth football drills]]> youth football]]> football drills]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> By Trevor Sumner who works for Weplay.com, a youth football community dedicated to providing parents coaches and athletes the tools and information to celebrate the love of the game. Weplay.com has one of the most comprehensive, free football drill libraries in its active football community.

Youth Football Quarterback Drills

Sun, 13 Sep 2009 15:41:03 -0400

To become an effective youth football quarterback takes hours of practice time. Learning passing fundamentals and practicing football drills on a daily basis will help the aspiring leader to take command on the youth football gridiron. Simulating football game situations when performing quarterback drills will assist the player in "thinking on their feet" when game time arrives. A quality quarterback will have a solid stance, good balance, confidence, and ball handling skills. In addition to the below examples, you can find more free youth football drills online at websites like Weplay.com.Youth Quarterback Passing DrillsKnee DrillThe objective of these quarterback drills is to develop a proper wrist snap while releasing the football. A young quarterback must learn to throw with the body and the knee drill takes the legs out of the equation.Position two quarterbacks on their knees about 5 yards apart. The first QB grasps the football with the correct grip supporting it with the opposite hand. The football is passed to the second QB and repeated. Extend the distance to 10 yards and repeat. **End Summary** Topics: Youth football drills]]> youth football]]> football drills]]> yout]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> By Trevor Sumner who works for Weplay.com, a youth football community dedicated to providing parents coaches and athletes the tools and information to celebrate the love of the game. Weplay.com has one of the most comprehensive, free football drill libraries in its active football community.

Coaching Youth Football

Sat, 12 Sep 2009 06:36:12 -0400

Coaching youth football allows you to teach young football players the fundamentals of the game and bring individual talent together to play as a cohesive unit. That said, success on the gridiron begins on the practice field. Learning and implementing proper youth football skills & drills during practice will have you, your coaches, and players ready for the big game. There are no shortcuts when coaching youth football. Hard work, discipline, determination, in addition to coaching football fundamentals is what produces winning football teams and successful youth football players.Below are some of the skills needed to become a good football coach, and you can find the football drills needed to run a practice properly in books or online from others football coaches at free websites like Weplay.com.Youth Football Coaching SkillsBe A Good Role Model - youth football players are an observant bunch. They imitate their role models whether on or off the field. It is the football coach's responsibility to display the character that they want to see in their players. Character traits such as consistency, emotional control, honesty, and integrity are important. **End Summary** Topics: Youth football drills]]> youth football]]> football drills]]> yout]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> By Trevor Sumner who works for Weplay.com, a youth football community dedicated to providing parents coaches and athletes the tools and information to celebrate the love of the game. Weplay.com has one of the most comprehensive, free football drill libraries in its active football community.

Youth Soccer Defense

Thu, 03 Sep 2009 08:33:23 -0400

The most important component in youth soccer defense is to limit the field space that the offensive team can work with. Your strategy should be to push your opponents into a tight group where you can more easily cause a turnover and go on the counterattack. It is important to be aware of any open spaces or lanes where an opposing player can break to and accept a pass.The most effective strategy is to force the attacking team to the outside along the sidelines and then forming a "box" on the other three sides to pen in your opponent. Some soccer defensive plays are described below, but you can also find more information like free youth soccer defensive skills & drills online at sites like Weplay.com. Remember, defense wins championships.Youth Soccer DefenseThere are three lines of soccer defense that a defending team must be aware of in order to effectively close down an attack. The defending soccer players must be able to quickly recognize whether they are a first, second, or third defender in every situation.The first line of soccer defense is the player closest to the opponent with the ball. **End Summary** Topics: Youth Soccer Defense]]> free youth soccer defensive skills]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> By Trevor A. Sumner who works for Weplay.com, a youth soccer community dedicated to providing parents, coaches and athletes the tools and information to celebrate the love of the game. Weplay.com has one of the most comprehensive, free soccer drill libraries in its active soccer community.

Goalkeeping Tips & Drills for Youth Soccer

Thu, 03 Sep 2009 06:16:24 -0400

To become a good soccer goalkeeper for a youth soccer club, it is important at an early age to practice the fundamentals over and over through goalkeeping drills customized to improve the specific skills and athleticism needed. A few youth goalkeeper drills are listed below but you can find many more free youth goalkeeping drills for soccer online at websites like Weplay.com.A soccer goalkeeper needs to be quick on his feet to effectively cover the goal line, which is why learning proper footwork is the main key for goalkeeping success. As the last line of defense, the soccer goaltender must be able to read the play and react quickly to the shot. Their job is to catch or deflect the soccer ball to remove the danger. They are also responsible for launching a counterattack once the save has been made. Additionally, to be an effective soccer goalkeeper, one must learn how to position themselves in the net and reduce the open angle for the shooter. It's not an easy position to play, so we'll go over some strategies and drills to train as a youth soccer goalkeeper below. **End Summary** Topics: free youth goalkeeping drills for soccer]]> Goalkeeper Stance]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> By Trevor A. Sumner who works for Weplay.com, a youth soccer community dedicated to providing parents, coaches and athletes the tools and information to celebrate the love of the game. Weplay.com has one of the most comprehensive, free soccer drill libraries in its active soccer community.