Set realistic targets for your soccer team
Use the following soccer coaching tips to boost your players' morale if they're experiencing a run of defeats in their league.
One of the hardest things for any soccer (football) coach is trying to manage a whole season where you have either lost your best players, you put the team into the wrong division or - more commonly - you have been promoted and are struggling in your league.
One of the teams I coach has just that problem. A couple of seasons ago they were winning most matches and finished in the top three. They were such a good team the manager asked to move them into a more challenging, league. Now when I go to their matches they look a different team. It’s the same players but a succession of very bad results has taken all the confidence out of them.
Help your players cope with defeat
When I coach the team I talk to the players a lot about what they did well during the match and how they could have done other things better.
I give them hope that results will change. It is not enough to constantly tell them they were unlucky - they know this is just an excuse.
It isn’t easy when you’ve been used to winning but this is a great opportunity to learn how to be a better soccer coach. It’s also a chance to teach your players to overcome adversity.
Key soccer coaching tips to help players
- Set new, manageable targets: Can you win the first half? Can you win the second half?
- Suppose you let in 15 goals last week but scored five. Aim to cut the goals conceded down to 10 and score more goals at the other end.
- Spend a lot of time with your goalkeeper practising soccer drills and most of all talking to them about the team and why so many goals are going in.
- Use small-sided games to get your soccer players playing well again.
- Setting realistic targets gives your players something to aim for. They may still lose matches, but if they meet one or two of the targets give them a huge amount of praise. They will respond positively.
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