First off, what do we mean by technical skills? 

Everything a player does to control the soccer ball are technical skills.  Many examples are discussed below.   

                                                                                                                           Movements and choices that a player makes in relationship to the other players on the field are tactical skills and these can be both with and without the ball.  In fact most tactical strategies are what is being done away from the ball.  Tactical skills are discussed in a different section and are designed to be taught to U-12 and above players.  Here are the basic technical skills:

Dribbling (ball control)

This has been discussed at length.  Here are my keys to ball control.  The ability to change the path of the ball very sharply to the left or right or backwards is really where it is at for teaching.  Kids pretty much know how to dribble straight ahead.  Changing ball direction decisively with the inside of the foot, outside of the foot, and the bottom of the foot should be practiced at every practice!  Many ball movement drills can be used and demonstrated.  This is where all the 'moves' of soccer are taught.  This is basically the first 10 minutes of every practice for the older kids and the entire practice for the younger ones.

Passing

Instep strike with 90 degree bent and locked ankle.  Like a croquet mallet.  This is perfect for the short 3-20 yard range but often lacks sufficient power for passes that will travel over 20 yards for the youth player.  To correctly move the ball in one direction the entire body needs to be turned (like aiming a gun). This is the kick for all U-10 players to attempt to master.  For U-10 and up this should be the next 10 minutes of every practice.

Shooting (power shots)

This is for power when attempting to score from over 15 yards away from goal is desired.  Hit it with the laces!  Knee over the ball, head down looking at the ball, ankle fully extended and locked when the ball is struck driving it low and fast.  On the top of the foot there is a "sweet" spot that is slightly different for each player but is generally is right on the laces.  Toe pointed to get it out of the way and strike the center of the ball.  The power and ball speed that can be generated is awesome but be prepared for it to take a year or two for kids to hit it consistently on the sweet spot.  Even the pros miss the spot under high defensive pressure.  The correct age to teach this varies.  I think at U-12 the kids will be excited by the new found power.  I have seen kids at U-10 with this impressive skill but it can scare the young goalies so I like U-12 as the age to start teaching the power shot.

Touch

This is a very important technical skill.  Knowing how soft or firm to strike the ball to achieve the desired result.  Takes much practice and juggling the soccer ball is the single best training activity to learn good touch.  This topic actually is part of ball control and  part of passing but deserves its own topic because it is a special skill lacking in most untrained players.  Too soft a pass and it will get intercepted and too hard will not likely be controlled by your teammate.  This is most important at U-10 and U-12.  By U-14 they should have gained good control over soft and firm touches.

First touch

This means that when the ball comes to you, instead of stopping it you simply redirect it in the direction you are wanting to go.  Sounds simple and it is.  Kids need much practice at it so that it becomes their first choice whenever the ball comes to them.  Most kids will try to stop the ball to control its movement but in reality it is easier and much more effective to have a good first touch rather than trap it.  When I was a kid we spent 2-3 years learning how to 'trap' the ball.  Very ineffective lessons and now you will hardly find anybody willing to use the word 'trap".  First touch is taught beginning at U-7 and goes all the way up to professional training.  The learned skill of a great first touch is one that can carry kids all the way through competitive soccer including HS and college.  Some world class players are who they are because of spectacular first touch.

Heading

The older the players the more important this becomes.  Because of health concerns we do not support heading the ball in recreational soccer.  I do not encourage coaching the correct skills until U-14.  There are ways to teach younger kids using a volleyball or a beach ball but I do not think it is worth your time as a coach in this program.  If your team is using their heads during games and learning the correct technique important to minimizing injuries than I can come give a 15 minute lesson.