How Much Do Youth Soccer Players Actually Hear from Coaches During Games?

You’ve seen it on the sidelines: coaches pacing, shouting instructions, guiding every pass and run. But here’s the uncomfortable truth—most of it isn’t being heard. Especially in youth soccer, the game-day chaos and cognitive limitations of young players mean that very little sideline coach

ing is actually received or processed during live play.

The Reality: Players Aren’t Tuning You Out—They Just Can’t Hear You

Youth soccer games are noisy, fast, and full of distractions. Players are focused on the ball, opponents, teammates, and their own movement. Multiple studies, including neuroscience research from University College London, show that during visually demanding tasks (like playing soccer), the brain reduces its response to sound. It’s called "inattentional deafness"—and it’s real (Lavie et al., Journal of Neuroscience). So when your U10 fullback doesn’t react to "Get wide!", it’s not defiance. It’s biology.

Attention Span and Overload

Even if they do hear you, most young players have an attention span of less than 30 seconds during game activity. Long instructions or multiple corrections? Gone. Coach Bill Archer and others note that kids simply can't process lengthy verbal cues in live situations (BigSoccer Forums). Add high heart rates and the stress of competition, and their brains aren’t primed for learning or absorbing new information.

According to U.S. Youth Soccer’s Brain Centered Training, high physical loads reduce the ability to retain tactical input. Over-coaching in the moment can even interfere with motor skills, causing what some call "paralysis by analysis."

Mark O’Sullivan of AIK Stockholm often highlights the importance of the player's perspective in his work on ecological dynamics. He emphasizes that young athletes experience the game through their own perceptions—not through an adult lens. Instructions shouted from the sideline may not only fail to register but may also conflict with the player's own interpretation of the situation.

Similarly, Martin Vik from the Norwegian Football Federation (and Check! Football) advocates for coaches to view players as problem-solvers. On several occasions, he has discussed the importance of creating environments that foster decision-making rather than ones dominated by constant external control. His approach aligns with the belief that if we want adaptable players, we must avoid scripting every movement.

Age Matters: What Players Understand by Stage

• U6–U9: Players are still developing basic attention and spatial awareness. Most sideline instructions are lost—or worse, distracting. At this stage, coaching interventions are often “inconsequential” (MOJO Sports).

• U10–U12: Players can respond to brief, specific cues like "Shape" or "Organize," but multi-step tactics are too much. U.S. Soccer recommends short, clear commands and guided discovery through play.

• U13+: Older players can begin processing more tactical feedback. However, too much coaching can lead to dependency—where players look to the sideline instead of reading the game. The goal here is to build independent thinkers.

  
  

When to Speak—and When Not To

Timing is everything. Players rarely absorb instructions during active play. Instead:

• Use natural stoppages for brief cues

• Reserve half-time for 1–2 clear, actionable points (as recommended by the Positive Coaching Alliance)

• Save deeper instruction for training sessions, where learning conditions are optimal

  
  

The Talent Equation Podcast, hosted by Stuart Armstrong, often reinforces this principle. Through interviews with leading coaches and researchers, the podcast consistently promotes the idea that learning emerges from the game itself—not from adult-led monologues. Coaches are encouraged to design experiences, not deliver lectures.

Less Is More: The Most Effective Coaches Talk Less

There’s an inverse relationship between how much a coach yells and how much players actually hear. Calm, purposeful communication is more effective. Encouraging phrases like "Great effort!" or "Well done!" stand out better than critical commands.

The FA’s grassroots guidelines support this: “Only the coach should issue instructions during the game”—and even then, sparingly. John O’Sullivan from Changing the Game Project found that 99% of youth players prefer their parents remain silent on the sidelines to avoid added confusion.

Final Whistle: Let them learn to play the game, in the game

If the ball is rolling, you shouldn’t be talking. Rather than remote-controlling every action, prepare players in practice. Offer short, focused reminders during breaks. Help them build decision-making skills in the game, not from the sidelines.

As Manchester United Academy Coach Tom Statham puts it: “We don’t coach when the ball is rolling.”

Remember: If you want them to hear you, say less. If you want them to learn, let them play.

References

• Lavie, N., et al. (UCL study on inattentional deafness, Journal of Neuroscience)

• U.S. Youth Soccer – Brain Centered Training presentation

• U.S. Soccer Federation – Best Practices for Coaching Soccer

• Positive Coaching Alliance – Silent Sideline and halftime communication best practices

• John O’Sullivan – Changing the Game Project

• Mark O’Sullivan – AIK, ecological dynamics, and youth development models

• Martin Vik – Norwegian Football Federation, Check! Football

• The FA Grassroots Guide

• MOJO Sports and BigSoccer Coaching Forums (Coach Bill Archer)

• Tom Statham – Manchester United Youth Academy

• Stuart Armstrong – The Talent Equation Podcast