Many people involved with soccer at a high level will tell you that the use of your voice to talk to teammates during a match is as important as what you do when you have the ball at your feet. This is even more important when you are coaching, particularly players who are unsure of their roles on the pitch or just need that extra reminder of what their job is. The majority of the talking I do as a coach is done using my ‘outside voice’, I need to be loud and clear in my instructions so every player on the team can hear and understand what I have said. In some instances I may be trying to communicate with players during a match who are spread out over a large pitch. The use of my ‘inside voice’ is sometimes the more important, when talking to one or two players individually and explaining things in detail either because they did not understand the first time, or because I want them to work on something specifically to them. The topic of the conversations effect the tone of my voice and the kind of vocabulary I use. When coaching children in particular it is important to include a positive point with any criticism you may have, for example you might say “fantastic movement, but next time can you check your shoulder before you receive the ball?” this way they do not think you are picking on them and putting them down. The language I use when speaking with my players is very different than the language I use when speaking to fellow coaches, parents, referees or fans. Generally the type of language used with the players is clear, simple and precise. The use of my voice alone is not enough to satisfy the learning requirements of every player, it is important I supplement what I am saying with demonstrations, diagrams and written wording.