Organizing youth soccer training is an enjoyable task. It can be a fun time for everybody from the Coach or trainer down to the friends, family and supporters. Through the training, coaches have the chance to develop the skills of a particular player and also further the skills and fitness of the whole team. Family members and friends also get the opportunity to view the player that they are supporting or are related to in a less competitive setting, and watch their progression as a young player.
Before you start hosting youth soccer training, it is important to prepare a checklist of the basic equipment that you will need for the training sessions. Be sure to include the following gear:
1. Ball - Obvious one to start with, but people do forget them! If possible, provide a soccer ball for every player. Although you can get them to bring their own ball, some of the children may not have their own one or be able to afford it. In other cases, some the children may simply forget to bring their ball during the practice so it is safe to always have plenty available for them.
If a child wants to use their own ball, make sure they write their name on it so that they do not lose it. This also saves on any arguments at the end of the session when 8 kids all have the same type of ball!
2. Large Cooler - At every game you need to provide drinks such as iced water or iced Gatorade for the players, this is even more important in the summer and in hotter climates. You need to buy a cooler and a water cooler with a spout to conveniently serve the drinks, do not give out plastic bottles that will be thrown away. Do not forget to always have an abundant supply cups available for the children, try and make them re-usable or ones that are easy to recycle, and point this out to the kids so they do not throw them away, this will also help them develop good recycling habits at an early age.
Obviously some of the children will misplace their cups or they may also use a new cup every time they drink. You can also encourage them to carry their own bottle of ice water to minimize your expenses in purchasing cups and because of the above mentioned green issues. Just like with their personal soccer balls, make sure they also write their name on their bottles.
3. Shin Guards/Pads - See to it that you have enough shin guards for all the players to keep them from injuries. As with everything, some players may not be able to afford to buy a pair of shin guards, therefore you must supply them. As their coach, you must prioritize the safety of your players in every session and area of their training.
4. Whistle - Whistles are important when conducting soccer training. They are the only way to get the attention of the children especially if the training is done in a large area.
5. Uniforms - In training a large crowd of soccer players, you need to divide the group into teams. You can provide uniforms in the form of colored vests, shirts or flags in different colors. In this way, you can identify the teams when they are having drills and activities.
6. First Aid Kit - You should always have a first aid kit on standby, and know how to use it. You should also make up some questionnaires for the parents about their kid's health, if there are any doubts make them bring a note from the child's GP giving permission for them to play. Completing a basic CPR and first aid course is also a good idea for any coach.
These are just some of the basic things you need to be thinking about if you want to Coach kid's soccer. Whatever level you start or end up at, safety always comes first, remember you are looking after someone's child, so be well prepared in advance and most of all have fun!
Disclaimer: All information on this site is provided for informational purposes only! By no means is any
information presented herein intended to substitute for the advice provided to you by any health care or other professional
or organization.
