Soccer Coaching - Children - Sports
2011-08-09 19:03:36
All soccer coaches have days when we think we just can't coach another day. But there is hope in sight. Step back from the situation, count to ten, and then start again.
One of the most important things to remember when coaching children in soccer is to set the rules, guidelines and consequences on day one. As with any game or sport there are rules and regulations to be followed. So if this is your first year as a soccer coach or even if you have some experience under your belt, here are some basic guidelines to ensure your success and that of your team.
1. Set the rules right away. All of us learn how to play a game at an early age. The only way to play is to learn the rules and know what to expect if you don't follow the rules. Children especially need borders. It makes their life simpler and thus makes your life less complicated. You might ask why you should make rules; they are here to play soccer not go to school. But believe me you need to have rules. It begins with when a player can stop practicing to go to the bathroom? How often can a player miss practice and still be first out on the soccer pitch? There is no quicker way to ensure a player's participation than telling Johnny he can't play today because he missed soccer practice and forgot his shin guards. Even when Johnny is your best player. Each child on the team will see you mean business, as will the parents, and your support for practice time will increase directly! Also you will see the children have respect and a bit of fear, always a good thing.
2. Where there are rules there has to be consequences! If you set a rule then please make a consequence. Rules are useless unless there is a payment for not following the rules. You have to remember to make the consequence fit the rule. If Johnny doesn't come to soccer practice and he is your best player you still have to say to him sorry you know the rules you can't be first out on the field when you don't come to practice. That's okay if he has repeated the offense. But if his grandmother dies you should consider this a reason to miss practice. Be fair. This will bring you a lot of respect from everyone including the parents.
3. Be fair in all ways! Think twice before you do or say something that could have negative results for your soccer team. It can happen so quick to fuss at Johnny for being late for the third time this week. But remember Johnny is ten and can't drive. He is dependent on his parents who work till half an hour before soccer practice starts. When something like this occurs be pro-active and make arrangements on his behalf that work for everyone.
Remember it will be impossible to make everyone happy. Soccer Coaching is not supposed to be a breeze. Just be the best soccer coach you can aspire to be.
One of the most important things to remember when coaching children in soccer is to set the rules, guidelines and consequences on day one. As with any game or sport there are rules and regulations to be followed. So if this is your first year as a soccer coach or even if you have some experience under your belt, here are some basic guidelines to ensure your success and that of your team.
1. Set the rules right away. All of us learn how to play a game at an early age. The only way to play is to learn the rules and know what to expect if you don't follow the rules. Children especially need borders. It makes their life simpler and thus makes your life less complicated. You might ask why you should make rules; they are here to play soccer not go to school. But believe me you need to have rules. It begins with when a player can stop practicing to go to the bathroom? How often can a player miss practice and still be first out on the soccer pitch? There is no quicker way to ensure a player's participation than telling Johnny he can't play today because he missed soccer practice and forgot his shin guards. Even when Johnny is your best player. Each child on the team will see you mean business, as will the parents, and your support for practice time will increase directly! Also you will see the children have respect and a bit of fear, always a good thing.
2. Where there are rules there has to be consequences! If you set a rule then please make a consequence. Rules are useless unless there is a payment for not following the rules. You have to remember to make the consequence fit the rule. If Johnny doesn't come to soccer practice and he is your best player you still have to say to him sorry you know the rules you can't be first out on the field when you don't come to practice. That's okay if he has repeated the offense. But if his grandmother dies you should consider this a reason to miss practice. Be fair. This will bring you a lot of respect from everyone including the parents.
3. Be fair in all ways! Think twice before you do or say something that could have negative results for your soccer team. It can happen so quick to fuss at Johnny for being late for the third time this week. But remember Johnny is ten and can't drive. He is dependent on his parents who work till half an hour before soccer practice starts. When something like this occurs be pro-active and make arrangements on his behalf that work for everyone.
Remember it will be impossible to make everyone happy. Soccer Coaching is not supposed to be a breeze. Just be the best soccer coach you can aspire to be.
