Let's start with something basic and straightforward!

Soccer, like many sports, has certain rules that are not part of the written laws of the game. (Yes, they are called "laws" in soccer!) We might call these the rules of etiquette or fair-play. Some are very practical in nature and others are simply a part of the grand tradition of the game. Some evolved to enhance the enjoyment of the game for players and others to promote safety and sportsmanship.

I want to talk first about the field of play, or rather the area around the field. There exists on the coaches and players side of the field a space called the "technical area". This space is approximately 1-2 yards away from the sidelines ("touchlines" in soccer) and 2 - 5 yards away from the centerline of the field. Sometimes this area is actually marked with line paint but more often than not it isn't.

There are a number of important reasons this area exists, but first let's talk about the "rules" that go with this area.

Coaches should not leave the technical area during the course of a match unless, in the event of an injury, they have been specifically directed by the referee to do so. If the ref has stopped play for an injury and not called you on, please take just a second and ask for her permission before entering the field. By doing this you show respect for the game, the referee, and the other team. Most importantly you are teaching your players, by example, to have the same respect!

If you feel you must give instruction to the players from the touchlines, do so from the technical area. Unlike basketball or American football where coaches wonder onto the court or field to give instruction to players (or referees!) soccer coaches (knowledgeable ones) do not even go right up to the touchlines or centerline. They stay back and away from the center.

In addition, we coaches should never cross the centerline onto the opposing team's half of the sidelines. This is a serious insult and shows great disrespect of an opponent. A coach did this to me recently at a tournament game. When I pointed out her behavior and asked her to return to her half of the field, she explained that she needed to give very important instructions to her team on how to set up a corner kick defense on our half of the field because there was only one minute to go in the game and she obviously wanted to keep us from scoring. Please note; her team was up 5-0 and this was a U12 game! However, it was somewhat heartening to see that jerkdom in coaching is not the exclusive domain of males.

Players need to be coached to stay within the technical area as well. When players are about to be subbed into the game you should send them to the centerline and remind them to stay a yard back from the touchline. This rule serves a couple of purposes:

1. Because the subs are standing distinctly apart from both teams the center ref can tell at a glance if there are subs without you having to scream at her.
2. The assistant ref (the real name for the linesman!) has room to run up and down the field (but not on the field) without dodging players or coaches.

Recently I observed an assistant referee having to run behind players and coaches during a game. When I suggested she ask the coach, who had spent a good portion of the game actually on the field yelling, to step back away from the touchline so she could do her job she was reluctant. I thought it was due to the natural fear young referees have about correcting adults. Turns out the coach was her dad! Oh well, nice try!

In summary, remember and respect the technical area and help your players do the same. It will help create a safer and better managed game and give you a chance to teach your players an important lesson about "boundaries". It will also demonstrate your knowledge of soccer and your commitment to be the best coach you can be!

Don't read the rest unless you are a true zealot (and you know who you are!)

While your reserve (substitute) players are in the technical area (or on the bench) waiting to be subbed or warming up behind the technical area preparing to sub, have them wear your colored practice bibs over their uniform jerseys. This further distinguishes players from reserves and helps the assistant referee manage substitutes. This is especially helpful on fields where there is very little room next to the touchlines. Have the player take her bib off just before entering the field.

Thanks and remember: Coaching soccer is teaching life lessons using a ball!

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P.I.F.F – Passion Intensity Focus Fun

What is Passion.  What does it mean to play with passion, to be passionate about the game, to have a passion to become the best you can be.

Passion is defined by Webster as:  4 a (1) : EMOTION <his ruling passion is greed> (2) plural : the emotions as distinguished from reason b : intense, driving, or overmastering feeling or conviction
5 a : ardent affection : LOVE b : a strong liking or desire for or devotion to some activity, object, or concept

To play with passion is to play with all of your being.  This does not make passion and intensity the same thing.  Intensity in duration is driven by passion.  Passion is what maintains intensity when you’d rather not.  Being passionate about the game is what makes the times of shear work, fun.  It’s fun because you are not merely enduring, surviving something, but rather moving towards a vision, towards a higher purpose or goal.  Anson Dorrance’s quote about Mia Hamm describes training with passion to a tee:  “The vision of a champion is someone who is bent over, drenched in sweat, at the point of exhaustion when no one else is watching.”  That is passion.  It didn’t come from anything more than the personal quest to be the best possible.  Playing with passion is when you are playing and nothing else matters besides the match, besides what you need to do in it.  The fact that you’re tired doesn’t matter.  The fact the ref’s have missed the last three calls when you’ve gotten just mowed over and will be black and blue all over in the morning doesn’t matter.  The fact that you will be up till midnight or longer doing homework when you get home doesn’t matter.  Your boyfriend being an idiot on the phone on the way to the game doesn’t matter.  Conflicts with your teammates, coach, parents, or whoever doesn't matter.  The game is the only thing that matters at that time and there’s nothing anybody or anything can do to change that.

"Passion is one of the most powerful engines of success. When you do a thing, do it with all your might. Put your whole soul into it. Stamp it with your own personality. Be active, be energetic and faithful, and you will accomplish your object. Nothing great was ever achieved without passion."

— Ralph Waldo Emerson

Passion can not come from someone else.  A person can be inspired to act briefly, but passion can only come from within.  How many of you have ever seen a public speaker (minister, teacher, celebrity talking about some cause) that was so excited about the subject they were talking about that they easily got many or all of those listening excited about the subject too.  But after the speech, class, or sermon, when the emotion was gone, how many people were still as excited about the subject as they were at the time of the speech.  Very few, if any maintain excitement about something after being distracted from its’ focus.  Usually the only person still excited about the subject is the one who had the passion about it in the first place.

The same is true in sports.  A coach can deliver an outstandingly motivational speech before a game or a halftime and excite his/her players into a higher level of intensity.  This intensity will only last to the point of first set back.  Remember intensity in duration comes from passion, not inspiration.  How many times have you seen a soccer team come out on the field all hyped up, but then get scored on and the whole team deflates.  Momentum shifts all the time in team sports.  This is because the vast majority of players have a level of excitement, spurred on by inspiration, but not a level of passion.  Great teams, great players have passion.  Shifts in momentum come from those players with passion inspiring those around them into action.  It may only take one to do it, but it does take that one.

I never wanted to be one of those people who looks back and says, "I wonder if . . ."  If  I have a goal, I'll go out and set forth to achieve it.  When something is your passion, it becomes everything.  You put everything into it without hesitation. No questions. No doubts. Nothing to stop you.  Kim Fitchen - Cross-country runner and member of three U.S. World relay teams

That’s the P.

Coach T

If you read something above that you would like more information on, would like to chat about, or even disagree with, please contact me. The best way is via email: head.coach@northstarsoccer.org I appreciate any and all feedback and will respond to everyone who emails.