Whether you’ve just started out or if you’re an experienced player, impressing your soccer coach is important if you want to get picked when match day comes around.
And while soccer coaches at all levels have their favorites, there are some things you can do to catch your coach’s eye and force your way into their plans.
So, without further ado, let’s find out how you can show your soccer coach that you should be selected for the upcoming match.
So, how to impress your soccer coach?
Impressing your soccer coach is about adopting a positive attitude and showing that you’re a team player. Of course, you also need to work hard and perform well, but coaches are often inclined to play players that they trust over those that they can’t. So, here are seven tips that will help you impress your soccer coach and ensure that you’re not left on the bench for the next match.
7 tips to impress your soccer coach
Train well
Your performance on the training pitch will influence how likely you are to be picked for an upcoming game. If you don’t show up to training or look uninterested during drills and exercises, you certainly won’t impress your coach.
However, if you arrive at soccer practice on time and commit to all the drills and exercises that your coach puts on, you will undoubtedly catch their attention for all the right reasons.
No matter your skill level and ability, there’s no reason not to try your best during soccer practice. You shouldn’t just assume that you’re good enough to play, as your coach will want to see evidence of your work ethic before picking you on the team.
Be a team player
Soccer is a team sport, and you rely upon your teammates to succeed. The best teams are those that have great spirit and work well together, and it’s often down to players’ individual attitudes towards their mates.
One of the best ways to impress your soccer coach is to show them that you’re committed to the team. You can do this by showing your support for your teammates in all situations and contributing positively when you’re out on the field.
Being unselfish with the ball and bringing your teammates into the game wherever possible will show that you have your team’s best interests at heart, and being willing to work extra hard when you’re in a competitive game will also impress your coach.
Always be on time
Turning up to soccer practice on time will keep you in your coach’s good books. After all, being on time is a sign that you respect your teammates and coaches, and being late will undoubtedly annoy your teammates.
Therefore, make sure you plan your journey to soccer practice ahead of time. Arrange your travel and ensure you have the right equipment in your bag before setting out from home.
If you can, try and show up to practice early and offer to help set up the drills and equipment. This will further display your commitment to the team and will help you gain recognition in the eyes of your coach.
Ask for feedback
The role of the coach is so much more detailed than merely picking the team. They are there to help you become a better soccer player. So, show them that you’re interested in improving by asking them for feedback.
They’re perfectly positioned to offer you constructive feedback based on your performances in training and matches, and you can then use this information to improve your game.
Your coach will be impressed that you have sought them out to ask them for feedback, as it shows that you’re willing to improve for the benefit of the team. This isn’t something that all players would do, and it is a good character trait to have.
Help out at soccer practice
When you’re playing amateur soccer, the coach is often overworked. They’re responsible for all of the arrangements, equipment, and setting up all the drills. It’s then their job to pack everything away at the end of practice.
So, instead of just packing your bag and leaving as soon as practice is over, consider staying around to help the coach pack away their things. You can use it as an opportunity to chat over a few things and ask for their advice.
By offering to help and developing a rapport with your coach, you will catch their eye. This can help you if you’re trying to break into the team, as they’re more likely to play you in a match if they know more about you.
Support the team when you’re not selected
Coaches learn as much about their players when they’re not selected as when they’re chosen to represent the team. There’s nothing worse than someone throwing a tantrum when they’re not in the starting eleven, even if they think they should be chosen.
Therefore, if you’re not picked for an upcoming match, consider going along anyway to cheer on your teammates. You can stand at the side of the pitch and show support for those that are playing in the match.
Not only is this a nice thing to do, but it also shows that you’re committed to the team and wants them to do well, even when you’re not selected. This will help you get back into the team soon and shows that you have a good attitude toward the game.
Perform on match day
You can try all of the above tips to impress your soccer coach, but if you don’t perform on match day, you probably won’t get picked. That’s not to say you need to be the best player on the field, but you need to show up and try your best.
If the coach sees that you’re committed and trying to help your team win, they’re much more likely to select you for future matches.
So, make sure you’re prepared when game day comes around so that you’re able to put on a show for your coach. The last thing you want to do is underperform, as you need to grasp any opportunity as and when it presents itself to you.
Recap: How to impress your soccer coach
You won’t be surprised to learn that impressing your soccer coach is all about working hard, showing up on time, and maintaining a good attitude towards your teammates.
If you follow the tips introduced above, you have a good chance of being selected for upcoming matches and will show your coach that you’re an important part of the team.