How Young Players Learn

To coach effectively you must possess knowledge of how players learn. You should frequently remind yourself of what it is like to live in a child’s world. Players are unique psychologically, physically and emotionally and it is important to understand and appreciate the differences between players at various age levels. This section will provide you with pointers on how players learn and some of the character traits.

Players must have an interest

Before you can improve a player, they must have a desire and an interest to want to participate. As a coach you cannot force a player to be interested, they either are or they are not. Particularly with younger players, their parents made the decision for them, to sign up for soccer. Some of these players simply do not want to be there. Best you can do, as a coach, is to make the soccer as fun and enjoyable as possible to spark the interest of the child. If the player does not respond, it may never have been meant for them to play soccer. As much as it hurts, not everyone loves soccer.

Players should be enthusiastic

Enthusiastic players want to play longer, practice harder and have an open mind when it comes to learning new ideas.

Players should see good examples

Encourage your team to watch professionals play. This is the highest level for your players to aspire too. Players need role models to emulate. Players will learn by watching and copying the skills and habits of their stars. Players also need good examples in practice. The coach must set high, and attainable standards for the team.

Players learn through habit-forming practices

Players need to develop good habits. To achieve this, you must have three qualities in every practice. These are repetition, consistent quality and explosive movements. Repetition is vital to engraining the movement until it becomes second nature. Quality assures that the repeated movement is good and that we are not investing time reinforcing bad habits. Last, but not least, the movements must be developed as quickly as possible to a
speed, which simulates match play.

Players learn by goal setting and feedback

From the first day of practice, through the entire season you should set performance goals for your players and the team as a whole. These goals should be realistic and attainable.

Always calculate on the side of success. When these objectives are achieved, then reestablish new goals. Provide feedback to players in a positive manner and explain how they can improve upon their mistakes.

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