Substitution advice for coaches
Soccer coaching tips to help you when making substitutions.
Many youth soccer coaches find it hard to make substitutions. One coach told me he found it so difficult to do, that he planned the substitutions the night before the game. But my advice is never use a "you will go on after 20 minutes" approach for three reasons.
- If this is told to the player early on, their preparation can be very narrowly focused. They might not bother to warm up and won’t watch the game. If the plan then changes and they come on earlier or later than expected, they may be under-prepared and perform poorly.
- There are so many variables in a game that are beyond your control that as coach I believe rigid plans are too easily disrupted. Instead, I give subs an indication of the circumstances in which they are most likely to come on, but always with the warning that these circumstances may change.
- A rigid approach may have a negative impact upon the player replaced, especially if they have been told they will be coming off after 20 minutes or at half time.
If they are to go on, give your substitutes five minutes beforehand to physically and mentally prepare. They should go on knowing exactly what you expect of them. Before they go on to the pitch give them a specific focus so they can concentrate their minds on a precise aspect of their performance.
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