Instructor’s Responsibilities and Duties

Soccer programs should be offered to youth players of all ages, with the emphasis on fun, fitness, and skill building in an environment in which winning is not the sole focus.

Every child must have the opportunity to participate in every game.
An instructor should be able to define the needs of his youth players. The growth process should emphasize the development of sound skills that can be enjoyed. Players should experience fun and enjoyment every time they come to the soccer field. The instructors should also be able to adapt to each player’s personality, talk to them in a positive manner, lead by example and teach the players to conduct themselves in a controlled manner on the field.

Players need the opportunity to play their own game. Therefore as instructors, we should limit sideline coaching. Teaching should be done at practice rather in games.

Developing a strong sense of self-esteem is as fundamental as a solid technical foundation. It is of great importance that instructors provide an atmosphere of a strong team where players can develop a love of the game as well as environment where players can respect each other.

If we can step back and say to ourselves that our players are developing respect, trust, confidence and a desire to remain actively involved in soccer, then we can honestly say we are doing our job!!!

This article was featured in the Scuola Calcio Magazine - The article was written by Antonio Saviano.

Scuola Calcio Coaching Magazine is aimed to improve youth players from the age of 5 and up. Every activity will be specifically targeted to the appropriate age group.

Coaching Youth Soccer

It is important to understand the reason youth players choose to participate in any sport. Sometimes players do not come to sport by their own choice, but rather by the choice of the parent’s. As a result, instructors need to give youth players something to get excited about.

We need to keep in mind that at a very young age learning to play soccer is secondary to most other things in their lives.

Let’s look at some things that we can do to energize youth players and hopefully get them to the point where they will learn enthusiastically.

Sessions should be geared around touching the ball as many times as possible. Involve the ball in each activity. Movements such as running, skipping, hopping, jumping, rolling, etc. must be emphasized to build coordination and athleticism. Players must develop the physical capacity to perform technical skills.

Training sessions should not last for more than 60-90 minutes. Physical fatigue is a factor and attention span is a consideration. Train once or twice a week.

FUN is the emphasis while working with the young age groups. Always remember the players’ physical and mental maturity. Each activity should accommodate the players’ level of understanding.

Team play and passing is a psychological threat for younger players. The player feels that if they pass the ball, they may never get it back.

Sometimes you will notice that teammates will steal the ball from each other. Frustrating to the coach for sure but normal behavior and logical if you understand things from the child/player’s perspective. The coach must understand and accommodate this perspective.

This article was featured in the Scuola Calcio Magazine

Scuola Calcio Coaching Magazine is aimed to improve youth players from the age of 5 and up. Every activity will be specifically targeted to the appropriate age group.