But not all of the soccer coaches felt that way, even with these younger kids. Some were pretty intense, teaching skills and having expectations that were beyond the ability and sometimes the comprehension of the team members. And many became so frustrated with the performance of their team that they demeaned the less talented players and focused on winning at all costs.
So, how does a dad who gets recruited to be a youth soccer coach have a successful experience?
Key Responsibilities of a Soccer Coach
The National Soccer Coaches Association of America suggests three key areas of responsibility for youth soccer coaches.Role Model. First and foremost, a soccer coach should model appropriate behavior and attitudes. Demonstrate respect for team members, parents, opponents and others. Praise whenever possible and model a positive attitude, regardless of the outcome of a game or practice.
Facilitator. A coach needs to understand why his players are there. In the younger age groups, the kids are primarily there to have fun and to learn basic skills. In some cases, they are there against their will as parents want them to have exercise and social experiences. Learn about each player and work to meet their needs while teaching basic skills.
Teacher. Help them learn the basic skills of soccer. Dribbling, passing, playing a position, and following rules are part of the overall soccer experience. Develop drills and games that will help them learn basic skills. A set of orange cones was my best investment as a coach. We could set up weaving courses, use the cones for goal corners and help the kids line up for passing drills. When you need to make corrections, help the children see a model of the skill you want them to refine. Then walk them through the key steps to success.
Characteristics of a Good Soccer Coach
As I have observed some coaches I consider to have been excellent with the players and families, these characteristics seem to stand out.Patience. While this can be a challenge for some dads, it is essential to success as a coach. I remember lots of drills seeming so easy for some players and so hard for others and we did them over and over again until every player had a basic skill set. And often, practices were more about repetitive learning, and then introducing new skills one at a time.
Dependability. There is little more frustrating to a parent than to have a coach late or not show up at all. Be where you say when you say you'll be there.
Sense of Humor. There were so many times I just wanted to laugh out loud (and did at times) at soccer games and practices. Being able to be a little philosophical about failure and being willing to celebrate success, both with appropriate humor, are important to a team's feeling about itself.
Communication. Keeping team members and parents informed and up to date is critical. Having a good phone and email list is a good idea to keep everyone up to date with schedules, events, and expectations.
Good Sportsmanship. Good coaches model good sportsmanship. I remember not exemplifying this one time when our team was getting absolutely killed. We were behind about 9 goals at half-time and we were enduring some taunting from the other team and the parents. Maybe I was embarrassed; I don't know. But I said some things I regretted and set a bad example for the team. The next practice I apologized to the kids and parents and we talked about being a good sport in every situation. I hope it was a learning experience. But great coaches exhibit good sportsmanship.
Good quality coaching, focusing on basic skills, exercise and fun, makes all the difference in the experience of young children as they are introduced to soccer.
