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SWM Rec

A recreational soccer league serving the youth of Southwest Michigan.

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    • Required Training
  • Facility
    • Field Map
    • Field Rules
    • Weather Policy
  • Parents
    • Code of Conduct
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    • Soccer Parenting
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Become A Coach

You are here: Home / Coaching / Become A Coach

Coaching is very rewarding.

SWM Rec exists due to the graciousness of parent volunteers. Thank you for your continued support!

Like almost all volunteer-led organizations, SWM Rec could use more help. Our league is always in need of dedicated parents willing to coach. Having more coaches available allows our program to enroll more players and field more teams, which makes the league more fun.

What every coach must do.

Many coaching candidates shy away because of a lack of self-confidence. If you are thinking about coaching, please consider the list of skills below that you should have or be willing to develop. You may find yourself more prepared for coaching than you thought!

Click on an item below to learn more about coaching responsibilities.

You must have the time.

Consistency and participation are necessary for any sports program.
This concept is equally valid for players and coaches. A stressed-out coach or a coach that is unre­li­able due to their work sched­ule does not have a pos­i­tive effect on the team. You nev­er want to overpromise and underdeliv­er when deal­ing with chil­dren. Remember, your players are look­ing up to you as a role mod­el and leader.

You must be enthusiastic.

Previous knowledge of soccer is helpful but not required. Passion is necessary.
SWM Rec has compiled age-specific Coaching Resources to assist volunteers in becoming effective coaches, regardless of previous knowledge. A coach should use the Coaching Resources to become familiar with the drills, formations, guidelines, and rules for their team. 

Coaches who wish to become licensed by U.S. Soccer are eligible for partial reimbursement by SWM Rec. Formal coaching education through U.S. Soccer is not a requirement to coach in SWM Rec but is an excellent resource for new soccer coaches to learn more about their craft.

Please contact the Board to learn more about possible reimbursement for licensing expenses.

You must prioritize fun.

Keeping players engaged is essential in youth soccer, but can also be challenging.
Coaches are recommended to play fun games to encourage player conditioning and soccer fundamentals. SWM Rec has provided many training game examples on the 
Coaching Resources page.

There are multiple benefits to practicing using training games:

  • Players learn more while hav­ing fun.
  • By playing a game, players may not realize they are con­di­tion­ing. 
  • There are many training-style games, which will prevent practices from being too formulaic or routine.

You must strive for improvement.

Improvement is the primary goal.
As a recreational soccer league, SWM Rec does not keep score during games or rank teams. Instead, coaches should strive for demonstrable improvement for their team.

This concept applies to individual players and teams as a whole – players bettering their performance and teams working as a more cohesive unit.

You must keep it simple.

Patience is a virtue. Remember, each player develops at their speed.
Every child might have a dif­fer­ent way of learn­ing. Make sure to teach in various ways.

Visual Learners

  • Learn through seeing.
  • Use cones that allow the play­ers to see the spots on the field.
  • Demonstrate a drill or skill to show players how to do it. 
  • This demonstration also earns trust, as your players won’t feel like you are asking them to perform a task that you wouldn’t do yourself. 

Auditory Learners

  • Learn through hearing.
  • Speak slowly and clearly while explaining concepts. 
  • Continual correction and encouragement while a player is working.

Kinesthetic/​Tactile Learners

  • Learn through mov­ing, touch­ing or doing.
  • Tell the play­ers where to go then do it.
  • Show the play­ers what to and have them mim­ic right after.

You must delegate the workload.

Coaching is a lot of work. Engage your team parents!
Coaching and raising children “takes a village.” Your team’s “village” is the parents. A Coach should rely on parents to ensure the best possible experience for your players.

Communication is key.

Recommended ways to communicate with your village:

  • SSI Play App
  • Email
  • Phone – calling or texting
  • Private Facebook group for the par­ents only. 

Recommended roles for team parents to manage: 

  • Help the coach with mak­ing sure all the play­ers have the required forms filled out.
  • Assist with organizing or executing drills at practices.
  • It is not manda­to­ry, but most teams opt to have snacks after a game. If your team does this, have a parent manage the snack schedule. 
    • Ask the chil­dren or their par­ents about food allergies.
  • Take pic­tures dur­ing prac­tice to share with the team through text, email, or a Facebook group.
  • Help the coach make sure the play­ers have all their uni­forms and prop­er equip­ment for prac­tices and game days.

You must be willing to ask for help.

Soccer is a team sport. SWM Rec is a team effort.
If you need help, you should never hesitate to ask for it. SWM Rec appreciates its volunteers and wants to provide proper support.

  • If you need help managing your team, ask your team’s parents to step in.
  • If you need help managing a player, parent, or referee, please contact the SWM Rec Board.
  • If you need help with formations, guidelines, drills, website, or anything else, please contact the SWM Rec Board.

You must be firm with parents.

You are doing this for free and out of the kind­ness of your heart.
Parents may sometimes for­get you are a par­ent who stepped up so the kids could have a team. As needed, feel free to remind parents of this fact gently. The SWM Rec Board will support you, too.

Questions

If you have additional questions about becoming a coach with SWM Rec, please contact the Board.

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A not-for-profit recreational soccer league with a primary focus on fun and fundamentals, serving youth in Southwest Michigan.

Latest News

  • Highly Anticipated Coaching Clinics to be Hosted
  • Late Registration to Begin Soon
  • SWM Elects Bridgman Advocate to Board; Appoints Former LYSL President to Officiating Director
  • Head Coach and Assistant Coach Opportunities
  • Um…WOW!!!

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Contact SWM Rec

E-mail
president@lakeshoreyouthsoccer.com

Mailing Address
SWM Rec
PO Box 112
Stevensville, MI  49127

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Soccer Complex

Lakeshore Youth Soccer Complex
6343 Cleveland Ave
Stevensville, MI 49127

Affiliates

SWM Kickers
A family-oriented, high value, volunteer centered competitive youth soccer club that has been in existence since 1989. > Learn More

US TOPSoccer
A community-based training and team placement program for young athletes with disabilities, organized by youth soccer association volunteers. > Learn More

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