Player to Coach: Is it Really That Different?

I graduated in 2018 as a student-athlete from Northeastern and began coaching soccer that summer. I was a young 22 year old and honestly had no idea what coaching a group of club players would be like. I was knowledgeable about the sport and had started playing when I was only three years old. This was never my concern; instead, I was nervous that the girls wouldn’t respond well to me. My first few camps and clinics were overwhelming; I didn’t feel like I was explaining the information well, I didn’t have much confidence in myself or in my voice, and I was struggling to gain the attention of all the athletes. One coach working with twenty or thirty kids was stressful, especially when they took one look at me and proceeded to ask if I was still in college.

With time and ‘practice’, coaching became more of a second nature. I recognized that my age was something I could actually use for my own benefit; I found new ways to relate to the girls, explaining my own stories as an athlete and my personal setbacks that I overcame. After all, most athletes eventually have to deal some kind of mental, physical, or emotional challenge; if a coach can help them through some of their problems on the field or court, the player may feel more comfortable and perform better. There is no question, it can be difficult to gain the immediate respect from young girls as a young or new coach. However, in my opinion, getting to know the athletes and showing them I care are two of the ways I have found some success.

Tracey Leone was the first American to win a world championship as both a US Women’s soccer team national player and a coach. She also coached for both Clemson and Northeastern University. Her soccer background is incredibly impressive and highlights her dedication to the game. According to her, the transition from player to coach wasn’t all that difficult; in fact, she was still playing with the girls during some of the sessions! This helped her gain perspective from the athletes in a unique way. Tracey says, “sometimes when you play in, you can see the areas where the individual players and the team are strong and where they need to improve.” She thinks that young coaches have the potential to garner a different kind of respect because you can learn more about how they function. Tracey was always touching a soccer ball. She found that she didn’t miss the game as much when she could jump in with the players.

Her advice for future coaches? Building the culture of the team and establishing high standards for good behavior is key. She believes this is more important than the results. Ownership is also something that should be reinforced as a coach; players need to take responsibility for their actions on and off the field. The most successful coaches find new ways to learn about their players and the game, and this is why she thinks taking coaching courses and watching other coaches speak and work with players can be extremely beneficial.

The transition from player to coach can be easy for some, but for others it can be a challenge because of the role change and the lack of involvement in physical participation. As Coach Leone said, stepping into practices and finding creative ways to engage can help smooth out the process.