Soccer Coaching Essentials: Building a Team

In competitive leagues, teams often stay together and play multiple seasons. This is often not the case with semi-competitive or recreation leagues, which makes it more difficult because not everyone knows each other or has played together.

Building a team like atmosphere is important for the success of any soccer team and should be a priority for any coach. Players can learn best in a non-threatening and constructive environment where they will not be chastised or made fun of when they make a mistake. They will be most successful in a positive environment where they receive support from their coaches and peers.

I’ve found the best way to promote team play and to a certain extent friendship, is to force everyone to play together.

When you break off into small-sided drills, don’t let the kids pick the teams! Do it for them because you can split up “problems” and make sure the teams are fair. Force kids that don’t talk to each other much to play on the same team together. Eventually their relationship, and the team’s togetherness should improve.

Over the span of the season you will likely have a few conflicts between players. Players often attend the same schools, or have played together previously and come in with a prior relationship. Sometimes people don’t get along. Also, it is important to note that there is usually a pecking order among teenagers, especially boys.

Your goal as the coach is to make sure this never manifests itself in practice. Do not let players criticize or pick on one another! If you notice any conflicts pull both boys aside, treat them as equals and make sure they squash it. Send them on a run together, and if one kid is picking on the other make sure that he knows that his actions are not tolerable. You want all of your players to feel comfortable when they come to practice because it will be more fun for them. If soccer is fun, they will more likely be able to learn and improve.