I'm coaching my fourth season of youth soccer here in Oregon. I have 15 kids on an U8 team. I enjoy watching your videos, and find them very helpful, and inspiring. I feel that I'm quite competitive, and it comes out in games. I do yell, but it's never shouting, or negative. It's usually encouragement, but at my worst, it's me telling the kids to spread out, quit taking the ball from their own teammates, or simply to pay attention, as the ball or opposing players go running by them. I'm learning to simply let them play and have fun. How do I let things go, while also being a good coach, that wants to mix fun, with staying competitive?
Can't thank you enough for your content! I was overwhelmed by the thought of coaching, but I did it for the kids. When they/their parents thanked me for teaching them more in one season than they'd ever learned before, they were thanking you! So, from my team and me, THANK YOU!
Every video is great Coach of Coaches Rory. Both maybes and training sessions for our little U8 rec squad keeps getting better thanks to you. Much appreciated. The stop joysticking and less yelling/coaching while the ball is in play is great advice and has had a noticeable impact. Takes the pressure down and the fun up for the kids.
Hey Coach, I just wanted to thank you for all you do. I played soccer my whole life, including several seasons of select, and never learned many of the things you are teaching. I have been coaching my son's rec team since they were u5. This season, in u9, with your help, I implemented build outs and rondos (lots and lots of rondos!) We went undefeated this season and qualified for the Tournament of Champions here in Texas. I am just dying with excitement to start the tournament tomorrow! Thank you again for all of your videos!
@@CoachRorySoccercoach do you have videos on proper stretching techniques for the kids before and after practice/games. I've been looking for videos and have come across something called dynamic stretching and just don't know what to go with. Also if you have any videos on goalkeeper training. Today is my first day taking over my daughter's soccer team and this will be my first practice with them. I've never coached and need all the help I can get 😅. Thank you.
@@izakh6680 I wouldn’t worry about stretching until u12. I use a pregame warmup you might want to check out. I don’t have any goal keeper stuff out right now. Hopefully will add some in the future
My problem is yelling & shouting while being emotional during the game but calmer during interval. My players/kids lack stamina, so I know they win games early otherwise it's either a draw or they concede in late minutes but I know position is their biggest strength they just don't & can't take shots no matter how much I preach about chances
Thanks for all that. The checklist will be very valuable. I coach AYSO and referee and there is always overwhelming joysticking by coaches. Overly emotional coaches, also. Thanks for being a great resource and a voice of reason about youth soccer. Our team is stacked this year so coaching build out almost never ended up being relevant to the games. We did it anyway but I'm not sure it stuck well because it never happened in games...
Thank you coach for rare and useful information! For me as a coach the most difficult thing is to find a balance between the result and the proper playing time for all players during the match. Any tips from you how to make subs will be appreciated.
Is your team rec or travel? For my rec teams, I plan out my subs for the whole game so everyone plays at least half the game. I usually have 2 plans, one that is if the starters so to speak are doing well and we’re up or we are playing a disorganized team and one if we are playing a more organized team and the less experienced players will need more help from experienced or keep my defense strong. And obviously sometimes it goes a little off script if someone is injured or something. For travel when the play expectation might be a little different or kids looking to have more set positions by definitely more of pressure for the “win,” if it’s U12 and lower, you should still be looking at all players getting a good amount of play time throughout the season. So I still plan my lineup for the whole game. But maybe a few games against a team that isn’t necessarily competition the players who are more substitutes usually get lots more play time. Regardless especially at younger age groups, the “result” should be development first before the win. And getting your players and parents on board from the get go is important. I tell my teams I don’t demand that we win. But I want you to play like you WANT to win.
@@tonicox4005 Thank you coach, I got the idea! Our team is a travel one, so players keep in mind the necessity of winning the game. I estimate their development through the level of individual quality.
One other thing so sometimes there’s games before and after hours we don’t have a lot of room or time to warm up maybe 1520 minutes would you do a mini version of the whole thing maybe maybe skip the building from the back and just do finding space passing drill and Rondo’s and then maybe shots on goal or just get to the pregame speech because time goes by quick thanks man appreciate you
Appreciate the content. I am struggling mightily in this particular phase of coaching. Gonna try these out to see if it helps me and my players. Can't be any worse at least lol
Thanks as always. You're helping grassroots coaches around the world. The yelling sometimes are hard to avoid at u7 to u10...😂. I do try and i feel embarrassed after all. I guess dealing with kids turns us into kids ourselves unknowingly...its weird!
Thanks for this Coach. I've adapted a ton of your exercises for my U16 team and they nearly always come off great. 2v1 battle-box is now a staple pre-game warmup. Do you have any expanded advice on halftime adjustments within a recreational framework when I have 7 subs and a 50% playtime commitment? I like in this video how you go for 1 in-possession, 1 out-of-possession, and 1 motivational. I've got the motivational down but I think I am drawn too much toward trying to create matchups and it overpressures the team with too much information.
Thanks for the kind words. So I would look at adjustments as trying to take advantage of a particular area of the pitch or perhaps a mismatch in terms of player positioning. You could do that even at rec. To be honest most youth soccer is really rec and should be looked at it in that light.
@@angelobenito-aguilar503 I’d say it depends on how quickly a player is adapting to a position. But a least 4-6 weeks. Also you can do a lot more switching in practice vs games. For example. I usually like to have my CB and FB (wings) switch out when ready. Same with CM and Striker. So if a kid has really got RCB position down I’d give them some time at right wing. Hope that help.
I am coaching rec soccer for 8/9 year olds. Been watching your videos and feel confident on this. Do you ever do anything on some rules fundamentals? Or have a good link on the best information on this?
I'm a U8s coach in England and we play 5v5 is there any tips or advice you would give I've been following and using some tips but obviously 7v7 is a bigger difference than 5v5
New AYSO coach here. Thank you so much! couldn't do it with out you
Good luck!
Thank you for making us better Coaches. Keep doing what you do🙏🏽
Wow. Thank you!!
I'm coaching my fourth season of youth soccer here in Oregon. I have 15 kids on an U8 team. I enjoy watching your videos, and find them very helpful, and inspiring.
I feel that I'm quite competitive, and it comes out in games. I do yell, but it's never shouting, or negative. It's usually encouragement, but at my worst, it's me telling the kids to spread out, quit taking the ball from their own teammates, or simply to pay attention, as the ball or opposing players go running by them. I'm learning to simply let them play and have fun. How do I let things go, while also being a good coach, that wants to mix fun, with staying competitive?
Can't thank you enough for your content! I was overwhelmed by the thought of coaching, but I did it for the kids. When they/their parents thanked me for teaching them more in one season than they'd ever learned before, they were thanking you! So, from my team and me, THANK YOU!
Awesome! Really appreciate the kind words.
Every video is great Coach of Coaches Rory. Both maybes and training sessions for our little U8 rec squad keeps getting better thanks to you. Much appreciated.
The stop joysticking and less yelling/coaching while the ball is in play is great advice and has had a noticeable impact. Takes the pressure down and the fun up for the kids.
*Both games and training. Weird autocorrect there. 🙂
Hey Coach,
I just wanted to thank you for all you do.
I played soccer my whole life, including several seasons of select, and never learned many of the things you are teaching.
I have been coaching my son's rec team since they were u5.
This season, in u9, with your help, I implemented build outs and rondos (lots and lots of rondos!)
We went undefeated this season and qualified for the Tournament of Champions here in Texas.
I am just dying with excitement to start the tournament tomorrow! Thank you again for all of your videos!
Hey fantastic!! Glad they helped. Plan on a bunch of new videos coming up just out the country currently until next week. Keep up the good work!
@@CoachRorySoccercoach do you have videos on proper stretching techniques for the kids before and after practice/games. I've been looking for videos and have come across something called dynamic stretching and just don't know what to go with. Also if you have any videos on goalkeeper training. Today is my first day taking over my daughter's soccer team and this will be my first practice with them. I've never coached and need all the help I can get 😅. Thank you.
@@izakh6680 what age?
@@CoachRorySoccer 9 years old.
@@izakh6680 I wouldn’t worry about stretching until u12. I use a pregame warmup you might want to check out. I don’t have any goal keeper stuff out right now. Hopefully will add some in the future
My problem is yelling & shouting while being emotional during the game but calmer during interval. My players/kids lack stamina, so I know they win games early otherwise it's either a draw or they concede in late minutes but I know position is their biggest strength they just don't & can't take shots no matter how much I preach about chances
Thanks for all that. The checklist will be very valuable. I coach AYSO and referee and there is always overwhelming joysticking by coaches. Overly emotional coaches, also. Thanks for being a great resource and a voice of reason about youth soccer. Our team is stacked this year so coaching build out almost never ended up being relevant to the games. We did it anyway but I'm not sure it stuck well because it never happened in games...
Keep trying!!!
I appreciate your videos - Paul from Australia
I love the 'less is more' approach to giving advice and having a systematic approach. I've definitely been that coach giving too much advice before!
Oh I’ve been there too. Learned from my mistakes.
Thank you coach for rare and useful information! For me as a coach the most difficult thing is to find a balance between the result and the proper playing time for all players during the match. Any tips from you how to make subs will be appreciated.
Is your team rec or travel? For my rec teams, I plan out my subs for the whole game so everyone plays at least half the game. I usually have 2 plans, one that is if the starters so to speak are doing well and we’re up or we are playing a disorganized team and one if we are playing a more organized team and the less experienced players will need more help from experienced or keep my defense strong. And obviously sometimes it goes a little off script if someone is injured or something.
For travel when the play expectation might be a little different or kids looking to have more set positions by definitely more of pressure for the “win,” if it’s U12 and lower, you should still be looking at all players getting a good amount of play time throughout the season. So I still plan my lineup for the whole game. But maybe a few games against a team that isn’t necessarily competition the players who are more substitutes usually get lots more play time.
Regardless especially at younger age groups, the “result” should be development first before the win. And getting your players and parents on board from the get go is important. I tell my teams I don’t demand that we win. But I want you to play like you WANT to win.
@@tonicox4005 Thank you coach, I got the idea! Our team is a travel one, so players keep in mind the necessity of winning the game. I estimate their development through the level of individual quality.
Great tips, thanks Rory
Great advice. Thanks
One other thing so sometimes there’s games before and after hours we don’t have a lot of room or time to warm up maybe 1520 minutes would you do a mini version of the whole thing maybe maybe skip the building from the back and just do finding space passing drill and Rondo’s and then maybe shots on goal or just get to the pregame speech because time goes by quick thanks man appreciate you
Great content…even from an FC Cincy fan. Can’t wait til next Saturday!
Good luck!
Fantastic advice, one of your best videos so far. Thank you and keep up the great content!
Thank you!!
Thank you! Great video
Appreciate the content. I am struggling mightily in this particular phase of coaching. Gonna try these out to see if it helps me and my players. Can't be any worse at least lol
Hope it helps! In game coaching is by far the most difficult.
👍
Great stuff. Your list is spot on. Any suggestions on to approach a player who is making fouls in the 18 yard line resulting in a PK?
Tough. Depends on situation but if they’re doing it repeatedly need to understand can’t foul
In box and to defense with body without fouling there.
@@CoachRorySoccer Thanks coach. Thinking of changing his position.
Thanks as always. You're helping grassroots coaches around the world. The yelling sometimes are hard to avoid at u7 to u10...😂. I do try and i feel embarrassed after all.
I guess dealing with kids turns us into kids ourselves unknowingly...its weird!
For sure. It is tough which is why I try to have a process. I’ve been guilty of yelling as well!
Thanks for this Coach. I've adapted a ton of your exercises for my U16 team and they nearly always come off great. 2v1 battle-box is now a staple pre-game warmup. Do you have any expanded advice on halftime adjustments within a recreational framework when I have 7 subs and a 50% playtime commitment? I like in this video how you go for 1 in-possession, 1 out-of-possession, and 1 motivational. I've got the motivational down but I think I am drawn too much toward trying to create matchups and it overpressures the team with too much information.
Thanks for the kind words.
So I would look at adjustments as trying to take advantage of a particular area of the pitch or perhaps a mismatch in terms of player positioning. You could do that even at rec. To be honest most youth soccer is really rec and should be looked at it in that light.
Thanks Coach, always very helpful! (Question: at U9 and U10, do you recommend to keep the same positions or move the players around in the same game?)
I’d stay in one position for a while to get them comfortable then move them around a bit. Constantly moving them makes it hard for them to understand
@@CoachRorySoccer How long? Half season, one third of the season?
@@angelobenito-aguilar503 I’d say it depends on how quickly a player is adapting to a position. But a least 4-6 weeks. Also you can do a lot more switching in practice vs games.
For example. I usually like to have my CB and FB (wings) switch out when ready. Same with CM and Striker. So if a kid has really got RCB position down I’d give them some time at right wing. Hope that help.
I am coaching rec soccer for 8/9 year olds. Been watching your videos and feel confident on this. Do you ever do anything on some rules fundamentals? Or have a good link on the best information on this?
Usually they figure it out with enough game time. But a good idea for a video!
Hi Coach, what exercises would you recommend to a 10 year old to strengthen his core? is it too early to worry about the gym stuff?
Yeah I wouldn’t worry about that stuff until U13 or so.
I'm a U8s coach in England and we play 5v5 is there any tips or advice you would give I've been following and using some tips but obviously 7v7 is a bigger difference than 5v5
Check out my futsal videos they are 5v5
Check out my futsal videos. They are 5v5
its great you play 5v5, the US should have the same model(5v5 instead of 7v7 and 7v instead of 9v9)
@@UHollisSome places do! Our rec leagues around here do
5 a side U8. It’s great!
@@UHollis Yeah we do 5v5 up until U8s then from U9s-U11S its 7v7 then U11-U12S 9v9 then 11 a side from U13s
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Thanks!