There are so many people who would love the opportunity to get back into any sport they love. For those who have been around soccer for a long time, most want to become a soccer coach to give younger players a chance to really stay connected in the game.
How can a person become a soccer coach? It is actually easier than most people realize, especially when getting a foot in the door. Like anything, it takes time to move up the ladder, but there will be opportunities available for those who really want to.
These are the biggest tips on becoming a soccer coach and moving up the ranking system as quickly as possible to get to where a person wants to coach.
Have a Soccer Background
Although it is not required to play soccer at a high level, most coaches get a pretty good coaching boost by playing soccer as a youngster.
Generally speaking, the higher a person reaches as far as playing level is concerned, the better off they will be regarding job opportunities. People running teams seem to really love having players who have already experienced a high level of play. Not only do experienced players have real memories, but they know what it takes to get to the next level.
With that said, not all great players become great coaches. It is crucial to translate how to play to a group of players who might not be nearly as skilled. Being patient and teaching fundamentals can be done by various skill levels. Some of the best soccer coaches in the world were not world-class soccer players.
Have Coaching Goals In Mind
Not everyone gets into soccer coaching trying to become a professional coach at the highest level. For some, they just want to be the best recreational soccer coach for their child. It is fine to have goals, and this is the best way to start forming a path towards landing a job.
Keep in mind that the higher the position, the better the pay. Coaching can go from volunteers to those making millions of dollars a year, but there is a lot more competition for those higher-paying jobs. Some teams, especially at the college level, will also require things like a college degree, certifications, and more.
Do Not Be Above Volunteering
Even high-level coaches have started their career as a volunteer at some level. It is good for people to get their feet wet and maybe help out in ways that can capture attention for jobs down the road. There are so many different opportunities available for people, and it just makes sense to volunteer when possible.
Obviously, a person trying to make a living out of coaching cannot volunteer for too long. There is only so much time a person can go without getting any money. However, volunteer coaches are always looked at favorably when it comes to coaching at a smaller level.
Most of the youth league coaches are going to be in volunteer positions, and people do that in addition to everything else they have on their plate with work and family.
Network
There are coaching clinics at various levels all around the world. Soccer is a worldwide sport, and there are so many different ways to make connections along the way. Sign up for as many coaching classes as possible during the offseason, and do not be afraid to talk to those around.
Not only are coaching clinics great to meet new people, but it allows coaches to refine their ideas and approach to training as well. There are even online options for people to utilize if they can’t travel as much as they would like.
Networking is a big deal in just about any sport, let alone a job. In order for coaches to get their name out there and find a new staff that might be willing to take on an individual, there needs to be some level of networking accomplished.
It might not be in everyone’s DNA to network all the time, but without it, coaches are not going to move up as they want.
Become Certified
The way soccer coaching works, at least in the United States, comes down to getting different types of certification. Ranging from A to F, anyone looking to coach in soccer should have their certification done and ready before applying for any kind of job.
Coaches looking to stick to the youth club level will need a certification of E or F. National level coaches need to be in the higher ranges going from A to C. The certification process is a little time-consuming, as coaches will need to go to different workshops and classes to get everything just right.
Not only does it judge whether a person can coach soccer efficiently or not, but knowing some of the other skills like CPR and basic medical help can assist as well. When going between two different coaches out there, the certified one will always get the first look.
Going beyond certification is a coaching license. Coaches can apply for either a state or regional diploma so that they can coach at different levels. Having both a certificate and a license will open up so many different coaching opportunities than those limited to those without any credentials.
Put In The Extra Time
Just like when playing, coaches who put in the extra time and effort will usually see the fastest results. This means spending extra time helping to develop players, building relationships with everyone, and really providing a lot of value overall.
There are way too many coaches who are going through the motions, so those who are willing to put in the time are going to be able to capture the attention of somebody down the road.
Master The Essential Skills of Soccer Coaching
Beyond knowing the game, there are some basic skills that every soccer coach should have as well. Some might be pretty basic, but being well-rounded is a big part of becoming a qualified teacher of the game.
Communication
Every single soccer coach needs to have proper communication skills with their players. It is one thing to know all the training, but another quality to convey that message and keep everyone on the same page. A coach who can communicate will quickly lose their players.
Inspiration
Inspiring players to play their best and get the most out of their ability is a huge part of coaching success. Coaches can have all the talent in the world on their team, but they still need to put them together so that everyone is having the most success possible.
There is a reason why vastly inferior teams continue to beat better teams, and that mostly comes down to coaching.
Organization & Timeliness
Coaches need to stay organized during practice and games, and timeliness is a huge part of it. That means always being on time and readily available for any additional coaching that must go on after the team practice.
Organization will also prove to other coaches that it might be time to move someone up in the industry by giving them more responsibility. If a coach is not organized as an assistant, they will find it very hard to be organized as a person leading the team.
Patience
Coaches need to have patience with players, as well as patience with moving up in the industry. There are so many coaches who get very eager about moving up quickly, but it is just not going to happen for the vast majority of people. Coaches usually how to put in their dues, and they will start to get all the opportunities they could ever ask for.
When working with younger players specifically, players are learning the game at different speeds. Being able to be patient for the slowest learner, while also challenging the fast learner, is a big deal.
What Type of Money Is Out There For Soccer Coaches?
Getting into soccer coaching at the low levels is not about money. Most coaches are volunteers or getting a very small stipend to help out a little bit. The average coach at this level can’t survive off of what they are making with the team alone.
Becoming a licensed and certified coach for a high-level youth team, or anything about that, will start to get into full-time job status. Coaches just starting might not make much at all, but it can certainly rack up more and more.
College coaches are the beginning of those who start to make six figures coaching, and then professional opportunities are always out there that pay very well.
Why Soccer Coaches Need To Stick With It
Every soccer coach has gone through a time where they probably regretted going down this career path. It is certainly not for everyone, but those with a passion for the game will really get a lot out of the experience in general. Give it a try and see just what is out there as far as coaching is concerned.
