The Qualities of Successful Coaches
I am asked regularly why I am so passionate about coaching and developing soccer.
Our sport resonates with so much of the world's population; it's a true symbol of integration, hope and solidarity. It's the world's game, and it is played in nearly every corner and society on the planet.
Soccer has been the biggest positive influence in my life, from my humble beginnings on a council estate in the south of England. This sport has been the catalyst of my greatest memories, friendships and experiences.
The game has taken me to some of the most remote and remarkable places in the world and connected me to brilliant people breaking the barriers of history, race, culture and language; the ball always seems to do the talking, and creates a common place where all can find enjoyment.
In England, soccer seems to govern the culture. The majority of young players seek to wear their National Team jersey or play for their local professional club. As such, creating a career in the game was always a goal and a dream of mine. I had a definite desire of making a career in my chosen sport; still today, soccer is my all-consuming obsession.
The soccer climate and environment here in Washington and in the Pacific Northwest is as passionate as anywhere in the Nation. Washington State, and Seattle in particular — due in part to our Sounders FC franchise and its dedicated fans — has become Soccer Central, USA. In my travels and meetings with soccer leaders around the country, people have recognized our dedication and commitment to the game and the impact we have all made to progress soccer here in the USA.
There are so many coaching opportunities in today’s game, and we are especially lucky in Washington, being surrounded by our area's rich soccer culture. The future is extremely bright for those coaches who are dedicated to giving back to the game and who leave solid foundations of positive work behind them.
When I travel through Washington for different coaching seminars, meetings and practices, I see my own passion for coaching reflected in the work our state's outstanding coaches are doing every day. In this edition of the Technical Zone in focus, I want to help you prepare for the 2011-12 season by examining the common qualities that successful coaches possess, and the coaching resources available from Washington Youth Soccer to assist in further developing those qualities within yourself.
Qualities of a successful coach
- Idealists: Thoroughly enjoy coaching and have deep convictions concerning the value of soccer and fair competition
- Rolling Stones: Coaches who will move from position to position without any apparent goals in sight
- Climbers: Whose only goal in life is to reach the top in the coaching profession; these are coaches who will do anything to win
- Ambitious: Coaches that know their goal, and coordinate all actions towards its achievement
Which 'type' describes you best?
It will be helpful for your coaching development to identify the qualities that you think are important by comparing your thoughts with some characteristics of successful coaches (compiled by Brian Douge and published in Sports Coach).
The table below, which describes the qualities of successful coaches, can be used in following three ways:
- Isolating those desirable qualities that you as a coach would like to develop
- For club administrators, as a selection criteria when appointing a coach
- For you to realize that competent coaching is a learned trade, requiring hours of experience and gathering of knowledge
Consider each item in the table below and rank each on a scale of 1 (least necessary) to 10 (most necessary). In addition, give yourself a tick (strength) or cross (weakness) against each item according to your own perception of your ability (your strength or weakness) in that area.
| Knowledge | 1 / 10 | ✔ / ✗ |
| Knowledge of soccer and ability to use in coaching | ||
| Knowledge of coaching technique | ||
| Planning | ||
| Session plans for each practice | ||
| No surprises, players know where they stand on the team | ||
| Establishes rules & regulations for players | ||
| Flexible – able to handle disruption to the coaching session – playing personnel, training venues, travel, etc | ||
| Encourages players to set personal goals | ||
| Communication & Discipline | ||
| Keeps the team under control | ||
| Promotes good sportsmanship | ||
| Has the respect of all players | ||
| Is fair and consistent at all times | ||
| Refrains from embarrassing players publicly | ||
| Preferably uses reward systems to maintain discipline and occasionally use a consistently employed punishment strategy |
| Personal Characteristics | 1 / 10 | ✔ / ✗ |
| Sense of humor and compassion | ||
| Good listening and motivation skills | ||
| Thinks clearly in pressure situations | ||
| Flexible personality – able to coach over long periods of time and cope with different individuals | ||
| A model of socially acceptable behavior and leadership | ||
| Has enthusiasm to develop confidence in players | ||
| Assumes the role of a strong supporter of players and system | ||
| Genuine interest in the program | ||
| Has a strong desire to be successful | ||
| Consistent handling of problems | ||
| Patient | ||
| Seeks to improve | ||
| Attends coaching clinics, seminars and supports coaching accreditation | ||
| Aggressive in their approach to be competitive without being dogmatic | ||
| Presents an astute and confident image at all times |
| Mental and Physical Well Being of Players | 1 / 10 | ✔ / ✗ |
| Shows concern for the physical and mental well being of the players | ||
| Is a trouble shooter – keeps on the lookout for warning signs of stress, fatigue, injury and anxiety in players | ||
| Points out potentially dangerous situations | ||
| Finds ways to prevent injuries from recurring | ||
| Insists that players follow rules and safety regulations at all times | ||
| Removes players who refuse to cooperate and are a threat to others | ||
| Adjusts to match the playing levels of players |
Summary
Good Coach - Technical knowledge of the sport, which he/she incorporates into a highly organized, 12-month coaching plan.
Mediocre Coach - Has a superficial knowledge of the sport, but often thinks he/she knows it all.
Good Coach - Is capable of helping the player achieve their full potential.
Mediocre Coach - Cannot gauge athletic potential because they lack evaluative ability.
Good Coach - Builds the team on a foundation of individual skill teaching.
Mediocre Coach - Frequently becomes so obsessed with the overall team goal that they ignore basics.
Good Coach - Keeps up-to-date on technical and scientific advances in the game.
Mediocre Coach - Has no scientific curiosity and continues using antiquated ideas for the sake of expediency.
Good Coach - Is capable of adjusting their approach to fit their players' intellectual and skill levels.
Mediocre Coach - Continues using strategies that have worked for them in the past, regardless of the specific abilities of their players.
Good Coach - Hates to lose, but will not win at all costs.
Mediocre Coach - Hates to lose, but will not be circumspect about how their team wins, disregarding the cost to their players and themselves.
Good Coach - Teaches the long-range values of sports participation.
Mediocre Coach - Pays little attention to these considerations.
Good Coach - Does not let their ego distort their professional motives for coaching.
Mediocre Coach -Is highly egotistical and this is one of their prime motives for coaching.
Good Coach – Is proud to talk about all the players on the team and how they are developing.
Mediocre Coach – Talks about themselves and how the team's development is due to their coaching skills.
Good Coach - Gives full credit to everyone involved.
Mediocre Coach - Takes all the credit when the team wins and blames everyone else when they lose.
Good Coach - Is respected by all.
Mediocre Coach - Demands respect but seldom gets it.
Washington Youth Soccer provides many resources to help cultivate these qualities within yourself, and improve your knowledge of the game. I am constantly looking to expand my knowledge, learn from other coaches and make myself a better coach — only in that way can I best serve the players I teach. Here are just a few of the resources available to you as a coach in Washington Youth Soccer:
- Online coaching modules for U6, U8, U10 and U12 coaches
- State and National-level coaching courses conducted throughout the year, at various times and in nearly all corners of Washington State
- Online Coaches Handbook, including basic fundamentals, age-appropriate training and an overview of Washington Youth Soccer's Long-Term Development Plan
- Age-Appropriate video training sessions for U6 and U8 coaches
These links above are just a sampling of the resources available to coaches of all skill levels through the "Technical Zone" page at WashingtonYouthSoccer.org. As you prepare for the season ahead, take a minute to fill out the checklist above, and browse the resources available to you to help refine your passion, and make yourself an even better coach in 2011-12.