There are countless life skills that sports can help build for players and coaches ? communication, accepting criticism, working with others, and accepting a role for a common goal to name four. But dealing with adversity is perhaps the biggest. It’s also the “thorniest” as players (not to mention the coaches and parents) take the games to such passionate and emotional levels.
Listed below are several suggestions which may be of interest in helping one’s team to improve in the off season.
1. Hold a team meet with the returning players to set the goals for the following season before summer vacations. This will help the players to focus more on what needs to be done to achieve the goals of the team.
2. Meet individually with each team member to discuss areas to work on in the off season. Assign each player several things to work on.
3. Look for ways to improve the little things in your soccer program. Consider painting the locker room, adding new motivational signs to the walls, painting the goals, upgrading the equipment with new balls, new nets etc.
4. Bring in an outside guest speaker to speak to the team. Expose your players to business and civic leaders, financial planners and individuals to help your players speak in public.