How to Be an Effective Soccer Coach

The youth sports experience has been an important part of childhood for generations. Many kids have grown up participating on a sports team, be it football, baseball, soccer or something else. However, the entire experience can be ruined by simply having a bad coach. Kids who aren't having fun or, importantly, who feel bored and out of place are less likely to play sports in the future. This is especially important in a sport like soccer.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Perseverance
• Patience
• Knowledge of the rules and regulations of soccer.

1. Know the basics of what a soccer coach has to do. A soccer coach has a variety of important jobs. He is in charge of making sure that many different players come together and play not as individuals but as one team during games. This can be achieved by focusing on plays and strategies during practice that require the use of the entire team as a whole. Obviously it is acceptable to focus on specific players if the need arises, but focusing on practicing as a team will lead to better teamwork and game play when it counts.

2. Never try to overwhelm your team. One important thing to remember when coaching soccer, especially with younger kids, is that you shouldn't try to cram too much into any given practice. Overloading your players is ultimately counterproductive, much like cramming for a test the night before. Players are much more likely to remember and utilize things like fundamentals and strategies if they thoroughly master them, not just cover as much as possible.

3. Hire an assistant coach. Another important thing to consider when coaching is that you should never try to do everything on your own. It's always a good idea to have an assistant coach to pick up some of the slack, and make sure that you don't get overwhelmed. What good would you be if you are the only coach and you're exhausted? Also, if something happens and you have to look after a specific player (for example, an injury), practice stops unless you have an assistant coach.

4. Know your players. One thing that a good coach should always remember is that you have to take into account the ages of your athletes during practices. Different age groups are capable of different things, and should be treated that way. You would never want to coach an 18 year old the same way you would a 10 year old or vice versa, no matter if you're playing soccer or any other sport.

5. Treat your athletes with the utmost respect. Screaming at them when they don't do something perfectly is not going to help anyone. It's going to lead to them working less hard on the practice field out of spite and anger. If you respect them, they will respect you and in turn pay more attention, practice harder, and play harder.

Tips & Warnings

• Focus on ball-handling during practice. Many have grown up playing sports like basketball or football where playing with your hands is a standard. For some, their first time playing soccer can be a bit of a shock as it's difficult to adjust to the fact that you can only use your feet. Moreso than that, you have to run and move the ball at the same time. Practices dedicated to nothing but foot-work in relation to the ball are not only acceptable, they're expected.

[joepanzarella]

on 10/27/2009 Try to remember each players grows mentally and physically differently. I've been involved with youth soccer for 5 years and is amazed when seeing players go from being timid on the field to a superstar player. Sometimes the laggers become leaders within a year. Be patient will all players because you never can tell when they're ready to blossom.