KC Kick

Coach Zone

  • Two Minutes That Matter: A Coach’s Guide for Ages 9–10

    Most coaches don’t fully realize how influential they are, especially at this age.

    From birth to around age 7, parents are the strongest influence in a child’s life.
    But from roughly ages 7 to 12, something shifts.

    During this window, coaches can have as much and sometimes even more impact than parents.

    That’s not pressure.
    That’s opportunity.

    I believe one of the most valuable things a coach can do is take just two minutes out of every practice to help kids learn how to:

    • Manage emotions
    • Do difficult things
    • Respond to mistakes
    • Support teammates
    • Keep going when things feel uncomfortable

    This isn’t about speeches or lectures.
    It’s about short, intentional moments that quietly shape how kids see themselves.

    Why two minutes actually works

    Two minutes might not sound like much, but it’s powerful.

    • Kids this age are listening (even when they don’t look like it)
    • Short messages land better than long talks
    • Repetition builds habits and culture
    • It connects life skills directly to the game they love

    We recently shared a 12-week lesson plan based on The Four Agreements, showing how its ideas can be applied to youth sports. The response from coaches and parents confirmed something we already suspected:

    Coaches want to help kids grow, not just as players, but as people.

    You don’t need to start from scratch

    One of the biggest barriers for coaches is time.

    That’s where AI can help, not by replacing your voice, but by helping you organize ideas faster.

    A simple approach:

    1. Choose a book or philosophy you respect
    2. Ask AI to turn it into short, age-appropriate lessons
    3. Deliver it in your own words, your own style

    Think of AI as an assistant, not a scriptwriter.

    Example prompt coaches can use:

    Create a 10–12 week lesson plan for 9–10 year old athletes. Each week should include a 2-minute coach talk focused on emotional control, resilience, effort, teamwork, and doing hard things. Keep the language simple, practical, and connected to sports.

    From there, tweak it so it sounds like you.

    Books that translate really well to coaching

    You don’t need to teach an entire book.
    One idea per week is more than enough.

    Here are a few great starting points:

    • The Four Agreements – responsibility, effort, mindset
    • Mindset – growth mindset in kid-friendly terms
    • Atomic Habits – consistency, small improvements, showing up
    • The Boys in the Boat – perseverance and team-first thinking
    • Grit – sticking with hard things

    Each of these can be broken down into simple, practical ideas kids can understand and apply on the field.

    A great free resource for coaches

    Another excellent resource is the YouTube channel Parenting with Sean.

    It’s full of grounded, real-world advice on:

    • Emotional regulation
    • Discipline without shame
    • Building connection and trust

    Many of those lessons translate directly to coaching youth athletes.

    Why this matters more than wins

    Wins fade.
    Records get forgotten.
    Trophies collect dust.

    But the way a coach helped a kid handle frustration, fear, or failure.

    If you’re coaching 9–10 year olds, you’re coaching during a critical window of development.
    Two intentional minutes per practice can change how a child approaches challenges for years to come.

    That’s a responsibility worth embracing and a legacy worth building.

  • How We Teach the Chip Shot (Lob Pass) ⚽✨

    We’re continuing our work through the Legend’s Ace Top Gun Series, where we introduce different finishing techniques to help the players become more complete strikers. So far, we’ve spent time on the semi-volley, toe poke, outside of the foot shots, and using the top of the foot. Each skill gives them another tool they can use in real game situations.

    The next piece in the series is the chip shot, sometimes called a lob pass. It’s a controlled lift designed to get the ball over a defender’s foot, drop a pass into space, or create a clever finish around the box. It’s one of those skills that feels advanced but becomes natural once the kids understand how it works.

    Here’s how we break it down in training:

    1. Approach at a slight angle ➡️

    Instead of coming straight on, players approach at a small angle. This helps open their hips and makes it easier to slide the foot under the ball.

    2. Lock the ankle & point the toe down 🦶

    The contact point comes from the lower laces/toe area.
    We remind the kids: “Toe down, ankle strong.”
    This foot shape is what gives the ball its lift.

    3. Get under the bottom third of the ball 🎯

    The chip works because the player strikes the bottom third of the ball. That’s what creates the upward lift and the softer, floating path.

    4. Use a short, quick swing ⚡

    Unlike a driven shot, the chip is a quick scoop, not a long follow-through.
    A short swing sends the ball up; a long swing sends it forward.

    5. Stay tall through the strike 📏

    Leaning forward drives the ball low.
    By staying upright (or slightly leaning back), the ball naturally lifts and gains backspin.

    6. Let the foot finish upward ⬆️

    Instead of a full follow-through, the foot rises at the end of the strike.
    This “pop” gives the ball height and makes it land softly.

    7. Yes — the knee should bend (just not too much) 🦵

    This comes up a lot, so here’s the simple version:

    ✔️ A slight knee bend is correct.

    It helps the player:

    • Get the foot underneath the ball
    • Shorten the swing
    • Control the lift

    ❌ What we don’t want:

    • A big wind-up
    • A full power swing
    • Dropping the knee forward (drives the ball flat)

    ✔️ What we do want:

    A small, functional bend that helps them scoop the ball cleanly.

    The easiest instruction for kids is:
    “A little knee bend to get under it — quick lift, not a big kick.”

  • 📝 Coaches’ Guide: Mighty Kicks Pre-Game Routine 2025

    Having a clear pre game routine helps the kids get focused, build confidence, and start the match in the right mindset. Below is a suggested structure for our Mighty Kicks teams this season. It’s short, simple, and effective. Designed to maximize touches, reps, and positive energy before kickoff.

    ⚙️ Pre-Game Routine (Approx. 30 Minutes)

    1. Dynamic Warm-Up (5 minutes)

    • Short jog
    • A-skips
    • High knees

    2. Ball Warm-Up (8 minutes)

    • Toe taps, 30 seconds
    • Tik Tok, 30 seconds
    • Partner passing: line up across from one another about 15 feet apart, count how many passes each pair can complete in 2 minutes

    3. Give and Go Drill (10–15 minutes)

    • One coach leads the drill, while another rotates through the back of the line to highlight each player’s strengths, discuss what they can focus on during the game, and discussion position and role in current game.

    🎥 Watch the video demonstration here:
    👉

    4. Team Huddle & Positions (5 minutes)

    • Review positions for the game
    • Keep the message short and clear (overwhelm the other team with shots on goal)

    ✅ Key Points for Coaches

    • Stay upbeat and positive — pre-game is about energy and confidence
    • Encourage communication: remind players to call for the ball and help teammates with their voices
    • Bring up successful aspects of prior practice session (great ball movement, holding their position)

    Plan for Game