How to Be a Youth Soccer Coach

My 2nd Season Coaching

U6 youth soccer is fun! The kids are still young enough to be playing for the fun of it, not playing just to win. If you ever considered becoming a youth soccer coach, go for it! It is a rewarding experience.

Things You'll Need

• Sports Bag
• Size 3 Soccer Ball (2-3 balls)
• Ball Pump
• Cones
• Whistle
• Stop Watch

Instructions

1. 

   Commit. If you decide to coach a U6 soccer team, you must be committed. The coach is the person that the whole team and the team parents depend on to have a smooth season. Practices are usually between 5-6pm during the week for about an hour. Usually they take place 2-3 times a week, depends on the availability of the team. Games are usually Saturday mornings, varies, but USUALLY. So be sure that you are available during these times before you take on this task.

2. Meet Your Team. Once you have been assigned your team and your team color, you will want to contact your team parents within 48 hours or so. It is a good idea to meet up with everyone for a meet and greet, usually about 15 minutes. Get a good time and day that everyone will be able to meetup.

3. 

   Inform. In u6, you will have alot of first time soccer families. Before your meetup, print out a list of what they will need for the season. Usually just the basics; soccer ball, soccer cleats, chin guards, water bottle, and black shorts. Soccer shirt and socks are USUALLY provided. Be sure to also include your contact information on the list. Take this time to agree on practice days and times. This can be difficult when you are dealing with 4-6 different families with different schedules. It is good to have at least 2 practices a week, that way if everyone can't meet both days, they can at least meet once a week.

4. 

   Start Organized. At the first practice, I like to give parents hand outs including: expectations for the season, game schedule, snack schedule, and a contact list with all the parents/childs name and phone number. It is a good idea for everyone to have each others phone number if they ever needed to carpool or trade snack days.

5. 

   First practice. Have all the kids introduce themselves to each other. Focus more on getting everyone comfortable with each other and with kicking the ball during the first practice. At this age level, you just want to make sure everyone is having fun and understands the basics of soccer: kick the ball into goal. LOL

6. 

   In youth soccer, U6 practices are usually about 30 minutes long. Start with about 5 minutes of stretching and warming up. Kicking their balls around gets them warmed up pretty good. I usually spend about 15 minutes on drill specifics; dribbling, passing, shooting, etc. The last 10 minutes is good for a 3 vs 3 scrimmage. Be sure all children have water and stay hydrated.

7. 

   Have fun!

Tips & Warnings

• Keep your team parents informed in a timely fashion. Examples, fundraisers deadlines, pictures, end of season parties etc.

• Team Name: have each child come up with their own name. Write each on a small piece of paper and fold it up. At the first or second practice, have a drawing for the team name.

• Ask for a parent volunteer(s) to help you with collecting money (trophies/fundraisers), setting up end of season party, etc.

• All local soccer associations have different rules and guidelines, this is just a general guide based from my own experience.