Topics to discuss with your soccer coach

The role of a soccer coach isn’t just coaching! All coaches including soccer coaches are responsible for developing athletes to their fullest potential. Responsible for planning training and analyzing performances of each athlete in their relevant skills. More importantly, coaches are responsible for the correct guidance of athletes. As a first-time soccer parent or athlete what topics should be addressed? Here are the 10 topics to discuss with your youth soccer coach.

Goals

For a successful season stating your goals is vital. Coaches should be setting simple goals that are enjoyable enough to ensure every player returns the following season.

Are the goals of the team matching required goals for your player? Does the coach help with individual goals as well as the team?

Use the SMART acronym, are goals:

• Specific
• Measureable
• Achieveable
• Realistic
• Timed

Core values of the program

Understanding what is a priority in a soccer program is very important. Every coach and athlete should be able to discuss this with details easily. Discussing with your coach will enable you understand their vision for the program.

Some coaches use the acronym CIA to describe priorities:

• Character
• Integrity
• Accountability

A character describes who you are going to become, integrity focuses on choosing the right decision and action, especially when no one is watching. Accountability implies that players and coaches will be held accountable for their actions.

Each soccer coach will have different pillars they use per season, hence values are vital among the 10 topics to discuss with your youth soccer coach.

Coaching Overall Philosophy

Why do you coach? This question allows you to know what drives the coach to be in the position they are in.

Coaches have probably been asked this question multiple times. Be wary of an answer that seems to be what you’re looking for, therefore, don’t lead them into an answer but be frank when asking.

The majority of coaches are in the sport for the right reason, a passion for the game, and a want to impact lives positively. Seasoned parents in competitive environments will know what to listen for and what triggers red flags. But the tone and animation of a coach when explaining demonstrates their passion and the why. Enjoyment from coaching will be evident.

Coaches in the competitive arena may have other reasons, but don’t automatically assume they aren’t passionate about the sport nor concerned about your player’s development. Professional coaches (their sole job) still need to pay the bills, but a full-time coach can be better than one that has a 9-5 job, read more about this with pay-per-play article.

The overall coaching philosophy should reinforce the core values of the program. The purpose is to understand coaches’ authenticity to serve young athletes and not just use them to win games for coaches to brag about their championships or tournament successes online and through social media.

Schedules, practice and game plans for players in and out of season

Most coaches discuss the expected practice schedules on registration or during pre-season meetings, or information Emails. However, being clear and precise on expectations and policies, it will save issues down the road.

Questions such as:

• What time do you require my player to be at the game?
• How long is practice?
• How will I be notified of changes to game or practice schedule?
• Best methods in contacting you?
• What is the correct uniform combination?
• Expectations of my player and I prior and post training?
• Are there any extra activities we can particpate in to help improve?

There are plenty more questions that can be tailored to your specific situation.

Intangibles that coaches look for in players

Every coach wants that player with speed and natural technical skills. But what other qualities are the coach looking for or wanting to instill in their players?

Your coach wants to know you are willing to be a good teammate and role model. Including this in the 10 topics to discuss with your youth soccer coach can display what you’re expecting in a coach, it will additionally provide you with a clear insight into their core values.

Are you ok with a coach that will select players and limit substitutions for the game result? Is the team in a position where that value is needed? Maybe the league or level of the team is at the top of their age and required to produce results, on the other hand, they could be a team with athletes that play other sports and use this soccer team as a means of staying in shape.

Two very contrasting teams were mentioned, but you can get the idea of where you and your player want to fit within, whether it’s learning the game or instilling a winning team attitude regardless of who plays. Armed with the information you can make the decision best for you.

Team building and social activities

For the success of any season, team-building activities are important. Discuss with your coach what the team participates in outside of soccer games and practice?

Coaches that incorporate non-soccer activities are more likely to keep positive team morale and maintain player retention.

Some teams travel to other states or cities for pre-season training or to play in tournaments. Activities are done as a team, such as eating together or visiting theme parks during games or training breaks, which is a great form of team bonding.

These activities or trips could have a financial commitment to them. Understand if it’s an additional cost or included in the program. Is it voluntary or mandatory? If it’s a team-building exercise but voluntary, is it really for the betterment of the team?

Skills Improvement

If your coach is new to you they may never have seen your child play. Ask for ideas and ways to help improve your player’s skills outside of normal practice sessions. If the coach shares ideas, provides support material or connects you with additional training, then they care about the development of your player.

If they talk to you about helping but cannot provide the above information, then are they really concerned with your players wanting to improve?

Ask the coach to assist in developing an action plan (at Storm FC we utilize ILPs, Individual Learning Plans). Players need to ensure following through with the plan once it has been developed. Not using the plan after requesting it would certainly be negative. Would the coach spend time on further requests from you?

Player retention and active for life

How many players from the coach’s team or club have continued?

A program that ensures a coordinated effort between counseling departments and athletes to maintain player support has higher success rates in player retention. Of course, not all programs will have those departments, but having support for players and their families within the club or team clearly demonstrates a commitment to player welfare.

• Ask how many players leave the team each season? (talk with parents, coaches may not be 100% forthcoming with this information, especially if the number doesn’t look good)
• What percentage of players graduate to college play?
• How many players move to a higher level of play from this team?
• Do you encourage players to move to the next level if they have outgrown this team?
• How many players drop from soccer completely from this team?
• How long have you coached this team, or been with this club? If a short time, why have you moved clubs?
• Whats your long term plan for the team and players?

Ways to Assist the program, or volunteer.

An area in youth sports that is a frequent issue, is volunteering. Ask the coach or suggest ways in which you can assist the program.

Volunteering however shouldn’t be ammunition to challenge the coach on playing time. If you want to assist the program, it should be done without underlying motives. I can’t tell you how many times I hear, “Well I volunteer countless hours, why doesn’t my kid get to play more?”

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Impact

“Do you see me having a huge impact on the team or the program?” A vital question to ask your soccer coach. Athletes with higher potential are more likely to be retained in a team, knowing where your player’s position in the team will be, helps understand where to put the required effort in.

Further questions in addition to 10 topics to discuss with your youth soccer coach may include:

• Since you became a coach how has the program grown?
• What are my requirements academically?
• What kind of financial support is available for athletes?
• Do you give performance-based reviews?
• How will you describe your coaching style?
• What does the pathway look like for my athlete?
• In your own words how do you describe the team’s culture?

Questions you should refrain from asking include:

• When will I start to play?
• How much reimbursement can the program offer me?
• How much or what do I get for winning a game? – A certain no-no!!

Be conscious of the boundaries that exist between you both, be respectful of their time. When your coach is coaching, let them, coach. Don’t interrupt.

If your coach is volunteering their time, respect that, approach them with understanding their time commitment and that they most likely have a 9-5 job that is important for their family to cover bills. Think how much free time you have before challenging coaches about their volunteering coaching commitments. Better still step up and volunteer yourself or coach!

Avoid asking questions or topics that can be found through minimal research.

How to Prepare Topics/Questions

Your interest should be made a priority:

You should think about areas that are important to you and discuss those with your coach. But before you approach your coach make sure you carry out simple research to understand the program and coaches in general.

Consider the context:

It is very important to consider the context in which you are speaking.

Be honest:

Be sincere, voice your opinions or concerns, but be respectful. Coaches respect transparency and honesty. To avoid wasting your time be upfront about the goals and expectations of the program for your player.

Players in most cases are scared to talk to their coach in a one-on-one situation. Be prepared when asking for the coach’s time, be clear and concise. To develop communication skills some of the conversations can include the young player. Include them in the conversation to teach them how to approach and communicate with their coach.

These 10 topics to discuss with your youth soccer coach are designed to provoke thought and a game plan for your young player when researching their best options.

After selecting the coach and team be sure to have follow-up meetings for valid feedback. Feedback from, development planning, individual training, etc. is one of the best methods for self-growth and improvement.

Don’t take feedback negatively, all coaches want their players to be successful. Take feedback, ask for clarification, and design a plan to improve for the next evaluation.