Coach Guide

⚽ YOUR ROLE AS A MINIROOS COACH

At MiniRoos level, our priority isn't creating the perfect footballer.

We want to create an environment where children:

• enjoy coming to football

• feel safe and included

• get lots of opportunities to touch the ball

• develop confidence

• learn new football skills

• aren't afraid to make mistakes

• learn how to be part of a team

• finish the season wanting to come back next year

Football Australia describes its coaching approach as player and learner-centred, with MiniRoos coach education designed to help coaches create an environment of learning and fun. 

⭐⭐⭐ FREE COACHING COURSES! ⭐⭐⭐

Here at Saints, we want to help you grow, and so our club is committed to funding any MiniRoos coaching courses for any interested coaches or managers at our club. CLICK HERE to find out more!

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❤️ THE SAINTS APPROACH

1. KEEP THEM MOVING
Avoid long lines and long explanations.
Whenever possible, have several small activities running rather than one long queue.

2. GIVE THEM THE BALL
Players learn football by playing football.
The more touches, decisions, passes, shots, dribbles and 1v1 situations they experience, the more opportunities they have to develop.

3. KEEP INSTRUCTIONS SIMPLE
You don't need to give a two-minute explanation.
Show the activity quickly and get them playing.
You can always make a small adjustment once they start.

4. LET THEM MAKE MISTAKES
Mistakes are part of learning. Instead of immediately telling a player what they should have done, try asking:
“What did you see?”
“Where was the space?”
“What else could you have tried?”
“What could you do next time?”

5. PRAISE THE THINGS WE VALUE
Don't only praise goals or the strongest players.
Look for opportunities to recognise:

⭐ Effort
⭐ Bravery
⭐ Trying something new
⭐ Good decisions
⭐ Teamwork
⭐ Helping a teammate
⭐ Trying again after a mistake

AND ALWAYS FINISH WITH FOOTBALL
Training should include plenty of actual football.
Small-sided games such as 2v2, 3v3 and 4v4 give players far more involvement than large games where some children may barely touch the ball.

❤️🤍🖤 ONE LAST THING...

You volunteered.

That's already a pretty important contribution.

You don't need to know every football drill.

You don't need complicated tactics.

And you definitely don't need every training session to be perfect.

Create a positive environment.

Learn your players' names.

Encourage them.

Give them plenty of time with the ball.

Let them play.

And help make Saints somewhere they look forward to coming every week.

🦅 WE ARE SES!