How to Be a More Effective Girls Soccer Coach (Age 6 Thru College)

I hope to provide coaches of all levels with simple steps and ideas to effectively coach females of any age in the sport of soccer. Remaining cognizant of the basic psychological principles of female athletes and their desire to combine the social and emotional with the competitive aspects of a sport, the goal is to always provide players with a positive, sport-enhancing experience, and focus on the respect of the game required.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Open mind
• Ability to stay consistent
• Passion and absolute respect for the game
• A team of lucky girls to coach!

1. Understand that first and foremost, females are social, and most (not necessarily all) appreciate this sport for both the competition AND the social support network they automatically get out of it. Being on a “team” be it for a single season in high school or year-round via club ball, is like getting an extended family for the girls. You must first fully understand this basic social principle of sport for girls to get out of the gates.

2. Consider a pre-season/early season overnight trip (especially one where there is a game or scrimmage on the agenda), or at minimum a movie night/sleep over (hopefully you can find a parent who would be on board). Girls’ teams (more so than boys) need to bond in the pre-season socially to play sooner as a cohesive field unit. If you can’t swing this, consider a team picnic or some other social setting with at least 2-3 hours NOT spent playing or talking about soccer to start off the season.

3. Plan your coaching sessions to allow for set times where they have opportunities to be social. Allow them to openly chat during stretching or cool down, for example, and on an extended water break at the midpoint of practice. Trying to keep them from chatting is a losing battle in the long run. Be sure to command their attention during non-social segments of the practice.

4. Create a document at the start of the season that outlines your expectations of the girls, AND what they can expect from you as a coach (or coaching staff). Spell it all out, with no gray areas. For example, your policy on late arrival to practice (or no-shows) and what the repercussions may be to a player. In particular I recommend a pre-season session on respect for the game (including opponents, referees, teammates and coaches) and how disappointed I would be were any of them to receive a card of any color. It makes a HUGE difference talking specifics to girls.

5. Use humor as a bonding tool with your girls, and don’t be afraid to let them have a joke or two at YOUR expense. Funny stuff happens on the pitch during practices and games. Remember, it’s not about you, but about them enjoying their playing experience and learning to love the game. Let them form a bit of a positive, lighthearted in-group response with you as the target. It’s far better than having them band together AGAINST you at some point because you are out of touch with them.

6. Set an example for the girls by keeping yourself (and the parents) under control. Regardless of level, this self-control is a basic tenant of the higher levels of the woman’s game. Girls in particular can be very impressionable and will learn by your negative example. They see you taunt a referee for a bad call, they will think they may be able to do the same thing and get away with it--monkey see, monkey do. Few college coaches will openly accept persistent carding on a player's stat sheet—it demonstrates poor character and is a big tip off that they may become a problem player for them too. Whether coaching a strictly recreational team or a highly competitive travel team, first and foremost your job as a coach is to teach the players to RESPECT the game as they develop their play style. If you are teaching basic skills to youth or coaching set plays and transition strategies in the high school set, make sure everything is done with respect front-of-mind.

7. Be sure to talk to players about their performance open and honestly, and DON’T ignore performance shortfalls with players. Sometimes it’s easier to ignore it with females, because many WILL initially react emotionally to your criticism or judgment. Be prepared, but be steady. Give that player not only criticism, but positives as well in that same conversation, and be sure to temper any criticisms with what they can do to improve in that same area. Ignoring a player or an issue in the long run will break your team down player by player. Never criticize female players in group settings. Designate a practice or two at regular intervals during the season where an assistant runs the practice so you can take players aside one at a time and give benchmark feedback in several skill set areas. Keep a written record if so inclined.

8. Hold a post-season party or gathering (nothing fancy) and be sure to recognize all girls with a participation award—Be sure to give the girls closure on the season. It is perfectly acceptable to give special awards to the hardest workers in the bunch, 3-5 total performance awards for a roster of 18-20 should suffice. Don’t fall into the trap of giving highest scoring players all of your awards (unless they ARE also your hardest workers). Consider special awards, like “Practice Award” for the players who consistently practiced the hardest each session, or “Coach in Training” award, for a player who perhaps seems to have a penchant for figuring out opponent tactics or making improvement suggestions.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are more motivated to enhance the teams experience (or to have your own season archive), ask several parents to take pictures throughout the season at games AND practices and send them to you at the end. Pop the photos on a simple one-per-slide PowerPoint presentation for viewing at the post-season gig, and be sure to burn a CD copy for all the girls to take home. Nothing players (of ANY age!) like more than pictures of themselves in action. Same with video clips if you have a parent who is willing and able—this footage may turn out to be key for a player when/if they go to advance to the college level.
• Another cool idea is to keep a short electronic journal entry on each game, just a paragraph or so, on a task pad in your blackberry like I do, or somewhere similar. Be sure to note specific player performances (not just scoring) and plays or instances of note. Create a headline for each game with date, location, and opponent, and cut/paste each journal entry into a single page front/back “team newsletter” at the end of the season. The kids (and their parents!) will love it.
• Reward those who work hard—not just the “top players” on paper. Remember that there are players who are working hard to improve and though they may not be naturally talented, they may be giving it even more than the natural players. Respond to them, and help them take it to the next level.
• Don’t ignore those unsung players – the defender who is reliable for 90 minutes, but not a standout per se; the midfielder who sets up a lot of the scoring transition opportunities but doesn’t get the primary assists or the goals so doesn’t have the “stats”. Remind the team often that soccer is a team sport, and every player (and sub) is a critical part of the equation.