When talking about Kids Soccer or Youth Soccer, the coach must be able to provide an effective training session. If the training session is below par, the benefits of training and practice diminish significantly. Just because you attend soccer training or you drive your kids to training doesn’t necessarily mean they are training or improving. So what constitutes an effective training session?
In order for a training session to be effective, we must dissect the coach and ask a few questions first? At the end of the day, training sessions are the product of a coach. If you believe the coach isn’t creating a learning experience, why are you taking your kids there? Before allowing your kids to train with a coach, make sure the coach is worth your time and your child’s time.
If your a player or a parent, there a certain rules a coach must follow. Do you know these rules? If your a coach, it is your duty to provide an effective training session following these rules. So lets begin with these rules that are seen as the bare minimum in today’s training sessions.
RULE 1: Training Sessions must be prepared before training starts.
The coach must plan the structure of the training session before it starts. This includes time spent on various soccer drills, the amount of time spent on skills and the portion of training spent on conditioning. If your the coach, having your training session written down on a little piece of paper is a great way to remember your structured session. Each session should have a goal and a focus. Place the kids on the long path of development. Don’t leave anything to chance.
RULE 2: Be Organised!
Never let your players stand around. Always keep them active and productive. If your the coach, why not attend training early and set up the field of play before the kids arrive. This will not only save time during training, but it gives a powerful reinforcement to the parents that you mean business. That you are dedicated to training their kids. Also during training, set up the next activity while the players are finishing the previous activity. Keep the momentum and never let the kids stand around.
RULE 3: Be Positive!
As a coach, you always have to be in control. This doesn’t mean you go around dictating to the players. It means you provide direction in the session and provide a medium for learning and developing. This direction should always be enforced with a positive and purposeful attitude.
RULE 4: Appearance is Everything.
Even if your a bad coach or a coach that lacks experience, all this can be forgiven if you look the part. Invest in a tracksuit and a pair of boots. Remember first impressions and the art of perception are very important. Look the part because at the end of the day you are a role model to your players. Under no circumstance are you to smoke and drink during a training session. Also the use of foul language is a big NO-No. Look Professional and everything else with time, will fall into place.
RULE 5: Correct Equipment.
In order to create an effective training session, the correct equipment is paramount.
- Each player must have access to a soccer ball.
- Cones and markers
- Bibs or different colored training tops
- and a decent sized pitch for training.
If you do not have the above as bare minimum, then your training sessions need some serious overhauling.
RULE 6: Enthusiasm.
If the game of soccer doesn’t excite you and the development of young players doesn’t interest you, then stay away from the game. Whatever you do, don’t volunteer your time as a coach if you do not possess enthusiasm for the game and coaching. Enthusiasm is the most important rule. You must have the ability to create enthusiasm and excitement amongst your team during training. Never underestimate the value and the power of ENJOYMENT.
You might be reading this and thinking I’m not a coach, how does this relate to me? If you invest time and money in the game of soccer and your current coach can’t provide and uphold the above 6 rules, then your simply wasting your time and your childs time. Simple as that. The above are bare minimum, just like eating and drinking water.
I wouldn’t agree more with your post! It’s very important for the parents to send their kids for a well organized and enthusiastic training session.