How To Become an Assistant Soccer Coach: Step-by-Step Guide

Soccer is a popular sport worldwide, and assistant soccer coaches play an important role in helping teams train and prepare for matches. If you are interested in working with a soccer team, becoming an assistant coach may be the perfect career for you. In this article, we discuss what an assistant soccer coach does, the average salary and how to become one.

What Does an Assistant Soccer Coach Do?

An assistant soccer coach typically works under the head coach to help with game strategy, player development and other team-related duties. They may also be responsible for leading practices and managing players when the head coach is not present. The specific duties of an assistant soccer coach can vary depending on the level they are coaching at, but some common duties include:

• Helping the head coach develop game strategies
• Leading drills and practices when the head coach is not present
• Managing players during games and keeping them focused on the task at hand
• Motivating players to do their best and stay positive
• Keeping track of player statistics and performance
• Identifying areas where players need improvement
• Helping players correct mistakes and improve their skills
• Communicating with parents about their child’s progress
• Attending team meetings and helping to make decisions about team policies

Assistant Soccer Coach Salary and Job Outlook

The average salary for an assistant soccer coach is $58,195. This figure can vary based on the level of experience, education, industry and geographical location of the coach.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects job prospects for assistant soccer coaches to increase at a much faster than average rate over the next decade. This is due in part to the growing popularity of the sport. As more people become interested in playing and watching soccer, there will be a greater need for coaches at all levels of the sport.

How to Become an Assistant Soccer Coach

Here are several steps you should take to become an assistant soccer coach.

1. Earn a bachelor’s degree in sports science or related field

A bachelor’s degree is the minimum education requirement for assistant soccer coaches. A sports science or exercise science major can provide you with the knowledge of how the body works and how to train it that you need to be a coach.

You may also consider pursuing a Master’s Degree in Sports Coaching, which will give you an edge over other candidates when applying for jobs.

2. Gain experience playing soccer at the high school, collegiate, or professional level

While it is not necessary to have played soccer at a high level to become an assistant soccer coach, having experience playing the sport can help you relate to players and understand what they are going through on the field. Having this personal experience also helps you demonstrate proper technique when teaching players how to play the game.

If you don’t have any experience playing soccer, consider joining a recreational league or team so that you can develop your skills and make connections in the sports industry. You may even be able to get paid for playing if you join a professional league.

3. Develop strong coaching and leadership skills

As a soccer coach, you must be able to lead your players and motivate them to perform their best. You should also have strong communication skills so that you can direct them where they need to be on the field and keep them engaged in the game. A good way to develop these skills is by taking classes or workshops offered through your college or university’s sports science department. Many schools also offer courses specifically designed for assistant soccer coaches.

4. Understand the rules of the game and how to teach them to players

Soccer is a complex sport with many rules and regulations that players and coaches must follow. It’s important for assistant soccer coaches to understand these rules so they can teach them to their players. For example, an assistant coach should know how the offside rule works so they can help players avoid violating it during games.

It may also be helpful for assistant soccer coaches to learn about the laws of the game, which are guidelines set by FIFA, the international governing body of soccer, that all teams and players must follow. These include things like what equipment players need and where they’re allowed to play on the field.

5. Create practice drills and game plans

As a coach, you must create practice drills and game plans that help players improve their skills. A good way to start is by developing an overall strategy for the team, then creating drills and games to help them implement it. For example, if your team needs to work on passing quickly and accurately, you might create a drill where they pass a ball back and forth between each other as fast as possible.

You should also develop strategies for how you want your team to play in different situations during a game. For example, you may decide that when you’re leading with five minutes left in the game, you want your team to focus on defense rather than offense.

6. Motivate players to perform their best

Soccer is a team sport, so it’s important to motivate players to work together and support one another. You can do this by encouraging them to give their best performance during practice and games, praising them when they do well and providing constructive feedback when they need improvement.

You should also create an environment where players feel comfortable expressing themselves and trying new things. This will help them grow as soccer players and develop confidence in their abilities.

7. Stay up to date on changes in the sport

Soccer is a constantly evolving sport, and new rules and regulations are introduced frequently. It’s important for assistant soccer coaches to stay up to date on these changes so they can apply them in their practices and games. For example, the FIFA Women’s World Cup was recently held in France, where teams were allowed seven substitutes instead of the usual three.

It’s also important for assistant soccer coaches to know how other teams train and play so they can better prepare their own team.