| Did you really sign your child up to play soccer with | | | | The most popular formation, especially among those |
| the intention of becoming the teams coach? If you | | | | that are trying to learn how to coach soccer is the |
| are like most of us, that's not it how it happened. | | | | 4-4-2. This formation uses 4-Defenders, |
| You signed your child up for a team, only to find out | | | | 4-Midfielders, and 2-Forwards (the 11th position is the |
| that there are not enough coaches. After some | | | | Keeper). The reason this formation is so popular is |
| begging and pleading, and promises that there will be | | | | that it gives your team a good balance of defense |
| others that are willing to help, you agreed to become | | | | and attacking. |
| the coach. That's when the realization sets in that | | | | Early on you need to teach your team what each |
| you don't know how to coach soccer and the help | | | | positions job is, and give them the opportunity to |
| that was promised knows even less about the game | | | | play all of the positions. Make sure they understand |
| than you do. | | | | that for the team to be effective, every player must |
| So now comes the task of learning how to coach | | | | stay in their own position, and do the job that is |
| soccer, and sounding like you know what you're | | | | required for that position. |
| talking about when you meet your team. The good | | | | Skills, Drills, and Tactics |
| news is, there are a lot of resources that can help | | | | The most important skills you can teach your players |
| you learn how to coach soccer. | | | | are dribbling, passing, shooting, and playing defense. |
| Rules of the Game | | | | The majority of other skills they learn as soccer |
| When you agreed to become the coach your | | | | players are a variation on these basic skills. If you |
| organization should have given you something that | | | | want to be effective on learning how to coach |
| explains the rules of the game. The first step in | | | | soccer you need to find drills that focus on these 4 |
| learning how to coach soccer is to completely | | | | areas, and spend time making sure your players are |
| understand what is and what is not allowed. With | | | | working on improving their skills in these areas. |
| the exception of the offside rule, most of the rules | | | | Every success or failure your team has during a |
| are very easy to understand. They are simple, | | | | match can be traced back to their ability to perform |
| straight forward, and make sense. The offside rule | | | | these skills. |
| is a bit tougher to master. | | | | Every team is different, with different physical |
| A great resource for understanding the rules is the | | | | abilities. Once you have a good feel for your team |
| coaches that are in your organization. Many of them | | | | you can begin to develop tactics that will take |
| have experience coaching, and many of them have | | | | advantage of your player's abilities. Whether your |
| also played the game. They will be able to answer | | | | style of play is offensive or defensive, or if you |
| any questions about the rules, and explain them in a | | | | prefer to counter-attack, you must be flexible |
| way that you will understand. | | | | enough to form your tactic around the available |
| Positions and Formations | | | | players. |
| Depending on the age of your team you will have | | | | You can learn how to coach soccer. It just takes a |
| from 7 to 11 players on the field during a match. | | | | willingness to learn, and to be able to apply what you |
| These players will have a position on the field, | | | | have learned onto the practice and game field. |
| depending on which formation you choose for your | | | | Take the time to learn as much as you can, and your |
| team. The basic positions are Keeper, Defender, | | | | team will show you the results. |
| Midfielder, and Forward. | | | | |