Soccer coaching tips to ease pre match nerves
One of the key roles you have as a youth soccer coach is managing the pressures for your soccer (football) players, to give them a lift or a push when they need it most.
They may be anxious or worked up about the match ahead and you need to help curb their anxieties, so they are ready to perform at their best.
Pre-match soccer coaching tips
When your goalkeeper comes up to you before kick-off and says: "Coach, I'm really worried that I will not be able to save any shots in the game," you need to give some positive thoughts to help him or her. You can talk to your goalie about how well they played in the soccer training sessions recently and how much faith you have in their ability.
Sometimes the pressure for your young soccer players will come from an opposition player who is giving them abuse. Help your players by developing a strategy beforehand with them, for instance, coach them to be able to walk away without being affected by the abuse or get them to use the abuse to fire themselves to play harder.
Pre-match relaxation warm up
This training exercise helps relax your players mentally for the game and takes only 10 - 15 seconds, so you can do it straight before kick-off. Ask players to:
-
Breathe deep in through the mouth and out through the nose.
-
Visualise a good shot or throw-in or save.
-
Think about kicking the ball and it reaching its destination - the back of the goal or another player.
They must think the shot or pass the whole way through, like a golfer visualising the shot they are going to play.
For more soccer coaching tips and advice,
click here to subscribe to
Soccer Coach Weekly.
Click here for soccer coaching tips to plan your pre-match warm-up drills and timings.
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
|