Starting Strong: 11 Must Know Coaching Tips for First-Time Football Coaches
- the-football-hub
- 4 days ago
- 6 min read
Stepping into grassroots football coaching for the first time is both exciting and daunting. Whether you're a parent-turned-coach or chasing your own football dreams from the touchline, one thing's for sure: you want to make a positive impact. But where do you start?
With so much to think about: training plans, team selection, dealing with parents, keeping kids engaged, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. That’s why we've put together 11 tried and tested tips to help you hit the ground running. These insights aren’t just theory; they’re grounded in real life grassroots coaching and will set you (and your players) up for long term success.
Let’s dive into the advice every new coach wishes they had on Day One.
1. Start with Why
Before you run your first session, take a moment to ask yourself: Why am I coaching? Having a clear purpose will shape how you lead, communicate, and develop your team.
Action: Write down your coaching values. Whether it’s enjoyment, development, teamwork, or confidence-building, refer back to them when making decisions.
It may feel silly, but you need to understand the value in your own journey and reflecting on "why" you started is a great way to begin. Many a time I have sat unbothered by having to go to training and put a face on (especially after a long day at work), but the satisfaction I get from the players development and enjoyment is my why, it keeps me going back week on week.
2. It’s About the Players, Not the Results
One of the biggest mistakes new coaches make is getting obsessed with winning. But youth football is about learning, growing, and having fun. Some teams will be all about winning and that's okay too but find where you fit in first. If you're just starting out get a handle on the basics of coaching like enjoyment and structure, there will be time for winning later.
Its all about finding the balance, some sites/blogs/coaching resources will tell you it's all about enjoyment but remember it's difficult for kids to enjoy themselves on the receiving end of a 10-0 defeat every week. This isn't to add pressure but to set expectations.
Focus on:
Equal playing time at young age groups, your weaker players now may develop faster than you realise.
Praise effort over outcomes, a hard working player is worth 10x one that thinks they can cruise by on early talent.
Prioritise development over trophies, find a league that challenges your players, not one you can breeze through.
Players will improve faster when they enjoy the game, feel supported and safe.
3. Plan Every Session (But Stay Flexible)
Great sessions don’t happen by accident. Always arrive with a plan, even if it was made sat in the car but be ready to adapt based on energy, numbers, or weather. Avoid turning up on the pitch with nothing to mind, it may look like a successful session but the reality is that there was probably very little value in it if you winged your way through it.
How to plan well:
Set 1–2 clear objectives per session such as improving technical ball control, developing defensive principles (see our blog on Mastering defensive principles for more info).
Include a mix of technical work and small-sided games. SSGs are great for improving decision making and adding competitive realism.
Over-plan by 10% in case you need to adjust, as you gain experience, it's always worth having drills you and your players know well, that you can fall back onto if something doesn't go to plan.
For help, why not check out our AI Season Planner to save time and build sessions that flow. We'll (well the robots) will give you 30 weeks of sessions, so all you have to worry about is delivery and adding that coaching value.
4. Create a Positive Learning Environment
Your energy sets the tone. If you’re positive, patient, and enthusiastic, your players will respond in kind. There's nothing worse than a team that dreads training because the coach is always shouting or unorganised and repeating the same old drills they had to endure in the 90s.
Ways to build positivity:
Greet every player by name, get to know them
Celebrate small wins
Keep instructions short and upbeat
Confidence and motivation grow when players feel safe to try, fail, and try again. Failing is where learning happens the most.
5. Know Your Players as People
You’re not just coaching footballers, you’re coaching kids. Each player has different personalities, strengths, and learning styles. Getting to know them is just like leading a team at work... some players will respond to tough love, others need a more gentle, guided approach. Understanding what your players respond best to is the key to unlocking their potential.
Build rapport by:
Learning something non-football about each child
Giving individual feedback
Using praise that is specific and genuine
The more you know them, the better you can coach them.
6. Simplicity Beats Complexity
Overcomplicating drills or using jargon confuses players. Especially with younger age groups, the simpler the better. When you're just starting out some drills can seem daunting, try coming up with your own, there's content everywhere but sometimes the best drills come from asking yourself what do I want to work on and how would the players learn that.
Tips:
Stick to one key message per activity, don't over coach if your working on defending stick to that! Don't stray into other topics as players will only remember so much.
Use demos over long explanations, a picture paints a thousand words right. Most footballers learn by seeing and doing so demonstrate by moving the player and moving the ball... not standing talking at them.
Keep sessions fast-paced and focused. Lose the lines, kids hate waiting their turn and if they're stood in a queue they're not learning or listening.
Less talk, more play.
7. Involve the Parents
Parents can be your biggest supporters or your most frustrating challenge. Get them on-side early. Keep them informed and get their thoughts, they have insights to the players that you won't see and will come from a variety of backgrounds. Parents being on side will also help when you need support, if you've engaged with them before they're more likely to help.
Do this by:
Holding a short welcome chat at the start of the season
Sharing your coaching approach and expectations
Encouraging positivity and support on matchdays
When parents understand your goals, they’re more likely to reinforce them.
8. Use Games to Teach, Not Just Drills
Kids learn best through playing the game. Small-sided, realistic scenarios develop skills and decision-making.
Examples:
3v3 with end zones to improve passing and movement
4v2 rondos to develop control under pressure
Conditioned games with constraints to guide learning
Make your training look and feel like football. Avoid static drills with players waiting in queues, if you are using these styles of drill, can they be broken down into smaller groups to maximise engagement time.
9. Stay Calm on Matchdays
Matchday emotions can run high. But the best coaches stay calm, clear, and constructive. Don't try and coach players when they're on the ball... they're busy and they definitely won't be listening. If you can use your talks to set goals and challengers, the time for coaching was during training, games are the test where all of that comes together and we make minor adjustments.
On matchdays:
Focus on behaviour, effort, and decisions
Use halftime to ask questions, not give lectures
Let players play, don’t micro-manage every touch
Be the steady voice on the side-line, not the noise that gets ignored.
10. Keep Learning and Reflecting
You don’t need to be a UEFA A-Licence holder to be a great grassroots coach. But you do need a mindset of growth. Don't get hung up on badges some great coaches are lower down the coaching ladder and I've seen some UEFA B holders that probably shouldn't be anywhere near kids football. Focus on learning and creating your own path, there will be plenty of time for coaching badges.
Ways to grow:
Watch other coaches, that you admire and trust are doing a good job
Join webinars or local FA CPD events, knowledge is power
Reflect after each session: What went well? What could improve?
Learning coaches create learning players.
11. Remember: You’re Making a Difference
In 10 years, your players might forget the scores but they’ll remember how you made them feel. They'll remember the highs and the lows, the days out, the tournaments and all of the joy the game brings.
Your job is to:
Build confidence
Spark a love for the game
Be a role model they trust
You have more impact than you know.
Final Thoughts
Becoming a grassroots coach is one of the most rewarding roles in football. It’s not always easy, but with the right mindset and approach, you can help shape confident, capable, and passionate young players.
As you start your journey, keep these 11 tips close. And if you want structured support to take the guesswork out of session planning, try our AI Season Planner built to save you time and help you deliver high-quality, age-appropriate training all season long. If you do want a more visual aid, check out our coaching library with a wealth of drills to help you at every training session or pre-match warmup.
Good luck, coach. You’ve got this.
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