Coaching Youth Soccer: Teambuilding Principles That Last
Making a positive impact on the lives of our youth is a rewarding task that can be accomplished through many channels. Coaching youth soccer is one such avenue. It extends the opportunity to become both a coach and mentor to the young people served. Coaching allows one to contribute to molding the character of generations to come. For this reason, there a few guiding principles that, if followed, can ensure your success as a coach and mentor.
Expect The Best
Coaching youth soccer almost demands that you communicate high expectations to your players. Keep in mind that these kids want to succeed in soccer while having fun. If you set high expectations, then they will do both. Sarcasm, criticism, and scolding will only discourage your team and lead them to believe that you don’t expect very much from them. It’s virtually impossible to create a winning team this in this environment. However, encouragement and commendations can make an indelible impact on a player’s performance.
Keep a Positive Outlook
Coaching youth soccer with a positive outlook can go a long way. Parents and coaches usually come to soccer practice after a stressful work day. Additionally, the players typically want to relax and have fun after a tiring school day. A negative attitude is best left off the soccer field; it’s the last thing everyone needs.
Coaching youth soccer allows you to be a reactor or a catalyst. As a reactor, you can opt to simply conform to the prevailing attitude of the group. Depending on what this attitude is, this can allow for a really enjoyable practice or an extremely horrible one. On the other hand, as a catalyst, you can determine the prevailing attitude for the day and make every practice a great one. A positive outlook will either encourage attitude that are already optimistic or convert those who are being pessimistic.
Soccer is NOT Life
When coaching youth soccer, it’s guaranteed that every one of your players has other thing going on in their lives that have nothing to do with the sport. There may be dealing with challenges at school, difficulties at home, or the varying changes of puberty. Soccer may give them a chance to mentally and emotionally unplug from all of these things and enjoy themselves. Don’t pile tension on top of existing stress; just help your players to enjoy the game.
Take it Easy
Coaching youth soccer should be fun, not a matter of life and death. Whether you win or lose, be sure to help you players enjoy the game. They shouldn’t feel as if there whole world has fallen apart if they lose a game our have trouble with certain methods. Being too serious about soccer can deprive your youth of the fun found in the game. This type of approach can also deprive the coach of a worthwhile mentoring relationship.
