Coaches | Youth Soccer Learning Center

A youth soccer coach holds up three fingers under field lights on a rainy night while young players run a 3v3 scrimmage

How Youth Soccer Coaches Can Teach Scanning to Young Players

by Matt McWilliams | Oct 12, 2026 | Coaches

Scanning is the single most important habit I coach, and it only sticks if you drill it on purpose instead of telling players to look up.

A youth soccer coach demonstrating a passing drill between orange cones on a frosty morning practice field while players wait with balls

9v9 Soccer Practice Plan for Youth Soccer Coaches

by Matt McWilliams | Oct 8, 2026 | Coaches

I coach a 9v9 roster and built this practice plan around a shared warm-up, a seven-exercise bank, and an honest list of what each drill still doesn't teach.

A youth soccer coach setting out blue cones on a misty, empty field before sunrise, with a bag of balls and a clipboard on the grass

How Youth Soccer Coaches Can Plan a Practice With Play-Practice-Play

by Matt McWilliams | Oct 5, 2026 | Coaches

How I plan every two-hour practice with U.S. Soccer's Play-Practice-Play, including the three challenge levels and the closing scrimmage I use to check what landed.

Two young soccer players comparing phone screens in the shade of bleachers beside a practice field on a bright day

Youth Soccer Coaches: Does Competition Between Teammates Help or Hurt?

by Matt McWilliams | Oct 2, 2026 | Coaches

Two players, one team-only leaderboard, and a coach who did nothing. I explain when teammate competition helps youth soccer players and when it hurts.

A youth soccer coach on a sideline at sunset holding a phone while players pass and juggle in the background

How Youth Soccer Coaches Can Get Players to Practice on Off Days

by Matt McWilliams | Oct 2, 2026 | Coaches

How I get my whole roster touching the ball on off days: specific assignments, two identical weeks, and a plan that expects 75% completion.