I've just been talked into coaching my son's soccer team! I need help!!!

[momof3disneyholics]

Ok, I played like 15 years ago when I was in middle school. I went to turn in my son's registration paperwork, and they asked if he ever played before and I told them no, but I have taught him alot of what I know because I use to play. Well, the guy behind the counter was "You use to play? " and I said "yeah, 15 years ago". So, he told me they were "desperate" for coaches and would I consider doing it. I told him it was been too long and I don't even remember the rules. Well, he said that doesn't matter, because they have willing people coaching that have never even played, they just need willing people. SOOOOOO, I guess I'm coaching. He said I would be coaching my son's team, and someone will call me tonight. SO, I guess I need some help. Can anyone give me advice and/or links on coaching soccer. I want to help, and I'm sure it will be fun. I'll just have to look out for those vicious soccer moms I've heard about!
Thanks!!! I need help!!

 

[poochie]

Congrats.

Now you need to get the rules from the league and ask about the "Zero Tolerance rules. These are important. This is where you will not tolerate the verbal abuse parents tend to get at games. You will need to get a copy and have all your team and their parents get a copy and sign if so that they understand what is expected.

Zero Tolerance, no one has the right to verbally abuse any child, coach, ref or other family member on the team or other team during games. Anyone who does not comply will be asked to leave the organization along with their child. Not to scare you but I am sure you heard or read about problem parents. They are a very small minority and many times do not recognise themselves as fitting into this mold.

You need to lay down the rule that you and your assistants are the coaches. You make the calls, and ask that the adults not coach their children from the sidelines. They do not need to be confused by 2 different instructions. You need to let the children know this also. Enforce these rules with the origanization backing you. Remember this is a game for the children to have fun. Winning is not everything. It is a game if a parent disagrees then it is time they go elsewhere.

Sorry that this is so long winded, I just wanted to make sure you are aware as this we learned from many years of organized sports with our son.

Good Luck and have fun. These will be some of the best memories with your child.

 

[Indyman]

I'll offer a few suggestions.

1) Take a state coaching certification course, if you state offers it.

2) Keep practices fun and active. Do not allow the kids to stand in lines or remain inactive.

3) If you play any kind of knockout games, make the kids perform some kind of activity with the ball before they can return to the game.

4) Work more on individual skills than team skill for the younger kids.

5) Keep practices fun and active. Do not allow the kids to stand in lines or remain inactive.

6) Try to keep your coaching to an absolute minimum during games. Coaching should be done during practices. Be and encourage your parents to only be cheerleaders during games. Allow the kids to make their own decisions and mistakes during the games. They'll learn a lot more that way.

7) Make sure somebody is in charge of bringing snacks for each game.

8) Keep practices fun and active. Do not allow the kids to stand in lines or remain inactive.

9) Some good activities can be found
here. .

 

[Patch'sD]

I don't know your child's age so most information is based upon age and skill. Coaching at the younger age at 3-5 is a lot of fun where the kids don't really know much and just have a ball. Make practice's fun and everything should be a game. at that age Soccer is Honey Ball with all of the kids running to the ball acting as bees. As they get older skills develop and you have to work more on passing skills, offensive Skills, Defensive Skills, and Parent Management. Have fun, keep it fun for the kids. Delegate Calls and Snack Duties to other parents.

 

[Kallison]

Webmaster Alex can tell you everything you need to know!

I would say try to get another parent to help you. I'm coaching field hockey for the 2nd year in a row and I haven't played in 25 years. We go to coaches clinics. Hook up with an experienced coach to tell you what drills to run. Don't stress, just have a plan for practice. Get the parents involved too with helping during the practices. Have a clipboard with team roster and team sub plan. Don't worry about winning, make sure the kids learn all the positions and how to play as a team, pass the ball and not be a hog. Good luck!!

 

[momof3disneyholics]

Thanks, its going to be a group of 7 year olds. This is my son's first year playing and I just know there are going to be some kids that have been playing since they were in utero and I'm scared will know everything. You all have given me alot of good ideas and made me think of some good questions to ask when they call me. I'm hoping there will be a more experienced coach that will teach me how to coach. My hubby is out of town doing military training right now and I'm anxious to know what his reaction will be when he finds out I'm coaching. I don't think it's going to be bad, he'll just be suprised. We hadn't even discussed putting my son into soccer this year, so he is going to have all kids of surprises when he gets back into town! I have been thinking about signing him up as a football coach, because he eats, sleeps, and breathes it this time of year.
I like that link on drills and activities. Does anyone know where I can find the rulebook at? Is there a book like "The idiots guide to soccer" that can spell it out for me plain and simple?

 

[Kallison]

Oh and don't forget the whistle!! One other thing -- if you haven't worked with kids a lot, you are going to get a lot of whiners at this age. The "I don't want to run, I don't want to do that", you'll probably have to be pretty firm. I would also make the parents stick around for practice. They are too young to let you alone with that many kids. First aid might be nice too - some of those ice packs that you smack to get cold and some bee sting ointment. To be really, really nice bring some extra water. I would also assign a team parent to make up a snack schedule and to call the parents to remind them. That is all I can think of for now!

 

[momof3disneyholics]

bump!

 

[Rock'n Robin]

Can you get to Toledo tomorrow night? Our suburban league is having a coaching clinic at 6:45.
Seriously we give our coaches rules next week at a mandatory meeting--they all have to sign a "kidsafe" form for a background check as well.
I don't coach, I am the "commish" of the 1st grade boys' division (where DS plays). I make the teams and set up the schedule for this age group. I did it for K boys last year. My job is pretty much done once the season starts, unless it rains on a Saturday AM and I have to call my coaches to cancel the games.
My only advice is to keep it fun and don't be what I call a "screamer"--I hate seeing coaches like that--"what are you doing?" "GO TO THE BALL!!!!" When DD#1 was in 5th grade one coach (opposing team) would pull out the goalie every time our team scored on them and replace her until another goal scored, then the coach would pull HER out.
Robin M.

 

[shortbun]

Get some cones for drills and some balls that are the size your
league plays with. All kids should bring their own but some
forget. Put your name and phone number on the balls in
permanent marker. a whistle is fine but you won't be blowing
it that often. Plan a set of warm ups ending with a long run,
an unofficial race at the beginning of each practice. At the end
of each practice, kids like to play "knock out" games, like
Sharks and Dolphins. Two sharks try to kick out the bal off
all the Dolphins. We usually play two games so the last two
Dolphins out get to be the sharks in the 2nd game. You use
your cones to mark the boundary of the circle. The cones are
also used for up and back drills where the kids dribble the
ball around them-in and out. Make two lines for this so no one
is waiting long or have two groups doing this and one group
kicking at a goalie in the goal area so line wait is very minimum.
Kids love scrimmaging. Get several large T-shirts they can
change into so all one color for your team to scrimmage itself.
Or-find out what other teams may be practicing in your league
and arrange a scrimmage or two for your practices. Have a water
break after the run in warm up and at least one other as well
as instructing them to get water when they need it. Get parents
names addresses and phone numbers on a roster the first practice and have them sign up for snak then too. Ask that everyone call you-they'll need your number-if practice or games
are to not going to be attended. This is really important so you
can plan who is playing which quarter. Learn the positions and
purpose for them, rotate your players a lot so everyone gets
to play forward-midfield-defense and goalie. Inexperienced should
be mixed with experienced on all areas of the field so your team
is strong and some can show others. At this age, most leagues
allow and expect coaches to coach during the games. Another
poster was correct-screaming is not a great thing to do so be
prepared to run the field as the ball moves to stay with your
players and give instuction if needed. Watch your defensive
players as they tend to get bored if there is no play near them.
I've seen kids let the ball get right by them because they were
not paying attention, again not a yelling thing just be ready to
be there and get them in the game. Learn the rules, some leagues don't use the off sides rule at this age. find out about
the refs and their "job". In our league, at that age, the refs were
all about instruction as well as calling the game.
Good luck.

 

[orvilleair]

http://www.usyouthsoccer.org

There are some drills you can download in *.pdf format. (Look for the coaches connection tab).

My daughter is 6, and her league is more instructional. I have a feeling you will be teaching the basics like throwing in the ball with two hands, where to place a goal kick et....

The kids rotate positions too, so each kid has a chance at being the goalie or being a forward.

Probably need to get the kids to agree on the team name. Get a parent to coordinate the uniforms. The snack idea is what we do here too. Parents make a tunnel at the end of the game for the kids to run under. Good luck.

 

[momof3disneyholics]

Wow, great advice! Thanks alot!!

 

[Pop Daddy]

just scream alot and make sure it no fun for the kids, then you will have coaching down

 

[momof2inPA]

If you are going to set the night for practice, don't pick the night that has church, youth group, cub scouts, football practice, or any other activity or the parents will complain. When the parents complain anyway, ignore them. You can't please everyone.

 

[nkjzmom]

I apologize...I've only skimmed the previous replies so I may sound like a broken record.

DH began his "soccer career" when our oldest began playing 5 years ago. He knew nothing...but was ready and eager to learn. Those make the best coaches. In our league we give a folder full of info to the coaches...rule books, drills, games, activities. I would ask your organization if they have anything to offer.

In U8 they are mostly learning the basics...throw in's, goal kicks, corner kicks, some passing. We haven't taught specific positions until U10. Emphasize fun, teamwork, and individual/team improvement.

Feel free to PM me with any questions/problems and I'll do my best.