SOCCER COACH WEEKLY - Fun Soccer Games for 12 to 15 Year Olds - My 25 Top Tips for Coaching 12 to 15 Year Olds

Sep 22, 2026

Fun Soccer Games for 12 to 15 Year Olds focuses on coaching players at the age where senior football is emerging and young athletes begin to think more strategically about technique, fitness, and decision-making. The foreword explains that games can be adapted to different abilities by simplifying and adjusting physical and technical demands. It also highlights an attacking focus alongside targeted goalkeeper activities and provides a structured set of 25 coaching tips covering preparation, communication, inclusivity, fitness considerations, equipment and ball size, behaviour management, session planning, and safety responsibilities.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages31

Reading Time1 h 18 min

AccessFree to download

Foreword

Coaching focus for ages 12 to 15

Game adaptation and featured goalkeeper games

My 25 Top Tips for Coaching 12 to 15 Year Olds

Key coaching principles

Credits Author Editor Illustrations Cover Design Customer Services Representatives Production IT Manager Finance Manager Publisher Operations Director Managing Director Keith Boanas Teresa Maughan Artlife Jonathan Davison Duncan Heard and Nikki Waugh Julie Lifton Pritam Shitole Julie Heathorn Kevin Barrow Toby Curthoys Andrew Grifﬁths Green Star Media Ltd Meadow View, Tannery Lane, Bramley, Guildford, Surrey GU5 0AB, United Kingdom T: +44 (0)1483 892894 F: +44 (0)1483 894148 Email: [duncan.heard@greenstarmedia.net](duncan.heard@greenstarmedia.net) SOCCER COACH WEEKLY Fun Soccer Games for 12 to 15 Year Olds Foreword Dear Coach, Welcome to the third in my series of books Fun Soccer Games. We’ve progressed from ages 5 to 8 on to 9 to 11 year olds in the previous books, so the focus of this one is players aged 12 to 15. This age group is on the fringe of senior football and players are becoming more aware of the finer elements of the game as well the importance of fitness in physically demanding play. They are beginning to start ‘thinking’ more about their play as well using their physical strength, which is developing rapidly at this age. Hence, some of the games definitely include some tough decision making and skill factors as well as being physically demanding. Every game featured can be adapted to suit any age group. Though some of these games might be too technically and physically demanding for beginners, nearly all can be simplified and tweaked to suit your players’ requirements. Only you as your squad’s coach will know your players’ development and ability and can pitch any game at the correct level while still keeping it fun. I have made every effort to be original and have designed and implemented some completely new games designed to tackle specific areas of the game. The majority of games have an attacking theme, though this obviously means that most of the time defenders and keepers are also being worked. I have targeted two games specifically for keepers – Jeepers Keepers and Sweeper Keeper. If you’re looking for an emphasis on defending then Tin Pan Alley, Pin It To Win It, Its Behind You, Inside Out and Magic Number should do the job. I have also included a list of the games indicating difficulty levels and suitable age range. For many of the games its great to encourage some assistance from players with scoring, feeding the ball in and so on, giving you the opportunity to observe. During my coaching career I have been extremely fortunate to have visited many countries and experienced a variety of cultures. But the one thing I have found is wherever I am people all have the same passion for the game. Yours in soccer, Keith Boanas SOCCER COACH WEEKLY Fun Soccer Games for 12 to 15 Year Olds My 25 Top Tips for Coaching 12 to 15 Year Olds | 1. | Be pre-organised for when they arrive. Have the first game ready to go. | | --- | --- | | 2. | Be welcoming, enthusiastic, and remember to smile. | | 3. | Keep explanations simple, let them ask questions. | | 4. | Be inclusive, involve all players. | | 5. | Always encourage and praise. | | 6. | Voice control is more effective at this age, however use a whistle if you have a quiet voice. Stop play to highlight some good points and possibly advise or demonstrate how to improve an error through Q&A and Guide & Discovery = Ask the player if they know or can show a better way. | | 7. | Use visual aids/colours to enhance their observation. | | 8. | Avoid highlighting errors or weaknesses, and do not use negative words. | | 9. | Use your players’ names. If a player has a nickname that is fine, but don’t make one up, it could upset players. | | 10. | Make sure they know your name or they call you coach, not sir. | | 11. | Use the correct size footballs. Size 4 or 5, though it can be fun to use a mixture including size 1 and 2 skill balls in any of the close control and dribbling games. | | 12. | Mix teams around so players don’t dominat

FAQs

What coaching priorities are emphasized for players aged 12 to 15?

The foreword states that every game can be adapted by simplifying and tweaking technical and physical demands to match players’ development and ability, with the coach deciding the correct level while keeping the sessions fun.

What guidance is given about coaching communication and safety at this age?

Keep explanations simple, encourage questions, use players’ names, and avoid negative wording or highlighting errors. The tips also stress normal health and safety measures (registers, medical info, field and equipment checks, correct kit) and having an assistant or another adult when coaching minors.

Sep 22, 2026

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