It is the start of a new soccer season for your son or daughter and they are ready to play. Everyone is looking forward to the new season only to find out there is no soccer coach appointed. Unless someone volunteers, the kids will not be able to play.  You can’t possibly do it because your to busy with work, running your other kids around to their sports and what do you know about [tag-tec]coaching youth soccer[/tag-tec] anyway!   Finally, one of the parents puts their hand up and says, I’ll do it.  Phew! You sigh!  All the parents are happy, someone has volunteered and the kids are happy, they get to play.  However, what do you really know about the person that has volunteered to coach your child this year?

This is a common situation across most youth soccer clubs and teams. Most soccer clubs have difficulty finding coaches.  I know the club I am involved with goes through the battle at the start of every year and it is generally the same soccer parents that put their hands up.  As soccer continues to grow at a rapid rate, more and more teams are being formed, requiring more youth soccer coaches. 

As a parent, you need to be aware that the role of [tag-tec]coaching youth soccer[/tag-tec] has changed, responsibilities have increased and there are specific requirements and qualifications associated with the role.  It is important that you know your coach, identify their qualifications and provide support as necessary.

Firstly, there are a couple of myths about coaching youth soccer that have been around for a long time: 

“I’m only a volunteer, therefore I am not responsible”

Approximately 90% of coaches are volunteers and are unpaid. All coaches are responsible for providing adequate supervision, a safe environment for soccer training and playing.  In addition to this, youth soccer coaches have a duty of care to their players, ensuring appropriate first aid and emergency treatment if necessary.

“If you have played the game, you can coach”

There is more to coaching than just knowing a bit about the game. [tag-tec]New soccer techniques[/tag-tec] and methods have been introduced.  Sport sciences (nutrition, physiology etc) are now a major component of a youth soccer coach’s role.  I recently read that over 80% of the coaches involved in coaching youth, have had no formal training in any aspect of sports sciences. 

As parents, we should not only be aware of the coaches qualifications but we all must be willing to assist and support our coaches, through funding if necessary, to develop their skills and further their knowledge and qualifications. We need to insist the administrators of our game provide those volunteers coaching youth soccer with the adequate training and support to enable our children to have the best coaching available.

Coaching youth soccer can be very rewarding but also very demanding. Youth soccer coaches are too hard to find, lets do our bit to help them and provide the support they need to develop our children in this great game.