Common Football Coaching

Errors

Javon Charleston
 Football Coaching can be very rewarding, for
both the coach and the players.  What could
be better than a team you've trained, going
out and winning in style?  For many players
though, their coach is someone they fear, yet
desperately want to impress.
 As a coach, you might be expecting too much
from your players.  Can your team of 6 year
olds really last 90 minutes on a full size
pitch?  Is it realistic to expect them to win
their first game after a weeks worth of
training?
 No matter how hard they try, and how
enthusiastic they are, not everyone will be as
good as the star player.  As a coach, you'll
have to accept this, and find the other areas
where these players can shine.  There might
be a good reader of the game, or someone
who gets in good positions, or who can run
down the wing for 90 minutes, or who'd risk
his head to prevent the opposition scoring. 
 Getting frustrated with players won't help. 
Some of them won't share your passion and
enthusiasm, or simply won't be able to learn
the skills you want them to have.  It's up to
you as a coach to either teach them different
skills, or put them off playing football.
 Shouting can help motivate players at times,
but it's not necessary all the time.  Young
players, and those who are inexperienced will
make mistakes, and perhaps won't always do
their best, but shouting probably won't help.
 Sometimes a player will make a mistake that
can be very costly.  It's easy to blame the
player, but it won't do their confidence any
good at all.  Perhaps the striker shouldn't have
missed a sitter, or the keeper should have
saved that last minute shot.  The team should
win and lose as a team.  There may be areas
that can be worked on, so that individual
errors can be reduced.
 Coaching should be a pleasure not a chore.  If
you're not enjoying it, then your players will
pick up on this, and there enthusiasm and
performance will be noticeably lower too.  If
you don't enjoy football coaching, then
perhaps it's not for you.
 As a coach you'll need to concentrate on all
the players, not just the best players, or the
ones you like best.  By ignoring some players,
you can give the impression that you don't
care about them, and that they're not
important to you.