Coaching Zone - advice
The FA provides a lot of good advice, from how to set up training sessions, to how to build relationships with your players. Read more.
Some general advice for coaching kids:
- Maintain safety and create a positive environment: Ensure conditions are safe - check the pitch, for example. Make sure kids wear the appropriate equipment, for example shin pads. Have a first aid kit ready, just in case, and make sure you familiarise yourself with where the nearest defibrillator is. Praise good play and good behaviour and always encourage
- Always maintain fairness: Young players especially need to know things will be run fairly. This means equal treatment of all players. Up until under-12 level, this includes 'fair minutes' meaning ALL players in the team must play an equal amount of time
- Be organised and prepared at all times: Arrive early and make sure things are set up ready for when the kids get there. This helps them feel welcome and comfortable and sets the tone for a 'professional' approach. Plan ahead and try and anticipate any issues. Bring the right equipment
- Communicate and build relationships with players and parents: One of the key things is letting all involved with your team know what is going on. Think to yourself 'would I want to know that?' and if the answer is yes, let the parents and kids know, when appropriate. This can be kick-off times, venues for matches or even when to pay fees. Get to know everyone involved in the team - kids, coaches, parents etc. Everyone is different and by getting to know people better, you will know what makes them tick
- Put fun first and foremost: We all like to win games, but this club prides itself on football being fun. If kids aren't having fun, they won't want to continue playing.
Get further advice on:
- Planning training sessions
- Medical requirements
- Safeguarding
- Working with others, including parents
- Planning matchdays
- Communicating effectively
- Managing your time as a coach
- Managing your emotions and behaviour as a coach
- Maintaining your wellbeing as a coach
You can discuss issues and get advice from other coaches on the FA's learning forums.
The FA also has created a bank of training session plans and ideas for all coaches of players of all ages. Read session plans.
To keep player and coach details updated, as well as downloading squad lists, use the FA Club Portal.
Prestwich Marauders FC
Founded 1972