Soccer coaching tips on substitution

As a youth soccer coach, you need to be aware of giving all of your players the chance to play in matches. If you pick out the same players each week to sit on the substitutes’ bench their motivation and self-esteem will suffer and neither the players nor their parents will be happy!

One weekend last season, I watched a match with a friend whose son plays for an U12s team. He has been worried that his son is made substitute at every game and usually sits out at least half the match.

Before the match the team warmed up and were in good spirits, although the manager was worried that his ‘best’ player hadn’t arrived. The game kicked off, however. Three minutes later the ’best player’ arrived. The manager called my friend’s son off and the late arrival went on to play.

Even some of the other players shouted to the manager that he wasn’t being fair. My friend’s son slumped to the ground next to the manager and turned his back on the game. He had been so excited at starting the match, and the humiliation and blow to his confidence at being called off must have been enormous.

Key soccer (football) coaching points to be learnt here:

• Always treat your players fairly and make them feel good about themselves.

• If your players start the game, give them a fair amount of time before taking them off.

• Players should always warm-up for a match - going straight on is no way to prepare.

I know there are always players you can easily take off and players you want to stay on simply because of their ability and skills.

These decisions are never easy, but you have to put your players’ well-being above the result of the game. It’s also important to help all players develop their match-play soccer skills and they can only do this by playing matches.