So, you want to be a soccer coach….

You’re thinking about coaching your son’s or daughter’s youth soccer team and you’re not sure where to start, not sure what’s involved and you don’t know whom to call. That’s ok, we have all been through the same experience but rest assured you have come to the right place. The next few paragraphs will provide you with some tips, some basic requirements and some helpful information to help get you started.

Let’s start with what a youth soccer coach is. A coach is a leader, a role model and someone that sets examples for each player. The coach brings enthusiasm, energy and a love for the game of soccer to each and every practice and game. Two of the most important responsibilities of a youth soccer coach include the ability to:

Provide a safe and healthy environment for the kids to practice and play soccer
Provide mature and adult supervision for young athletes.

Coaches are expected to know the basics of the game of soccer. Don’t get intimidated by that statement if you have never played the game. There are plenty of resources available to help you get started including the following:

Laws of Soccer - The Laws of Soccer are just the rules of the game and you can find them on the US Soccer web site (www.ussoccer.com) in the referee section.
Massachusetts Youth Soccer Association (MYSA) – MYSA offers coaches clinics at regular intervals throughout the state. The courses range from introductory courses to more advanced coaching classes. These classes combine classroom discussion and experiential training (you participate in a soccer practice!). Check out their web site at www.mayouthsoccer.org.
NYSA Coaching Clinics – The NYSA offers coaches clinic at the start of every season that provide you with another venue for picking up coaching tips and training ideas.
MYSA player development guidelines, and the MLS coaches curriculum guide to planning a season from start to finish. Both available in the Coaches Corner
NYSA Coach Coordinator – Don’t hesitate to call John O’Reilly, the NYSA Coach Coordinator, at 508-393-0892 for more answers and information.

This is just a start on your journey. Once you get involved and start coaching you will be amazed at all the resources available to you as well as all of the very knowledgeable and experienced coaches in the NYSA. Check out the sites or gives us a call and get involved with NYSA.
For those of you that are thinking about coaching your own son or daughter you may be very interested in reading about what kids have to say about their coach. Here are some tips gleaned just from kids and provided to us by Sports Illustrated For Kids. Out of the mouth of babes…..

TOP 10 TIPS FOR COACHING YOUR SON'S OR DAUGHTER'S TEAM
(According to Kids)

10. Know the game. So, you think your son or daughter will be delighted to have you for a coach just because it means you can spend some "quality time" together? Wrong! If you don't know what you're talking about on the field and you don't make the effort to learn -- they would rather you just stay home.

9. Listen to your players. Kids like to feel respected. Yes, you need to establish your authority -- to keep both kids and parents in line -- but players are people too. "My mom listens to us and our ideas. That's why she's a great coach," wrote one kid.

8. Don't play favorites. For most kids, being the coach's pet is bad enough; being one just because of bloodlines is unbearable. On the other hand, no child wants to be singled out for extra harsh treatment because Dad's the coach. As hard as it may be at times, treat your child like any other player. "Nobody is more important than anyone else," wrote a child in an SI For Kids readers' poll.

7. Get everyone in the game. All kids like to win. But more than winning, kids like to play. Make sure all of your players get plenty of playing time and opportunities to try different positions.

6. Make it fun, Part I. The No. 1 reason kids play sports is to have fun. You can help. Turn repetitive drills into good-humored contests. Make games exciting, not terrifying. Treat the team to pizza or ice cream after a game now and then.

5. Make it fun, Part II. Enjoy yourself. Kids don't want to feel like a burden. "My dad's a great coach because he always has a good time," one child reported.

4. Don't baby them. No kid wants to do 100 sit-ups or run 50 laps, but players expect the coach to make them do whatever they need to do to be ready for the game.

3. Be a teacher. Kids play sports for fun, but if they don't improve, they'll eventually get bored or frustrated, and perhaps quit. Help them learn skills, rules, and strategy so that they can maximize their abilities.

2. Act your age. It's embarrassing for kids when their parents argue with officials and yell obscenities. It's even worse when the parent is the coach. Keep your anger in check and your language decent.

1. Care -- but not too much. Kids want their activities to be taken seriously, but not too seriously. "She did not care if I won or lost" and "He's not too emotional" were the most common reasons kids gave for why their mom or dad was a great coach.