How a Coach Supports the Players

As a soccer coach, your players count on you during the season for guidance and support. The following are some ways to help your kids through the soccer season:

• Be specific with your praise

• Stop practices to point out when a player does something well rather than when they make a mistake

• While providing feedback, use the “sandwich” method by placing a critical remark between two encouraging comments

• Pile on the praise for kids giving their best and displaying good sportsmanship

• Provide constant positive reinforcement — it’s the key to improvement

• Focus on fun and safety instead of wins and losses

• Be passionate and enthusiastic and it carries over to your players

• Have reasonable expectations and set attainable goals for the kids

• Remember that kids making mistakes is all part of the learning process