Soccer Coaching On Game Day

Game Day...Helping Your Players Play to Their Full Potential

There are several things you as a coach can do to help your players be ready for game day. Many coaches don't think there is a responsibility to do anything for their players once practice is over. That is wrong. Pregame preparation can go a long ways in helping your team reach their full potential.

Before the game, you will want to motivate and inspire your players that they can meet the challenge of the game. Do not overpressure your players before a game. Setting expectations, even high expectations, is okay but don't put too much pressure on them.

During the game you do not want to yell at your players for every little thing. Depending on their age, this is very damaging to them as a player as they wont learn creativity and instinct in their game. If you yell at every little mistake or direction you want them to take, you will be training them to become dependent on your voice and not able to learn to play the game without direction. This can be disastrous.

However, you will want to find the right times during the game and during breaks to give instruction. Depending on the age group that you are coaching, you need to give timely instruction. Some coaches wait till the next practice to teach what should have been taught right after a game or during a half time break or when a player comes out as a sub. The reason it is important to talk to them soon after a mistake is so the player remembers what has happened and then it will have a greater likelihood of sticking with them. Make sure that you have their full concentration though so sneaking in time can be difficult.

Look at developing all of your players. Take the opportunities when you are ahead to give those struggling extra playing time. Look to build the confidence of those struggling. In the event you are playing in a tourney and one of your main players goes down you will want a strong confident player to come in for your player.

Sometimes it's easy as a coach to get distracted by a bad call by the ref, or a parent complaining or talking to you. Don't let this happen. Talk to spectators and other coaches and parents after the game. Make sure that you are focused throughout the game and not let your players be confused who you are here for. Remember that concentration and focus are what will take your team to the next level. Don't argue with referees, this causes confusion for the players. It usually doesn't get a call changed for you anyway.

Keep your emotions steady through the game and remember that game time is a time of learning and observation. Try not to let your frustration and anger take over your ability of learning what your players need. Game time can teach you a lot if you will let it. It will open your eyes to what your players need for development and what your team needs as goals are reevaluated and set to new standards.

Keep a small notebook close by for your observations and note them down so that you will remember key moments for the game to refer back to during talks. Use checklists or summaries so you can have a gameplan in place. This will also help you in future trainings and practices.

Remember that you have trained for game day and that game day should be for inspiration, focus, and learning. These simple coaching strategies are easy to implement and will help you be a better coach.

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