Soccer Coach Resume Guide
Soccer coaches lead and manage teams of players, providing instruction on technique, strategy, and tactics. They also develop drills to improve their athletes’ physical conditioning as well as mental strength and resilience. Coaches work with individual players to help them achieve their maximum potential both on the field and in life by teaching teamwork skills, sportsmanship values, respect for opponents, self-discipline strategies and more.
You have a knack for teaching soccer players the fundamentals of the sport. But hiring managers don’t know about your expertise yet, so you must write an impressive resume to show them what you can do.
This guide will walk you through the entire process of creating a top-notch resume. We first show you a complete example and then break down what each resume section should look like.
Table of Contents
The guide is divided into sections for your convenience. You can read it from beginning to end or use the table of contents below to jump to a specific part.
Soccer Coach Resume Sample
Judd Herman
Soccer Coach
[email protected]
098-817-1348
linkedin.com/in/judd-herman
Summary
Talented soccer coach with 8+ years of experience in developing and leading teams to success. At XYZ, coached the U16 team for two consecutive seasons that won the regional championship and achieved a national ranking among top 5. Proven track record of increasing player performance through individualized instruction and feedback. Highly effective communicator who is passionate about helping athletes reach their maximum potential on and off the field.
Experience
Soccer Coach, Employer A
Fort Worth, Jan 2018 – Present
- Diligently coached a team of 20+ soccer players, increasing their overall performance by 25% and leading the team to 3 championship matches.
- Compiled detailed training plans for each player according to individual strengths/weaknesses, allowing them to reach peak physical condition in preparation for competitive games.
- Represented the organization at local tournaments and exhibitions; created positive brand awareness among parents & spectators through strong communication skills and excellent sportsmanship etiquette.
- Presented comprehensive pre-game talks on strategy tactics & techniques which optimized gameplays during competitions, resulting in 8 wins out of 10 matches throughout the season.
- Optimized coaching resources by providing feedback sessions after every match, helping players identify areas they can improve upon while reinforcing key concepts learned from practice drills.
Soccer Coach, Employer B
Memphis, Mar 2012 – Dec 2017
- Streamlined soccer training program for youth athletes, cutting down practice time by 35% without compromising quality of instruction.
- Reduced total budget expenses by $1,500 through careful management and reorganization of team resources such as sports equipment and uniforms.
- Reorganized soccer drills to increase players’ agility and ball control skills; improved average performance score from 6/10 to 8/10 within 3 months.
- Led a team of 15 junior soccer players in weekly practices, tournaments & competitions; secured 4 trophies across the season with a winning streak of 10 games in a row at one point during the year.
- Confidently guided students towards success on and off field through regular interpersonal sessions focusing on discipline, teamwork & sportsmanship values; developed their confidence levels significantly over 5 months period.
Skills
- Coaching
- Soccer
- Sports
- Sports Coaching
- Sports Management
- Teaching
- Athletics
- Teamwork
- Event Management
Education
Bachelor of Science in Sports Science
Educational Institution XYZ
Nov 2011
Certifications
US Soccer Federation National Coaching License
US Soccer Federation
May 2017
1. Summary / Objective
A resume summary or objective should be the first thing a potential employer reads, so it’s important to make sure you get their attention. For your soccer coach resume summary, focus on how you can help the team succeed. You could mention that you have experience coaching players of all ages and skill levels, that you are knowledgeable in various training techniques and strategies for success, or even highlight any awards or recognition your teams have received under your leadership.
Below are some resume summary examples:
Enthusiastic soccer coach with 8+ years of experience leading and motivating teams to success. Experienced in developing practice plans, analyzing game footage, and providing tactical advice on the field. Mentored numerous U-13 players who went on to represent their state at national tournaments. At XYZ School established a winning record by increasing team morale through positive reinforcement and individualized training programs.
Hard-working soccer coach with 5+ years of experience leading and managing teams from junior to professional levels. Highly skilled in assessing players’ abilities, developing individualized training plans, instilling team spirit and sportsmanship values. Seeking a role at ABC Sports Club to help young athletes reach their full potential while fostering an environment for learning teamwork and respect for the game.
Accomplished soccer coach with 7+ years of experience leading and developing youth soccer teams. Proven track record in building winning teams, coaching individuals to reach their full potential and increasing team morale. Skilled at creating comprehensive practice plans, motivating players to success, and cultivating a positive environment for athletes. Accredited by the United States Soccer Federation (USSF).
Well-rounded soccer coach with 10+ years of experience leading and inspiring players to reach their full potential. Passionate about helping young athletes develop a lifelong love for the sport, while also working hard to improve their technical skills and tactical knowledge. At ABC Club, increased overall team performance by 25% through comprehensive drills and lessons tailored to each individual player.
Skilled soccer coach with a focus on developing individual and team skills, strategies, and techniques. Experienced in coaching youth teams from ages 6 to 18 for seven years at XYZ Soccer Club. Led the under-14 team to two regional titles within four seasons as head coach of ABC High School’s varsity soccer program. Committed to creating an enjoyable yet competitive learning environment for all players.
Passionate soccer coach with 5+ years of experience directing youth teams and training athletes to achieve peak performance. Dedicated to creating an environment that encourages players to use teamwork, respect for opponents, and focus on strategy. At ABC Soccer Club, fostered team spirit by implementing a “no individualism” policy which improved communication among teammates by 30%.
Committed soccer coach with 8+ years of experience leading teams to success. At ABC Academy, developed a winning strategy that led the team to 3 consecutive regional championships and improved players’ technical skills by 20%. Passionate about helping young athletes reach their full potential while fostering positive values such as teamwork, discipline, commitment and sportsmanship.
Diligent soccer coach with 10+ years of experience in youth soccer instruction. Successful track record guiding teams to championship wins and developing players’ tactical, technical, physical, and mental skills. Looking to join ABC Club as the next head coach to continue producing winning results while inspiring a team-first mentality among student athletes.
2. Experience / Employment
In the experience/employment/work history section of your resume, you should list all of the jobs that are relevant to the position you’re applying for. This section should be written in reverse chronological order, with your most recent job listed first.
When writing this section out, use bullet points to make it easier for readers to take in what you have to say quickly and effectively. When talking about each role, provide detail on what exactly you did and any results or successes achieved while doing so.
For example, instead of saying “Coached a soccer team,” try something like: “Coached an under-15s girls’ soccer team through their season; led them from 5th place at the start of the season to 2nd place by its end.”
To write effective bullet points, begin with a strong verb or adverb. Industry specific verbs to use are:
- Coached
- Instructed
- Developed
- Evaluated
- Motivated
- Trained
- Scheduled
- Monitored
- Analyzed
- Strategized
- Recruited
- Supervised
- Coordinated
- Led
- Managed
Other general verbs you can use are:
- Achieved
- Advised
- Assessed
- Compiled
- Demonstrated
- Expedited
- Facilitated
- Formulated
- Improved
- Introduced
- Mentored
- Optimized
- Participated
- Prepared
- Presented
- Reduced
- Reorganized
- Represented
- Revised
- Spearheaded
- Streamlined
- Structured
- Utilized
Below are some example bullet points:
- Developed and implemented successful strategies to coach and motivate a team of 20+ soccer players, resulting in an increase of 10% in the win rate.
- Achieved seven unbeaten runs with three consecutive tournament wins over two seasons; awarded ‘Coach Of The Year’ for exemplary performance.
- Advised athletes on physical training regimes, dietary habits and mental attitude for optimum game performance; improved player agility by 35%.
- Coached all levels from beginners to professionals across 30+ games; created detailed reports measuring progress against set goals and targets.
- Consistently monitored individual technical abilities while encouraging team spirit through regular drills and practice matches within budget constraints (+$1k).
- Supervised a team of 15 soccer players, effectively managing day-to-day practice and game activities to ensure a positive experience for each player.
- Reliably trained athletes in technique drills and tactics while introducing the fundamentals of sportsmanship; increased overall team performance by 22% over 2 seasons.
- Prepared engaging lesson plans that focused on proper conditioning techniques to help improve fitness levels and reduce injury risk; decreased number of injuries sustained during games by 37%.
- Motivated students with an enthusiastic attitude, inspiring them to reach their full potential both on the field as well as off it with dedicated mentorship programs tailored specifically for each individual’s needs & goals.
- Monitored athlete progress throughout season through keen observation & assessment of skills acquired during practices/games; helped 7 out of 10 student athletes secure spots at top-tier universities around the country based solely on Soccer Coach recommendations alone.
- Spearheaded the development of a comprehensive soccer training program for over 50 players, resulting in an 11% improvement in overall team performance.
- Instructed group and individual coaching sessions to teach proper technique on passing, dribbling, shooting and defense strategies; developed the skills of 20+ athletes who went on to be selected by college teams.
- Formulated game plans that enabled our team to win 15 out of 18 matches during the season; increased winning streak from 10 consecutive wins leading up to playoffs.
- Effectively communicated with parents regarding their children’s progress throughout the year while also addressing any performance issues promptly and professionally when needed.
- Coordinated tournament activities such as registering teams, booking fields and managing travel arrangements for all away games; reduced administrative costs by $1,200 over 6 months period.
- Expedited the development of soccer skills among players, leading a team of 12 athletes to two tournament wins and a 20% improvement in overall performance.
- Managed all aspects of teams’ training sessions such as drills, exercises and conditioning; optimized practice plans for optimal results and reduced total preparation time by 30%.
- Strategized effective game plays that led to an increase in goal conversion rate from 26% to 43%, helping the team secure three additional victories during season play.
- Actively coached individual athletes on their technique, instilling proper sportsmanship while encouraging them to reach personal goals; observed a 45% drop in player injuries over 2 seasons due largely to improved skill level & awareness.
- Recruited new talent from local area high schools through outreach programs such as workshops and summer camps; increased number of participants by 25%.
- Utilized specific techniques and strategies to train over 100 soccer players on the fundamentals of dribbling, passing, shooting and ball control; improved team performance by 40% during league competitions.
- Participated in weekly practice sessions with athletes to demonstrate proper technique while providing feedback and assistance; increased player retention rate by 20%.
- Facilitated age-appropriate drills for youth teams ages 8-14; developed game plans that successfully won 25+ matches within a season.
- Mentored student players both on and off the field about healthy lifestyles, self-discipline and teamwork values leading up to graduation ceremonies where 95% were accepted into college athletics programs nationwide.
- Accurately tracked individual athlete progress through detailed scorekeeping records ensuring accuracy when evaluating performances or conducting tryouts; reduced paperwork time by 30%.
- Scheduled and coordinated over 100 weekly practices and matches for a team of 25+ players, ensuring that their individual skill levels were maximized.
- Structured practice sessions according to each player’s physical ability and technical skills, resulting in an overall improvement of the team’s performance by 10%.
- Trained athletes on proper nutrition habits as well as positional play techniques; developed 2 MVP awardees during my tenure who went onto collegiate soccer scholarships.
- Meticulously monitored game film footage to analyze plays and identify areas where adjustments could be made; improved overall win percentage from 40% to 62% within 6 months due to tactical changes implemented based on analysis findings.
- Analyzed opposing teams’ strengths and weaknesses prior to each match, designing customized strategies tailored towards exploiting any identified gaps or opportunities; led our squad into 3 consecutive championship finals with a 70% winning record against top-tier opponents throughout this period.
- Assessed players’ strengths and weaknesses through comprehensive drills and exercises, implemented individualized training plans to improve their skills by 30% over the course of a season.
- Introduced innovative strategies for team play that enabled players to increase shooting accuracy with 15+ goals scored in each match.
- Revised existing practices regularly to adjust according to game situations; improved overall performance rating from C-level teams to B+ level in two years’ time.
- Evaluated progress of athletes on an ongoing basis using video recordings & data analysis tools; developed detailed action plans for improvement within 3 weeks per player per season on average.
- Resourcefully employed creative methods such as audio visual aids, physical activities & group discussion sessions when teaching technical aspects of soccer; increased retention rate among players by 20%.
3. Skills
The skillset employers require in an employee will likely vary, either slightly or significantly; skimming through their job adverts is the best way to determine what each is looking for. One organization might require the soccer coach to have experience in coaching youth teams, while another might prefer someone with a background in developing professional players.
For this reason, it is important to tailor your skills section of your resume according to each job you are applying for. This will help ensure that applicant tracking systems (computer programs used by employers) recognize the keywords they are looking for and pass on your resume accordingly.
In addition to listing out relevant skills here, you should also discuss them further throughout other sections such as the summary or work experience area.
Below is a list of common skills & terms:
- Athletics
- Coaching
- Communication
- English
- Event Management
- Fitness
- Football
- Fundraising
- Player Development
- Scouting
- Soccer
- Soccer Coaching
- Social Networking
- Sports
- Sports Coaching
- Sports Management
- Sports Marketing
- Teaching
- Team Leadership
- Teamwork
- Time Management
4. Education
Mentioning an education section on your resume will depend on how far along you are in your career. If you just graduated and have no prior experience, include an education section below the objective statement. However, if you have years of coaching experience with plenty to showcase, it is perfectly fine to omit this part altogether.
If including an education section, try to mention courses and subjects related to soccer coaching that demonstrate a knowledge base for the job at hand.
Bachelor of Science in Sports Science
Educational Institution XYZ
Nov 2011
5. Certifications
Certifications are a great way to demonstrate your knowledge and proficiency in a particular field. They show potential employers that you have been tested by an accredited organization and are qualified for the job.
When applying for jobs, make sure to include any relevant certifications on your resume so hiring managers can see how well-versed you are in the subject matter. This will give them confidence that they’re making the right choice when selecting someone for the position.
US Soccer Federation National Coaching License
US Soccer Federation
May 2017
6. Contact Info
Your name should be the first thing a reader sees when viewing your resume, so ensure its positioning is prominent. Your phone number should be written in the most commonly used format in your country/city/state, and your email address should be professional.
You can also choose to include a link to your LinkedIn profile, personal website, or other online platforms relevant to your industry.
Finally, name your resume file appropriately to help hiring managers; for Judd Herman, this would be Judd-Herman-resume.pdf or Judd-Herman-resume.docx.
7. Cover Letter
Cover letters are an essential part of the job application process and can help you stand out from other candidates. They provide recruiters with a more detailed insight into who you are, your experiences and why you are well-suited for the role.
Cover letters usually consist of 2 to 4 paragraphs that complement your resume. It is important to make sure it’s tailored specifically to the position being applied for, as this will demonstrate how serious you are about getting hired. Whilst cover letters may not always be required when applying for jobs, they certainly give applicants an edge over their competition if done correctly!
Below is an example cover letter:
Dear Shayne,
I am writing to apply for the position of soccer coach at XYZ High School. I have been coaching youth soccer teams for the past 10 years and have experience working with players of all ages and skill levels. I am confident that I can provide your team with the guidance and support they need to be successful both on and off the field.
In my previous role as head coach of the XYZ Soccer Club, I led our under-18 team to a state championship title. This required me to effectively manage a large group of athletes while also teaching them important life skills such as teamwork, sportsmanship, and dedication. My ability to connect with my players and help them reach their full potential is what sets me apart from other coaches.
I understand that XYZ High School places a strong emphasis on academics, and I fully support this goal. In addition to helping my players develop their soccer skills, I also make sure they are staying on top of their studies so that they can succeed in school. Many of my former players have gone on to play college soccer while also earning degrees from some of the country’s top schools.
If given the opportunity, I am confident that I can help your team achieve success both on and off the field. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or would like to discuss this further. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Judd