Many first time coaches volunteer or are volunteered to the job. First things first…Relax. Relax and think about how much fun you are going to have with these little Under-6 through Under-16 soccer players.
The US Director of Coaching Sam Snow gives a great view into a few basics to keep in mind when volunteering to coach our youths in his presentation
'Volunteering to Coach'.
A few notes about things to keep in mind when volunteering to coach in our soccer program.
How?
- Talk to the Program Director and request helpful coaching materials and coaching aids.
- Talk to other Soccer Coaches in the program or in your community who have worked with these age groups before.
- Call your State Youth Soccer Association and request helpful coaching materials and coaching aids.
- Call your State Youth Soccer Association and ask to speak with the State Director of Coaching about specific age appropriate coaching courses and age appropriate training materials.
- Call US Youth Soccer at 1.800.4SOCCER or visit their web site at www.USYouthSoccer.org and request and/or order helpful coaching materials and coaching aids.
Team Management:
Prepare a list of simple and clear rules for your players and their parents. Conduct a preseason meeting to review these rules and to go over other important information and to complete important administrative paperwork.
Consider the following:
- Schedules and locations for training sessions and games.
- Drop off and pick up times for training sessions and games.
- Player responsibilities and behavior at training sessions and games.
- Parent responsibilities and behavior at training sessions and games.
- Player equipment (soccer ball, shin pads, soccer shoes or sneakers, water, appropriate clothing).
- Coaching equipment (soccer balls, 25-30 cones, 10 vests/pennies, basic first aid kit, small cooler of ice and zip lock bags).
- Fill out program registration forms and medical release forms.
- Discuss the procedure for canceling training sessions and games.
- Discuss your philosophy of coaching…it's about player development, not winning and losing!
Risk Management:
- Provide proper age appropriate activities at training sessions and games.
- Assure that training and playing areas are safe.
- Make sure that all players are wearing the correct equipment and that it is appropriately sized.
- Make sure that you are assisted by another adult when coaching the players (This includes the time when players arrive and when they depart from training sessions and games).
- Create a plan for any medical emergencies/injuries.
The Training Session - Under-6 Format
- Duration is 45-60 minutes.
- Every child has a ball.
- Individual activities.
- Warm-up activities include movement education approach…with and without a ball (10 minutes).
- Fun games activities with and with out a ball (20 minutes).
- Conclude with 3v3 games to two goals, with no goalkeepers.
The Training Session - Under-8 Format
- Duration is 60 minutes.
- Every child has a ball.
- Individual and partner activities.
- Warm-up activities with and without the ball – dribbling and passing (15 minutes).
- Maze games and target games (25 minutes).
- Conclude with 4v4 games to two goals, with no goalkeepers.