Positive Reinforcement to Motivate

Are you trying to find new ways to motivate your players? Do you sometimes feel like you're sounding like a broken record with your athletes? If you are getting a little tired of hearing the same things come out of your mouth- it's a safe bet that your players are starting to tune you out.

As a coach, or parent for that matter, many times we are tuned into what are kids are doing wrong. Many times these instances are blaring and are difficult not to give a reaction, however subtle. Instead of seeing what your players are doing wrong, you may want to shift your focus on what they are doing right. There's a good chance you will find your kids will respond favorably.

20 ways to say "Good Job" to your team.

I'm a big believer in catching kids doing things RIGHT. It's way more fun to call out a kid doing something correctly than one doing something wrong
(for you and the kid). But as coaches, we usually spend more time pointing out mistakes than pointing out the good.

Teaching The Inside-of-Foot "Push" Pass:
(from Soccerhelp.com)

• Have the player face the target & "square up" so he, ball & the target are in a straight line.
• Place the "plant" foot about 4" from the side of the ball, pointing toward the target. (The direction the plant foot points is important because that is the direction the hips will face; try it). The plant foot can be toward the middle or back of the ball, whichever the player prefers.
• Head over ball, looking down; both knees slightly bent.
• Teach the proper motion by first having the player place his striking foot flat against the back of the ball (about 5" above the ground) and pushing the ball toward the target and following through toward the target. (A push & follow-through; not a jab. Think of a tennis serve. However, jabbing a 1-touch pass is okay).
• Be sure he contacts the ball with his toes pulled up (i.e., with the foot parallel to the ground) & the ankle locked. Make contact with the arch, below the anklebone & follow through toward the target so the ball has top spin.
• Then, have him do the same, except start one step back from the ball, so the player, the ball & the target are in a straight line. This step provides power to the pass. If the pass goes into the air it means it was struck too low.
  

Receiving A Pass Using Inside-of-Foot:
(from Soccerhelp.com)

• Receive the ball even with the toes of the plant foot (or a little in front).
• Stiffen or relax the receiving foot so the ball stops about one step away (so you can quickly take one step & strike it; it is this step that gives power to the pass).
• Be sure the receiving foot is 4" - 5" off the ground (if too low the ball will pop up) & contact the ball on the back part of foot (under the anklebone), not near the toes. Pull the toes up so the foot is parallel with the ground (not pointing downward). (If a player can't remember to raise his foot, have him practice by raising his foot higher than the ball & then bringing the foot down in front of the ball to stop it. This will help him to remember).
• If you want the ball to go to the left or right (instead of straight in front) you must angle your foot & contact the ball more in front or behind, depending on whether you want it to go left or right.

Lopsided Games

It's easy to get lost in how good your team is.

In U4 to U7 the difference in skill from one team to another can be significant. An 8-0 game is not uncommon and I would not consider this to be a lopsided game in most cases. It's when we get to 15, 20, even 25 goals that we most often are concerned about.

In the past, we have heard comments like, "I couldn't help it" or "I can't tell my kids not to score". While asking your kids not to score would be a last resort, it is not detremental to development if done properly. Get your kids together and explain to them that although we are having a great time scoring, the other team probably isn't having fun at all. Almost all 5 year olds CAN comprehend compassion and empathy.

Here are some ideas you can use to keep the score differential respectable while challenging your team to develop more skills. Please be discreet so that it isn't obvious to the opposing team's kids what's going on.

• Move your weaker players forward and stronger players back.
• 5-10 touches before a shot is taken
• 3 or more passes required before a shot is taken
• Have your kids use non dominant foot to score or dribble.
• Require that everyone touches the ball consecutively prior to a shot on goal.
• If you have a dominant player who is doing most of the scoring, encourage them to help a teammate score and praise them for their effort in this regard.
• Stop taking shots completely.

These are just a few ways to prevent run-up scores.  Be inventive.  You may have a great idea of your own specific to your team.  Ask the opposing coach what they would like you to do so you can make it more enjoyable for everyone. Again, discretion is important.

If you really want to challenge your team, it may be time to play your team or some select kids on your team up an age group. It is hard to not be the dominant team on the pitch, but it can help the team understand what it means to be beaten and give them proper competition. How they will respond to this new environment is part of the development.

Spacing/Spreading the Field

Many times as coaches we are so focused on the results, that we tend not to see the little things that got us there. Spreading the field is an important part of youth soccer, but more obvious once we start playing on the bigger fields. Making "width" and "depth" are vital in stretching the other team out when on the attack and allows better coverage when defending.

On the 8v8 field, whatever scheme you choose (2-3-2, 3-2-2, etc.), it is important to keep your forward(s) up to keep the opposing team's backs from pushing up too far and to give your backs and midfielders someone to pass to.

Another thing to look out for are, "voids" that may occur as a result of your backs playing too deep and/or midfielders covering too much area from goal to goal. These areas that are vacated are breeding grounds for your opponents attack and often stall your team's attack. Once you as a coach start seeing these "voids" it is much easier to point them out to your players and repetitively ask them "where do you need to be".

Making sure your kids know basic teminology used in soccer such as, "push up", "drop back", "out wide" and "pinch in" can go a long way in getting them spread out. Also, teach your kids the responsibilities of forwards (strikers), midfielders and backs.

How Get Your Kids to Play "Brave"
(from Soccerhelp.com)

Teaching timid players to be braver is tough. It is a frustration that many coaches have. Here is a method that may work for you:

Really encourage and reward bravery and improvement (i.e., tougher play). DON'T focus on criticism or embarrassing the timid players -- instead, encourage and reward the brave players and the timid players when they do something brave. Praise brave behavior during practice, during games, at half-time and at the end of games. Let your praise be so everyone hears it and name the player you are praising. Try to get the attention of the player you are praising when the bravery occurred or soon after so they get immediate positive reinforcement. Say their name first to get their attention and say things like: "John, way to go, you're brave". "Bill, that was really brave." "Mark, way to fight for the ball." "Sam, way to block that shot - you're really brave." When a kid does something brave tell him at half time or after the game in front of everyone something like: "You are SO brave." Or, "I'm really proud of you, you're really brave." At halftime or after the game, when everyone is listening say things like "I'm so proud of you guys, you were really brave today and played hard." I think the word "brave" may get a better response than the word "tough" and it's good to use the same word to avoid confusion. Everyone wants to be "brave" -- it's a positive word -- whereas "tough" doesn't sound so positive.,

By stating your expectations in a positive, presumptive way, I think your kids will start to believe they ARE brave and start to play to meet your expectations. It's a positive, supportive, encouraging approach that is consistent with the SoccerHelp Philosophy. If you follow this approach it will work and you will be proud you have taken a positive approach, and the players and parents will think you're a great coach. I had to learn this by trial and error – you can avoid my mistakes and have faster success than I did., You want bravery to become a quality your players take pride in.

You want them to always be brave and to do their best and give their all., For years I looked for a way to motivate my players. Finally, I saw some small iron-on patches at the soccer store. They were 55 cents each. I bought them and started giving them for practice attendance and to reward brave play. I knew I couldn't turn a non-athlete into a great athlete, but I thought I might be able to get my players to come to practice and to hustle more and to be braver, and it worked. I would give a red/white patch for brave play -- it was like a badge of honor and had to be earned. The boys started calling them "Blood patches" because if they got hurt trying to win the ball or attacking or blocking a shot with their body they got one. They were proud to earn a Blood Patch.

Critical Times
(abridged from NSCAA)

The most dangerous times during a soccer game are the first five minutes of each half, the last five minutes of each half and the first two minutes after any goals are scored.

...The reason the first five minutes of the game are so important is that most teams are unprepared for the start of the game...

...The last five minutes of the first half also is an important period because it sets the tone for halftime...

...The first five minutes of the second half are just as important. The opponent frequently has been sitting down during halftime and is not completely stretched out for the second half...

...The last five minutes are important for obvious reasons. The main way to prepare for this time period is through good conditioning...

...The reason the period immediately after a goal is important is that the team who was scored on frequently will be down and may be engaging in finger-pointing to assign blame for the goal. Attacking when they are done will allow you to be on the offensive when they are most vulnerable...

...Teams that both understand the important times of a game and can take advantage of them will be more successful than teams that don't...

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No Verbs!

Many coaches have struggled with overzealous parents who repetitively coach from the sidelines (often contrary to the coach's instruction). It is vital that your players take instruction from one source, the coach only. One rule I've learned from Coach Chris Neal (one of PCS founders and current coach of the Women's team at Elon University) is to ask your parents not to use verbs. That's right, no action words (i.e., "shoot", "run", "stop", "boot it", "pass", "hustle").

It may not work for everyone, however, I've enjoyed great success with this rule. My players look to me for instruction, not the opposite sideline.

When to Sub?

Starting at the U8 level and going to U14, the ONLY times to substitute players are at the following stoppages in play (with the permission of the referee):

• Your team's possession throw-in (not opposing team's)
• Either team's goal kick
• After a goal is scored by either team
• Halftime
• Replacing an injured player

Preocupation in other aspects of the game can prevent a coach from recognizing these sub opportunities. The referee can be notified, in this case, that you would like to sub at the next possible time so he or she can be prepared and assist.