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Chantal Vincent knows that being a good soccer coach takes more than simply knowing the rules of the game. You also have to have excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

"You have to draw on a lot of common sense," says Vincent. "When you come right down to it, it's all about dealing with people. In my case, I coach youngsters ages eight through 10. I must use the experience of raising my own kids as well as the experience of once being a kid myself to reach these youngsters."

Having grown up as the eldest member of a large family (four brothers and three sisters), Vincent had plenty of experience with young children when she began raising her own family of three, now ages four through 10. Her love for soccer, influenced in large part by a soccer-playing uncle, was the reason she pursued a coaching career.

"I guess being a parent myself helped me to see how crucial it is to create a rapport not only with my team members but with their parents," she says. "Here's where that 'common sense' I mentioned earlier really comes into play. I have learned that the earlier I communicate my expectations to the parents and their children, the better the coaching process goes."

Honolulu-based coach Robert Barry echoes Vincent's emphasis on good communication skills. Barry has taught soccer in a variety of settings: at soccer camps, for college teams and for other coaches wanting to sharpen their skills. "I spend two to three hours a day as a part-time coach off-season and probably four to six hours a day coaching during the season," he says.

Barry says the best part of the job is seeing his players develop. "To watch them grow individually as well as team members is to know that, in some small way, I made a difference in their lives," he says.

"It is very hard not to involve yourself emotionally. This is a good thing, I think. But like many things in life, there is a downside to doing so," Barry says. "One of my players died in a car accident the year after he left the program. I almost quit coaching. He meant so much to me."

"Sometimes I think the skills a good soccer player must possess are underrated," says Vincent. "She must have great conditioning as well as a sharp sense for tactical plays. You know, most sports require good balance -- OK, you say, so what else is new! Well, that's on two feet. For soccer, a skilled player needs exceptional balance on one foot -- and she must have that kind of balance for shooting, passing and receiving!"

Barry is not shy with offering his recipe for coaching success: "You must learn the game, work harder than others and have fun!"

Vincent likes to recall some of the advice given to her by her uncle, her first soccer mentor: "A great dribbler relinquishes the ball before he's in trouble, not after; don't bully the referee -- she is human and sometimes makes mistakes like mere mortals do; any effort less than 100 percent will linger on to haunt you; and most importantly, find opportunities to thank your teammates -- you're nothing without them."

With 10 years of coaching experience, Vincent feels she can now pass on her own brand of advice. "I'm continually revising the list as I mature in my coaching skills," she adds. Here's her list of top five tips:

  • Plan your practices (even the very best coaches don't rely on intuition or luck).
  • Remember how to spell KISS (keep it simple, stupid).
  • Steal from the best. Watch other coaches regardless of their sport and try their techniques. If it works, consider imitation the best form of flattery.
  • Think of patience as food for the soul.
  • Make sure to put a big dose of fun into your practice sessions!

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