When you are creating and developing a youth soccer program, the most important thing to keep in mind are your coaches. Who are they? What are their unique skills? Which coach will work best with each age/gender? What are the outcomes you want to see – soccer skills, social skills, education?
These answers will help you design a program that meets your desired outcomes and ensures that your players have the most positive experiences possible. The Global Team, in recognizing the important ‘mentor’ role of the coach, aims to provide these leaders with best practices not only on the sport of soccer, but age-appropriate tips, learning across ages/genders and the importance of fostering a culture of trust and respect on the field. Read a few of our tips below: