Effectively managing the flow of practice is essential for productive soccer training sessions. Here’s a guide on how to stop and restart your practice efficiently:

Stopping the Practice

Initial Instructions: At the beginning of practice, clearly instruct your players on how and when the practice will be stopped. Emphasize the importance of this process to ensure they understand its role in effective learning.

Opportune Moments for Teaching: Identify key moments during practice where stopping the play can provide immediate feedback. Halting the play at the exact moment of a mistake offers a prime opportunity for correction.

Freezing the Play: Players should freeze instantly when the practice is halted. This allows you to address the error in the context of the action, providing a clear and memorable learning moment.

Correction Process: After stopping the play, walk the player through the correct movement step by step. Gradually increase the pace until they are performing the action at game speed.

Methods to Stop the Play:

• Whistle: Use two short blasts to signal a stop.
• Voice: Use a catchphrase like “freeze.” For younger children, make it a fun challenge by seeing who can become the best statue when you shout “freeze.”

Starting the Practice

Quick Restart: After addressing the coaching points, restart the play as quickly as possible to maintain the tempo. Return a moving ball to the player who had possession, making the game instantly live again.

Command: Simply call out “Play” to resume the practice.

Minimize Stoppage Time: Keep stoppages brief to prevent disrupting the practice flow. Make your point succinctly and get the players back to playing swiftly. Remember, players prefer playing to standing around.

Implementing these tips will help you run more efficient and effective soccer practices, keeping players engaged and maximizing their learning.