| Coaching a youth soccer practice should be fun, but | | | | successful yet fun youth practice. |
| can become one of the worst experiences of a | | | | |
| person's life. A soccer coach's goal for the team | | | | 1. Make the practice fun but also practicing the |
| should be instilling discipline, love of the game, and good | | | | fundamentals of soccer. |
| sportsmanship. If any of these are missing than the | | | | 2. Incorporate team building drills and exercises. |
| coach has failed. When a coach first meets their team | | | | 3. Never single a player out for doing something wrong. |
| an important rule is to get to know your players. Know | | | | Make an example of what went wrong at the next |
| their names, strengths, and weaknesses. On the | | | | practice so no one remembers who made the |
| opposite the soccer players should get to know the | | | | mistake. |
| soccer coach just as well. Here are a few principles to | | | | 4. Remember you are a coach and not the team's |
| help keep the three cores of a true athlete in the | | | | parents. If a player cannot make a practice set a good |
| practice. | | | | example and understand that players circumstances. |
| | | | 5. If players' gangs up on another player make sure |
| 1. First explain that the referees are always correct. | | | | that everyone understands this is not acceptable. |
| Never argue with a referee and most importantly | | | | Discipline the players according to the "crime" |
| show respect towards the referee. | | | | committed. |
| 2. Secondly explain that respect towards the other | | | | 6. Always have medical supplies on hand, especially if |
| team and coach is vital to being known as a great | | | | certain players have certain conditions. The coach is |
| team. Not just a good team. | | | | the responsible one and needs to take charge in a |
| 3. Thirdly hold the values of team play and not | | | | medical emergency. |
| favoritism. Next are a few tips and ways to run a | | | | |