How to Coach Kids' Soccer on Game Day

Preparation is the best way to ensure a successful coaching experience. If you're armed and ready, confidence will be your ally.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

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

1. Come with a game plan. This preparation is the key to success.

2. Be flexible. You must be able to adapt your plan. Know what to do if a player isn't working in a certain position, for example, or has to come out because of an injury.

3. Arrive early. Come to the game with enough time to prepare yourself and your players both physically and emotionally.

4. Explain things. Particularly if yours is a beginning team, explain every position and its responsibilities clearly and in detail to the children.

5. Allow time for sufficient warm-up and cooldown, including stretching.

6. Make sure there are refreshments. Whether it's a parent rotation or another system, adequate fluids and healthful snacks should be provided for the team.

Tips & Warnings

• Be the team's best cheerleader. If you have nothing constructive to say, don't say anything.

• Be careful with the timing of instructions. Remember that instructions are hard for players to absorb in the heat of battle.

• Maintain your cool. Don't show your frustration with the referee's calls.

• Have a strong sense of yourself. Don't go into a "crazy mode" the second the starting whistle blows.

• Relax and enjoy the game and your players will, too. Players pick up on the coach's mood.