Below Are The 5 Worst Mistakes You Can Make As A Kids Soccer Coach
With kids soccer growing in popularity seemingly by the minute, there may be a time when you need to step in for your little ones coach or will be asked to (Co-Coach) at some point during his or her budding soccer career.
If you are one of the few that are willing and able to take on this enjoyable and rewarding task at some point in your life, then you deserve a great deal of kudos. Here are five common mistakes that I have either witnessed or have stumbled upon myself that I would urge you to avoid doing at all costs.
1. Taking on a commitment that you know will be too much for you
This is a serious mistake that seems like no big deal due to the very common act of getting an older kid or parent to cover for you now and then. I have witnessed that missing more than one game in a kid’s spring or fall season can make it appear as if the coach doesn’t care about the kids fun or development.
This will inevitably draw an (I don’t care) attitude from the kids and their parents. Being repeatedly late will have the same effect. Many times time is short and games and practices are missed by kids and their parents as it is. Missing some yourself is a recipe for disaster. Not caring equals not having fun.
2. Not getting the parents involved at least for a short conversation each practice and after each game
Communicating with each kid’s parent is essential to finding out how to make this season fun for everybody. This is necessary to find things you can or can’t do with each child and find out what their goals are for the season, some just need an activity and a chance to make new friends while others are working to improve certain aspects of their game at a certain position.
3. Making practice the same for everybody
This is one of the more common mistakes, I would recommend making the first practice a sort of a mini ability test. There will always be some kids that are simply at another level and will find a general beginners practice boring. Making these kids a bit more involved in strategy and having them help teach will keep them interested.
Sometimes showing them a new advanced skill and having them practice it at home will help hold their interest. The same can apply to beginner level kids, give each kid the individual instruction needed or you may find yourself short of players come mid season.
4. Allowing any type of bullying or lack of respect
Either one of these problems will only increase as the season goes on and as the stakes get higher. Singling out a specific child is also a mistake. Simply enforce these topics by addressing the whole team in a calm manner after the incident.
Remind the whole team that winning means supporting and helping each other work together to earn a win. Enlisting the help of your team captains to solve any problems is necessary to achieve this. Any further action needed should be discussed with parents in private.
5. Arguing with the Referee when it comes to judgement calls
This is perhaps the worst of the mistakes you can do during a game as the head coach. Remember these kids are not playing for money and you will not lose your job if you land in the L column this week. Yelling at a referee or allowing a parent on your side line to do so will not only make it less fun for the kids, but will show them a bad example of how to act (it may also mean you get less than preferential treatment from the ref as the game goes on!).
Asking questions about rules you may be unclear on during halftime or after the game is fine, but calling off-sides or hand balls and groaning will cause a scream fest that you will soon find will become out of hand.
Keeping the kids on the sideline up with the game action and ready to sub in should be your main concern. Remember having fun starts with you and your cool, calm, happy example may just be the best lesson they learn this season.
Ian Preston lives in the UK and has a real passion for soccer. Over the years, he has been involved with a number of different teams in many different roles. He has a keen interest in soccer drills and tactics with a particular focus in how they can made accessible and interesting to all age groups. He runs the sports blog located at
