Top 10 gifts for soccer coaches this Christmas

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.

Electric ball pump

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

Cleats

Cleats

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

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

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

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

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

Cleat bag

Cleats 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

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

Lace covers

Lace covers

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 covers

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!