How to Follow the ABCs of Youth Soccer Coaching (Q-U)

To do a good job with children, see yourself first as a child educator and second as a soccer coach. The ABCs of Coaching, created by Ashley's Soccer Camp in Montclair, New Jersey, and adopted by coaches nationwide, can help you do that.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Soccer Apparel
• Soccer Cleats
• Soccer Goalkeeper's Shirts
• Soccer Shin Guards
• Soccer Uniforms
• Soccer Videos
• soccer balls

1. Ask questions. Questions should be asked to stimulate the children. When you ask players questions, employ a tactic called wait time. This means waiting at least five seconds before calling on someone to answer. This gives quieter, less impulsive children time to answer - allowing more children to participate.
2. Watch for regressive pull. This is what happens when a player insists on arguing about everything - and you, as the coach, allow yourself to be engaged in the argument. Regressive pull means going back and forth. Be vigilant in guarding against it. Be cool, be adult, be in charge.
3. Remember safety first. Consider the safety of the field, equipment and game organization, and the emotional safety of the coach-player interaction.
4. Factor time on task. This is the ratio of a player's time engaged in an activity compared with inactivity (e.g. listening to the coach, taking a break, standing around). Aim for at least 80 percent of time on task.
5. Check for understanding. Constantly ask questions about what children have learned from the skills, games and activities. This should be done at least at the end of each session and the beginning of the next.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep track of medical records. They should be carried to all games, along with signed waivers so that a child can be treated in the event of an emergency.
• Focus on emotional well-being. Be on guard against destructive yelling or comments to your players, from either adults or other children.
• Always allow the children to keep their backs to the sun. If necessary, let the sun shine in your eyes.
• Put the blame on yourself first. If children appear bored or frustrated, it may be because the skills being taught are either too hard or too easy for them.
• Praise behaviors you want repeated. "I like how you sprinted after that ball," will encourage a player to hustle.