Youth Coach / Kids’ Coach for Soccer Nobody is perfect!

Who is infallible? Are you aware of how strong your performance should be? Work, related to kids’ soccer and youth soccer is often underestimated

A. Introduction
B. The kids’- or youth coach’s function as a role model
C. The kids’- or youth coach outside of the field
D. The kids’- or youth coach on game day
E. The kids’- or youth coach ensures proper training

A. Introduction

If you think working as a kids- or youth coach is limited to the game of soccer, then you either haven‘t been a team coach for long, or never before. A soccer coach is a role model and this enables him to convey certain rules or values, especially to adolescents. You are often closer to the adolescent than the school or the parents. Take this into consideration in your actions and your appearance.

Society has high expectations for a kids- or youth coach, and not just in the areas pertaining to soccer. Integral duties and social responsibility, up to collaboration with the schools and parents; all of this is expected from the kids- or youth coach. Additional expectations for the soccer coach are, instilling values in the adolescents and kids, showing perspectives, function as a confidant for personal problems and teaching team work.

Studies indicated that kids‘ - or youth coaches do not meet these requirements and therefore their duties are overrated. Many soccer coaches limit their functions to organizing the practice and games; either due to time constraints or the lack of basic educational training.

What are the characteristics of a perfect kids‘ - or youth coach?

In following, we have summarized several key words describing a good soccer coach. Any kids - or youth coach would probably be overextended in meeting all of these requirements but many should be considered common sense.

B. Role Model Function of a Kids or Youth Soccer Coach

You can only demand the things of kids and adolescents if you fulfill them as well!

Contact person for the kids

The kids and adolescents are able to approach you with their problems, regardless if personal or soccer related.

Authority

Kids and adolescents follow your lead. You will command positive recognition based on expert knowledge and/or social competence, not fear.

Honesty

Be open and honest. Don’t try to hide your problems or make light of them.

Commitment

Invest a lot of time and in most cases, money, to implement your goals as a coach.

Fair play without limitations

Don’t criticize the referee and be a good looser or winner. Encourage the children and adolescents to apologize after committing a foul. Fair play also applies to interacting with each other.

Passion for soccer

You are passionate about soccer, show it to the kids and adolescents.

Patience

Don’t get impatient if goals or guidelines are not completed or implemented fast enough.

Organized personal environment

You need an organized personal environment in order to concentrate on your duties as a youth coach. Unrest is detrimental to your work

Proper vocabulary

Cursing is not acceptable in kids’- and youth soccer.

Neat appearance

Pay attention to your coaching- and game gear.

Control your emotions

No outbursts, keep it professional. Physical and mental violence are unacceptable.

Willingness to help

You are responsible for your team. You are ready to help if anyone on the team needs any type of assistance.

Courtesy

Show courtesy. Opponents, referees, ground-keepers and parents appreciate a little courtesy. Show this to the children as well.

Integration ability

You are able to integrate into groups quickly. You have no problem in accepting new kids or adolescents on the team. Convey integration ability to kids or adolescents as well.

Intercultural Competencies

Reasonable interaction with other cultures.

No drugs

Self-explanatory

No alcohol

Alcohol should not be part of the team, especially for the coach.

Communication ability

Communicate with the team and its surroundings extensively. This includes group- and individual conversations.

Problem solving ability

You are able to resolve conflicts within the team, regardless of the persons involved.

Critical ability

Accept criticism without holding a grudge.

Consistency

Implement your rules, if necessary, impose penalties.

Insight into human nature

Understand the worries of kids, adolescents and parents in order to understand and evaluate them better.

Don’t smoke

Remember your duty as role model.

Organizational ability

Organize thoroughly, leave very little to chance.

Punctuality

As a role model you are always punctual.

Self-discipline

Monitor your actions carefully and consider your function as a role model.

Self-confidence

Believe in your goals and visions.

Team spirit

Show team spirit. Tell the kids and adolescents how important it is to you.

Tolerance

Tolerate other tastes and conducts. Adolescents often have a different preference in music for instance, or other harmless behavioral patterns.

Responsibility

Be aware of your responsibility for the physical and mental wellbeing of your team at all times.

Trust/Confidentiality

Keep anything disclosed to you confidential.

Reliability

A coach is always reliable. Cancelling a game or practice should only take place as an exception.

C. The Kids’ - or Youth Coach outside of the field

Animator

Ensure a positive mood and lots of fun, especially during practice. Practice time is the longest mutual time period the team spends together.

Parents

Many times you get to know kids and adolescents better through their parents. Parents are able to assist you with organizational tasks.

Driving duties

Organize driving services for “away“ games. Check frequently, how the kids and adolescents will get to the game.

Leisure activities

Organize excursions and other activities for your team. This enhances team spirit and binds the children and adolescents to the team.

Loyalty

Display loyalty. This pertains to your club and your team. Problems and differences are resolved internally. Never badmouth the club to the team.

Team funds

Organize team fund maintenance. It helps with many expenses, especially for activities outside of soccer. Discuss the amount of contributions with the parents.

Practice-and game equipment maintenance

Organize and monitor diligent handling of practice equipment and uniforms.

Ground-keeper

Oftentimes the ground-keeper is the soul of the soccer department. Exercise "courtesy“ in this aspect.

Possible problems children may have

Conduct group– and individual meetings to find out about the kids’ problems. If necessary, contact the parents, schools or other institutions

Sponsoring

Pay attention to your practice and game gear as well.

Game participation entitlement

Ensure proper game participation entitlement for kids and adolescents. In many cases the club handles the application.

Continuous education

Seek advanced training. Many years of playing soccer is not enough to coach a kids - or youth team adequately.

Expenditure compensation for the coach

Does your club compensate you for expenses?

Fellow-coaches

Brainstorming within the club- and external coaches.

Club chores

You participate in club-related work assignments. Include the kids and adolescents. Work is available for any age. The youngest can pick up paper for half an hour, for instance. Support the motto: "We are the club!" , with your team.

Club management

The chairman, division- and youth manager are important contact persons. Good and constructive communication is imperative.

Club membership

Ensure that you team members join the club.

D. The Kids’ - or Youth Coach on Game Day

Professional Competencies

Prepare the team for the game. Possible tactical prerequisites, depending on the age.

Instill self-confidence

An adequate amount of confidence increases performance.

Beverages

Ensure that an adequate amount of beverages are available during sport sessions.

Equal play-time

For all younger kids.

Praise, comfort, encourage

Everyone needs it, especially kids and adolescents.

Security staff

Intervention in case of problems outside of the playing field, especially with parents or spectators who display improper conduct.

Organizing game operation

Distribute the game plan containing meeting place, time and opponents to all kids and adolescents. Assembly and disassembly of the playing field and referee supervision. Welcome and dismissal of the opposing team. Fill out playing form. Organize friendship matches and participation in tournaments. Host your own tournaments.

Constructive criticism

Remain constructive and consider the individual characters during individual critiques.

Make performance secondary

Everyone wants to win; but not at any cost. Especially for the younger players, soccer should be a celebration, a party and should be fun. Performance pressure usually interferes.

Total fairplay

Good losers and winners.

E. The Kids’ - or Youth Coach ensures adequate Training

Diversity

Keep your practice sessions diversified.

Age-appropriate training

Keep explanations short and good

Professional competencies

Health

Eliminate health risks. Injuries, diseases, allergies. Inquire regarding the kids’ and adolescents health conditions.

Equal opportunity

The kids and adolescents should be promoted equally. No one is favored. Training can be adapted to accommodate individual development.

Improvisation

If exercise is non-productive, modify the scheduled training.

Individual correction

Monitor individual exercise errors in children and adolescents. Incorrect form may lead to health hazards/injury.

Concept

Prepare a long-term concept and goal.

Monitor concept

Continuous self-critical monitoring of the concept and intended goals.

Motor skills

Precise development to eliminate motor skills deficiencies.

Preparation

Always be well prepared for practice.

Demonstration

Demonstrate exercises/drills and techniques, especially in kids’ soccer.