Training Tips
Tips for Parents
To your children this is simply a time for them to be with other kids and and have fun kicking a ball around. Try not to give your kids big speeches or lectures on how they should act and play on your way to the games. This often has the opposite effect and instead of trying their hardest they're often worried about not being good enough. They will learn simply by participating.
Six simple things parents should memorize and remember every game
Before the Game
1. I love you
2. Good luck
3. Have fun
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After the Game
1. I love you
2. It was great to see you play
3. What would you like to eat? |
One final tip for parents, support your coach.
We are all volunteers and you can support us all by simply encouraging your kids to get on the field and have a good time,
we'll take it from there.
The Parent's Creed
Help me to understand...that my child's development is in the coaches’ hands.
Help me to see...that this program is for the children, not for me.
If in defeat our team should fall, help me to stand tall.
And, if in victory our team should stand,
Help me to extend a humble hand.
If our philosophies don't always agree, help me to support the coaches...for my child to see.
For it is the philosophy of "fair play" that the coach believes in my child in every way.
And what more could I want for my child... than someone who believes, truly believes, in my child.
Tips for Coaches
One thing that you have to keep in mind as a coach of very young children is that some of the kids on your team may have never kicked a soccer ball. Your role is part coach, part ref, and part teacher. You are a role model to these kids simply for stepping up and volunteering your time.
Learning is a fundamental element of life and something we as parents and coaches have a hard time fully understanding. We spend a lot of time trying to teach, but the best way for children to learn soccer is on their own. They will remember more, and more importantly, they will come up with exciting and unique techniques that we may never think of.
The video in this link talks about how different US parents and coaches are from our counterparts in Brazil, a country rich in soccer tradition and excellence. It's well worth a look.
Soccer Education Video
Allowing the kids to learn on their on is essential, but there needs to be some structure to the game. The following links have very good skills and drills to help guide the kids in the direction that will help them be able to experiment and learn the most about soccer.
http://www.usyouthsoccer.org
http://www.soccerhelp.com
http://www.geocities.com/markpalm94598/Soccer.html
http://www.howtoplay.com
http://www.footy4kids.co.uk/
The Coach in My World
Pamper me and I will not respect you.
Manipulate me and I will resist you.
Intimidate me and I will reject you.
Humiliate me and I will despise you.
Prepare for me and I will trust you.
Respect me and I will respond to you.
Guide me and I will follow you.
Be an example for me and I will be like you.