A first youth soccer coaching season can be daunting. This is particularly true for  those whose backgrounds and expertise may be in other North American sports (such as American/Canadian football, baseball, basketball, hockey,  etc) or have little or no coaching / sporting experience.  This resource was written with this in mind.  In it you will learn how to create optimal learning environments for your players and deliver activities that are fun, engaging, varied, developmental, and work on specific soccer skills and abilities.  We will also take a look at different coaching styles and philosophies, the history and culture of soccer, tips for successfully navigating the environment found in ‘Game Days’ and more.

COURSE CONTENT 

The Surviving Your First Soccer Season course is self-paced, packed with content and designed to fit in with your home / work schedule and other commitments.  You can pause, take a break, repeat or go back over any information presented in any module at any time you wish.  

MODULE 1 – HOW SOCCER IS DIFFERENT FROM OTHER NORTH AMERICAN SPORTS

• Section 1 – What IS This Game?  [History, Culture, Global Styles]
• Section 2 – Let’s Build a Field  [Soccer Field Lines and Markings]                  
• Section 3 – Positions, Formations and Numbers  [Understanding these]
• Section 4 – Term Time Space Invaders   [Essential Soccer Descriptors]
• Section 5 – Somebody Please Explain Offsides!  [Essential Soccer Rules]

MODULE 2 – CALL ME COACH

• Section 1 – Give Us Back Our Game! [Coaching Philosophies]
• Section 2 – Off to Designing Practices Class I:  S=E+A  [Practice Environment]
• Section 3 - Off to Designing Practices Class II - Qu’est-Ce Que Tu Fais? [Practice Activities]
• Section 4 - The Golden Rule of Specificity [Motor Neurology and Adaptation]

MODULE 3 – CREATING FUN AND EFFECTIVE PRACTICES

• Section 1 – The Manchester United 4 v 4 Scheme [Benefits of Small-Sided Games]
• Section 2 – Soccer Burger  [Adding Variation / Conditions]
• Section 3 – Combining the Four Corners [Transfer of Training]
• Section 4 – Games Galore [Six Effective Small-Sided Games]

MODULE 4 – GAME DAY

• Section 1 – Positive, Negative / Hyper Competition [Effect on Game  Environment] 
• Section 2 – The Night Before: Nutrition, Planning, Sleep [Effect on Player Energy]
• Section 3 – Leading By Example, Managing Expectations and Warm-up [Tips]
• Section 4 – In-Play Coaching, The Power of Fun, Positivity [Effective Coaching]

From this course you will achieve a greater understanding of the ‘why’ using fun, small-sided games will improve soccer skill development, young player motivation and active sports engagement. You will also learn ‘how’ to implement these successfully, which will make your coaching journey MUCH more manageable, relaxing, enjoyable and rewarding. The course will help you achieve greater confidence in your coaching and an improved knowledge of varied aspects of this beautiful game.

After viewing the four modules and downloading the 100 Small-Side Games booklet, you will be asked to sign to validate your attendance and receive your course completion certificate.  

This resource has been uniquely created for American and Canadian parent-volunteers and new coaches who may have limited prior experience in the sport of soccer.  At times, comparisons are made to the most popular North American sports.  Although the majority of the focus and discussion is on young (under 18) players, the insights and concepts presented are applicable to all soccer learners and other contexts as well (such as PE classes in schools).  The course is particularly relevant for those soccer parents and coaching volunteers who are unsure, or do not wish to undertake more formal soccer coaching qualifications at the present time.