Coaching Kids Sports

[Homer_J]

I'm an assistant coach for my son's soccer team this year. The age group is 4 to 6 year olds. I'm a rookie coach and it's challenging to say the least.

One of the areas I find the most challenging is dealing with the kids on the sidelines. Does anyone have any advice, ideas, activities for engaging the kids when they're not playing? I realize that I'm not going to get the attention of every little guy/girl, but I want to be fun for them, even when they're not in the game.

I would also be interested in hearing from people with coaching experience who might have some other good general coaching tips. Thanks!

[DoubleF]

I presume you have like 4-5 kids on the side lines at any given time?

If the kid is being "benched" for an extended period of time (ie: Not in for another 10-15 mins) I remember being sent off to "apprentice" the linesman (waving the flag in the correct way/direction etc.).

Our coach would also point out plays to us and tell us, "In this situation, see how there's an open area? If you were playing X role, someone should be standing here and waiting for a pass."/"See how no one is covering him? If you were playing XYZ role, someone should be covering him."

Sometimes, a parent would be asked to warm up the kids and run drills with them 2-3 mins prior to being subbed on (kicks, throws etc.). I think some tried to teach kids tricks too.

That's all I recall off the top of my head. I was a little older, but I presume it's somewhat applicable to the age group? I think what would be a great help is to engage the parents too.

[V]

I've coached that age group, and I sub every 5 minutes. Gives the kids enough time to get some water and cool down before running like crazy again. I've never had an issue with the sidelines. I know some of the kids like to go off and play pass on the sidelines for a few minutes, so that works out as long as there's room for it. Don't need them kicking balls onto the field.

Oh, and I tell them they have the very important job of cheering from the sidelines. If I can keep them engaged even when they're on the sidelines then great. There are the others that would just like to kick the ball around.

[DoubleF]

Oh dang, that's correct. Aren't the games for that age group way shorter? I'm probably thinking 9-10 year olds. What V said.

[Locke]

Quick subs.

Get them off, give them water and rest and then a few words about their play and some advice, leave them alone for a few minutes and then get them back on.

[Northendzone]

getting them to take a knee while on the sideline, might help prevent kids from kicking each other.

[Coys1882]

I've coached both my kids since U4 and I would recommend a team blanket for the subs or circle mats for each kid to sit on. If it becomes part of the routine to find a circle or the blanket to sit on - they just do it on their own. Cheering their teammates on is mandatory and for my daughters team often turns into singing.

As they get older it's still about keeping the drills quick and fun. Long boring drills which force them to stand in line will kill your practices. Also - if the drill you present isn't working because they don't get it - don't waste your time barking orders or trying to explain it too much. If they don't get it - move on to something else.

It's easy to get carried away with positions/tactics and such when they're younger. U6-U8 is more about getting them to be active so focus more on balance, agility, speed and strength. Dribbling, first touch, recieving and turns can be splashed in though. My son is U8 and relay races with cones with and without balls is how we start our practice for the first 20mins.


EDIT - Also remember that some kids mature and 'get it' much much faster than others - so be patient with the ones lagging behind. They'll come around eventually - in the four years I've coached my son, the gains some of the kids he's played with are amazing. Total wallflowers have turned into super aggressive young athletes.

[Hessen]

We moved away from the "have your snack before the game part" and gave the kids snacks during their breaks. Usually if friut or veggies they grab one or two and eat while watching the others play. Keeps them in one place and under control.

One drawback is they tend to want to stay out and eat instead of getting back on the field.

[j_j]

A couple tips:

- Move the sub-location away from any parents. Beside the net usually works. If it's too close to distractions it's really hard to keep track or encourage them to cheer. They also will be less likely to run off to the parents for every bump if the sideline is not also used for the subs.

- Go with 3-4 minute cycles, and try not to allow anyone to come off early. If someone is tired, they may just think they can go sit off, I encourage them to finish the cycle (usually only about a minute) then they get to take their break. This is easier on you to keep track if everyone changes together and they are picking up another life skill by having to dig a little deeper.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by j_j

A couple tips:

- Move the sub-location away from any parents. Beside the net usually works. If it's too close to distractions it's really hard to keep track or encourage. They also will be less likely to run off to the parents for every bump if the sideline is not also used for the subs.

- Go with 3-4 minute cycles, and try not to allow anyone to come off early. If someone is tired, they may just think they can go sit off, I encourage them to finish the cycle (usually only about a minute) then they get to take their break. This is easier on you to keep track if everyone changes together and they are picking up another life skill by having to dig a little deeper.

When I coached I stipulated that the parents have to be on the opposite side of the field as the team. Spectators on one side, players/team on the other.

Keep them away.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by fotze

The only advice I can add from assistant coaching my kid is.......play hockey instead of soccer cause soccer sucks in comparison. That is all.

I resisted the urge to post that........

[Locke]

Originally Posted by fotze

The only advice I can add from assistant coaching my kid is.......play hockey instead of soccer cause soccer sucks in comparison. That is all.

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

I resisted the urge to post that........

Said by a couple of CP's 1%'ers?

Or your wives are the ones willing to get up for obscene icetimes?

[Ashartus]

I help coach a 4-6 year old soccer team and we actually rely on the parents when kids are on the sidelines, the opposite of what some others here have suggested. The parents give the kids encouragement, keep them from wandering off, and help with the line changes (we usually have half the kids on at any time and do complete changes). Older kids might practice kicking the ball around while the younger kids either sit with their parents or head to the snacks.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Locke

Said by a couple of CP's 1%'ers?

Or your wives are the ones willing to get up for obscene icetimes?

Sorry I don't get your post.

[MacDaddy77]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

Sorry I don't get your post.

Your rich and get preferred ice times so don't have to get out of bed at 6 am I think is what he's alluding to

[V]

Hockey sucks because it's crazy expensive and the ice times suck arse. That's basically what he's saying, and I would agree. My kids can learn to play hockey the same way I did. Pickup hockey at the local outdoor rink.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by MacDaddy77

Your rich and get preferred ice times so don't have to get out of bed at 6 am I think is what he's alluding to

Then he is wrong on both counts

[V]

Originally Posted by Coys1882

As they get older it's still about keeping the drills quick and fun. Long boring drills which force them to stand in line will kill your practices.

This is the most common mistake I see from rookie coaches. In my practices, especially at U8, every kid gets a ball, and they're always moving. Tactics can come later, but at this age group I like the kids getting comfortable with the ball at all times.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by V

Hockey sucks because it's crazy expensive and the ice times suck arse. That's basically what he's saying, and I would agree. My kids can learn to play hockey the same way I did. Pickup hockey at the local outdoor rink.

Soccer sucks cuz it is crazy ####ing boring.

When I break down, per ice session what I paid it is significantly cheaper than friends who's kids swim, dance, figure skate, down hill ski.

[habernac]

Originally Posted by fotze

Ok now I wish I didn't post that. Back to giving tips.

What I have seen work is to lay down the law early and consistently. One kid screwing around sometimes causes the others to do the same. Call out the kids that are doing good, repeatedly.

It is amazing how one or two bad apple kids can screw stuff up for all the rest.

Coached two in hockey this past winter who were brutal for this. The one little ####### would look you right in the eye and do what you had just asked him not to do. Luckily, his parents were on board with us and we were able to discipline without any pushback from them.