Need help coaching!

[Cartman]

I will be coaching a rec soccer team(Yes I said soccer😎) starting in a couple weeks and just seeking some advice. Obviously been a fan of the game for a long time so think pretty good on that aspect, just have never coached it before. Been a track and american football coach for several years, but never soccer.

For those who have coached it before, any advice? Good drills to do? Anything else I need to know?

Thanks!

And for reference it is U12 girls and our team name is GirlGoyles.

🙂

 

[Rudi Hedman]

If you’re playing on large pitches and 11 a side I recommend getting them to do shuttle runs. Being the fittest team will give them an edge. Smaller pitches won’t need that sort of fitness or as long sprints, yet!

What you should be looking at is ball control and confidence and being able to move the ball again quickly without any trouble. Dribbling also and keeping the ball close to their feet. It depends really what standard they’re at now.

 

[NEILLO]

I will be coaching a rec soccer team(Yes I said soccer😎) starting in a couple weeks and just seeking some advice. Obviously been a fan of the game for a long time so think pretty good on that aspect, just have never coached it before. Been a track and american football coach for several years, but never soccer.

For those who have coached it before, any advice? Good drills to do? Anything else I need to know?

Thanks!

And for reference it is U12 girls and our team name is GirlGoyles.

🙂

Let me start off by wishing you every success in your new venture !

If you’ve coached other sports then you already know what it takes to make a good coach, the principles are the same.

I haven’t coached girls teams, only boys from U7-U18 and adults. My advice is to keep things simple to start with and get the basics across - as Rudi said, ball control and passing the ball. Just my opinion but I wouldn’t go too hard on the fitness aspect to begin with .

And most importantly, as I found , make it fun and enjoyable. At that age it’s a big part of it - plenty of time to get really competitive when they get older.

You’ll find plenty of suitable drills online.

Good luck !

 

[ASCPFC]

Honestly, one of the main things to do is have fun and get a team ethos going. Sounds like you're in the states so a team ethos shouldn't be too hard. The fun part means you should let everyone enjoy the coaching. Try to avoid cliques or over-competitiveness amongst the girls. Try to spot bullying and have chats about that. You will see it all in the girls' faces.

One of the main issues with underage is one person taking the ball on and everyone crowding around them. Try to show space and passing with passing and moving drills. You'll find them on the internet. Start in threes, very simple close - get gradually wider. Add in a chaser defender - will coach defenders too. Eventually add in a shot at goal with maybe 3 against 2. But that's way down the line. Start simple and add to it.

 

[HeathMan]

Honestly, one of the main things to do is have fun and get a team ethos going. Sounds like you're in the states so a team ethos shouldn't be too hard. The fun part means you should let everyone enjoy the coaching. Try to avoid cliques or over-competitiveness amongst the girls. Try to spot bullying and have chats about that. You will see it all in the girls' faces.

One of the main issues with underage is one person taking the ball on and everyone crowding around them. Try to show space and passing with passing and moving drills. You'll find them on the internet. Start in threes, very simple close - get gradually wider. Add in a chaser defender - will coach defenders too. Eventually add in a shot at goal with maybe 3 against 2. But that's way down the line. Start simple and add to it.

All spot on. The main things are space and also being close. Watch Palace trying to tempt the opponents bus from their goal area. Being close means all the girls, you, and their parents trust and care for each others feelings and wellbeing.

 

[Rudi Hedman]

Honestly, one of the main things to do is have fun and get a team ethos going. Sounds like you're in the states so a team ethos shouldn't be too hard. The fun part means you should let everyone enjoy the coaching. Try to avoid cliques or over-competitiveness amongst the girls. Try to spot bullying and have chats about that. You will see it all in the girls' faces.

One of the main issues with underage is one person taking the ball on and everyone crowding around them. Try to show space and passing with passing and moving drills. You'll find them on the internet. Start in threes, very simple close - get gradually wider. Add in a chaser defender - will coach defenders too. Eventually add in a shot at goal with maybe 3 against 2. But that's way down the line. Start simple and add to it.

‘’Stop bunching’’ 😂😂😂

 

[Cartman]

Appreciate the advice friends!

Am having a parent meeting on Thursday to discuss the expectations I have for the team, hand out the schedule, etc. Some parents from prior coaching experience can be a bit much haha but hopefully they will be ok.

Will keep everyone updated on our progress!

Come on You GirlGoyles!😎