What actually makes a good youth soccer coach?
Most soccer coaches would say they’re doing a good job — but when you look closely at how training sessions are run and how games are coached, the answer isn’t always that clear.
In this video, I break down the top qualities I believe every good youth soccer coach should have — from teaching possession-based soccer and avoiding sideline joysticking, to running game-realistic training sessions and focusing on long-term player development instead of short-term results.
If you’re a youth coach who wants to develop smarter, more confident players, this video is for you.
Chapters
00:00 Are You a Good Youth Soccer Coach?
00:32 Why Possession-Based Soccer Matters
01:29 Stop Joysticking Players on Game Day
01:51 Using Guided Discovery in Coaching
02:20 Let the Kids Play
02:44 Training That Looks Like the Real Game
03:04 Why Fun Matters in Player Development
03:30 Organization and Session Planning
03:55 Long-Term Player Development Mindset
04:17 Final Thoughts
This channel is about helping youth soccer coaches create better learning environments, smarter players, and more enjoyable training sessions.
Let me know in the comments if you agree — or if you think I missed something.
Good luck in your next game.
Hashtags
#youthsoccer #soccercoaching #youthsoccercoach #playerdevelopment
#grassrootssoccer #possessionfootball #soccertraining
#coachingphilosophy #soccerdevelopment
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Quick question for coaches:
Which of these qualities do you think is most important in youth soccer — and is there one you’d add to the list?
Awesome stuff as always Coach Jesse! I love to ask the kids 2 questions at half time: What's going well? and what do we have to do even better? After the game I never talk about the game, only shake their hands and say well done. Then next training spent some time and ask the same 2 questions. And yeah possession is nice, however it depends on a lot of things. Some times a good kick to the front and let your fast players sort it out works wonders. Looking forward to your next videos. Did you end up making already a vid with finishing drills?
I only disagree to the possession based soccer. It depends on the level of the players and what you want to obtain. Early on it's better to let the players dribble, shoot and play how they like. Enforce the VISION part of having the ball – the player should always consider all the options they have by scanning and thinking for himself, but if he doesn't choose the "optimal statistical play" let him TRY IT nevertheless. You want more responsible and creative players -> let them play free don't make them pass the ball if they think they can dribble his opponent even if the best decision would be to pass the ball. I see this often when coaches never let their defenders try anything out and tells them just to "pass it on". After they get used to and start demanding the ball and have confidence that they can do it, teach them WHY they want to do an action and not just because they feel like it's cool to dribble and have the ball. WHY I want to do this, WHAT I want to obtain by doing it and HOW I envision the play will go if I succeed. Get them to ask questions that will make them think about their actions. Not "having possession" just because I see others do it in top academies. INTENT matters more than the finality.
This is how you imprint and nurture confidence and responsibility. Of course you should teach them not to overuse it, but usually 1-2 dribbles before passing/shooting it's fine. This works especially on children that are afraid of doing mistakes or doesn't have confidence in their own ability. I usually tell them it's alright if they lose the ball – it's my fault because I demanded it even if it "cost" us the game. The objective is to GROW players not to win.
Hey Jesse,
I really agree with the most of your advice.
But here is one thing where I mildly disagree. A Possession based style of playing emphasizes passing skills, scanning and positioning.
However – if you decide to focus on that, you're leaving out the most difficult part in football: Dribbling, fainting & 1v1. Beside scoring, this is the most difficult part in football.
So this is something, I always prefer as a focus in training, because passing in comparison is much easier to learn. And passing/scanning in general best works in small sided games with some provocation-rules.
Pep Guardiola might disagree, but if you decide to focus on rondo and possession games, you always leaving out the most important part of football.
BR Jan
Thanks for the videos. Great advice. As for the AI clips, I don't find value in most of them. They are actually a distraction because they are awkward in their movements and facial expressions.
Most of my players will just loose the ball on any pass so possession play is hardly in our playbook 😂 would you advise to let them learn first touches while practicing, or focus practice for that group separately
Great video! I am now in my sixties and my eyesight isn't great. I played h.s. varsity soccer for five years and started coaching at ate 25. I feel like I am always learning how to be a better coach, and now that my eyes are struggling, I feel like I must compensate by making them better players in practice because I can't see the game as well as others. During the game I give limited direction. I am mainly looking for glaring holes to plug, giving general guidance like reminding them to scan, and being a cheerleader for good play.
Cool video. Gave me some ideas for interview questions we are hiring two youth coaches now. Good thoughts!
Thank you, Coach!
Thank God! I thought I was totally alone in this thinking.
Love it. Agree with all of it! Great job packing all that into a sub-5 minute video! 👍
Good stuff. There is an element of “clearing your lines” that is important of course. Not that you are against that, bet Xavi isn’t either. I’m one of few that believe professionals over possess. By how much? Not much. Still silly goals have increased but possession has truly improved. Now with the “high press” as an answer to all the possession… It all ebbs and flows.
Great stuff on youth soccer and in reality they are great suggestions for any soccer coach!
These are all great strategies but I slightly disagree with your take on possession.
Defenders in the Premier league are taught to relieve pressure in the 18 yard box by clearing the ball up field or out of play.
I teach my defenders to clear to the sides and take a corner if it will release pressure and stop a scoring chance.
Now out of the 18 yes dribble or pass your way out of pressure….