Having
fun is the # 1 priority
Fun, for you and the players, should be the number one priority. Your
second concern should be that the children learn, and the very last
should be if they win or lose.
Coaches who focus on the win-loss record are the ones whose players
don't return the next season, and that is the true measure of a good
coach.
Teamwork
Teamwork should be the key to the development of your players.
An entire team that works good together can beat two or three star
players easily.
Also, like all others, star players might move way or get hurt, but
if your entire team works good together, then one player leaving the
team won't devastate the rest.
Reduce the player to coach ratio
Try to reduce the player to coach ratio by getting parents to assist
you if possible. For the younger players 3 or 4 players per coach
is a good number, and with older kids try to have one coach for every
8 or 9 players. The better coach to player ratio you have, the better
your players will learn. Also, this year's assistants are next year's
coaches, so you'll be helping your Region. Plus, your assistants will
know a bit more than they would have if the become coaches.
Mistakes and correction
Correction of the players is a necessary evil, but you shouldn't
yell at the players or be too hard on them.
When you correct a player, do it gently, and
still find something to praise. It is said that in relationships complaints
should come in the form of a sandwich (praise, correct, praise). This
works excellently with children. Instead of telling little Billy to
pass better say, "Great hustle to get to that ball. Try to make
your pass go straight. OK? You're really doing a nice job Billy!"
Always remember that mistakes are not bad things.
Players who aren't making mistakes are either
not being challenged or not playing hard enough. Players should NEVER
feel afraid to make a mistake. It's the way we humans learn. Always
tell the players that you don't mind at all if they make a mistake
by trying. The only mistake is by NOT trying.
Coaches must create an atmosphere where players
don't fear mistakes, and coaches must not let parents berate their
child for mistakes.
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No BUNCHING
It's very easy for players to bunch up, and that will hurt
the flow of the game and the development of the players. Constantly
tell them to keep away from each other, and explain to them why.
Rotate your players through all positions.
Every player should know how hard it is to be a goalie, defender,
midfielder, and forward. Besides the fact that the talents seen in
young players might not be the ones that are best when that player
gets a little older, you never know when you'll need one of your defenders
to play up on the front line.
Praise your players when they do the things you want to see.
Don't just praise the person who scored
the goal (they know that was good). Praise the person who made the
pass to set up the goal, after all it can be much harder to get an
assist than to kick the ball in the net. Praise the person who made
a good defensive play to move the ball back the other way, or showed
great hustle and kept the play alive at the touchline.
In addition, when praising the players, make
sure the entire field hears it. It doesn't take long the players and
spectators to realize what YOU want to see. Use halftime to point
out something good that each player did. Even if it was just touching
the ball once, find something.
Parent responsibility
Tell the parents they had three jobs as parents on your team:
1-To have the children at the games
and practices on time (or let you know in advance if they'll be absent
or late).
2-To only cheer positive things (good job, good steal, keep up the
good work, etc.) at the games, and leave the coaching to you and your
assistant(s).
3-To only look for the good things that their child did in games and
practices and praise them about it on the way to and from the fields.
Coaching education
Coaching clinics are held several times each season for free.
Coaches from all aspects of the game will be available for training
and consultation. Check back frequently for scheduled classes and
clinics. |
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