By Jon Scaccia
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Building Better Players: The 5 Cs Every Coach Should Develop
As volunteer and youth coaches, we often focus on technique, tactics, and fitness. But there’s another layer that can transform your team—one that goes beyond the pitch and shapes young players into confident, resilient individuals. It’s called the 5 Cs approach, and it’s rooted in research from Loughborough University and The FA.
So, what are the 5 Cs?
- Confidence – Help players believe in themselves by praising effort and creating drills where they can succeed. Even simple acts—like using a player’s name when giving feedback—build trust and motivation.
- Commitment – Reward effort, not just outcome. Let players set personal goals and celebrate progress. Ask: “Can the squad raise it 1 notch in the next 5 minutes?”
- Control – Teach players how to manage emotions and bounce back from setbacks. Use triggers like “Back on it!” or “Next effort!” to re-center focus.
- Concentration – Train players to focus on the right cues during games. Incorporate visual scanning, tight focus drills, and encourage mental discipline even when tired.
- Communication – Develop verbal and non-verbal drills that encourage teamwork. Whether it’s “silent soccer” or structured feedback between teammates, strong communication builds smarter, more connected players.
This holistic framework doesn’t just make better athletes—it builds better people. Implementing even one or two strategies from the 5 Cs can elevate your training sessions, strengthen team culture, and make your players more mentally ready for game day.
