Coach Grandpa Corner

If you’ve ever tried to pack for a soccer tournament weekend, you know it’s basically family camping with shin guards . Between hotel breakfasts, back-to-back games, and endless laundry, surviving tournament season takes planning, caffeine, and a good sense of humor. This guide breaks down the top 5 must-know soccer tournament tips for parents — whether it’s your first weekend or your fifth. Smart Packing for Tournament Weekends — Soccer Tournament Tips for Parents Forget “tr

If you’ve ever tried to get 5-year-olds to warm up before soccer practice, you know — it’s part strategy, part stand-up comedy. 😂 That’s why Coach Grandpa swears by Red Light, Green Light , one of the best soccer warm-up games for kids. It sneaks in soccer fundamentals while keeping it fun. Why Red Light, Green Light Is One of the Best Soccer Warm-Up Games for Kids This isn’t just a silly start to practice. It’s one of those timeless soccer warm-up games for kids that helps

Why Encouraging Teamwork in Young Soccer Players Matters Teamwork isn’t something that just happens  — it’s built one small play, one high-five, and one shared laugh at a time. As parents and coaches, encouraging teamwork in young soccer players starts with how we celebrate effort, communication, and kindness on the field — not just goals. When your 7-year-old learns to pass instead of dribble through everyone, that’s teamwork. When your 5-year-old cheers for a friend’s goal

If there’s one thing Coach Grandpa always says, it’s this: “You don’t need a fancy field to build great players. Just cones and a ball.” And after raising soccer-obsessed kids in our backyard, driveway, and living room (oops), I can confirm — cones and pop-up goals are the MVPs  of at-home training. Whether your player is 5, 7, 11 or 13 like mine, simple equipment makes soccer fun, fast, and frustration-free. So today I’m breaking down the best soccer cones for kids  — plus t

Still confused by the soccer offside rule? Learn the offside rule for parents with this fun pizza analogy — finally, a soccer rule...

You know that moment when the ball rolls out and suddenly every kid freezes  — and all the parents start shouting, “Throw it in! No, the...

When my kids first started soccer, Coach Grandpa gave me one piece of advice that stuck: “Parents should be the cheerleaders, not the...

Coach Grandpa always says: “Soccer starts with the pass.”  For young players, passing is the first step toward teamwork, confidence, and...

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This morning, my 11-year-old and I were up before the sun. At 6:00 a.m., while most kids were still dreaming, he was lacing up his shoes...

Many young players who start soccer dream of becoming like their favorite stars — Messi, Ronaldo, Zlatan, Beckham, or even the best...

Watching your child play soccer, you may notice the difference between those who react and those who anticipate . The secret? A simple...

Looking for a fun way to burn energy, build soccer skills, and reduce screen time—especially when you're stuck indoors? Try this...

Not every drill needs cones, timers, or turf. Sometimes, all you really need is a ball, a wall, and a few focused minutes. Beginner Setup...

Recreating Game Situations in Training As parents and coaches, it’s easy to fall into the trap of lining up our kids in front of the goal...

When you think “playground,” you probably think monkey bars, tag, and a place for younger siblings to burn off energy during big sibling...

When my 7-year-old checked his shoulder mid-run during a game, it wasn’t just a proud parent moment—it was a sign he’s starting to see...

When it comes to soccer, speed isn't just about running in a straight line—it's about reacting, adapting, and staying in control when the...

Total time:  ~10 minutes Ideal for:  Backyard, park, or driveway Setup Use 6 cones  (or anything to mark space) to create a 10x5 meter...

Stronger Knees, Safer Play — A Simple Warm-Up Every Soccer Kid Needs