Become A Coach

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.