Every coach wants their practices to run smoothly, with players focused, drills flowing, and progress showing in every session. It doesn’t happen by luck, it happens because you show up prepared.
You set the tone.
You bring the structure.
You lead with intention.
The best practices are built on small things done right. A few essential tools in your bag. A clear plan in your head. A steady presence on the field. Be it you’re coaching young kids or older players, the needs stay the same.
And when you have the right setup, everything else becomes easier; less time wasted, more time spent teaching and playing.
Here’s a breakdown of the key things every coach should bring to practice to make each session focused, fun, and effective from start to finish.
1. A Ball for Every Player
Simple, right? But it’s surprising how often coaches rely on players to bring their own balls, only to find themselves short. Always plan for the few who forget.
A ball for every player means everyone is active.
There’s no sharing, no standing around. You want players juggling, dribbling, passing, and shooting right away. You want touches on the ball from the first second. So carry extra. Five to eight backups should do the trick. It’s a small investment for a big return in energy and focus.
You’ll thank yourself on days when a kid forgets or when a ball bursts mid-session. Always better to have more than you need than to waste minutes scrambling.
2. A Ball Pump
Flat balls ruin practice. They kill energy and make drills pointless. Dribbling with a soggy ball doesn’t feel right, and shooting with one isn’t fair.
Always keep a pump in your bag. One of those portable ones you can use quickly during water breaks. If you’re serious about training, this one should never be optional.
Even if you inflate everything at home, balls deflate over time. The moment you touch the field, check them. A two-minute pump-up can save a session.
3. Disk Cones
You’ll use these more than anything else. For warm-ups. For small-sided games. For marking zones, channels, or paths. They’re lightweight, bright, and easy to carry.
Keep 30 to 40 with you every time. That might sound like a lot, but once you start setting up larger grids or organizing positional drills, you’ll find yourself running out. You don’t need anything fancy. Just durable ones in bold colors that don’t blow away.
These little disks help you create order on a chaotic field. They guide players without you having to say a word. That’s coaching made easier.
4. Tall Cones
You’ve got your disk cones, now it’s time to add a few tall ones to your kit.
You’ll use them to create mini-goals, act as defenders in technical drills, or even as obstacles in agility runs. They stand out better than disk cones and offer more visual impact for certain drills.
Keep about 6 to 8. No need to overdo it. Tall cones work best when used for structure and visibility. They’re perfect for younger kids too, helping them understand spatial boundaries more easily.
Sometimes, all it takes is one cone placed the right way to fix an entire drill.
5. Practice Vests (Pinnies)
You’ll never run a proper small-sided game without these. Kids need to know who’s on their team, and with the constant rotation of players in drills, colored vests are your shortcut to clarity.
Split your squad into two, three, or four groups easily. Make it instant. Red versus yellow. Blue versus green. It doesn’t matter the colors—just make sure they’re bright and different enough to stand out.
You don’t need to break the bank. Go for lightweight, breathable ones that dry quickly. Ten to twenty pinnies in at least two colors will do just fine.
6. Practice Sticks or Corner Flags
Versatile is the word here. You can use them to mark corners, build goals, guide dribbling drills, or structure shooting lanes.
They give your field definition, especially when you’re training without a full-size pitch. Players understand the boundaries better, which makes drills tighter and more game-like.
Some coaches prefer collapsible corner flags. Others go with slalom poles or training sticks. Whatever your pick, just make sure they’re sturdy and safe.
You’ll be surprised how much structure these tools can add, especially when you’re running drills in open spaces.
7. Small Fold-Away Goals or Pugg Goals
Forget makeshift cones-as-goals for younger kids. You need real goals—ones that make a sound when the ball hits the net, ones that define what counts and what doesn’t.
Small fold-away goals (like Pugg goals) make small-sided games more competitive.
Players take them seriously. They finish cleaner. They argue less. No more debates about whether the ball “went through the cones” or not.
Get two. Fold them up. Keep them in your car. They’re lightweight, portable, and take only seconds to set up. Once you start using them, you won’t go back.
8. A Portable Full-Size Goal
This one depends on the age group you coach. But if you work with players U12 and above, access to a full-size goal is crucial.
Shooting practice on small goals won’t prepare them for real matches. They need to learn the feel of the posts, the angles, the height. If your field doesn’t have goals, consider investing in a portable one—4×6 BowNet goals are great alternatives too.
They aren’t cheap. But you can work with parents, the club, or local sponsors to cover the cost. Your older players deserve realistic training environments.
Younger kids? Stick with Pugg goals. That’s more than enough to build confidence and shooting accuracy.
9. Show Up Early and Set Up
This is about more than equipment. It’s about presence.
Arrive 15 to 20 minutes before practice starts. That gives you time to mark your grid, place your cones, pump the balls, and get into the right mindset. Your calm becomes their calm.
Players notice when their coach is ready. They see the field organized, and it sets the tone. You’re not rushing. You’re not fumbling around. You’re focused, and that energy passes to them.
It also buys you quiet moments to review your plan, tweak drills if needed, or just breathe before the chaos of practice begins.
10. A Written Practice Plan
Winging it works until it doesn’t. One bad practice can knock your confidence and confuse your players. A written plan keeps you grounded.
Write it before every session. Even if it’s just bullet points on your phone or a small notebook in your bag. Map out your warm-up, your technical drills, your game segments, and your cool-down. Think about the age group. Think about your goal for that day.
When players lose focus, your plan brings them back. When you forget what drill comes next, your plan reminds you. When time gets short, your plan helps you adjust without missing the core point.
Keep it flexible, but have one every time.
Bonus: Players Who Show Up On Time
You can have every tool on this list, but it won’t matter if your players are late. It’s hard to build rhythm when you’re constantly restarting drills.
Build a culture where players value punctuality. Set clear expectations. Start practice on time, every time, even if a few are still on the way. Eventually, they’ll adjust.
And make that first drill count. Make it active. Make it something they hate missing. That’s how you get them to show up early.
Closing Thoughts
Successful soccer practices aren’t built with fancy tricks or complicated drills. They’re built with preparation, structure, and clarity. You already have the passion. You already know the game. Now give yourself the tools to teach it well.
Pack your gear. Write your plan. Show up early. Lead with energy.
Because when you show up ready, your players do too.
Here’s a quick recap of what to have:
- Ball for every player
- Ball pump
- Disk cones (30–40)
- Tall cones (6–8)
- Practice vests (2–4 colors)
- Practice sticks or corner flags
- Small fold-away goal or Pugg goals
- Portable full-size goal (or suitable alternative)
- Coach arrives early
- A clear written plan
- Players who are ready on time
Bring your best every day. Keep things flowing. And most importantly, enjoy it. Coaching soccer is one of the most rewarding jobs you’ll ever do.
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