In a recent youth soccer game that I was coaching, a player on the opposing team made a defensive error. My team took advantage of the miscue, and we scored a goal. The other coach immediately yelled at his player, blaming him for the goal. It was loud enough for all the players and parents around the field to hear. The child also heard the comments and slowly walked up the field with his head down.

It Happens Often

Believe it or not, incidents like this one do happen in youth soccer. I have seen it happen over and over again in local soccer games. Nothing good can come from blaming and embarrassing a child on the soccer field. Coaches should never blame children for anything they do on the field.

Kids Do Try

Kids do try on the soccer field. They want to win. After all, that is the point of the game of soccer. So it makes no sense to blame a child on the soccer field. The last thing they want to do is make a mistake and give up a goal. And they feel bad enough when errors happen.

Filling the Emotional Tank

Coaches in the Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) are taught to fill players' emotional tanks. In other words, the best way to motivate young players is to praise and encourage them. Blaming kids on the soccer field just drains their emotional tanks in one shot.

The Magic Ratio

PCA also recommends a magic ratio when providing feedback to young players. They suggest giving five compliments to ever one criticism. By providing praise along with criticism, players are more likely to listen. On the other hand, a coach who only gives criticism will quickly be tuned out by the players.

Send the Right Message

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Positive Soccer Coaching: Never Blame a Child on the Soccer Field