Impress coach with these 10 soccer tips

There are some players who know how to impress coach, and then there are some players who frustrate coaches. Not all of these have to do with playing ability. There are a few players I can think of who impress me because of what they do after practice. It’s a simple as coming up to me after practice and shaking my hand and saying “thank you”. These players are going to impress their boss one day or they are going to own their own business and impress many clients.

Good character in sports

Growing up playing sports teaches so much to the youth and adults involved. The youth not only learn from the coach and their parents, but also their teammates and the parents of teammates and opponents. If you want to have more playing time in the game, you need to impress the coach. Working hard and respecting everyone on the team is going to be a big part in that. One of the most popular blog post on my blog  is how to have good character in sports.

Sitting the bench in soccer teaches life lessons

Let’s face it, sitting the bench is not fun.  Besides it being boring, the feeling of not being able to help your team win is hard.  I remember sitting the bench in a pro game, which I really hated. I didn’t sit the bench very much, but at that level everyone has done it. Whether coming off an injury or a slump, we all have to learn to ride the pine. This is part of sports and life.  Overall communication, learning to control emotions and body language in sports, helps prepare you for the being a mature adult.  People who can act with this professionalism end up getting more opportunity down the road.

In life there are times that things aren’t fair, but most of it is all how you choose to react. Whether it’s in sports or in the work world you don’t need to act immature and show people that you are not happy. Of course you’re not happy if you are sitting the bench or you have to do some work you don’t want to. Remember you want to protect your personal brand. This means when other people are watching you need to be positive even in a negative situation. This doesn’t mean smile when you lose, it just means don’t sulk.

© matimix / Depositphotos.com

How to impress coach from the bench

Every game is different and coaches need different skill sets or personalities. Depending on how the team is playing that day or who they are playing against. But one thing I know is that when it’s time to make a sub the coach looks over at the bench, not knowing who he/she wants to put in.

• Use good body language and show you are supporting the team by not acting any different from if you are the starter.
• When on the bench watch the game and don’t talk or complain about other players. This happens from youth all the way to grown pro players.
• And for the college and pro players, it makes me wonder how your character is when you’re talking trash about your own teammates while sitting on the bench. This is one thing many grown ups need to change about their attitude and choices.

Just because you’re on the bench doesn’t mean another player is better, but maybe your complaining or body language is what’s keeping you from getting more minutes, not your skills.  Just remember it’s more than just being a good player, you have to also have to give respect to everyone and keep your personal brand strong. One thing I learned and am happy I didn’t have too many chances to become good at it was making eye contact with the coach when he looks over at the bench to make a sub. This shows the coach you are ready to contribute and are showing it by making eye contact.

Good body language will earn you more minutes in games

If a player has bad body language on the bench, he or she will probably continue doing so. The coach doesn’t want to reward a player to get minutes if they are sulking. Even if they are one of the best players. These are times when coaches give players life lessons. So some good advice is sit up straight, be interested in the game, don’t sulk, don’t complain about players on the field.  When the coach looks over at the bench for a player to go in, go ahead and make eye contact.  Look like you’re eager to help your team out. The coach will see it in your eye and hopefully call your name. If you are sulking or slouching it shows the coach that you are not happy with them. Act like a professional. We don’t have to be professionals, to act like them. This means doing and saying the right things even if you don’t want to.

Impress your coach with good eye contact

When coach talks make sure you are looking at him/her. Now I don’t mean you have to look at them the whole time, but make sure you are most of the time. For sure don’t be looking away or at someone else! And don’t look like you are bored even if you are. Sometimes coaches can talk a lot, but I am telling you if you show that you are bored or not interested it won’t earn you respect from them. Look interested in what you are doing at that moment. When it comes down to pick who is starting and you are tied with another player in terms of performance on the field. Make sure coach picks you because of your good character, which being a good listener is top of the list.

© matimix / Depositphotos.com

Does asking questions impress coach?

This all depends on if you have good questions or if you are questioning them. Most coaches like questions because it shows that the player really cares. Ask your coach how the game is different now compared to when he/she played. Or ask them about their playing days and see what happens. They might open up and really change their opinion of you. Sometimes it’s hard to get to know your coach and this is a great way to break the ice. Wanting to learn and show respect is going to get you more minutes and impress coach. Some players who are not teachable often times question what the coach knows. Not every coach is right all of the time. Make sure that when your coach makes a mistake that you are still respecting them as the authority. If you want to question them then think about doing that privately.

Practicing skills outside of team practice will impress coach

Whether coach knows it or now, practicing on your own solo or with a private soccer skills trainer you are going to improve. This alone is going to impress coach because you are improving while others are staying the same. By the way staying the same is really getting worse, so don’t think you are good where you are. You wouldn’t believe that even at the college level players are losing playing time because they were content and stopped improving. There is always someone behind us who is better, so make sure they are not working harder than you. Also college coaches check on their players social media pages to see if they are training outside of team practice or if they are hanging out at the wrong places. You have to remember coaches are going to go with players who they can trust, because the coaches job depends on the players performance. Players who train on their own to improve skill and fitness are always going to impress coach,  so make sure you are doing your part.

Learn to impress coach by watching older athletes

With all the technology we have in today’s world it really helps younger players learn from the older professionals. TV and social media allow us to see how players and coaches respond in good and bad situations. Make sure you learn from them. When a team loses or does bad, watch how the classy players and coaches respond to reporters. Then watch how the hot headed players respond. Think about how you would respond, and how it would effect your own name [brand]. Impress your coach by simply learning from older players and then transferring what you learned on to your field.

Working hard as a soccer player

If you ask 100 coaches what they like in players and all of them will say hard work as top 3. Hard work is contagious so the more players you have that work hard, the more motivated your team is. You don’t ever have to be the best, but you have to want to be better than you were yesterday. Always trying to improve, even if you don’t want to. There are days we all want to coast, but remind yourself to keep pushing hard. At the end of the day you want to look back and be proud of yourself for working harder than you really wanted to. This creates good habits that you will carry on forever.

Being early to soccer practice will impress coach

I remember showing up to practice or games later and I hated that feeling. You don’t want to be late because it’s disrespect to the whole team. It’s not easy for the coach to adapt the session or explain again. Most important thing is be consistent in everything you do in life, not just sports. Showing up on time is one of those things that goes along way. If you want to impress coach, show up to games and practice on time. If you show up late then once you are out of the car,  jog to the field and show that you are wanting to get involved right away. It shows disrespect to the coach if you just walk up, plus it lowers your personal brand. It shows the coach that you are not that interested which means you might pay the price on game day by sitting the bench. Remember to impress your coach you have to go out of your way to show the respect.

A young athlete with character keeps it for life

Again it’s not about just having good skills in soccer. You also have to have a good attitude so that you are teachable in both the games and practices. Some players act goofy in practice, but in the game want to work hard. This is not good enough. Young players need to understand that you have to practice like you play games. We need to build good habits on the field because it’s the right thing to do, but also it sets you up in life too. There are millions of adults young and old who don’t have high character and it’s their choice. You just don’t see too many young kids or adolescents be so consistent and well behaved and then end up being lazy or having bad character.