Soccer coaching tips for parent helpers
The following six soccer (football) coaching tips provide simple guidelines for parents who offer to referee or try assistant coaching for their child's soccer team.
Helpers: A dad or mum from each team can be asked to run one side of the pitch as linesman. In that way any contentious throw-in calls are not made by the soccer coach, which takes some of the attention away from you.
Throw-ins: You will come across soccer (football) teams, especially in the younger age groups (7 and under), who just cannot take a throw-in properly. Ignore feet off the ground at this age but remember that by the time they are at under-11s their feet must be on the ground.
Shouters: If you are constantly being shouted at by a parent of either team, then stop the match and walk over to the parent and ask them to tell everyone what it is they are shouting about. Explain you are trying to referee young children and he/she is spoiling the game.
DIFFUSE THE SITUATION RATHER THAN BE AGGRESSIVE. DON’T SHOUT BACK AT PARENTS... OR CHILDREN!
Free-kicks/penalties: Penalties give most cause for concern. The player that you penalise will probably cry, the player taking the penalty may miss and probably cry, the goalie who doesn’t save the penalty will probably cry. So what do you do? Only give penalties for violent conduct, double-footed challenges or very deliberate handball.
Backpass: The backpass rule applies at under-8 and above. Agree it with the other team’s manager first.
Injuries: Act quickly to stop the game.
Click here to read tips and advice on involving parents effectively when coaching your youth soccer team.
Soccer coaching tips
Improve your soccer training skills. Sign up for a FREE weekly email, full of simple proven tips, advice and drills.
"I look forward to every issue because it is concise and filled with great information. In times like this, with very busy schedules, it is invaluable. I highly recommend it."
Victor Gascon, Coach, USA
|