COACHING TIPS AND TRICKS

INTENDED OUTCOMES

1. Deepen Knowledge: What do our kids need?

2. Sharpen Methods: How to maximize our impact?

3. Clarify Rationale: Why would I coach this way?

4. Aware of Resources: Where is our support?

THE GAME THROUGH WHO’S EYES?

WHAT’S THE DIFF BETWEEN COACH-CENTERED AND PLAYER-CENTERED?

COACH-CENTERED PLAYER-CENTERED

Coach-Centered Player-Centered

Coach preference prioritized Player needs prioritized

Coach-choreographed drills Game-related activities

Players execute instructions Players make decisions

Coach: “Sage on the Stage” Coach: “Guide on the Side”

Coach is always boss. How is power distributed?

AGE CHARACTERISTICS:WHO ARE THESE KIDS?

Physically?

Socially?

Mentally?

PRINCIPLES OF COACHING

• Developmentally Appropriate

• Player-centered activities – active, decision-making

• Mistakes are part of growth process

• Have a plan – thoughtful and organized

“DO NO HARM”

PRIORITIES

1. Facilitate activity

• “Game is the

best coach”

2. Influence learning

• Coach is an

accelerant

CREATING AN ENVIRONMENT

Activities vs. Drills Re-Entry Games

No Lines, Laps, or Lectures

SLALOM DRIBBLE DRILL

Physically active?

Decision making?

Engaging / Motivating?

Game awareness?

Can you alter this activity to include all of the above,

while emphasizing dribbling?

GATES ACTIVITY

Physically active?

Decision making?

Engaging / Motivating?

Game awareness?

Player-centered approach

Teaching traditional skills in non-traditional ways

Adapt challenges to individuals

FLOW“GOLDILOCKS CHALLENGES”

Ch

alle

nge

Skill Level

“I’m no

good”

“I’m bored”

MORE IMPACT STRATEGIES

Personal Connection

• “I’m glad you’re here”

• Ask good questions

Encourage

• Effort over Performance

• Avoid cheap praise, and make praise specific, e.g. “That was great

when you . . . “ not just “Good job”

Check for Understanding

• “Show me” (instead of “Everybody got it?”)

MANAGING KIDSAttention

• “Trophy Pose” (Foot On Ball, Eyes On You)

• Sun or distractions behind them

• “Twitter” Coaching – 140 characters or less

• If they’re bored it’s our fault. Troubleshoot:

• Activity level too low?

• Challenge level too low or too great?

• Is there a way to score and keep score, individual or team?

• If they’re misbehaving, 10-second intervention

• Catch them being good – acknowledge vs. praise

• Acknowledge: “Thank you for . . .” (meets expectations)

• Praise: “That was great when . . .” (exceeds expectations)

COACHING SUCCESS DATA

High Ball-rolling time and # of ball touches per player

High # of soccer-relevant decisions per player

Low # of cartwheels or wrestling bouts

Players say “Is it over already?” (not “Is it over yet?”)

Players want to come back next time and next season

PROGRESSIVE PRACTICE

1. Ignition Game (10 minutes)

2. Spotlight Activity & Spotlight Game (20-35 min)

3. Game (15-20 minutes)

4. “Before we go” (2-3 minutes)

• Character builder

• “What did you learn today?”

• Recognitions (Peer or Coach-delivered)

PRE-GAME PRACTICE

1. Ignition game (5-10 minutes)

2. Skill Builder game (10-15 mins)

3. Line-Up (1 min - visual)

Lineup11

free app

GAME MANAGEMENT

• Players’ Game - Different from Most Sports

• Fewer Players on field is Good (play short)

• Coach in the Past Tense, Not GPS Directions

• Coach Away From The Ball

• Sensible Substitutions – Have A Plan / Use Chart

• Keep the game flowing

• Extended time in a position for understanding

• Goalkeeper rotations?

TEAM FORMATIONS

• Why? – General Field Coverage And Roles

• 1st Objective: Move Up And Down Field Together

(Like Hockey and Basketball)

• 2nd: Positioning Based On Ball And Players, Not

Just Real Estate – THIS IS HARD And TAKES TIME!

• Avoid Sentries In Front Of Goal (other than GK)

• No “Puppy Guarding” in Division A

PARENT COMMUNICATION

Intro email and on-field huddle:• Thank them for entrusting you with their children

• Standards for all involved

Consider 1-Minute “check-ins”• What to watch for, signs of progress, how to support

REFEREE DEVELOPMENT

Support our

Referees

• Players and Coaches Shake Hands / Bump Fists with

Referees as a THANK YOU!

ONLINE RESOURCES

www.edenprairiesoccer.org

•Video Tutorials

•Practice Plans

•Substitution rotation charts

•Division Rules (also coaches bag)

FELLOW COACH TIPS (SPRING ‘17)

• Different player is captain and starts at cf each game

• Ask kids at breaks what to do better so they think/discuss

• Kids ID good/bad post-game for what to work on next

• Double-think the next words out of your mouth, positive-only

• Celebrate one moment for each player each day

• Track passing stats – how many before a goal?

• Never mention the score, focus on other measureables

• Get down at their level when talking, e.g. one knee

IN-PERSON RESOURCES

• Coaching Director Andy Coutts

• Referee Director Ken Bomben

• Coach Mentor Program

ANY QUESTIONS?

ON BEHALF

OF THE

KIDS,

THANK YOU!