One of the more important things to do as a coach is to take time to design soccer practices that fit the age and skill level of your players. It is very important to have an extensive library of soccer drills to choose from so that practices are not predictable and mindless. Mentally, it is important for your players to have to use their heads and pay attention to new drills becuase if drills are repeated over and over at every pracitce then players don’t use their head as much. WIth that being said, it is also important to use drill enough so that you don’t have to explain each drill as this can lead to a waste of practive time.
A mix of shooting, passing, and agility drills are an important thing to consider when creating your practice. Soccer shooting drills are typically more fun and can be incorporated into games as well. This will help increase the interest and intensity level especially if there is a prize awarded to the winners. At the same time, using a punishment such as extra conditioning, can be a great incentive.
Incorporating passing into the shooting drills is key. Soccer passing drills seem to be less iteresting for most players, especially the younger players. Good passing drills that allow players a reward at the end, like a shot on net, seem to excite players more than just a plain passing drill.
Of course, conditioning drills are just not much fun, but again there are games that can be played that require conditioning. Mentally it will not be such a drag if conditioning can be turned into a game of some sort.
A good mix of drills and games is important to keep players focused and interested for all of your practices. Make sure you are well prepared and keep practice moving to hold your players attention. Most importantly, make sure players are excited to come to your practices.