If you live in a place with weeks and months of snow, you know how painful it can be to get there on the soccer pitch. Whether you are a parent trying to the kids to practice, a coach to get them to move, or just a player attempting to perform, you know how painful it can be to adjust to the snow and the winter weather. Obviously, if it is actively snowing heavily, there is nothing much you can do to get visibility. However, you can definitely do a lot to stay dry and warm on the soccer pitch, while avoiding injuries. Many players get injured because of improper clothing, which is inexcusable. The field is more slippery and the players take time to warm up, with the right snow gear for soccer. Also, as players cannot easily see and are more likely to slip the collisions are more probable, so it is so vital to get the right gear.

What is the best snow gear for soccer players?

The best snow gear is the one that will keep you warm, and dry and protect you from injuries. Getting the right covers for your cleats is crucial to keep your feet dry. Then you have to cover any open areas, like your head, neck, and hands. For this, you should use neck warmers, beanies, and gloves. However, you cannot use the thickest ones like you use for skiing, because they will limit your movement and agility. Finally, make sure you get your thermal insulation right – base layers for your legs and your core body will provide both warmth and protection from injuries.

Cleat Covers by Sleef

Neck Warmer by Nike

Waterproof Gloves by FanVince

Water-resistant Beanie by OtterShell

Long Sleeve Base Layer by Under Armour

Leg Sleeves by Tough Outdoors

Get your snow gear for soccer

There it is! Playing in the snow can be fun for kids until they find the pain of freezing hands and feet. Then it can cause such reluctance to get on the pitch, that parents end up begging the players to get out of the car. It doesn’t have to be that way. Getting the right snow gear for soccer is all that is needed. Staying dry and warm from head to toe can be done with the right equipment. Get your cleat covers and leg sleeves and you are halfway there. With the right base layer you will keep your core and arms warm, and the gloves will keep your hands dry. Finally, buy the beanie and the neck warmer for your head. It’s not that complicated and you might have to adjust. However, be ready for it with the items we suggest or let us know what works better for you and we’ll give it a try!

The first time I played in a 10v10 soccer formation was in my early 20s. At my first job, I noticed a field just outside of my office. One day I was picking up lunch and saw a group of folks playing soccer. It definitely looked like just regular pickup soccer, some 6-a-side games with small goals. Obviously, I immediately asked to join next time. What I found out is that they play twice a week pickup, but they also played in a league on that pitch in the evenings. As the field was a multipurpose field, it didn’t have the right dimensions. It had the right goals, but it looked smaller. The league simply figured out – let’s play 10v10 to accommodate for these irregular dimensions.

Honestly, I haven’t seen anybody else play 10v10 except for that league. However, it brought me countless of hours of tinkering with the formations and analyzing opportunities to come up with better systems. Having analyzed 9v9 formations for my U11 and U12 teams, as well as standard 11v11 formations throughout my life, it is really a challenge to come up with good formations to win games. But it is a good type of challenge. It made me learn much more about how to utilize the space and the types of players. As colleagues join and leave the company, the players on the team change. Of course, recruiting plays a big role in winning but so does creating a system to get the best out of them.

What is the best 10v10 soccer formation?

The best formation is the one that utilizes the advantages of your players and exploits the vulnerabilities of the opponents. With this in mind, the most popular are the 3-4-2 and 4-3-1-1. The 3-4-2 can provide lots of support on the wings, with both the defenders and attackers helping the midfielders. However, it can also be used to overload the middle of the pitch if they stay inside. Finally, if the reason you are playing with 10 players is because of a red card, the two wide midfielders can easily drop into a solid 5 player defensive line. On the other hand, the 4-3-1-1 can provide a solid system to build from the back and opportunities to dominate the center of the pitch.

The goal of any formation is to create superiority. Creating overloads on the wings is better in the 3-4-2, while the 4-3-1-1 can really dominate the middle. Therefore, individual qualities really matter at that point. If you have one natural poacher or target man, then you should use them in the latter formation. However, if you have two tricky attackers that can move between the lines, drift to the wing, and drop in the middle if needed, then the 3-4-2 is the right gameplay for you. That’s up to you to analyze, but let’s give you a framework for it.

3-4-2 [Guide and Progression]

4-3-1-1 [Guide and Progression]

10v10 Soccer Formation Transition

As I outlined the pros and cons of each formation, you might have noticed by now – we attack better in long possession attacks with 3-4-2, but defend well with 4-3-1-1. Ideally for this, one of the wide defenders will become an inverted fullback. Similarly, the two side midfielders will be carrileros, drifting to occupy the wide areas. Alternatively, we can have a fullback push higher and everybody drifts a bit to the side. That minimizes running, but it can bring lots of confusion to the squad. It’s up to you to determine what works better for your squad.

10 players because of red card

In an unfortunate event of getting a red card, you might be forced to play 10v11. If you are losing by two or more goals, then it’s virtually impossible to come back regardless of your strategy. However, assuming it’s an even score and your goal is to at least draw, but preferably win, then you need a patient approach. With a player less, you will have to deal with some pressure and try to win on quality. It is very unlikely that you can outrun them or get a numerical advantage. Instead, you will look to get positional and quality superiority. In other words, you will look for counterattacks and set pieces. For that, I recommend the 3-4-2 formation, often converting to a 5-2-2 when defending in a low block.

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Conclusion

Here’s a complete guide on how to play and coach the 10v10 soccer formation. The same principles that we have learned in the developmental formation of 7v7 and even 4v4 pre-school formation still hold true. Whether you need to readjust because of a red card or that is the system of your competition, you need a plan to get a result. A lot will depend on the situation such as your mentality to score a goal vs. preserve the result. Also, the players that you have and the opponents will dictate your formation. Finding the right balance to get the most out of the types of players you have is crucial. I cannot answer all the questions without knowing that, but the blueprint is here. Use it wisely and feel free to change your setup when things are not working.

While not part of standard formations for youth soccer level, there are some tournaments set for competing in the 8v8 soccer formation. It is a sweet spot of adding complexity between the 7v7 developmental league and the mid-level 9v9 at U11/U12 level. For this reason, some summer tournaments introduce playing 8-a-side in the summer after U10, so that players get adjusted. I have used that to introduce the different roles of central midfielders, which was a great bridge before the fall season started. Let’s get into how to choose the right formation for your goal of coaching and winning.

What is the best 8v8 soccer formation?

While not taking into account the types of players you have at your disposal, the best formation for 8v8 is the 2-4-1 formation in a diamond shape. While providing a balance between attack and defense, with a strong foundation at the back while also allowing for creativity in the attack, this is the best formation for both winning and coaching. In transition, we can think of how to morph the formation into a 3-3-1. This will depend on the moment of the game and the opponents. The key point is to create lots of opportunities to create triangles of passing for keeping possession, as well as open opportunities for long balls in space for your attacker if that is a way you need to attack.

2-4-1 [Guide and Progression]

3-3-1 [Guide and Progression]

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Conclusion

This is the complete guide on how to play and coach the 8v8 soccer formation. While this setup is not common in the youth soccer system in the US, it can be a stepping stone to build players that can play in 9v9 formations, and even 11v11. As many other formations, we always look at how this can be used for coaching. As coaches, it is our job to set the environment where players can learn without our intervention. Then, we jump in when we see that we need to bring structure into the learning. However, all of that is part of a long-term plan that we see, even if the players don’t. Of course, everybody wants to win, so in addition to teaching, we want to set the team to score and not concede. So, we discussed strategy for that and for transitioning between the formations depending on the score and the moment. Play hard and have fun!

The goal for many soccer players is to be recognized by soccer scouts and coaches at tryouts and games. Obviously, if you have a hat-trick in the first half, they will notice and remember you. However, if you play in the middle of the pitch, you tend to do great, tough work, but it is hard to notice you among 21 other players. Visibility can be awful and often there is no big visual difference between you and your teammate who misses every other ball. Of course, you can have neck tattoos or giant blue hair. However, it might be easier to stand out, while respecting the team uniform and gear. What you need is personalized soccer gear that will make you be seen.

Furthermore, you want to be inspired by your soccer gear. I always feel good when I pick up my soccer cleats, but when I wear the socks I got as a gift from my parents, I feel elevated. You need to figure out what that is and find what motivates you. Some might be to get you to practice hard when you have an odd day. Other gear will be reserved only for games and tournaments. You need to pick what you need, but let us help you with some ideas.

What is the best personalized soccer gear?

You need to get top personalized soccer gear to be noticed and to be inspired. The best ones will help you achieve that, by elevating and motivating you. We will start with the cleats, as a core element of any soccer player. We will look for wristbands, neck warmers, and beanies, as they often add that extra distinction, in addition to their function. Finally, we will review some great ideas for the personalization of captain armbands and shin guards. They are more useful for motivation than differentiation, but players love them and we highly recommend them.

Note: we are not looking for jerseys, shorts, undershirts, leggings or socks. Clubs rarely let you play with them, choosing colors or patterns. For them to look like a team, everybody must respect that code. However, that doesn’t mean that there is nothing to be done. On the contrary, let’s see how to solve that issue.

Shin Guards

Neck Warmer

Cleats

Captain Armband (For Clubs!)

Wrist Band

Beanie

Time to get your personalized soccer gear

This is a great mix of products to set you up just right for your soccer games! Some of them are to motivate you, others are to make you stand out from other players. Soccer should always be fun, but as you get more serious, it can often look like a job. However, when it is asking to give 100% every time, you will need any extra bit of inspiration to do that day in and day out. These small items can help you get there. So look for the piece that resonates with you and find a way to motivate yourself!

Disclosure: I may receive affiliate compensation for some of the links below at no cost to you if you decide to purchase a paid plan. You can read our affiliate disclosure in our privacy policy. This site is not intending to provide financial advice. This is for entertainment only.

While not part of the standard US youth soccer curriculum, I have played a lot of games in 6v6 soccer formation. It is often used for some variation of futsal or small-sided games. One of the players is a goalkeeper and the other 5 players are field players. Usually, there is no offside and the size of the field is small enough that the goalkeeper can be a sweeper keeper, but still need to stay in goal. However, because of the size of the team, it is a great opportunity for players to get many touches on the ball, and develop technical skills and also it is a great exercise with lots of short sprints. Let’s go through the formations that work best for this size of game. I will choose the best formations for both coaching and winning games.

I have played 6v6 on many indoor fields, often a bit bigger than a futsal court. Some of them have a hockey-like shape, with walls on the sides. You can pass from the wall, which is super fun. However, they often are more dangerous because of the occasional body check. Either way, it’s a high-paced game with many touches on the ball. That is perfect for technical development and also good for high-intensity exercise.

What is the best 6v6 soccer formation?

While there is no one best formation for winning the game, there are certain formations that work best. The most popular are the 2-1-2 and the 1-3-1 formations. The 1-3-1 is easier to teach and to keep shape. However, with a keeper that can play well with their feet, the 2-1-2 is the best formation to go with. It brings balance between the attack and defense, as well as stretching the field to pass the ball easily on the flanks and through the middle. The number of natural passing triangles formed by the players is the highest you can have.

The important contrast from the 5v5 soccer competition is the extra person on the field that adds complexity. Furthermore, at most levels that means that there is a person with very little chance of receiving the next pass. What I mean by that is that a person with the ball has 5 options for pass now, with the goalkeeper, 4 passes. It is very unlikely that at high-paced games, a player can see them all. When I play 4v4 soccer, I basically see all my options for passing constantly. I track them regularly and can see their movements. However, by adding a player and a defender, it becomes hard to do so. It really pushes players to improve their scanning skills by moving to 6v6. Obviously, this complexity grows at the 7v7 formation, but it’s just a building block in our tower of soccer knowledge. Now, let’s move to the formations.

2-1-2 [Guide and Progression]

1-3-1 [Guide and Progression]

6v6 Soccer Formation Transition

As always, let’s try to find the blend between the two. Any tactical approach needs to be adjustable based on the opponent. Therefore, we should strive to build with 2-1-2 from the back, using the goalkeeper as an extra. Then instead of keeping the shape, we should aim to move one of the defenders up and form a 1-2-2 or a 1-3-1 formation. When we attack from the wide areas, the defender on the side of the ball naturally pushes up and the other defender becomes the center back. Similarly, the moment the winger gets the ball high becomes the striker while the other winger becomes the winger on the other side. This fluidity and balance requires not only tactical understanding but also players who know how to play in multiple positions. Because the pace of the game is high, the players need to both move fast and think even faster. It is so important to understand the superiority of your team and exploit the opponent’s weaknesses.

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Conclusion

This is the complete guide on how to play and coach the 6v6 soccer formation. While this setup is not common in the youth soccer system in the US, it can be a stepping stone to build players that can play in 9v9 formations, and even 11v11. It is common for indoor fields across the country, often on turf fields with hockey-like walls and smaller goals to have this setup.

Playing 6v6 can be extremely beneficial for technical and tactical development. Short passes, intense sprints and lots of touches on the ball – you get all that you need. However, if your goal is to win, this guide will help you win while also having fun. Do a bit of analysis on the players of your team to do your setup. Also, be ready to change it quickly as you see the opposition approach because the best way of thinking is to have a fluid setup where players can take positions where they would use the superiority over the competitors. Have fun at the pitch!

In the UK, there is a time of the youth development process when they play 5v5 soccer formation. They call it “mini soccer” and it’s the first structured play for most players. Usually in the U8 and U7 timeframe, the structure is to play with 5 players. In the US, they play in a 4v4 formation at that age, but in England, they decided to add a goalie to the formation. I think that opens up an interesting opportunity to develop good ball-playing keepers. But also it makes everybody think about the fact that keepers are still part of the formation and not players that stay at the goal line. As always, I will not give you a solution on how to win every game, but on how to use the 5v5 formations for player development with a long-term plan.

What is the best 5v5 soccer formation?

While there is no one best formation for winning the game, a formation that utilizes the players to balance attack and defense is vital. The most popular are the 2-1-1 and the 1-2-1 formations. In fact, having the 1-2-1 when defending and morphing 2-1-1 when attacking brings the best results. This is because we want to include the goalkeeper when attacking as a sweeper keeper that plays with their feet.

However, the crucial point is to as you have to develop your players to play in larger formations. So, when moving to 7v7 formation, the players should understand the difference between an attacker and a defender. Also, they should understand the difference between a central player and a wing player. You can worry about 9v9 formation with overlaps later on. But you have to keep in mind that it will come at some point.

1-2-1 [Guide and Progression]

2-1-1 [Guide and Progression]

5v5 Soccer Formation Transition

As we hinted before, what if we bring the best of both worlds? If our players are proficient enough in these formations, 1-2-1 and 2-1-1, then we can merge them together to get the ultimate strategy. When we defend, we play with one center-back who plays safe and conservative. On both flanks, we have players that help in defense. However, when we attack, we transform ourselves into a 2-1-1 shape that allows us to push on either side. Furthermore, our goalie can push much higher, forming a 5-player formation of 1-2-1-1, essentially playing 5v4. This ultimate advantage is massive. It doesn’t come easy and the players need to know how to play the basic formations before moving to this fluid formation.

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Conclusion

This is the full guide on how to coach the 5v5 soccer formation. While we suggest how to transition between the two best formations, we understand that it will be hard for young players at the grassroots level to execute that. However, if you coach both formations, they will subconsciously understand the positioning and roles. Then when you play small-sided games in their teenage years, they will perform well. After all, soccer at the 11v11 level is just many small games or 3v3 or 5v5. If we develop the players well at 5v5, they will be good with their feet, learn to communicate, pass and receive the ball, as well as position themselves with the right posture and timing. Most importantly, we develop adaptable players that can play in multiple positions and roles. I hope this guide will help in developing the players in a 5v5 soccer formation, with a much longer term in mind.

At almost every tryout I am approached by a proud parent who wants to share that they have bought private soccer classes for their kid. However, at the tryouts, nothing confirms that. It looks like a theft when looking at how technically deficient the kid is compared to the other players who have never had a private lesson. Let me be clear, I am not saying that you should never take a private soccer class. But nobody tells you when you should take one. At worst, it’s the team soccer coach trying to get extra money from the parents by offering individual classes to the same players, because the parents cannot coach their kids soccer as it is something they don’t know. At best, it’s a knowledgeable soccer player who knows little about actual coaching. Either way, it’s not what we want.

Should I get private soccer classes?

Whether or not to get private soccer classes depends on your specific goals, budget, and learning preferences. Private classes can offer personalized attention and faster progress, but they should only be used as a supplement for the group lesson and the self-guided practice. They should be used to fix a particular problem that the player needs help with and not to think of them as a substitute for team practices, individual practices, or without a purpose.

The levels of experience the players need, at any level and any age, are these:

1. Game experience – Even at the highest professional level, players move clubs to get playing time. There is no way a player can progress if they don’t get competitive playing experience. I recommend playing pickup games and rec leagues if possible. This is in addition to the team games and practices. I recommend a significant amount of unstructured playing time. Please make sure you make that happen.
2. Team practice – If the player is more serious about soccer, join a team at least for a year. That will bring some structure and some experience in both practices and games. Don’t judge immediately based on the quality of the coach, the teammates, and the opponents. It is likely that there will be much variation in the talent and commitment of the players at an early age. Adjusting for the right coach and teammates will never end. Just look at Ronaldo and Messi moving continents!
3. Individual practice – Kids don’t understand that individual practice is related to performance. So, we need to make sure we show that to them. When a player understands that they need to start doing the individual drills themselves, they will start to progress rapidly. If they enjoy doing them, then we have the next soccer superstar in our backyard. I show individual drills at team practices. However, it will be up to the players to do many, many repetitions on their own. Especially when they are very young, they need to make a game out of it with soccer toys.
4. Private lessons – Only once we are done with the first 3 buckets and are hungry for more, do we need to look for private soccer classes. Good private coaches will ask what you want to fix and if you barely play soccer, how would you know? So, make sure you spend lots of time playing, going to team practices and games, and doing your own individual practices before looking for private lessons.

How to determine if the private soccer classes are worth it?

Let’s assume that the player has been trying something specific, like a goalkeeper doing long kicks. If they have been trying for weeks, have worked with their coach, and tried to make it work on their own time, but keep failing to execute. If a quality coach can solve that issue in a class or two, then that’s a good use of time and money. However, when the private coach starts teaching the same drills over and over again, just to get through the time, it’s time to move on. They see soccer coaching as a side job to make money and that’s it. In fact, if the lesson is “Let’s do the same with our other foot”, then it should be the last class. Instead, when I coach, I give homework to repeat the drills with both feet. Then, I ask to come back once that is done.

How much does a private soccer class cost?

Depending on the location and reputation of the coach, prices can vary from $35 to $200+. The price variation can be steep. But high price doesn’t guarantee results. Coaches often offer a discount when signing up for multiple classes at once. You can find coaches on various platforms, but the best is word-of-mouth recommendations. Feel free to reach out to us and we might be able to help looking for a coach in your area.

Note that while reputation and quality are often correlated, they are often not linked. You need to judge the coach’s character. Firstly, are they here with the purpose of significantly improving the player? No, we are not talking about keeping them active. They need to make substantial fixes to individual elements of the player. Secondly, they need to have a plan. When I coach a team, I always have a plan on what to teach them. I can change that if I see something more pressing, but I always have a plan. Finally, they need to admit when they don’t know something. While I coach all positions on my team, I ask the goalkeeping coach to do individual practices for my goalkeepers. You don’t want wrong advice to be the only advice because of the price paid for it.

Conclusion

I hope this helped you decide on your private lessons. We wrote a clear step-by-step guide to help you decide when to get individual soccer classes. It’s not an easy decision and you might get it wrong. That doesn’t mean I don’t try to experiment. I always try to see where I can learn and get value. However, when it doesn’t work, I am happy to move on. So, be open to changes and make sure you follow the structure. Get lots of unstructured play, join a team, and do individual practice. Only then consider getting private lessons with a clear goal in mind. Good luck and feel free to reach out for a question or a chat!

It’s never too early to start playing soccer! Every parent says that they want their kid to love the activity they do. I’ve heard the same saying about piano, painting, basketball, cooking, knitting, or soccer. Doesn’t matter what it is, it has to be fun and they have to like doing it. The best way to do that is through games. While we can make up games at home, it’s useful to have the right tools, in this case, indoor soccer toys for toddlers, to achieve that quickly and effectively. You can have great soccer experience through rain and snow, but you can have it at home without worrying, too. Let’s make sure our loved ones are safe, engaged, and challenged, all at the same time.

What are the best soccer toys for toddlers?

We’ll start building our toolkit of toys by figuring out the playing field first. If you have a dedicated space in your home that has enough space without fragile items and windows (backyard acceptable), then you have to get a small soccer ball. Having a plush soccer ball is also a great substitute, that can work for both indoor and outdoor settings. While you don’t have to shoot on a goal, it instantly brings excitement to the kids, so just get one if you have the space. You might not need soccer shoes indoors, but having a pair at least for the backyard sessions is needed. Finally, if your kid already loves doing art, try to merge the two activities by painting soccer art. Let’s get into the best items we have found in these categories.

Plush Soccer Ball

Small Soccer Ball (size 2 or 3)

Soccer Shoes

Soccer Book

Soccer Goal

Soccer Ball Lamp Kit

What to avoid? What are not soccer toys for toddlers?

Soccer Disks – there are some made-up home games with two goals and gliding soccer disks. While fun, they really have different physics than the real soccer balls, both in how they move and how they are being kicked. We want the kids to have fun, but we want them to have some correlation with soccer. It’s fine to buy these toys if the kids enjoy, but don’t think that they have real connection with soccer.

Excessive soccer video time – again, I am not here to decide how much screen time your kid should or shouldn’t have. All I am saying is that they will not really benefit from watching others play soccer without them playing with the soccer ball. They need the ball around their feet as much as possible at this age.

Individual practices – when they are this young, they simply don’t need them. Don’t make soccer a chore until they become professionals. Just make sure that it looks like a game and that can last for a long time.

Time to get your soccer toys for toddlers

Now that we have reviewed that top soccer toys for toddlers, it’s time to build the right environment. I’ll repeat again – your main goal is for them to enjoy and fall in love with the sport. Their skills will not matter now, but their feelings toward soccer will. There is enough time to get good at it and it will not be a straight line. However, you want them engaged and challenged, so that the line is directionally upwards and not downwards. Keep trying by adding one piece at a time and it will work out. And don’t forget to have fun!

Disclosure: I may receive affiliate compensation for some of the links below at no cost to you if you decide to purchase a paid plan. You can read our affiliate disclosure in our privacy policy. This site is not intending to provide financial advice. This is for entertainment only.