Coach's
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| Coach & Parent Tips from Responsible Sports | |||
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One thing you need to remember as a coach. Kids get lectured and told what to do all day long every day. When they come out to play soccer they are coming out to have fun. Soccer should be fun!
Director of Coach's Current Favorite Quote:
"My responsibility is getting all my players playing for the name on the front of the jersey, not the one on the back."
There are many different levels of coaching education. (you can find complete descriptions here) For recreational level coaching we have a mandatory YM (Youth Module) and YM3 (Youth Module 3). These classes are for brand new coaches and will always be held at the soccer center located on Pah-Ute rd.
But, as you and your kids grow in soccer you start to wonder what else is available. The answer to that question is the E-License, D-License, C-License, B-License & A-License. Click on the link above to get full descriptions. For recreational soccer, the E-Clinic is a recommended coarse for U-10 and above. If you are interested in getting your E-License there are some special classes coming up that are offered at a reduced rate.
E-Clinic Classes (These classes will be $25.00, They are normally $85.00)
Murrieta Valley H.S., June 5th & 6th
Moorpark College, Aug. 14th & 15th
If these dates do not work for you! There is also two being held close to home at the regular rate of $85.00.
Mesa Linda Park, Victorville, July 31 & Aug 1st
Big Bear Middle School, Aug. 7th & 8th
If you want to look for diferant dates or classes you can also check Cal South's website for other coaching classes & dates.
SoccerXperts - This site allows you to search for drills specific to age group and provides you with other people's ratings on how they work.
Footy4Kids - This site provides you with some basic practice plans. A practice plan is a predetermined set of drills you came up with prior to practice (usually all drills focused on one specific skill). This allows you to keep the practice flowing and eliminates the chance of running out of ideas or forgetting them when your in the middle of practice.
Soccer Training Info - This is a good all around web site packed full of skills, techniques and strategy/tactics tips. Plus it has plenty of video clips demonstrating what they are talking about.
US Youth Soccer Coaches Connection - This site provides training activities for all age groups. US Youth Soccer is the association looking over soccer in the US and has lots of helpful information. So if you get a chance check this page out along with the entire US Youth Soccer Site.
Coaching Soccer 101 - This site provides plenty of drills to help you plan a practice.
Who is Killing Youth Sports - This is an article that was published in Parade Magazine and addresses parents and what they can do to ensure their child has a healthy relationship with youth sports.
1v1 the most common situation - This is an article written by the technical director of US Youth Soccer. Just food for thought. Check out US Youth Soccer for more articles, tips, drills and more.
Breakaways - US Youth Soccer Director of Coaching, Sam Snow, writes a how-to coaches guide for teaching players how to respond to breakaways. The article is beneficial in preparing players offensively and defensively to navigate and assess the situation.
Positive Parenting - Dear Mom & Dad - Constructive dialogue is pertinent to your relationship with your young soccer player. The article Dear Mom or Dad is in letter format, written from the child's perspective to the parents concerning what the child wants and needs from the parent for effective communication.
COACHING & PARENT TIPS FROM RESPONSIBLE SPORTS
(08-24-10) COACH TIP: Have your players use effort goals, such as "I will hustle to every loose ball," rather than outcome goals, such as "I will score two goals this game," to help your team focus on the things that they can control. In our latest video, a youth soccer coach discusses Effort Goals.
(08-24-10) PARENT TIP: Empower your youth athletes by asking them about their experience first, rather than telling them what you observed. These conversations are great to have after practice while the player still has an opportunity to reinforce what they just learned. Watch a hockey dad giving Encouragement After Practice.
(08-19-10) COACH TIP: Use an opening team ritual to clearly signal the start of practice to your players. This will help them transition from school or other daily activities, and allow them to focus on your coaching. In our latest video, a youth volleyball coach talks about the benefits of an Opening Team Ritual.
(08-19-10) PARENT TIP: The "ultimate fan" has been described by some in our youth sports community as somebody who can cheer for great plays by both teams. Give this a try and watch the good will that is generated. In our Triple Play video, Jessica Mendoza's parents talk about cheering and congratulating the opposition.
(08-10-10) COACH TIP: Share your coaching philosophy with your players and their parents at the start of the season. It might be as simple as, "When I coach, I strive to win, while teaching life lessons that help my athletes inside and outside of sports." For an example, learn how to Introduce The ELM Approach To Your Team.
(08-05-10) COACH TIP: Be sure to positively reinforce your players' behavior whenever you see them honoring the ROOTS of the game (Rules, O pponents, Officials, Teammates, Self) to help instill those values for the rest of their playing days. In our latest video, a youth lacrosse coach talks to one of his players who is honoring the game even when their opponent is not.
(08-05-10) PARENT TIP: Be aware of the following signals of sports burnout: no longer talking about sports at home, making excuses to avoid practices/games, not wanting to socialize with teammates, and appearing tired all of the time. Our latest Fundamentals article talks about Helping Kids Stay in Sports.
(07-29-10) COACH TIP: Try doing a "quiet drill" where your athletes make no sound. Then allow them to make noise, and ask them what happened to their energy level.
(07-29-10) PARENT TIP: When it comes time for end-of-season gifts for the coaches, have the players do something personal and creative - like a big poster with a team photo in the middle and personal messages of thanks from the players around the edge.
(07-20-10) COACH TIP: Talk with your players about the things they're learning in sports that they believe help them in school, at home, in the community, or even in the work place (if they are old enough). Watch Coach Candrea talk about The Game of Life.
(07-20-10) PARENT TIP: Even if your child's favorite sport is something you cannot easily play together, encourage him to play tennis, swim, or hike with you casually for fun, as these are sports he can do for the rest of his life. Watch Jessica Mendoza talk about the Parent's Role.
(07-13-10) COACH TIP: Once a week give out the "Golden Giraffe Award" to your player that most "stuck out his neck" -- by trying a new skill or doing something that took courage. For other Targeted Symbolic Reward ideas, visit Coaching for Mastery Tools.
(07-13-10) PARENT TIP: Ask your child if he or she wants to try something new in his or her sport. This might be a new position, a new stroke, or a new weight class. You might be surprised what you hear! Learn more about Parent and Athlete Conversation.
(07-07-10) COACH TIP: "The greatest thing I ever learned is that your brain can only handle one thought at a time. And so, choose what you put in there. You have the power to control what's in there, so choose a positive thought." In our latest podcast, Julie Foudy talks about the kind of coach she would want for her kids. Hear the interview.
(07-07-10) PARENT TIP: "I understand, as a parent, you want to push and you want your kid to be successful. But, you also have to understand, that there is a breaking point." In our latest podcast, Julie Foudy talks about helping kids stay in sports. Hear the interview.
(06-29-10) COACH TIP: In time-outs and other breaks, give your assistant coaches opportunities to talk to the players. It's important to fill your valuable assistants' emotional tanks by keeping them involved. Our youth sports expert recently answered a coach who had to "cut" one of his best assistants. Read her advice.
(06-29-10) PARENT TIP: Sometime, somewhere, explain to your child that sports excellence should be accompanied by character excellence. Nobody was better at building character than legendary coach, John Wooden. In a recent Fundamentals article, we explain how you can build your athlete's character using the Pyramid of Success.
(06-24-10) COACH TIP: "Occasionally use PCA's "2-Minute Drill" in which you only praise and fill tanks. No criticism, correction or tank-draining by coaches is allowed during the 2-Minute Drill. This is a great way to infuse a practice or game with positive energy." Remember that when you are not in a "2-Minute Drill," continue to use the 5:1 Magic Ratio.
(06-24-10) PARENT TIP: "Always notify the coach in advance if your child will miss a practice/game or if he/she will have to arrive late."
(06-17-10) COACH TIP: "Use a 'closing ritual' to signal the end of practice. We stay focused until after the closing ritual! This also helps parents know when practice is over and it's OK to approach their child." For an example, watch a youth soccer coach close practice by awarding the "Sugar Shaker."
(06-17-10) PARENT TIP: "Ask your child what he is doing to fill the emotional tanks of his teammates." Some coaches will also encourage their team to fill each other's emotional tanks. Watch a youth softball coach using the Buddy System.
(06-08-10) COACH TIP: "It's easy for coaches to pick out the negatives on the field - the thing that they want their players to do and point them out. If they can do it in a more positive way, they can accomplish both. Recognize the things that you want them to do and point it out, whether it's 'I really loved how you got back on defense,' or 'I really loved how you took that shot.'" From a Joy Fawcett Interview
(06-08-10) PARENT TIP: "Really listen to what your kids have to say. Ask them questions, but really listen to what they have to say, and you'll learn a lot just from what they're saying to you, whether they're enjoying the game or not, or the stresses that they're feeling. And then, you can go from there, as to what you need to do. It'll give you a better idea as to how you need to be as a parent." From Joy Fawcett Interview
(05-26-10) COACH TIP: Consider stretching and conditioning with your players. It's good modeling! The major areas of safety a Responsible Coach can positively impact are conditioning, hydration, nutrition, equipment, injury prevention and treatment, and driving. Learn more about these Key Safety Measures.
(05-26-10) PARENT TIP: Avoid saying "do your best" or "just play your best." Instead say, "try your hardest" or "give your best effort." There is a big difference! Effort is a key component of the ELM Tree of Mastery, named for the three principles of Effort, Learning, and bouncing back from M istakes.
(05-20-10) COACH TIP: Use an "opening ritual" to signal the official start of practice. Time to get after it! It is important for players and parents alike to have clear signals for when practice begins and ends. Doing this tells players when it is time to focus on practice, and parents when it is okay to approach you or their child. Consider concluding practices and games with a Winner's Circle. (CLICK HERE For a video demonstrating a Winners Circle)
(05-20-10) PARENT TIP: At least once per season, ask your child to teach you something about his/her sport. This is an easy way to fill your child's emotional tank by showing you are interested and making them feel like they have important knowledge to share. (CLICK HERE for guide on empowering conversations)