Director of Soccer Coaching Duties

A good soccer coach approaches the job the same way that a good player does. You must be a student of the game, must have a desire to better yourself and you must be willing to respond to criticism and coaching. This is why almost every soccer club has a director of coaching to oversee coaching education and development, creating a success-driven soccer culture.

  1. Overall Vision of the Club

    • A soccer club must have a long-term plan for player and team development. The director of coaching lays out the club's philosophies and guidelines for every age range. Many clubs look to perfect passing, foot surface and first touch by age 11, then later on incorporate defending, shielding and one-on-one moves. By age 13, the club's philosophy may call for a stronger emphasis on tactics and group defending. The director of coaching determines the methodology and philosophy behind this long-term planning.

    Coaching Coaches

    • Providing coaching education is an important part of being a director of coaching. You are not just an administrator but a coach as well. Instead of players, though, you work with other coaches. Coaches can always pursue education on their own through the certification programs run by the U.S. Soccer Federation and National Soccer Coaches Association of America. However, some education must be available through their own clubs. The NSCAA also offers a "Director of Coaching" course. The director reaches out to other coaches within the club through coaching sessions, clinics, demonstrations and articles. You make sure the highest-paid academy and travel coaches and the novice volunteer parent-coaches receive education through the club.

    Player Development

    • The goal of a soccer club is not just to create winning teams, but to create good players. A club looks to send all its players to the next level, whether that be to the regional program, the Olympic Development Program, national program, the pros or college. The director of coaching ensures that the club provides several options for players. Players need topic-specific training, conditioning and a place to play in the offseason. Soccer has become a year-round sport in the United States, and all players within a club should have the same opportunities for improvement and development available to them.