r/SoccerCoachResources

I got pressured into being a volunteer coach this year and am struggling to get the group of u7 boys to listen. I have little soccer experience so went through the training and watch plenty of YouTube videos.

The session are chaotic and kids are running all over the field. I got the help of a pro coach last week and somewhat reassuring, he struggled too. I still noticed the following:
- he didn’t let anything slide but remained very calm throughout
- he tells them what to do, not what not to do. This doesn’t come naturally to me, especially when they start hitting each other.
- he gets them to sit down and listen, even if it takes a good 10 minutes before they are while I would rush it to get through the chaos

I have more golden retriever energy so kinda let the kids walk all over me. I see I might not be a strong fit for a coach but how do I make the most of it this season?

What are some practical tips you can give to someone who struggles with authority.

My daughter is U8 rec and it’s her first time in a league with goalies (I’m the coach). For background, she is a pretty anxious kid and her real weakness is timidity. Scared, backs off the ball…basically her weaknesses is all the things you need a goalie to do at her age.

She says she wants to play goalie and I put her on the schedule (every kid plays a half is the way I organized it). It’s her weekend coming up and she’s having a chance to practice. Thankfully she’s smiling when a ball goes in.

However, I’m worried in a game setting. I don’t care about winning AT ALL - just want the kids to like it, taste the game and try different positions and learn. But I’m concerned about multiple goals being scored against her, the roar of the parents cheering from the other side, disappointment from her teammates and how that will impact her emotionally and self esteem wise.

Is it best to go forward and let her try? I hope you see the dilemma. She could be fine, I know!

I’ve been coaching for around 12 years now and the last few years I’ve gone from coaching youth over the winter to senior over the summer and back to youth… then repeat.

This last couple of weeks I have massively lost interest, finding it difficult to motivate myself for this U18 season and wondering how to get the old mojo back. I’m still working on my coaching platform and it’s getting me by at the moment because I don’t have to think about session planning, just turn up and deliver.

But I sense the players will see through the lack of motivation. Not sure if it’s from burnout or a drop in interest with the move from senior to juniors again or just needing a break.

I’m sure plenty of coaches have hit this wall, just wondering if there’s any advice to get out of the funk?