What Makes A Great Coach
First and for most -
get educated. The internet is a wonderful source of information. One of my favorites is: Better Soccer More Fun.
Great Tips for Great Coaches
Please, please
emphasize DEVELOPMENT over winning. The players will have so much more fun when you focus on teaching them the skills to be better soccer players. Exposing your players to all positions, and your players will improve. Results are likely to follow!
No Yelling!! You'll get better results by coaching the players who are on the bench and trust the players who are on the field. Because they usually can't hear you - your yelling and coaching can't help them anyway. One good technique is to stand behind your bench and talk to the players who aren't in the game about what is going on out there. This keeps them engaged and ready to go in.
Develop a coaching philosophy.
What do you want to accomplish for the team and for the players and explain it to your players. Hold a parent meeting and explain to your parents both your philosophy and your expectations form them. This might help them understand why you did what you did during the game and avoid unpleasant situations. Above all, explain that success in games and throughout the season does not depend on the results of the games or the standings.
How to Run a Great Practice
Pick one topic for each practice session
- such as dribbling, passing and receiving, shooting and finishing, defense etc and just coach that topic. For example: if you have chosen to focus on dribbling - ignore bad passing and keep your comments and coaching about dribbling.
Plan your practice ssessions ahead of time - not preparing is preparing to fail! Develop your practices so that you progress for individual work outs to multi players small sided games. Keep an extra activities on hand just in case something doesn't seem to be going right for you and you need to change things up. Keeping them constantly active (with appropriate water breaks) will keep them focused and they will get more from your practice.
Remember
There is LOTS of support if you need it. Email Michael Hill
for session ideas and examples, soccer websites and books. We have coaches and Board members who want help you.
Thank you, coaches for your time and efforts for our counties children!!
