10 proven tips for a more

successful season
10 Proven Tips For A More Successful Football Season

The art of coaching football to kids requires one thing in abundance ... enthusiasm. Its your most important
quality. Kids will respond to you if youre an eager, hard working leader. Some kids find learning boring,
some dont care about winning, and some cant remember which goal they are kicking towards. But what
unites them, what they all want is to have fun and play a game. And thats your job, making learning fun.
This is the Better Football Coaching blueprint for you to get the mix right as a coach.

1 Make Sure Your Players

are Listening
If your players arent listening, how will you get
your important message across? Remember Signs of the overbearing coach
these simple points to keep them concentrating
when you are coaching.
l No one can listen until everyone is quiet and still.
Dont talk until then.
l Hold up your hand to gain attention.
l Dont hold a ball while you are talking (unless
you are demonstrating something) for some
reason nothing is funnier than the coach
dropping the ball.

Make sure your players know their tasks

PLAYER 1
SUPPORT, COVER,
PASS, FILL IN

l Make sure all balls are on the ground.

PLAYER 2 l Make sure the sun is in front of you, not behind
LINK, COVER, you. Players need to look at you as well as hear
WIDTH, PRESSURE
you to gain understanding, so if they have to
squint, communication is less effective.
PLAYER 3 l Face your players away from any other activity to
SHIELD, HASSLE,
SCORE, BLOCK avoid distractions.

Theres a history made up by each of us, that leads us to that final

victory. Its that history, in its entirety, that turns us into champions
Jose Mourinho, former Manager of Chelsea Football Club
10 Proven Tips For A More Successful Football Season

2 Plan Your Sessions and

Make Them Fun
Possibly the most important key to successful interesting while coaching young players new skills
youth football coaching is making training and techniques.
sessions fun for everyone including you. You
While its important to plan your sessions, be careful
can only do this with careful planning. Always
not to make them too rigid. Be prepared to adapt
think about what it is you want to achieve
according to what you see and hear on the practice
beforehand.
field. Above all, dont be afraid to let your players
Your training session plan should take into account play! Dont try to pack too much in remember to
the ages and capabilities of your players, but allow time for discussion, setting up, drinks, and
generally your sessions should follow this pattern: even arguments.

l A warm up to raise the heart rate, stretch DONT persevere with a plan that isnt working. Have
muscles and get players focused on the session. a couple of tried and tested alternatives up your
sleeve and work out what went wrong afterwards.
l A quick and simple demonstration of the skill
or technique that you want them to learn. DONT use drills that involve children standing in lines
(Important. Dont forget to ask them what they for more than a few seconds theyll soon get bored
think is the best way to pass or shoot or keep and bored players are trouble!
the ball, rather than tell them why you think they
DONT train children on your own. Always have at
should do it that way).
least one assistant, even if all they do is tie laces
l Some fun games that will allow them to practice and fetch balls. There is also an important health and
what youve just shown them. safety consideration here: who will look after your
players if you have to take one of them to hospital?
l A small sided game to finish.
DO treat your players with respect. They like you to
You should always consider an individual session
listen and take notice of their feelings and opinions.
as part of a larger training schedule. How do your
Find out what they want from you and agree some
sessions progress from week-to-week? Variety is
clear ground rules.
important in order to keep your sessions fresh and

The way a team plays as a whole determines its success. You may have
the greatest bunch of individual stars in the world, but if they dont play
together, the club wont be worth a dime
Babe Ruth, Major League Baseball player
10 Proven Tips For A More Successful Football Season

3 Teach the Basics First:

Shielding the Ball
Shielding the ball How to coach it
In your coaching sessions, start with two equal-sized
players with a single ball in a grid about three-yards
square and have them work on holding the ball by
using simple rolls, pullbacks and other touches to
shield the ball.
Before they gain this confidence, you can expect
terrible passing simply because they will get flustered
at the first hint of pressure (and might even feel
panicked at pressure which is ten yards away). Until
your players can hold a ball 1 v 1 in a grid for a count
of around 7-8 seconds, they are not going to have
Some skills are absolute must-haves for all enough confidence to do very well on the field.
players and are so important that you should So how is it done? The first step is to bring the ball
teach them first. Whats the most important? under control quickly. Then, you get your player
Not everyone will agree, but for me the number one to use his/her body and legs to get between the
skill for a football player to possess is ball-holding. opponent and the ball to protect it. They can either
step over the ball to shield it, or roll or pull the ball
If you teach your players ANYTHING, teach them the back behind them or to their side to protect it.
skills to keep possession. Once they realise that they
The rolling and pulling of the ball requires some
have the skills to keep an opponent from stealing the
work, as the player needs to learn to use both feet
ball, they will gain the confidence to lift their heads
and to switch feet. However, one of the key factors is
up and find another player to pass to.
for them to learn to bend the knees, get the arms out,
and use body weight to push back into the opponent.
Get them to keep their bottoms down, bend the
knees and push hard back into the opponent. Keep
body weight on their support leg to be able to free
their far foot and use it to roll the ball around.

If certain players do not carry out their tasks properly on the pitch
then their colleagues will suffer
Louis van Gaal former manager of Ajax, Barcelona and The Netherlands
10 Proven Tips For A More Successful Football Season

4 Use Small Sided Games

in Training
It should be a FIFA policy that football coaches Rapid break from defence to attack
use small-sided games for training before players
reach the age of 13. The 4 v 4 system speeds
up development of technical ability and game 8
4

intelligence. 9 2
3
7

4 v 4 is the smallest sided game you can have that 6

5

has all the elements of a real football match without 11m

any of the confusions that surround learning football. 55m

In a real football match children have the option of

passing the ball forwards, square or backwards. Three
children cannot do this because one of the directions
will be missing. With five the extra one duplicates one
of the elements, which clutters the picture.
l It is fun for all the players, they are all involved,
4 v 4 also provides the minimum numbers needed they attack and defend.
for all of the parts that make up a football game. One
l The number of passes is increased and therefore
player is up front for penetration. Two are needed for
the one touch control, one touch pass, sequence
width and one holds back to supply depth. In 4 v 4 the
is used all the time.
responsibilities are very clear. All tasks are covered
and none are shared which keeps things simple. l It is also a good indicator of players fitness
because players are constantly running and
The benefits
playing the game.
l Technique is improved because players have a
4 v 4 is football learning at its best. It is fun, creates
far greater number of ball contacts.
match situations and promotes an extremely effective
l The emphasis on control, passing and shooting learning environment. Small pictures are clearer for
provides the fundamental building blocks of children and space and options are more compatible
football. with their abilities.

Failure happens to me all the time. It happens every day in practise. What makes you
better is how you react to it
Mia Hamm, former football player, US Womens Team
10 Proven Tips For A More Successful Football Season

5 Invest Time in All

Your Players
A successful team is often a stable team. You Which coach are you?
may have a very clear idea of the particular
football skills and qualities that your players
possess, but what do you know of them beyond
that?

By gaining a greater understanding of your players

as individuals you can help improve your ability to
understand and motivate them.

Players care about what you have to say when they

know that you care about them.

Encourage the players to be as honest as they can.

Emphasise that it helps build effective teams and
encourages clear communication.

Most importantly, once you have collected this

information use it!

Making the effort to get to know the player, and not

just their football abilities, can pay dividends when
trying to understand their wider motivations.

The process of asking is a classic motivational tool

for the player it shows you care.

Football is not about justice. Its a drama and criminally wrong decisions
against you are part and parcel of that
Pete Davies, football writer
10 Proven Tips For A More Successful Football Season

6 Reward Your Players

Small rewards make an enormous amount Teamwork is the first step to winning
difference to players (of all ages). And the
beauty of sweets is that a small bar of chocolate
or candy can be used to encourage even the
weakest player who has perhaps tried the In a winning
culture everyone
hardest. works for each
other, everyone
enjoys it, everyone
Have only one or two rewards for each week. Share knows their role
the rewards around over the season (and try to keep within it.

a record).

Make the rewards for different things each week, for

example best tackler, hardest worker in drills, best
piece of skill in this way you can pass the rewards Recognising the achievements of one your weaker
around without prejudice. players in this way will prove to be a great incentive
for the other less talented players.
How about a small trophy for Player of the Week,
Man of the Match or a Best Effort award for the Remember, small rewards are not replacements for
player, not necessarily the most talented, who has continued positive feedback from a coach. If you
put in the greatest amount of work during a match or continue to encourage and inspire your players you
training session. will be surprised at how far your words can go.

The big secret in life is that there is no big secret. Whatever your goal,
you can get there if youre willing to work
Oprah Winfrey
10 Proven Tips For A More Successful Football Season

7 Make a Difference on
Match Days
You CAN make a difference on match day. Whilst DO watch first, worry later. Keep your emotions under
every coach has a different style, they all share a control keep panic, anger, frustration and fear out
common goal to get the best out of their team of the equation. Players depend on the coach to be
when it really counts. Follow these simple dos the coolest head on the pitch.
and donts, and you WILL make a difference once
DO watch from as many different angles as possible.
the game is underway.
This will enhance your perspective on the game. For
DONT micro-manage the game. It is easy to talk example, the shape of a team is more discernible
particular players through every move, but this is from a distance, speed easier to gauge from the side
potentially destructive because it stifles their instinct and physical fitness more apparent when standing
for the game. Positive encouragement gives players close up.
confidence. Psychologists tell us that it is better to
DONT argue with the referee. It distracts the players.
say hit the target than dont miss.
It is also unlikely to have a positive influence on the
DO find the right moment. Information needs to be outcome of the game and is not in the spirit of the
given when players are most receptive i.e. when they game anyway. Referees will rarely change a decision
can concentrate on what YOU are saying NOT in once its been made and your intervention may turn
the middle of a play. them against you.

DONT get distracted. Talk to spectators and the When the whistle blows for the start of the match, it
other coaches afterwards. Your players need your should start a concentrated period of thought, action
full attention. Create a bubble for you and your team. and reaction for the coach. Having spent significant
Make sure at half time the bubble continues. Youth time preparing a team for this moment, the coach
teams suffer the most from a babble of comment also needs to be prepared, mentally and emotionally.
from parents, confusing the main message you Whether you can find glory in defeat, humility in
want to deliver. Your team needs to avoid conflicting victory, can you say you made a difference on
messages. the day?

The secret of winning football games is working more as a team, less as

individuals. I play not my 11 best, but my best 11
Knute Rockne American football coach
10 Proven Tips For A More Successful Football Season

8 Make Every Second

Count at Half Time
Strategy, tactics and organisation have to be To ensure a well-planned, consistent half time
reinforced or in some cases changed in just five structure you need to:
minutes. However, there are only three broad
l Keep your substitutes close and warm just in
objectives:
case of injuries.
l To motivate your players.
l Decide on the next step for the team and be
l To give them the best chance to absorb confident and focused on what you are about to
information. say.

l To let them recover whilst taking on water. l Be in the best possible position to deliver a clear
and logical viewpoint.
Get ready for half time
As soon as the first half is over, move to your players.
PLAYERS TACTICS Dont make them move to you. Make sure you stay a
good distance from the opposition.
Motivate - Substitutions -
remember your Is it time to make l Know that you have everyones attention.
body language a change?
Re-hydrate - Strategy - l Provide two or three major points.
water not Defence or attack
fizzy drinks need strengthening?
Re-organise - Planning - l Be clear, positive and constructive.
remind them Plan ahead so you
of positions COACH are ready with two l Dont talk until everyone is listening.
or three main points

l Dont concentrate on negatives.

When outlining a poor aspect of the teams l Dont allow too much player input all at once.
performance deliver it in a productive manner. If the
defence has gaps, try not to blame players or dwell Remember, players of all ages will lose interest if
on it. Instead warn players not to get sucked in and they are on the receiving end of a lecture at
to concentrate. Players are not motivated by being half-time. Keep your comments concise and try to
told what they did wrong, but more by how they can allow players the opportunity to express what they
improve and resolve problems. feel has gone well or poorly.

The fewer rules a coach has, the fewer rules there are for players to break
John Madden, American football coach and commentator
10 Proven Tips For A More Successful Football Season

9 Run Your Team on the

Right Fuel
Nutrition and diet is an area you can improve on Baked potatoes and sandwiches are good whole
and as coaches we are in a strong position to meals, with fillings which avoid too much fat making
influence players to become healthier. In simple an even healthier option. So cut down on the butter,
terms, what we eat and drink provides the fuel cheese and mayonnaise and use baked beans, lean
for us to train, play and recover from training. meats and low fat cheeses.
What we need to know is what is the best fuel?
Keep the balance
Carbo education for the benefit A diet cannot consist of carbohydrates alone, but also
of the players requires protein, fat and water. It is worth asking
Carbohydrates are recognised to have the most players what they are eating and drinking, if only to
immediate affect on the players performance, so help them make their own more informed decisions.
educate your team to eat better to operate better. An
appreciation of the benefits will help them choose
better options. FACTS BOX
Low fat carbs for low fat players On average, carbohydrates makes up at least
Despite the horrors outlined by some trendy diets, half of a players total energy intake.
there are many staple foods which provide excellent
sources of carbohydrates e.g. potatoes and pasta. In football, the intensity of the sport means
The key though, is to avoid high carb foods with high that carbohydrates are the primary energy
fat content. This will mean that high consumption source.
will also lead to weight gain. For example, crisps and All milk has the same carbohydrate content,
pizza are two hazards to be avoided. but differs in fat content, therefore soccer
Whats good to eat? players would do better to drink semi
skimmed or skimmed milk rather than full
Some good, low fat, high carb foods are: rice,
fat. There is little evidence to suggest any
popcorn, breakfast cereals, fruit, toast and honey,
difference in performance on whether a player
potatoes, pasta. Some treats as well: sweets e.g.
should eat complex carbohydrates (such as
fruit gums, chocolate and even Coca Cola (though
pasta or potatoes) over simple carbohydrates
this drink is not a substitute for water).
(such as sweets and fruit) on matchdays.

Dont let anyone steal our dreams

Michael Jordan
10 Proven Tips For A More Successful Football Season

10 30 Minute Warm-Up
Sometimes, due to poor directions, or traffic, or 20 minutes
just plain bad timing, teams stagger onto the pitch Get your captain to lead dynamic stretching. All at an
just before the whistle blows. And boy does it tell. easy jog pace. Jog. Jog backwards, shuffle side-to-
Within a few minutes of kick-off because your team side to the left, and then to the right. Hit outstretched
wasnt ready to play, physically or mentally, youre on hands with knees. Kick open hands behind your back
the back foot, the coaches are cross and shouting and with your heels. Bend down, touch the ground with
youre picking the ball out the back of the net just as left hand, then right hand, then both hands.
the last boot lace is being tied. 15 minutes
Encourage punctuality by preparing a routine and Everyone get a drink of water. Introduce calm static
making sure that every player and parent understands stretching. Sort out the starting line-up. Dont change
its purpose. If a player is late he doesnt start the it if players show up a few minutes before kick-off
match. Match day information should include a time even if they are the best ones! Make a mental note to
for warm-up, so parents know what time to arrive. bring them on during the half.
Make sure directions are correct and include parking Give encouragement to your keeper, backs,
arrangements. A routine that takes 20 - 30 minutes midfielders, and strikers. Try to keep your remarks to
should be adequate. Teams playing at an unfamiliar under two minutes.
field should allow extra time for traffic and vague 10 minutes
directions. Step up a gear. Get the team into game mode.
The countdown Organise shooting practice with the players lined up
30 minutes outside the penalty area. Serve the ball to the first in
Make sure the players are properly dressed the line. The player should control, then shoot. Limit
shinguards, boot laces tied, an extra layer or two in the shooting distance and number of touches before
cold weather, and so on. the shot according to age and skill. Encourage low
shots on target, put away rebounds. Parents can help
25 minutes
collect missed shots or kids have to chase their own
Loosen up. As players arrive, take the time to have
high and wide ones. Keep the line moving.
a word with each of them. Is your ankle still sore?
Going to add to your goal tally today? Did you enjoy 5 minutes
the match last week? Talk to your keeper about how Captain to the fore. Captains are called out for the
well he is playing. Take the team to an area where coin toss. When they return, bring the team together
they can pass a ball around in groups of threes. Get for a very brief pep talk. A big cheer, and starters
them working on one, twos and dribble and turn. Keep take their positions on the field. Now youre ready to
them moving. Get them to focus on what they are here kick-off.
for, to play football! Get out there and have fun!

Overcoaching is the worst thing you can do to a player

Dean Smith, US basketball coach and coaching Hall of Fame member