Four pieces to an effective soccer player

Category: Advice for Coaches

If a player is a puzzle, there are four pieces to that puzzle that make it complete: Technique, Tactics, Fitness, and Mentality. You as a coach are responsible for creating and developing these pieces.

Technique
A soccer player’s technique is all about how that player handles the ball. Has the player developed a wide range of ways to dribble, pass, receive, head, shoot, and tackle?

Tactics
A soccer player’s tactics is all about how the player “reads” the game. Is the player good at making quick decisions based on the situation? Does the player think ahead? Does the player anticipate a pass or shot?

Fitness
A soccer player’s fitness is all about how good of an athlete they are. Does the player have endurance, speed, agility, and power?

Mentality
A soccer player’s mentality is all about the psychological part of the game. Is the player aggressive and resilient? Are they competitive? Do they display good sportsmanship and attitude?

If you answered no to any of the above questions, you have not done your job as a coach.