A Coach's Journey: Life Lessons Learned from Teaching Youth Soccer

While coaching his son's under-7 soccer team, journalist Rory Smith realizes that the principles of soccer often clash with the imaginative nature of young players, leading to unexpected life lessons.

Coaching is often hailed as a way to impart wisdom and skills, but it can also be a mirror reflecting back insights about ourselves. Recently, I found myself immersed in this dynamic when I was tasked with coaching my son's soccer team, comprised entirely of eager children under the age of seven. Despite my years of soccer experience as both a player and a reporter, I encountered challenges that were both humbling and enlightening.

Our team's performance had become concerning—we were consistently conceding goals through avoidable mistakes. What was meant to be a fun, non-competitive introduction to the sport quickly turned into a learning experience, not just for the children, but for me as well. The children, who were not yet focused on competition, played with a spirit of creativity and freedom, often ignoring the constructs of conventional soccer strategy in favor of their instinctive play.

As a coach, I found myself wanting the children to execute the technical aspects of the game—passing, positioning, and tactical awareness—only to realize they were processing the game on a level entirely their own. Their approach involved adventurous dribbling and spontaneous passing, but it often led to chaotic moments in front of our goal.

In my effort to guide them toward “proper” soccer techniques, I noticed we continued to make mistakes. Goal after goal was conceded due to overly complicated play and an inability to simply clear the ball when it mattered most. In our attempts to instill strategic thinking, I slowed them down, but perhaps not in the way they needed. The joy of playfulness was at stake.

This predicament led to a revelation: teaching young minds isn’t about adhering strictly to adult logic. It’s about balancing guidance with the liberty to innovate. Children often learn best through experience, even when those experiences lead to losses. Each mistake was an opportunity, and every goal conceded added to their understanding of the game, albeit painfully at times.

Thus, my role shifted from a strict instructor to a facilitator of their creativity. I learned to embrace their unconventional methods while subtly steering them towards teamwork and decision-making. There is beauty in how children approach sports—with imagination and spontaneity. They are not yet burdened by the fear of failure, which allows them to experiment and learn in an unencumbered way.

This journey taught me that while strategy matters, allowing children to enjoy the game and learn through their actions ultimately enriches their experience. In catering to both their instincts and my coaching insights, I found the right balance: to encourage passion for the game while gently imparting the fundamentals of teamwork.

As our season progresses, I carry forward this understanding, committed not just to fostering skilled players, but also to nurturing young spirits who love the beautiful game as much as I do. And if anything, my son has taught me the importance of approaching life with an open heart and a playful spirit.