December 23, 2009
Things You Can't Do When Coaching Youth Soccer
If you are Coaching Youth Soccer, there are some things every youth soccer coach needs to consider and be aware. You may say that some of these are just simple common sense, but they are not for sure common practice:
1. Don't make speeches. This is particulary important if you coach young players and have the habit of making long lectures during your training sessions. Whatever you have to say to your player during a training sessions on game, just make sure you keep it simple and short.
2. Don't complicate things. Strip every drill to its basics and test it with your players making sure they are ready to move forward and perform it well. I can bet your players will lose their interest in the practice sessions if you try to give them over complicated exercises with lots of instructions.
3. Don't be a ball boy- during a soccer practice ball will be travelling all over the field. Leave them alone! This can affect your authority and control over the players and severely damage the respect they have for you. They need to go get it.
4. In case you have some kids to help in getting the balls, make sure they do not participate in the drills. This simply signals a laxity in discipline- ball boys are just there to get the ball. You can also make some of these kids join your team, but that same day they will not get balls anymore.
5. Never, ever criticize the player. If a player misses a shot or fumbles, don't blame them. Point out the flaws in their technique or skill and do that calmly. Screaming at a player for being 'stupid' is a great way to make them want to leave your team.
6. While Coaching Youth Soccer, explain it clearly and as briefly as possible. Then demonstrate it- your players will pick it up quickly if they see how it's done. Conversely, don't try and demonstrate something that you can't do.
7. Health and safety should always be foremost in a coach's mind. This means making sure that the ground and the equipment are in good shape before your soccer training session starts. Remember that if a kid sprains his ankle because the ground was slippery, then it's technically your fault.
8. Don't leave the parents out in the dark. Meet with parents regularly and always keep them up-to-date when it comes to the team's problems and challenges. Remember that parents can be a powerful and useful ally for any youth soccer coach.
When Coaching Youth Soccer, these are important aspects that every coach should consider. If you're a youth soccer coach and you'd like to learn how to dramatically improve your players' skills and make training more fun in record time visit us right now at SoccerDrillsTips . com.
About The Author:
Andre Botelho is a recognized authority in youth soccer coaching. If you want to learn how to explode your players' skills and make practice more fun and interesting, get your free Soccer Coaching guide at http://www.soccerdrillstips.com - Coaching Youth Soccer Drills.
Filed under African American Scholarships by Cathy