Youth Soccer Coaching Tips

Many parents find themselves called to volunteer as soccer coaches for their child's team. For some, this is an intimidating proposition! But with a bit of information and a plan, you can have a great time as a weekend coach, and the kids will benefit too.

1. Keep practices fun!

How old are the kids you are coaching? Five? Ten? 14? It doesn't matter. Practices should be fun. This means planning to have a variety of games (notice I didn't say drills) for the kids to play. If the kids are having fun, they are more likely to want to come back to practice.  And they'll become better players without even realizing it.

2. Play games, not drills.

Sometimes you'll see a new coach having kids navigate an obstacle course of  cones, running laps, or something else that doesn't really look like soccer (SoccerDad: Guilty as charged).  There are a lot of great drills (we'll call them games) that can be used to teach soccer skills and be fun for the kids.  (More on these games below.)

Give players the opportunity to touch the ball as often as possible, in situations that incorporate aspects of an actual game. This could include games of tag (while dribbling) or keep away. Try a game with multiple goals, or multiple balls.

Work your way up from fun games that develop skills, move on to small-sided matches, and finish practice with a scrimmage.  Small-sided games (1 v. 1, 2 v. 2, 3 v. 3) will give players more time on ball and more opportunities to make decisions. 

3. Have a plan.

There are several websites with excellent practice plans and games you can try at practice. Decatur Sports Page, Footy4kids, and Fine Soccer are three great places to start.  All three sites have bunches of games. The first two list games by age group and skills, and Fine Soccer has a huge list of drills to pick from. Once you find some games that you want to try, make a list, and then add a few more to it.

Sometimes the kids have a blast and won't want to stop the game you're playing; but other times a game might just "bomb."  If something isn't working, give it a minute; if they're not catching on, then move on to the next game on your list.  This is probably more important with younger teams, where you want to stay in control of the practice and keep things moving along.  (I bring a practice plan on a small piece of paper as a memory jogger, with plenty of games listed in case one doesn't quite work out.)

4. The Game is the best teacher.

Coaches can be tempted to tell the kids exactly how to play, especially in a match.

Kick it over there! Pass it to Taylor! Shoot it!!

Well-meaning coaches (and parents) can confuse the child by shouting this type of instruction from the touchlines. Chances are the player won't hear you anyway; if they do, it'll be too late.  The moment to kick or shoot will have passed.  Instead, try keep comments encouraging, and offer positive instruction where needed.

In a practice, you can "freeze" the play for a moment and instruct the team on a play they could try, or something they need to change.  Or, instruct an individual child on how to perform a particular skill while the other players continue a scrimmage. 

In an actual match, I like to let them play and learn on their own.  Allow the kids to figure out the game themselves. Sure, they'll make mistakes, and it's tough to keep quiet on the touchline.  But after some time in a game situation, they'll learn to develop strategy and improve decision-making in order to succeed.  Bonus:  The kids will learn faster, too.

5. Learn from other coaches.

The other night after practice, I hung around for a few minutes and watched another team practice. I picked up some new ideas, could see what worked (and what didn't), all without the pressure of 10 energetic kids waiting for the next instruction.

Ask around your local club, find out which coaches (and teams) to watch. Then do it. It won't take that long, and you can steal some great ideas!  I'm sure the other coaches won't mind.

6. Have fun.

This has to be said twice. In a couple of short years I went from soccer grouch to soccer coach. I used to think I was "losing" my Saturday mornings to kids' soccer.  Not that I didn't enjoy it, but I didn't fully "get it."

Now I can't wait for game days.  Practices are a hoot too, and it has been rewarding to see all the kids grow and have fun playing this beautiful game.

So get in there, Coach!  Volunteer for a team, do some reading, and then have some fun!  Your child will thank you.