Coaching Tips from Coach Todd Messner

So many coaches struggle to get the most out of their players.  We asked Coach Todd Messner to share some tips on how he’s able to consistently create an exciting, challenging, and competitive environment for teams of all ages and skill sets. Here is what Seymour High School’s Varsity Soccer Head Coach had to say:

Where Do Kids Learn?

Sports are a great teaching tool. I have very fond memories of playing sports growing up. If it involved a sport, then I was captivated by it. It did not matter if it was a team sport, an individual sport, or me just practicing a sport by myself on my parent’s farm. It is for this great attention that next to my parents, sports have been my biggest learning tool in life.

As a coach, it is important to make the most out of the excitement level your sport creates for your athletes. If kids thoroughly enjoy what they are doing, they are motivated to give their best focus and effort which will lead to their greatest level of performance. All coaches are passionate about their sport and that is why they want to share it with their athletes. The best way to do that is by being connected with your athletes well enough to know what drives them. Why do they like the sport? What are their aspirations? Knowing this makes them feel important to you and the team. This knowledge that you gain allows you to create an environment that is exciting which leads to your athletes wanting to share in the passion you have with your sport.

The memories your athletes will have from their time with you and their teammates will last their whole lifetime. That will be the case whether they are good memories or bad. Surely, not all of them will have all good memories, but why not make it a priority to be the most positive influence in their lives that you can. Sports have inspired me to do many wonderful things in life and achieve success. If you use the inspirational moment in their life as a teaching opportunity that you have as a coach, then success will follow for both you and your athletes now and in the future.

Coach Todd Messner has coached Club teams for DePere Select Soccer Club and Seymour Select Soccer.  He’s also won 4 Conference Championships and 4 Regional Championships since starting as Seymour High School’s very first soccer coach in 2001.

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