How to Become a Youth Soccer Coach

Are you looking to make a successful career in coaching youth soccer? Do you want to know how you can rapidly progress in the industry? If yes, this article will give you all the details you need to become a soccer coach. We will cover all the aspects so you have all the details for coaching youth soccer.

What Does A Youth Soccer Coach Do?

As a youth soccer coach, you will be responsible for enhancing your players’ skills, educating them on proper technique and safety, mentoring them, and providing encouragement and support throughout the season. 

A youth soccer coach is also responsible for managing team activities, scheduling practices, game planning with other teams, and enrollment in tournaments. 

Other responsibilities include:

• Manage the contact between parents and the organization and bridge any gaps
• Plan and organize special sessions to work on the development of the skills of the young players
• Make arrangements to increase the children’s literacy on a one-on-one basis
• Coaching an award-winning young soccer squad to many local competition victories and national league invites
• Keep up with the latest advancements in youth soccer by researching and taking part in additional training

How to Become a Youth Soccer Coach?

While there are no crucial requirements to become a youth soccer coach, you should have a specific skill set to ensure your team’s success.

Moreover, you need to have a proper education to fulfill the criteria. Let’s break it down for you in skills, education, and requirements for a youth soccer coach to give you a better understanding of it.

Education

The first thing you need to consider when becoming a youth soccer coach is the minimum education you need to have. Although it is possible to become one with only a high school degree, it’s better to have a bachelor’s degree. Some youth soccer coaches even pursue masters to improve their chances of landing a good job.

You must also have the correct major to become a youth soccer coach, such as Kinesiology, Business, or Health Education. You can choose courses that are helpful in management or relating to soccer, and leadership courses can also help coach soccer youth.

Skills

There is a particular skill set you need to have in order to become a good youth soccer coach. Here are some examples: 

• Communication skills: You must be a good listener and speaker. You must assess the needs of each child accordingly by listening to their problems. You can then work out a solution and adequately communicate with the child to resolve their issues.
• Game Day Management: On the big day, you should be standing behind the kids and giving them beneficial tips. You should motivate them and encourage them to display their best performance. Additionally, you have to be a role model for them of fair play. It’s best to stay calm and let players develop tactical solutions on the field.
• Interaction: Parents also have involvement in their kid’s games. Therefore, you need to have the skills to interact with them in the best possible manner. Engaging the parents can help you bring the best out of the player.

Requirements

The fundamental requirement for becoming a youth soccer coach is to be over the age of 18. Also, you need to have sound knowledge of the sport, techniques, rules, and regulations. 

A youth soccer coach has to report to the director of the youth and family sports authority for their particular area. In addition, you might also have to attend seminars, have meetings with relevant people, and deal with other things. 

You must also have relevant experience in coaching a young soccer team. If you have volunteered before for any other young soccer team, it can improve your chances of becoming one. If not, it’s best to gain experience by looking for some opportunities or internships.

Salary: How Much Does a Youth Soccer Coach Make?

The average salary per annum for a youth soccer coach is $38,139. Moreover, the job growth rate is around 11% which means you can expect more and more jobs to come in this field.

Some youth soccer coaches don’t get any money for their services since they work voluntarily. However, many youth soccer coaching jobs offer a decent salary for the services. 

Your Career Path

Now that you have a thorough understanding of how to become a youth soccer coach, it’s time to get started. Your first step should be to develop a strong network to help you connect with the individuals in the industry. 

At JobsInSports.com, our free Network allows you to create a profile and connect with people in the sports industry. You can also search and apply for youth soccer jobs to help further your career. Sign up today to get started.