| When looking for soccer lessons for your kid, group or | | | | 3- Does s/he come to practice with prepared |
| team, make sure you know what kind of soccer | | | | lessons? |
| trainer you're looking for. Those of you that do not | | | | Beware of trainers that show up to practice and "wing |
| know too much about soccer may fall prey to 'trainers' | | | | it". A good soccer trainer will come to practice with a |
| that do not know much (or do not care much) about | | | | detailed plan of topic(s) of the day and drills of the day. |
| making an impact on your kids' game. The following | | | | As a parent, you can ask for it at the beginning of |
| questions will give you an idea of what to look for in | | | | practice and see if the trainer did his/her homework. |
| soccer coaches/trainers: | | | | 4- What is his/her attitude like? |
| 1- Does s/he wear cleats? | | | | Your player(s) will learn more from an engaging, |
| As trivial as this may seem, it is an important question. | | | | positive trainer rather than a distant one that is just |
| Especially when working in individual training or small | | | | going through the motions. Soccer is a game. The |
| groups, soccer trainers should be involved in the drills | | | | trainer, as well as the players, should be having fun |
| rather than watching from the sidelines. | | | | with it. If you can tell the soccer trainer dreads being |
| 2- Is s/he licensed? | | | | there, maybe it's time to move on. |
| Having a license is not an absolute requirement to be a | | | | 5- Referrals, referrals, referrals... |
| good soccer trainer. In fact, a terrible trainer may have | | | | Do ask for referrals before agreeing to anything. |
| a license, but the opposite does not occur that often. | | | | Testimonials on a website are OK, but you want to be |
| Seasoned, serious trainers will more than likely have a | | | | able to speak with real parents/coaches who have |
| license. At the same time, one should not evaluate | | | | worked somewhat recently with the soccer trainer. |
| trainers by the number of licenses they have. At the | | | | I sure hope this helped! Let me know if you have any |
| end, it's not about the rank but the difference they can | | | | questions. |
| make in your players' game. | | | | |