Nobody wants to listen to you. Let me repeat that. Nobody wants to listen to your shit. Trust me they would rather do a million other things before they succumb to your authority.
Your potential players are so busy dealing with life that they haven’t got a spare second for you. They have just bought the latest computer game and all the talk at training is about level 5 and trying to save the princess.
What’s your answer to the above?
Like anything in life, soccer is a transaction. The young child donates his time and attention to you. In return, you must train them, teach them and give them an experience/session that’s worthwhile.
When you, the coach, understand this, you start to develop empathy. You know empathy, don’t you? Passion, sympathy, love and all the other good stuff. You start to understand your player’s emotions.
You learn to ask yourself with every drill and exercise, is this fun? Interesting? Am I developing these players? Is this challenging?
Am I fighting the status quo?
Love Based Soccer warns you not to fall in love with your own coaching methods just because it’s your own shit method. Never assume your coaching methods are fun or challenging. Ask your players and get the required feedback.
Look at every drill, session or exercise through the eyes of a young, impatient (possibly spoilt) child.
So the question remains, “how do you coach Love Based Soccer?”
10 Steps to Coaching Love Based Soccer
- Gratitude- Thank everybody for his or her attendance. Thank the parents for transporting their children to the session. Thank your players for attending.
- Punctuality- You must always be the first one to training. Parents rely on you while they rush off to some peace and quiet.
- Being prepared is a gift of love. Plan your training sessions in advance and have the drills mapped out in your head ready for action.
- Learn all the players’ names. Identify each player by his or her name and never yell out oi. A child loves to hear their own name, so don’t delay.
- Know who you’re talking to. Research your players, parents and obtain their objectives and goals.
- Respect- Actively respect your team, associated parents and supporters. Should go without saying, but just in case!
- Dress to kill coach. Make sure you look sharp, smart and clean. Coaching kids soccer requires clean boots, tracksuit (brand not important) and a big smile.
- Faith is an important component of Love Based Soccer. Believe that the parents and players are supporting you. Every single parent that watches you and listens to you wants you to be awesome and amazing. They also want a great experience for their children. No one likes to see you fail or bomb out. They really want you to succeed; after all, you’re coaching their kids.
- Energy, never admit to fatigue or anger. The kids always come first, no matter what!
- Always smile and wear your heart on your sleeve. Be approachable and always remember to have fun.
Love Based Soccer ensures when you coach your players, it inspires 2 sentiments. Love and respect for what they may become.
“May the winds of destiny blow you to the stars.”
Nice post. Sometimes the tough coach doesn’t work, and other times the easy going coach fails. Whether you yell and howl or speak from the heart, you must be in charge, the kids must respect you.