1. At Training: Building Skills Through Fun and Encouragement
Training sessions are where the magic happens. This is your time to help kids develop their soccer skills whilst having an absolute blast. For children aged 6-10, the emphasis should always be on fun first, learning second—because when kids are having fun, they learn faster and stick with the sport longer.
What Should You Focus On?
Keep your instructions short, simple and crystal clear. Kids at this age have short attention spans, so save the long tactical explanations. Instead, focus on basic skills like dribbling, passing, shooting, and learning to play as a team. Every child should have a ball for as much of the training session as possible—waiting around for a turn is a recipe for distraction and boredom.
Make training sessions active and game-based. Kids don't want to stand in lines doing repetitive drills—they want to play! Use fun games with names like "Sharks and Minnows," "Red Light Green Light," or "Fill the Bucket" that teach soccer skills without feeling like work. Competition is your friend here: kids love races, challenges, and keeping score.
Should You Give Feedback?
Absolutely! But the trick is how you deliver it. At training, use positive reinforcement constantly. Catch kids doing things right and praise them immediately: "Great first touch, Maya!" or "I love how you kept your head up, Jack!"
When you need to correct something, use the "sandwich method": praise, teach, praise. For example: "That was a brilliant effort! Next time, try using the inside of your foot for more control. Keep it up—you're getting better every week!" This approach keeps confidence high whilst still providing valuable coaching.
Try "drive-by coaching" during games and drills—approach a player mid-activity and ask questions like "What did you see when you made that pass?" rather than just telling them what to do. This helps kids become better decision-makers on their own.
Our Performance vs. The Other Team?
At training, forget about the other team entirely. Focus 100% on what your players can control: their effort, their attitude, their improvement, and their teamwork. Talk about "controlling the controllables"—things like how hard they work, how they encourage teammates, and whether they're trying new skills even if they might make mistakes.
Build a growth mindset from day one. Replace "I can't do that" with "I can't do that yet." Celebrate mistakes as learning opportunities: "Did you see how you lost the ball there? Brilliant! Now you know what to try differently next time."
How to Keep Kids Motivated
Kids this age are motivated by fun, praise, and feeling successful. They want to play, not stand around listening. They want to feel good at something, even if they're still learning. And they want to feel like they belong to the team.
Use lots of encouragement and make every child feel valued. Learn their names quickly and use them often. Ask about their week at school. Remember what they told you last time and follow up. Kids who feel seen and valued will run through brick walls for you.
Keep sessions varied and moving quickly. If an activity isn't working after a few minutes, move on. It's better to keep the energy high than to force something that's lost the room.
TeamVibe tip: Use TeamVibe to track individual player progress and playing preferences. When you can show kids specifically how they've improved or let them play their favourite position, you're building that intrinsic motivation that keeps them coming back.
2. Pre-Match: Setting the Tone Without Pressure
The pre-match chat is your opportunity to get kids mentally ready without piling on pressure. Remember: these are children playing a game they love. Your job is to help them feel confident, excited, and clear about what they're trying to achieve—not to make them feel like the world depends on the result.
What Should You Focus On?
Keep it short—5 minutes maximum. Kids don't need a 20-minute tactical breakdown. They need clear, simple reminders about your team goals for the match.
Start with the positives. Remind them of something they did well in training or the last game: "You've all been brilliant at spreading out this week in training. Let's keep doing that today!" This builds confidence and reminds them they're prepared.
Set 1-2 simple team goals that have nothing to do with the score. Examples: "Today, let's focus on calling for the ball when we're open" or "Let's try to make five good passes in a row." These goals keep everyone involved and give you something specific to praise during the game, regardless of the scoreline.
Avoid overwhelming them with tactics. Instead of complicated formations, use simple language: "When we have the ball, spread out so we have space. When they have the ball, get close together."
Should You Give Feedback?
Pre-match is not the time for coaching or criticism. It's the time for positive reinforcement and confidence-building. Remind players of their strengths, not their weaknesses.
Use phrases like:
- "You've trained really well this week and you're ready for this"
- "Remember, mistakes are part of learning—we all make them"
- "Go out there, do your best, and most importantly, have fun!"
Our Performance vs. The Other Team?
Focus entirely on your own team. Don't talk about the opposition at all—not how good they are, not how beatable they are, nothing. Your pre-match talk should be about what YOUR team wants to do, not about stopping the other team.
Emphasize things within their control: effort, attitude, communication, and trying their best. These are the things that matter, not the other team's skill level or reputation.
How to Keep Kids Motivated
At this age, kids are motivated by feeling prepared and believing in themselves. Your pre-match talk should leave them feeling "We've got this!" not "Oh no, this is scary."
Use positive body language—smile, be energetic, make eye contact. Kids feed off your energy. If you're tense and serious, they'll be tense. If you're positive and excited, they'll be excited too.
End with a simple team cheer or huddle. Let the kids bring their hands in together and shout something fun. It builds team spirit and gets them pumped up to play.
3. From the Sidelines: Encouragement, Not Instructions
This might be the trickiest part of coaching young kids. From the sideline during the match, your voice has huge power—it can lift players up or completely confuse and overwhelm them. Remember: the game is theirs, not yours.
What Should You Focus On?
Positive encouragement, full stop. Your sideline communication should be about 90% praise and 10% gentle reminders of what you discussed before the game.
Cheer for effort, not just results: "Great hustle!" "Well done for trying that!" "Keep going!" These phrases work whether the player succeeds or makes a mistake—they reinforce that trying hard is what matters.
If you must give instructions, keep them simple and infrequent. One word or short phrase is all they can process in the moment: "Spread out!" "Look up!" "Well done!" But honestly, less is more. Kids are already trying to remember your training, listen to their teammates, watch the ball, and make decisions. Adding your constant voice to that mix often does more harm than good.
Should You Give Feedback?
During the game? No detailed feedback. Save that for training. What you say from the sideline should be encouraging shouts that any player can hear without breaking their concentration.
Studies show that children perform better when parents and coaches offer positive support rather than criticism or constant instruction. When kids hear conflicting instructions from multiple sources, it creates confusion and anxiety. Let the kids play their game.
Our Performance vs. The Other Team?
From the sideline, forget the other team exists. Cheer for your players' efforts and good plays. Don't say anything about the opposition—not negative ("Get stuck in!") and not even complimentary ("Watch number 7!"). The more you can keep kids focused on their own game, the better they'll perform.
Never, ever criticize the referee or other team from the sideline. Kids take their cues from you. If you're yelling at the ref, you're teaching them that it's okay to blame others and not take responsibility. Model the behavior you want to see.
How to Keep Kids Motivated
Kids are motivated from the sideline by feeling supported, not pressured. When they hear you cheering for them—win or lose, good play or mistake—they feel safe to take risks and try their best.
Call out specific players by name when you see good effort: "Great tracking back, Olivia!" "I love that hustle, Liam!" This makes every child feel seen and valued, not just your star players.
Stay positive even when things aren't going well. If you're negative or frustrated, the kids will pick up on that energy and it will affect their play. Your job is to be their biggest supporter, not their harshest critic.
Balancing Winning with Inclusivity
Here's the secret: when you create an encouraging, supportive sideline environment, kids actually play better anyway. They're more confident, less anxious, and more willing to try things. So by being positive and encouraging rather than demanding perfection, you're actually helping them succeed whilst also keeping the experience fun for everyone.
4. Half Time: Regroup, Refresh, and Refocus
Half time is a golden opportunity. You've got a few minutes with the team where they're actually sitting still and (hopefully) listening. Use this time wisely.
What Should You Focus On?
First things first: check for injuries and make sure everyone has water. Physical needs come before tactical talks.
Then, keep it positive and brief—5-6 minutes tops, and don't spend too long on any one topic. For younger kids, their attention fades fast.
Start with praise. Pick 2-3 things the team did well in the first half and highlight them: "I loved how we supported each other out there" or "You're doing a great job of spreading out and creating space." This builds confidence and reminds them they're doing okay, regardless of the score.
If you need to address something that's not going well, frame it as an opportunity: "In the second half, let's try calling for the ball more so your teammates know you're open." Focus on one or two key points maximum. More than that and they'll forget everything.
Ask the players questions: "What's one thing we did well?" "What's one thing we can improve?" This gets them thinking and involved rather than just sitting there while you lecture.
Should You Give Feedback?
Yes, but make it 3 positives for every 1 constructive criticism. Kids need to hear more about what they're doing right than what they're doing wrong, especially at half time when you're trying to keep confidence and energy high for the second half.
Use body language effectively—get down to their level, make eye contact, and use positive gestures. If you're standing over them looking frustrated, they'll shut down. If you're engaged and encouraging, they'll respond.
Our Performance vs. The Other Team?
At half time, the focus should remain on your team's performance and goals, not the opposition. Even if the other team is winning by a lot, don't talk about them. Talk about what your team can control and improve.
"They're scoring a lot of goals" becomes "Let's work on staying in our positions and supporting each other more in the second half."
How to Keep Kids Motivated
Keep the atmosphere upbeat. Even if you're losing, find positives. Kids at this age need to feel good about their efforts to stay motivated for the second half.
End half time with a clear, simple goal for the second half: "Let's see if we can make 10 good passes today" or "Let's cheer for each other even louder this half!" Give them something specific to aim for that everyone can contribute to.
Get them excited to go back out there. A quick team chant or huddle can work wonders for lifting energy.
TeamVibe tip: TeamVibe can alert you when subs are due during the game so you're not constantly checking the clock during half time. This means you can focus entirely on the kids during this precious break, not on doing mental maths about who needs to play where.
5. Post-Match: The Most Important Conversation
How you talk to your team after the match—especially in the first few minutes—will stay with them far longer than anything that happened during the game itself. This is where you can truly shape their experience of the sport.
What Should You Focus On?
Effort, attitude, improvement, and fun—in that order. Never, ever lead with the score (unless you won, and even then, be careful not to make it all about winning).
Start with something positive that the whole team did: "I loved the energy you brought today" or "You really tried hard out there and I'm proud of you." This sets a positive tone regardless of the result.
Highlight specific moments and individuals. Kids love hearing their name called out for something good they did: "Did everyone see that brilliant pass from Mia in the second half?" "Connor, you never gave up chasing that ball." Make sure over the course of a season, every single child gets recognized for something.
Should You Give Feedback?
Keep detailed feedback for your next training session. Post-match, especially immediately after, kids are still processing their emotions from the game. If they've won, they're elated. If they've lost, they might be disappointed or upset. This is not the moment for tactical analysis.
What you can do is ask them reflective questions: "What did you enjoy most about today?" "What's one thing you're proud of?" This helps them think about their own performance in a positive way without you having to pick apart what went wrong.
If you lost badly or there was a disappointing moment, acknowledge it briefly without dwelling: "I know that result wasn't what we hoped for, but you kept trying and that's what matters. We'll work on some things in training this week."
Our Performance vs. The Other Team?
Forget the other team entirely in your post-match chat. Whether you won or lost, focus on what your team did—the things within their control.
If you won, don't gloat or talk about how "bad" the other team was. Teach good sportsmanship: "We played really well today, and the other team tried hard too. Well done to everyone."
If you lost, definitely don't make it about the other team being "too good" or "unfair" in some way. Frame it around your team's effort and growth: "They were a good team and we learned a lot playing against them. I saw so many of you trying things we practiced."
How to Keep Kids Motivated
Kids need to leave every game feeling good about themselves and excited to come back. Even after a loss, your post-match talk should leave them thinking "That was fun, I'm getting better, and I want to do this again."
Be genuine with your praise. Kids can spot fake compliments a mile away. Find real, specific things they did well and highlight those.
For the post-match conversation later that day or the next day (if parents ask what to say), advise them to keep it simple:
- "I love watching you play"
- "I'm proud of you"
- "What did you enjoy most?"
- "What was the best part of the game for you?"
These phrases show unconditional support and keep the focus on enjoyment and effort, not performance.
Balancing Winning with Inclusivity
Here's where this really matters. After a win, it's easy to praise only the kids who scored or made big plays. Don't do that. Make sure you're recognizing defenders, supportive teammates, kids who showed great attitude, and everyone who contributed.
After a loss, resist the urge to focus on "what went wrong" or "what we need to do better." You have all week at training for that. Right now, these kids need to feel valued and supported, not criticized.
Should You Have a Player of the Match Award?
This is a tricky one, and there are good arguments on both sides. Player of the Match awards can be motivating and help kids feel recognized, but they can also create comparison and make kids feel bad if they never win.
If you choose to do a player recognition system, here are some tips:
Make It Inclusive and Rotating
Ensure that over the course of the season, every single player receives recognition at least once. Keep track so no one gets left out. The goal isn't to reward only your best player—it's to find something genuinely good about every child's contribution.
Use Values-Based Awards
Instead of just "Player of the Match," base awards on your team values: hard work, trying something new, great attitude, teamwork, persistence, respect, improvement, or encouragement of teammates. This way, you're not just rewarding the kid who scored three goals, but also the one who helped everyone feel included or who kept trying after making a mistake.
Alternative Award Names
Skip "Player of the Match" and use names that everyone can achieve:
- "Star of the Day" or "Shining Star" (everyone can shine)
- "Team Spirit Award" (for supporting others)
- "Try-Hard Trophy" (for effort)
- "Growth Award" (for improvement)
- "Positive Vibes Award" (for attitude)
- "Coaches Choice" (but be specific about why)
- "Captain of the Day" (rotate this so everyone gets a turn)
Make It About More Than Goals
When you announce the award, explain exactly why the player received it, and make sure it's based on things everyone can control—effort, attitude, teamwork—not just talent or goals scored.
"Today's Growth Award goes to Sam because he kept trying to pass with his left foot even though it's hard, and I saw him improve throughout the game!"
Consider Not Doing Individual Awards At All
Many coaches find that team-focused recognition works better: "Today our whole team gets the Good Teamwork Award because you all supported each other!" This builds collective identity without creating winners and losers within your own team.
Ultimately, the best approach depends on your team's age, dynamics, and what feels right for your club culture. The key is ensuring no child ever feels like they're not good enough or valuable to the team.
TeamVibe tip: Track individual player contributions throughout the season—who played where, who was captain, key moments—so you can ensure every child gets recognized for something real and specific they contributed.
Bringing It All Together: Building a Team Culture
At the heart of all this communication is a simple truth: kids this age need to feel safe, supported, and valued. When you create that environment through how you talk to them, everything else—the skills, the teamwork, even the wins—follows naturally.
Focus on controlling what you can control: effort, attitude, learning, and enjoyment. Praise the process, not just the outcome. Build a growth mindset where mistakes are celebrated as learning opportunities. And above all, keep it fun.
Yes, you secretly want to win. We all do. But here's the beautiful secret: when you prioritize fun, development, inclusion, and positivity, your team will actually perform better anyway. Kids who feel confident and supported play more freely, take more risks, and improve faster. And teams that genuinely enjoy playing together develop better chemistry than teams that are just focused on results.
Use tools like TeamVibe to help manage the admin side of grassroots coaching—player rotations, equal playing time, match day tracking—so you can focus on what really matters: building relationships with your players and helping them fall in love with the beautiful game.
Because at the end of the season, kids won't remember every result. But they'll remember how you made them feel. Make sure they feel proud, valued, and excited to come back next season.
That's what great coaching is all about.
Ready to make match day easier so you can focus on coaching? Try TeamVibe and spend less time on admin and more time helping your players thrive.