Teaching soccer can be a wonderful vocation, depending on the individual and the age group of the team that is being coached. A coach’s job is not about just the soccer drills and developing skills.
It goes way beyond that – he has to earn the players’ respect, be sensitive to their needs, provide guidance where necessary, all through creating the right learning environment where they enjoy themselves, putting their heart into the game (also during soccer tryouts).
There are basic areas to focus on since socceris for fun, especially with the younger players. With the younger age group, the focus must be on fun. The competition comes in later.
- Conditioning
Conditioning is vital. If a soccer player is not fit, he cannot stand the rigors of the game and be alert to make quick decisions. The coach has to plan the right regimen of fitness conditioning for the individual players so that they develop the right level of mental, spiritual and physical fitness.
Warm ups are a must in soccer training drills. Some coaches punish their players by making them do strenuous exercise. You don’t want your players ending up hating exercise, do you?
- Team
Every player must think of winning, as a team. The coach’s job is to skillfully inculcate the spirit of togetherness and teamwork. There are some great soccer drills to accomplish this. He can get the better players to guide the ones that need development.
- Skills
The coach has to communicate and teach the skills appropriate to the age group of the team. He cannot get six year old players to learn about advanced soccer techniques like defense and offense.
Planning in advance, based on the team’s skill levels and psychological make up is very vital when preparing games for training and practice. The team players must be able to use what they learn. Talking to the team as a group in an interactive way helps both the coach and the players.
- Equality
In a team there will naturally be players from different social status, religions, mindsets, skill levels etc. The coach has the responsibility to treat all players equally. Their backgrounds will not matter. On the field they will be recognized as the talented individuals they are.
The players must be made to feel good through encouragement for even small achievements as it can build their confidence in a big way. Teaching soccer involves showing players to respect themselves, the game, the coach, their fellow players, the rules, and their parents.
