Christmas gifts for soccer coaches

Soccer ball

Soccer ball

Every coach needs a soccer ball – one they can practise their own tricks with, or have in their trunk as a spare in case they need it at practice.

If you’re after a good, reliable ball, try this one. If you’ve got scope to push the boat out a bit more, consider getting this season’s MLS ball.

Soccer ball

Cleats

Cleats bag

You can’t beat a good pair of comfy cleats to walk round the soccer field in. Most coaches go for the all-black look. There’s a brilliant selection of black cleats here. Just make sure you know which ones to get – soft ground, firm ground, astro or indoor. If you’re unsure, firm ground is probably your best bet.

Cleats

Coach’s bag

Coach’s bag

A good coach’s bag is hard to find. You want something big enough to fit everything in, but not too big its cumbersome. And, you’ll need some good pockets in there so everything has its place. We like the look of this one. It’s sturdy, a good size, comes with a separate compartment for a ball or a pair of cleats, and even has a rain cover to keep it dry during showers.

Coach’s bag

Cones

Cones

Keeping a full set of cones may well be a coach’s biggest challenge! You can never have too many cones. And this set you can buy in different shapes and sizes.

Cones

Electric ball pump

Electric ball pump

This really is a game changer. This electric ball pump means balls are in shape very quickly, with little physical work required! It’s so much easier to use one of these than the traditional hand pump. Your coach will be thanking you for the time and energy this saves! Try this one.

Electrical ball pump

Stopwatch

Stopwatch

It’s not ideal to be looking at your phone or your watch all of the time when coaching, but timekeeping is an important part of it. An old-fashioned stopwatch might be just the answer. There are some good options here.

Stopwatch

Flat markers

Flat markers

Cones and flat markers – they may look very similar, but they’re two very different things! Flat markers are often hard to come by in a coach’s kit bag, but incredibly useful for marking out spaces, and offering guidance on the pitch. Have a look at this set.

Flat markers

Electronic whistle

Electronic whistle

The sound of a whistle, without needing to blow to get it! The electronic whistle is a great (much more hygienic!) addition to any coach’s kit bag. This one looks pretty solid.

Electronic Whistle

Laces

Laces

What about personalising cleats or sneakers with a special pair of laces? LitLaces have a lot of great options.

Laces

Tactics board

Tactics board

Often coaches will tell, demonstrate and show. Usually, the latter is done on some kind of tactics board, which allows coaches to move player magnets around and create scenarios. This board is a pretty good choice – a great size, sturdy, but still light enough to carry!

Tactics board

The ultimate coach development pack

The Ultimate Coach Development Pack

Most coaches have a hunger to keep learning – to improve themselves, their players and their teams. This coach development pack is a great way to help them do just that – with access to an online library, webinars, and two of the best coaching books on the market.  

The Ultimate Coach Development Pack

Water bottle

Water bottle

Coaching can be pretty intense. You’re on the go, and on your feet, often without much of a break! A good water bottle is a necessity in order to stay hydrated. This one is pretty cool – stylish and good quality.

Water bottle

The Long Audition

The Long Audition

It’s a book written for players, but with coaches in mind. Not only can The Long Audition help teach coaches about the game itself, but it’s also a useful tool for coaches to use with their players. Plus, it’s written by John Allpress, one of the most experienced coach educators and developers in the UK.

The Long Audition

Session planning book

Session planning book

Every coach needs somewhere to put their ideas, practices and match plans. With so many coaching notebooks out there, it’s hard to know which one to go for. We recommend the Duktig range – simply laid out and, best of all, most of them are waterproof.

Session planning book

Player magnets

Player magnets

These player magnets are pretty cool! They show player body shape, which means coaches can better use their whiteboards to show what players are doing, helping them to understand the importance of body position.

Player magnets

Whiteboard pens

Whiteboad pens

Another thing that it’s easy to lose – whiteboard pens! Coaches can never have too many. And this set is a great one – good quality with a variety of colours.

Whiteboard pens

Socks

Socks

Who doesn’t need socks?! Well it’s the same for the coach in your life. Something like this – usually in white or black – is a pretty safe bet for a coach may wear.

Socks

Cleat bag

Cleat bag

Cleats will likely see a lot of surfaces – and get dirty! A good cleat bag will mean they’re easy to find, but also kept away from other things. This one is stylish and sturdy.

Cleat bag

Backpack cover

Backpack cover

Soccer is an outdoor sport – meaning players and coaches often have to face the elements to play! There’s nothing worse than all of your stuff getting wet. Backpack covers like this can be really useful to help stop that happening!

Backpack cover

Lace covers

Lace cover

These lace covers are pretty cool – they’re available in loads of different colours and mean laces are held down, so coaches don’t have to spend any time worrying about them coming undone!

Lace cover

Cleat dryer

Cleat dryer

In wet weather, cleats (or any other footwear) can really take a hit. And often coaches will only have one pair, meaning they might even need them the next day! This cleat dryer is a great device to make sure cleats are dry and ready quickly!

Cleat dryer

LCD coaching board

LCD coaching board

A little twist on a regular tactics board, this LCD coaching board allows coaches to draw out scenarios by hand, then erase them with the push of a button. A really cool gadget that can help communicate messages to players.

LCD coaching board

Soccer trainer

Soccer trainer

It’s always good for coaches to have something a bit different in their equipment box for when they want to mix up sessions slightly! This soccer trainer is a great piece of kit – it can be attached to any size ball and used to help players with their ball control.

Soccer trainer

How I chose the best gifts for Soccer Coaches

I’ve pulled this list together as a way to help all of you looking to buy the coach you know is a special gift this Christmas. 

It’s a mix of stuff I own, I want, or that my coaching colleagues own and shout about!

Hopefully, there’s a good mix of ideas and prices – meaning you can get something no matter your budget. And believe me when I say, if someone bought me a set of cones I think I’d be just as happy as if they bought me a new pair of boots!