Coaching Young Soccer Talents
Soccer for kids is all about having fun, running with the ball and scoring goals, because when they successfully score a goal the team praises them and that is what kids love; to be the centre of attention and there is no better place for that then on the soccer field. Soccer is a simple game but it requires the players to be committed to the team and serious about playing. When a kid doesn’t show up for a game, they let the whole team down. This is where the coach has to drill in the importance of being dedicated. When talking about kid’s soccer, it is about having fun, scoring goals and being praised, but when it comes to adult’s soccer it is more about winning and being recognized. An adult game of soccer is serious, tactical and sometimes complicated.
The most important factor for a coach teaching soccer is to make practices fun while also efficient. Let them have fun while they are learning and don’t push them too hard, sure they need to be pushed, but not as much as a coach would push his team playing in the World Cup. You need to plan what your practices are going to be about, make long and short term goals for the team and let them know it. When there is an important game going on at the stadium, take your team along and let them see how a real game is played, bond with them and let them know you are a part of the team too.
As a coach, don’t ever forget how important it is to have the team stretch their muscles before any game or practice. A quick warm up is fine, as long as they are ready for the activity they are about to face on the field. Try and do the same workout all the time, but start slowly and work your way up, for example have them do 10 sit-ups then the next day 20, or 1 lap around the field and the next day two. Just remember that they don’t need to over-work themselves, they still have school to think about.
Let them know that their opinion matters. Even though you are the coach, ask them what they think and constantly ask them if they have any new ideas to share that might benefit the team. Tell them what you think, but then also listen to their opinion. If they have a strategy they would like to present, look into it, try it out and if it doesn’t work, tell them why you think it’s not working. In this case, you could take their idea, modify it slightly and make it work. This will make the players feel as though they are a real part of the team and they are free to contribute any ideas they might have.
Soccer is important to some kids; therefore it is a big deal if they lose a game. Assure them that it is fine if they lose, do not criticize too much but tell them where you think their weaknesses lie and work on that for the following week.