Absolute Beginner's Guide To Coaching Youth Soccer

by Hanlon, Tom

• ISBN13: 9780789733597
• ISBN10: 0789733595
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-06-08
• Publisher: Que Pub

Summary

As a parent, it is an exciting and proud day when you watch your children join their first sports team. It is important to you to be involved, which may be leading you to think about coaching. Nervous about the possibility? Don't be! With theAbsolute Beginner's Guide to Coaching Youth Soccer, you will quickly and easily learn how to become a successful youth soccer coach. This comprehensive, user-friendly reference guide will help you create a fun and effective learning environment. You have limited practice time and resources, and you need to know how to make the best of them. With this book, you will cover several key concepts that often elude rookie coaches, including: Identifying your role and expectations as a coach Tailoring instruction to meet the varying physical abilities of different age groups Creating a safe playing environment Knowing how to effectively coach during both practices and games Learning how to communicate and form alliances with parents, league administrators, game officials and players On top of all this great material, we will also provide you with access to a website where you can download practice plans, emergency information cards, injury reports, awards and certificates, and season evaluation forms. Ensure that you and your child's first soccer season are a success withAbsolute Beginner's Guide to Coaching Youth Soccer.

Author Biography

Tom Hanlon has 19 years of professional writing experience - as a journalist, an editor of two coaching magazines, a curriculum writer for a coaching division of a publishing company, and as a book writer and ghost writer for nationally-prominent authors. Tom ghostwrote Teens Can Make It Happen (Simon and Schuster) for Stedman Graham; this book made the New York Times bestseller list in 2000. He has written all or major portions of 39 other books, including seven sport officiating guides, numerous coaches' guides (including baseball; softball; soccer; basketball; and volleyball, among others), and a wide assortment of related sports titles.

Peter O'Scanaill has played soccer at the high school and college levels as well as professionally for the Golden Eagles in Phoenix, Arizona. He played for, coached, and managed the Long Beach Tigers in California, and has been a player and manager of two over-30 men's teams. He is the travel commissioner for the Westfield Youth Soccer Association's boys travel program. He lives in Indianapolis.

Table of Contents

Introduction	1	(1)
How This Book Is Organized	2	(1)
Special Elements	3	(4)
I Coaching Basics
Your Coaching Approach	7	(16)
Your Coaching Philosophy	8	(3)
Physical Development	9	(1)
Mental Development	9	(1)
Emotional Development	10	(1)
Social Development	10	(1)
Some Final Thoughts on Your Coaching Philosophy	10	(1)
10 Attributes of a Good Coach	11	(5)
Take Your Role Seriously	11	(1)
Be Comfortable with Being in Charge	12	(1)
Be Dependable and Stable	12	(1)
Be Patient	13	(1)
Be Flexible	13	(1)
Enjoy Getting to Know Your Players	13	(1)
Desire to Help Kids Learn and Grow	14	(1)
Be an Encourager	15	(1)
Be Willing to Learn	15	(1)
Have a Sense of Humor	16	(1)
10 Keys to Being a Good Coach	16	(3)
Know the Basics of the Sport	17	(1)
Plan for Your Season and Practices	17	(1)
Conduct Effective Practices	17	(1)
Teach Skills and Tactics	17	(1)
Correct Players in a Way That Helps Them Improve	18	(1)
Teach and Model Good Sporting Behavior	18	(1)
Provide for Players' Safety	18	(1)
Communicate Effectively	18	(1)
Coach Effectively During Games	18	(1)
Know What Success Is	18	(1)
Final Thoughts on the Keys to Being a Good Coach	19	(1)
What to Expect As a Coach	19	(1)
What Is Expected of You As a Coach	20	(1)
Equipment and Insurance	21	(1)
Last, But Not Least: Why Kids Play Soccer	21	(2)
Rules of the Game	23	(18)
Basic Youth Soccer Rules	24	(12)
Field	24	(1)
Equipment	24	(2)
Game Length	26	(1)
Players	26	(1)
Starts and Restarts	27	(2)
Moving the Ball	29	(1)
Fouls	30	(1)
Offside	31	(2)
Goalkeeping	33	(1)
Scoring	33	(1)
Officials	33	(3)
Terms	36	(1)
Keep on Learning	37	(1)
Teaching Rules to Your Players	37	(4)
Situational Plays	37	(1)
Practice Games	38	(1)
Brief Discussions	38	(1)
Players' Experiences	39	(2)
Communication Keys	41	(20)
10 Keys to Being a Good Communicator	42	(10)
Know Your Message	42	(2)
Make Sure You Are Understood	44	(1)
Deliver Your Message in the Proper Context	45	(1)
Use Appropriate Emotions and Tones	45	(1)
Adopt a Healthy Communication Style	46	(2)
Be Receptive	48	(1)
Provide Helpful Feedback	49	(1)
Be a Good Nonverbal Communicator	50	(1)
Be Consistent	50	(1)
Be Positive	51	(1)
Communicating with Parents	52	(6)
Preseason Meeting or Letter	52	(1)
Preseason Call	53	(1)
During the Season	53	(1)
Be Understanding---and Set Boundaries	54	(1)
Challenging Situations	55	(3)
Communicating with League Administrators	58	(1)
League Information	58	(1)
Coaches' Meetings and Clinics	59	(1)
Questions and Concerns	59	(1)
Communicating with Opponents and Referees	59	(2)
Safety Principles	61	(12)
Communicating the Inherent Risk	62	(1)
Being Prepared	62	(3)
CPR/First Aid Training	63	(1)
Chronic Health Condition Awareness	63	(1)
First Aid Kit	64	(1)
Providing Proper Supervision	65	(1)
Plan Your Practices	65	(1)
Inspect the Field and Equipment	65	(1)
Provide Proper Instruction	65	(1)
Supervise Each Activity	66	(1)
Responding to Minor Injuries	66	(2)
Cuts and Scrapes	67	(1)
Bruises	67	(1)
Sprains and Strains	68	(1)
Responding to Emergency Situations	68	(2)
Heatstroke	69	(1)
Heat Exhaustion	70	(1)
Respecting the Weather	70	(3)
Heat Guidelines	70	(1)
Lightning Guidelines	71	(1)
Severe Weather Guidelines	72	(1)
Practice Plans	73	(18)
Planning Your Season	74	(3)
Purpose	74	(1)
Tactics and Skills	74	(1)
Rules	75	(1)
Adjusting Your Season Plan	75	(1)
Sample Season Plan	75	(2)
Planning Practices	77	(4)
The Best Option: Simultaneous Stations	77	(2)
Player Safety	79	(1)
Coaching Instruction and Feedback	79	(1)
Sample Practice Plan	80	(1)
Conducting Your First Practice	81	(1)
12 Keys to Conducting Effective Practices	82	(9)
Be Prepared	83	(1)
Set the Stage	83	(1)
Involve Parents	83	(1)
Be Active	84	(1)
Be Active with a Purpose	84	(1)
Make It Fun	85	(1)
Provide Instruction	86	(1)
Give Feedback	86	(1)
Be Encouraging and Supportive	86	(1)
Promote Teamwork and Camaraderie	86	(1)
Discipline Players As Necessary	87	(1)
Wrap Up the Practice	88	(3)
Player Development	91	(14)
The Process for Teaching Skills and Tactics	92	(8)
Set the Stage	92	(3)
Show and Tell	95	(1)
Practice the Skill	96	(1)
Provide Feedback	97	(3)
Six Keys to Error Correction	100	(5)
Be Encouraging	100	(1)
Be Honest	101	(1)
Be Specific	101	(1)
Reinforce Correct Technique	101	(1)
Explain Why the Error Happened	102	(1)
Watch for Comprehension	102	(3)
Game Time!	105	(16)
The Practice Before the Game	106	(2)
Game Particulars	106	(1)
Game Focus	107	(1)
Before the Game	108	(1)
Team Warm-up	108	(1)
Last-minute Words	109	(1)
During the Game	109	(8)
Your Approach to the Game	109	(5)
Player Substitutions	114	(3)
Appropriate Behavior	117	(1)
After the Game	117	(4)
Team Meeting	117	(4)
Ingredients of a Successful Season	121	(18)
A Tale of Two Coaches	122	(1)
Evaluating Your Season	123	(16)
Did Your Players Have Fun?	124	(1)
Did Your Players Learn New Skills and Improve on Previously Learned Skills?	125	(1)
Did You Help Your Players Understand the Game and Its Rules?	126	(1)
Did You Communicate Appropriately and Effectively?	126	(1)
Did You Provide for Your Players' Safety?	127	(1)
Did You Plan and Conduct Effective Practices?	128	(1)
Did Your Players Give Maximum Effort in Practices and Games?	128	(2)
Did Your Players Leave the Games on the Field?	130	(1)
Did You Leave the Games on the Field?	130	(1)
Did You Conduct Yourself Appropriately?	131	(1)
Did You Communicate Effectively with Parents and Involve Them in Positive Ways?	131	(1)
Did You Coach Appropriately During Games?	132	(1)
Did You Win with Class and Lose with Dignity?	133	(1)
Did You Make the Experience Positive, Meaningful, and Fun for Your Players?	134	(5)
II Skills and Tactics
Offensive Skills and Tactics	139	(22)
Ball Control	140	(1)
Dribbling	140	(3)
Foot and Ball Position	140	(2)
Head	142	(1)
Shielding the Ball	143	(1)
Changing Direction	143	(1)
Passing	143	(3)
Inside of the Foot	144	(1)
Outside of the Foot	145	(1)
Longer Passes	146	(1)
A Few Final Notes About Passing	146	(1)
Receiving	146	(3)
Receiving with the Foot	147	(1)
Receiving with the Thigh	148	(1)
Receiving with the Chest	148	(1)
Heading	149	(2)
Shooting	151	(1)
Formations	152	(2)
6v6	152	(1)
8v8 and 11v11	153	(1)
Support and Space	154	(2)
Providing Support	154	(1)
Creating Good Passing Angles	155	(1)
Passing the Ball into Open Space	156	(1)
Attacking	156	(1)
Crossing	156	(1)
Give-and-Go	157	(1)
Throw-ins	158	(1)
Corner Kicks	158	(1)
Goal Kicks	159	(1)
Free Kicks	159	(2)
Defensive Skills and Tactics	161	(16)
Basic Concepts	162	(2)
Winning the Ball	162	(1)
Getting Behind the Ball	162	(1)
Jockeying to Buy Time	162	(1)
Protecting the Danger Zone	162	(1)
The Closer to the Goal, the Tighter the Marking	163	(1)
Closing Down the Attacker	163	(1)
Forwards Play Defense, Too!	163	(1)
Zone Versus Player-to-Player	164	(1)
Marking	165	(1)
Tackling	166	(1)
Goalkeeping	167	(7)
Basic Concepts	167	(2)
Gathering Ground Balls	169	(1)
Catching Balls in the Air	170	(1)
Diving	171	(1)
Distributing the Ball	171	(3)
Defending Restarts	174	(3)
Games and Drills	177	(58)
Dribbling Games	178	(4)
Game One	178	(1)
Game Two	179	(1)
Game Three	180	(2)
Passing Games	182	(4)
Game One	182	(1)
Game Two	183	(1)
Game Three	184	(2)
Receiving Games	186	(3)
Game One	186	(1)
Game Two	186	(1)
Game Three	187	(2)
Heading Games	189	(2)
Game One	189	(1)
Game Two	190	(1)
Shooting Games	191	(5)
Game One	191	(2)
Game Two	193	(1)
Game Three	194	(2)
Defensive Games	196	(5)
Game One	196	(1)
Game Two	197	(1)
Game Three	198	(2)
Game Four	200	(1)
Offensive Games	201	(3)
Game One	201	(2)
Game Two	203	(1)
Restart Games	204	(7)
Game One	204	(2)
Game Two	206	(5)
III Appendixes
Sample Letter to Parents	211	(4)
Medical Emergency Form	215	(4)
Injury Report	219	(2)
Season Plan	221	(2)
Practice Plan	223	(4)
Season Evaluation Form	227	(8)
Did Your Players Have Fun?	228	(1)
Did Your Players Learn New Skills and Improve on Previously Learned Skills?	228	(1)
Did You Help Your Players Understand the Game and Its Rules?	229	(1)
Did You Communicate Appropriately and Effectively?	229	(1)
Did You Provide for Your Players' Safety?	230	(1)
Did You Plan and Conduct Effective Practices?	230	(1)
Did Your Players Give Maximum Effort in Practices and Games?	231	(1)
Did Your Players Leave the Games on the Field?	231	(1)
Did You Leave the Games on the Field?	232	(1)
Did You Conduct Yourself Appropriately?	232	(1)
Did You Communicate Effectively with Parents and Involve Them in Positive Ways?	232	(1)
Did You Coach Appropriately During Games?	233	(1)
Did You Win with Class and Lose with Dignity?	233	(1)
Did You Make the Experience Positive, Meaningful, and Fun for Your Players?	234	(1)
Index	235

Excerpts

= 0) {slash = '\\';} else {slash = '/';}openLoc = figLoc.substring(0, figLoc.lastIndexOf(slash) + 1);while (pPage.substring(0,3) == '../') {openLoc = openLoc.substring(0, openLoc.lastIndexOf(slash, openLoc.length - 2)+ 1);pPage = pPage.substring(3, pPage.length + 1);}popUpWin =window.open('','popWin','resizable=1,scrollbars=1,location=0,toolbar=0,width=525,height=394');figDoc = popUpWin.document;zhtm= ' ' + pPage + ' ';zhtm += ' ';zhtm += ' ';zhtm += ' ';zhtm += '' + pPage.substring(pPage.lastIndexOf('/') + 1, pPage.length) + '';zhtm += ' ';figDoc.write(zhtm);figDoc.close();}// modified 3.1.99 RWE v4.1 --> Introduction IntroductionIt all began so innocently.Just as the youth soccer league administrator asked for a volunteer to coach your son's team, you scratched the top of your head. All the other parents were studying, with sudden keen interest, their thumbnails or shoelaces. No eyes, except yours, were looking forward.The administrator saw her chance."Excellent! We have a new coach!"To your astonishment, you saw that she was pointing directly at you. Parents, with relieved looks on their faces, turned to look at you. Some smirked. A few chuckled. All were joyful."Relax," one parent said. "The season doesn't start till next week.""My kid's a striker. That's the only position he plays," another parent said as he gave you a good view of the bulldog tattooed on his bicep."My son plays sweeper," another parent added, as if he bought his son the position from Major League Soccer, which had granted the boy sole rights to play sweeper on your team."I never knew you could coach, Dad," your son said as you walked to your car."Sure I can coach," you said. "How difficult can it be?" You hoped you at leastsoundedconvincing. ______________________Every spring and fall, all across America, youth soccer leagues swing into action. Every year, thousands upon thousands of new coaches are tabbed to guide the players. The majority of those coaches have little or no experience coaching.If you are one of those coaches, this book is for you. It is intended primarily for coaches of players from 6 to 12 years old, but it is applicable to coaches of older players as well. Use it as your rudder to guide you through your season. Use this book toUnderstand your role, and know what to expect, as a coach.Know the keys to being a good coach.Realize why kids play sports and consider how this should affect your approach to coaching.Bone up on the basic rules of soccer and learn how to impart