(Playmakers on the Sidelines!)
In youth soccer, the game doesn’t just take place on the field. There’s a crucial learning opportunity for everyone on the sidelines—coaches, substitute players, and parents—that can help elevate understanding, engagement, and enjoyment of the game. “Keeping Everyone in the Game” provides a structured, fun, and educational way to ensure no one is left out. The following ideas ensure everyone, from the substitutes to the spectators, stays connected and involved in the game while improving future performances. In this article, we’ll start by focusing on how to keep substitute players engaged and mentally prepared.
Materials Needed for Each Substitute:
- Marker pen or pencil.
- Soccer field diagram on a clipboard or sheet of paper.
Assignments for Substitutes:
Let’s keep them mentally in the game, not just staring into space! Each substitute will chart or collect data on the player they’ll be replacing. Yes, just the one specific player and just the one specific topic …
⚽Charting – Track the movements of the player they’ll replace using a field diagram.
Before subs enter, ask them what to do and what to avoid based on what they observed and noted.
Tip: Use this chart to provide instant feedback to the starter and the substitute.
🕹️ Controlling – Markdown starters’ ability to 1st touch control the ball.
- Good control (C1+)
- Poor control (C1-)
- Record where on the field the touches occur.
Tip: For substitute, to see how critical the 1st touch is to become a starter.
🌀 Dribbling – Markdown starters’ ability to dribble the ball.
- Successful dribbles (D+)
- Unsuccessful dribble or turnovers (D-).
- Record where on the field the dribbling took place.
- Note how many players were beaten.
Tip: For subs to recognize when it’s smart to dribble and when it’s better to pass.
4. 🎯Passing – Markdown starters’ passing results.
- Successful one-touch pass (P1+) and unsuccessful (P1-)
- Successful two-touch (P2+) and unsuccessful (P2-)
- Successful forward pass (FP+), square (SP+), back pass (BP+).
- Unsuccessful forward passes (FP-) square (SP-) and back (BP-).
- Mark down what part of the field the passes took place.
🚀 Shooting – Mark down shot placement and outcomes,
- Successful shot on goal (S1+) -Keeper saved (KS) -Goal (***)
- Unsuccessful shot -Wide Right (WR) Wide Left (WL)
- Unsuccessful shot – Over the crossbar (OV)
- Mark down where the shot was taken from.
Throw-In: Markdown the direction of the throw and the results.
- Successful Forward (Ft+), Square (St+), Backward (Bt+)
- Unsuccessful Forward (Ft1-), Square (St-), Backward (Bt-)
- Mark down what part of the field the passes took place.
🧤 Goalkeeper: Markdown keepers’ distribution method and outcome.
- Successful Bowl (B+), Sling/Throw (St+), Dropkick (Dk+) Punt (P+)
- Unsuccessful Bowl (B-), Sling/Throw (St+), Dropkick (Dk+), Punt (P+) )
- Mark down what part of the field the ball ended in.
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Sideline Savvy
Giving your substitutes these assignments keeps them focused, cuts down on the usual bench chatter, and mentally prepares them for game time. It’s your secret weapon for dodging the “Wait, what position am I playing?” question! Plus, you’ll have visual and statistical info ready to give the player being subbed out, making your feedback even more impactful.
Feel free to get creative—create your own educational assignments that fit your team’s style! And stay tuned for the next article, “Engaging Parents,” for tips on keeping parents involved in a positive, productive way!
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Do you have any creative ways to keep your substitutes “In the Game”? I’d love to hear from you! Share your unique strategies and ideas for keeping the bench engaged and send them to me: koachkarl@fundamentalsoccer.com !
Let’s keep the learning going on and off the field!
