| Coaching Kids soccer is not the same as coaching full | | | | through fun activities while simultaneously teaching |
| time professionals. For starters, your kids are not as | | | | them the fundamentals of the game. |
| motivated or driven as the adult players. Also their | | | | One key aspect of Kids soccer that is often |
| attention span is significantly smaller and the likelihood | | | | overlooked is the art of appreciation. Appreciate your |
| of them playing up is quite significant. | | | | players and give them a sense of worth. Make them |
| If you're coaching kid's soccer you should ask yourself | | | | feel important and make them feel like potentially they |
| why these kids attend training and take part in soccer. | | | | can become the next David Beckham. By giving your |
| The most common response is that soccer is fun. So | | | | players this feeling they will reciprocate with motivation |
| your first task as a coach is to provide training | | | | and their fullest attention. Don't just take my word for it, |
| sessions that are fun. If you cannot provide a platform | | | | try it because it works. |
| for kids to have fun then you need to reassess your | | | | If you believe you can carry out training sessions like |
| training methods. | | | | the pros, then I would like to save you some time and |
| Once your players are having fun, then it's your duty to | | | | heart ache. Kids will always be kids and to think that |
| teach them the fundamentals of the game. Simple skills | | | | you'll get the same dedication and effort out of kids as |
| like passing, dribbling, shooting and tackling should be | | | | the pros, then you're sadly mistaken. Let your players |
| incorporated into the session while disguising it as fun. If | | | | be kids first and foremost and then allow them to be |
| you can teach and provide a fun session you are | | | | soccer players. |
| definitely an elite coach. | | | | Can you think of anything I've left out? One of the |
| Once you become a youth soccer coach, you have | | | | most important things you can do to aid the |
| inevitably volunteered to become a role model. You | | | | development of your players is encouragement. |
| have put your hand up to influence these young kids in | | | | Always encourage your players even when they |
| a positive manner. While training these kids you should | | | | make mistakes. Always emphasize the positives while |
| also try and teach them the importance of sharing and | | | | speaking about some of the weaknesses. |
| friendships. | | | | Also make sure you keep things in perspective. Your |
| Developing young minds in a positive manner and | | | | players attend training to have fun and to socialize with |
| teaching them social skills will serve them for the rest | | | | their new friends. They are not trying to win the world |
| of their lives, not just their soccer career. Teach your | | | | cup. So remember to act and coach accordingly. |
| players about honesty, integrity, friendship and sharing | | | | |