The Art of Coaching

By David Clarke

The art of coaching soccer to young players requires one thing in abundance... enthusiasm. It's your most important quality. Kids will respond to you if you're an eager, hard working leader. Some young players find learning boring, some don't care about winning, and some can't remember which goal they are kicking towards. But what unites them is their desire to have fun and play a game. And that's your job, making learning fun.

Think first
Think about why you want to be a coach and what you want to achieve from your coaching sessions. Gain trust and respect. You are a role model with responsibility to your team. If you set high standards the children will follow. Be enthusiastic, make it fun.

Praise not criticism
Be patient with your players, you get more out of them if you praise work rather than criticise. Body language is important. Smiles and positive gestures will reap rewards. Shouting will not help you keep control and many parents watching may not like it. Be consistent, set achievable goals and give lots of feedback.

Get the knowledge
If you understand the skills and techniques involved in what you are trying to teach you will be better equipped to pass this on. Try out the training yourself, is it too hard, too easy? Demonstrating how skills work is better than using words. If you can't do a particular skill use one of your helpers who can.

Warm up, warm down
You must make sure your players stretch their muscles before and after a training session. Growing bodies need to be looked after. Some knowledge of how the body responds to training and how to prevent injuries is important.

Remember you're coaching individuals
Some young players take longer to understand - or to catch onto the technique you are coaching - than others but it doesn't mean they are not as good, you have to adapt to their speed rather than the other way around.
Make sure you have equipment and kit for the whole group. Children react badly to feeling left out. Avoid sessions where kids have to sit out. Don't make all the games competitive.

Mind games
You are the confidence builder for individuals and the team, set goals, control emotions, help your kids concentrate. As a coach you are in charge of minds as well as the physical side.