Coaching Youth Soccer Is Not Always About Soccer-Be Careful What You Volunteer For

So you’ve decided to volunteer to coach the local junior soccer team. Coaching seems easy enough, how hard could it be you question yourself. For starters, if you’ve had no experience playing the game of soccer you will find it difficult. That’s not to say you can’t do it, but it will be an uphill battle. If you have no passion for the game, then you might want to take a step back and really think about why you are coaching a soccer team.

As a youth coach it is your duty to develop the young players physically and mentally. Your coaching methods should be fun and educational. Your training methods should create a friendly and happy atmosphere that will allow the children to build on their soccer skills and develop and master their social skills.

Training sessions should be short and concise and be structured around the fundamentals of soccer. Training should also emphasize the importance of team work and be influenced by respect and friendships. No coach should be allowed to dictate to his team, inevitably creating an atmosphere of fear and pressure. When children fear the coach or the game, they will lose their self esteem and confidence. Youth coaches must master the art of appreciation. Encourage your players to make mistakes and play freely. It is better to try and fail, then to not try at all.

The day you volunteer to coach a youth team is the day you become a role model. Whether you like it or not, the kids will look to you for help and advice. If you’re not prepared to take on this responsibility simply don’t volunteer for the job. Being the father figure of the team should be respected and treated very seriously. Not only are you their soccer coach, but you are inevitably shaping the fragile minds of the future.