Introduction
How This Book Is Organized
Special Elements
I. COACHING BASICS
1. Your Coaching Approach
Your Coaching Philosophy
Physical Development
Mental Development
Emotional Development
Social Development
Some Final Thoughts on Your Coaching Philosophy
10 Attributes of a Good Coach
Take Your Role Seriously
Be Comfortable with Being in Charge
Be Dependable and Stable
Be Patient
Be Flexible
Enjoy Getting to Know Your Players
Desire to Help Kids Learn and Grow
Be an Encourager
Be Willing to Learn
Have a Sense of Humor
10 Keys to Being a Good Coach
Know the Basics of the Sport
Plan for Your Season and Practices
Conduct Effective Practices
Teach Skills and Tactics
Correct Players in a Way That Helps Them Improve
Teach and Model Good Sporting Behavior
Provide for Players' Safety
Communicate Effectively
Coach Effectively During Games
Know What Success Is
Final Thoughts on the Keys to Being a Good Coach
What to Expect As a Coach
What Is Expected of You As a Coach
Equipment and Insurance
Last, But Not Least: Why Kids Play Soccer
2. Rules of the Game
Basic Youth Soccer Rules
Field
Equipment
Game Length
Players
Starts and Restarts
Moving the Ball
Fouls
Offside
Goalkeeping
Scoring
Officials
Terms
Keep on Learning
Teaching Rules to Your Players
Situational Plays
Practice Games
Brief Discussions
Players' Experiences
3. Communication Keys
10 Keys to Being a Good Communicator
Know Your Message
Make Sure You Are Understood
Deliver Your Message in the Proper Context
Use Appropriate Emotions and Tones
Adopt a Healthy Communication Style
Be Receptive
Provide Helpful Feedback
Be a Good Nonverbal Communicator
Be Consistent
Be Positive
Communicating with Parents
Preseason Meeting or Letter
Preseason Call
During the Season
Be Understanding-and Set Boundaries
Challenging Situations
Communicating with League Administrators
League Information
Coaches' Meetings and Clinics
Questions and Concerns
Communicating with Opponents and Referees
4. Safety Principles
Communicating the Inherent Risk
Being Prepared
CPR/First Aid Training
Chronic Health Condition Awareness
First Aid Kit
Providing Proper Supervision
Plan Your Practices
Inspect the Field and Equipment
Provide Proper Instruction
Supervise Each Activity
Responding to Minor Injuries
Cuts and Scrapes
Bruises
Sprains and Strains
Responding to Emergency Situations
Heatstroke
Heat Exhaustion
Respecting the Weather
Heat Guidelines
Lightning Guidelines
Severe Weather Guidelines
5. Practice Plans
Planning Your Season
Purpose
Tactics and Skills
Rules
Adjusting Your Season Plan
Sample Season Plan
Planning Practices
The Best Option: Simultaneous Stations
Player Safety
Coaching Instruction and Feedback
Sample Practice Plan
Conducting Your First Practice
12 Keys to Conducting Effective Practices
1. Be Prepared
2. Set the Stage
3. Involve Parents
4. Be Active
5. Be Active with a Purpose
6. Make It Fun
7. Provide Instruction
8. Give Feedback
9. Be Encouraging and Supportive
10. Promote Teamwork and Camaraderie
11. Discipline Players As Necessary
12. Wrap Up the Practice
6. Player Development
The Process for Teaching Skills and Tactics
Set the Stage
Show and Tell
Practice the Skill
Provide Feedback
Six Keys to Error Correction
Be Encouraging
Be Honest
Be Specific
Reinforce Correct Technique
Explain Why the Error Happened
Watch for Comprehension
7. Game Time!
The Practice Before the Game
Game Particulars
Game Focus
Before the Game
Team Warm-up
Last-minute Words
During the Game
Your Approach to the Game
Player Substitutions
Appropriate Behavior
After the Game
Team Meeting
8. Ingredients of a Successful Season
A Tale of Two Coaches
Evaluating Your Season
Did Your Players Have Fun?
Did Your Players Learn New Skills and Improve on Previously Learned Skills?
Did You Help Your Players Understand the Game and Its Rules?
Did You Communicate Appropriately and Effectively?
Did You Provide for Your Players' Safety?
Did You Plan and Conduct Effective Practices?
Did Your Players Give Maximum Effort in Practices and Games?
Did Your Players Leave the Games on the Field?
Did You Leave the Games on the Field?
Did You Conduct Yourself Appropriately?
Did You Communicate Effectively with Parents and Involve Them in Positive Ways?
Did You Coach Appropriately During Games?
Did You Win with Class and Lose with Dignity?
Did You Make the Experience Positive, Meaningful, and Fun for Your Players?
II. SKILLS AND TACTICS
9. Offensive Skills and Tactics
Ball Control
Dribbling
Foot and Ball Position
Head
Shielding the Ball
Changing Direction
Passing
Inside of the Foot
Outside of the Foot
Longer Passes
A Few Final Notes About Passing
Receiving
Receiving with the Foot
Receiving with the Thigh
Receiving with the Chest
Heading
Shooting
Formations
6v6
8v8 and 11v11
Support and Space
Providing Support
Creating Good Passing Angles
Passing the Ball into Open Space
Attacking
Crossing
Give-and-Go
Throw-ins
Corner Kicks
Goal Kicks
Free Kicks
10. Defensive Skills and Tactics
Basic Concepts
Winning the Ball
Getting Behind the Ball
Jockeying to Buy Time
Protecting the Danger Zone
The Closer to the Goal, the Tighter the Marking
Closing Down the Attacker
Forwards Play Defense, Too!
Zone Versus Player-to-Player
Marking
Tackling
Goalkeeping
Basic Concepts
Gathering Ground Balls
Catching Balls in the Air
Diving
Distributing the Ball
Defending Restarts
11. Games and Drills
Dribbling Games
Game One
Game Two
Game Three
Passing Games
Game One
Game Two
Game Three
Receiving Games
Game One
Game Two
Game Three
Heading Games
Game One
Game Two
Shooting Games
Game One
Game Two
Game Three
Defensive Games
Game One
Game Two
Game Three
Game Four
Offensive Games
Game One
Game Two
Restart Games
Game One
Game Two
III. APPENDIXES
A. Sample Letter to Parents
B. Medical Emergency Form
C. Injury Report
D. Season Plan
E. Practice Plan
F. Season Evaluation Form
1. Did Your Players Have Fun?
2. -Did Your Players Learn New Skills and Improve on Previously
Learned Skills?
3. -Did You Help Your Players Understand the Game and Its Rules?
4. -Did You Communicate Appropriately and Effectively?
5. Did You Provide for Your Players' Safety?
6. Did You Plan and Conduct Effective Practices?
7. -Did Your Players Give Maximum Effort in Practices and Games?
8. -Did Your Players Leave the Games on the Field?
9. Did You Leave the Games on the Field?
10. Did You Conduct Yourself Appropriately?
11. -Did You Communicate Effectively with Parents and Involve Them
in Positive Ways?
12. Did You Coach Appropriately During Games?
13. -Did You Win with Class and Lose with Dignity?
14. -Did You Make the Experience Positive, Meaningful, and Fun for
Your Players?
Index
It all began so innocently.
Just as the youth soccer league administrator asked for a volunteer to coach your son's team, you scratched the top of your head. All the other parents were studying, with sudden keen interest, their thumbnails or shoelaces. No eyes, except yours, were looking forward.
The administrator saw her chance.
To your astonishment, you saw that she was pointing directly at you. Parents, with relieved looks on their faces, turned to look at you. Some smirked. A few chuckled. All were joyful.
"Relax," one parent said. "The season doesn't start till next week."
"My kid's a striker. That's the only position he plays," another parent said as he gave you a good view of the bulldog tattooed on his bicep.
"My son plays sweeper," another parent added, as if he bought his son the position from Major League Soccer, which had granted the boy sole rights to play sweeper on your team.
"I never knew you could coach, Dad," your son said as you walked to your car.
"Sure I can coach," you said. "How difficult can it be?" You hoped you at least sounded convincing.
Every spring and fall, all across America, youth soccer leagues swing into action. Every year, thousands upon thousands of new coaches are tabbed to guide the players. The majority of those coaches have little or no experience coaching.
If you are one of those coaches, this book is for you. It is intended primarily for coaches of players from 6 to 12 years old, but itis applicable to coaches of older players as well. Use it as your rudder to guide you through your season. Use this book to
This guide presents the foundational concepts that effective coaches follow, and it shows you, step-by-step, how to incorporate those concepts, plan your season, and conduct your practices. It provides many forms you will need, including sample and blank season and practice plans, a sample letter to parents, an injury report and emergency information card, and a season evaluation form. It has games and drills you can use to teach your players the skills and tactics they need to know. It details how to execute the fundamental skills and tactics, so you will know what to teach—and it lays out how to teach. It is also replete with practical tips that will help your season be a success.
This book is organized in three parts. Part I, "Coaching Basics," provides guidance in a number of areas, including your basic approach to coaching, communication keys, safety principles, and practice planning. Part II, "Skills and Tactics," delves into the specifics of the skills and tactics your players will need to learn, ending with an entire chapter devoted to games and drills you can use to teach those skills and tactics.
Part III, "Appendixes," are six appendixes that you should find useful. This material includes a sample letter to parents, a medical emergency form, an injury report, blank season and practice plans you can use for your own planning, and a season evaluation form you can use at the end of your season.
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