Best Resources for Youth Soccer Coaches: Top Ways for Soccer Administrators to Streamline Coaching
TeamSnap for Business shares the best resources for new youth soccer coaches to help advance their coaching goals.
Youth sports administrators know that finding reliable coaches can be a challenge, especially in the sport of soccer. Not only are parents and families very limited with their free time, but sometimes the ones willing to help out have little to no coaching experience.
Let’s fix that issue. Administrators can utilize soccer coaching resources to help their volunteer coaches (especially the ones with little free time) get ahead of the game. That could mean practice plans, drills, help with communicating with parents and athletes, and so much more.
Here’s a list of the best resources sports administrators can provide for youth soccer coaches.
Top Resources for Soccer Coaches
US Youth Soccer Resource Library
Large national organizations affiliated with governing bodies are a great place for youth sports coaches to seek help. That’s especially true for US Youth Soccer. The US Youth Soccer resource library is full of helpful information for new coaches, including guides on how to help support mental wellness practices in your organization, foundations to player development, and much more.
Positive Coaching Alliance Resource Zone
According to the Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) website, the organization’s goal is “to change the culture of youth sports so that every child, regardless of social or economic circumstance, has access to a positive youth sports experience.” In effort to positively change the culture of youth sports, PCA developed a resource zone dedicated to various topics. First time coach is one of these topics and includes a host of videos and blogs on tips and tricks of the trade.
Winning Is Not Everything Podcast – Sean Jensen
Some coaches have a great handle on the ins and outs of practice development. But, there’s so much more to a great youth sports coach. Sean Jensen, a former NFL reporter and current author, podcast host, and head soccer coach, created a podcasted titled ‘Winning Is Not Everything’. In each episode, you’ll find Jensen enjoying a conversation with “a notable athlete, coach or influencer about their youth sports experience, lessons they learned through sports and keys to their success.”
TeamSnap+ Coaches Pack
While the above resources are great tools for every coach in your soccer organization, some administrators are looking for a one-stop shop to streamline this process. That’s where the TeamSnap+ Coaches Pack comes into play.
With the TeamSnap+ Coaches Pack, you can provide every coach in your organization instant access to a library of hundreds of helpful tools, like expert-led team activities, practice plans, and one-on-one drills to unlock your organization’s full potential.
The content is powered by the biggest names in soccer including US Youth Soccer, FC Barcelona, and the MLS.
Soccer Coaching Drills
Finding soccer drills is easy with TeamSnap. Backed by the biggest names in soccer (US Youth Soccer, FC Barcelona, MLS), the TeamSnap+ Coaches Pack is a full library of various skills and drills for each practice. Check out the sample clip below.
What Skills Do You Gain as a Soccer Coach?
When recruiting new volunteer coaches for your soccer organization, it may be a good idea to stress the skills and lessons these volunteers will gain from the experience.
- Communication
- Leadership
- Problem Solving
- Strategy
- Patience
- Resilience
- Organizational Skills
How Many Coaches Does a Soccer Team Have?
This number varies depending on the league or level of your organization. Typically, youth sports organizations will operate with as little as one soccer coach and a couple (one or two) assistant volunteer coaches. As you go up levels in soccer, the coaching staffs usually increase. By contrast, professional soccer organizations employ a full-time staff of coaches. That includes the head coach, multiple assistants, strength and condition coaches, athletic trainers, medical staff, and much more.
