Hi.  i always encourage and praise the opposition players (great shot/skills/tackle/pass/save or if they’re annoyed i have given some players a quick word of encouragement - if they happen to be near me.  i wouldn’t call them over or specifically go over to them) but i’d never give a direct coaching point. 

i don’t even do that to my own players as they play! (or try not to, anyway! ) 

i think that although well meant, its not helpful.  coach cannot know what you‘re maybe asking him/her to do and it may be the complete opposite.

im just about to start U10’s

Yes I've had this and never quite understood why coaches think they should do this. What I've done previously is wait for them to finish, ask them what they said (because it could actually be useful), acknowledge that I appreciated that they are trying to help, but next time they should offer any coaching points directly to me at the end of the game as that is my coaching method.  

I personally give the opposition praise and encouragement.. not directly to get their attention unnecessarily but if they take a good shot, 'Great shot, well done' or 'Unlucky' when it's a miss lets say... but no coaches should be 'coaching' your team... we have enough with parents giving different messages to our group which then only confuses them and there coach is saying go left and the parent go right.. if the other coach is then saying go back it would be a disaster..

Encouragement, totally!!!! Coaching, never! I'm sure a 20 second chat would nip it in the bud as if they are delivering it ins a constructive and positive manner then chances are they're a good coach/mentor and will take your comments on board in a positive manner.

I think it is very encouraging and respectful for other coaches to support all children when playing which is what we want to hear , i think its important to remember that if we have given some advice to other players from other clubs in good intentions depending on the content i feel this is ok , but when its more of a conversation with the player then we are over stepping the mark even if you are thinking of the player , players from other clubs and your players should be given match day achievements or challenges within the time they have on the pitch so for us coaches to instruct will be very confusing for them , good practice would be to leave the players to their own devices , decisions ,while in real time , in reality we tend to send out instruction when they are playing but really or good practice would be to encourage reward effort and make them feel comfortable in trying new things ? verbally and body language . 

establish a connection with what you or what they would like to achieve in todays game and review this between periods with positive support .

fantastic reply Chris and agree with your comments other than the unlucky part , i do hear this a lot within parents and coaches , coaches i would try and minimise the word unlucky it may sound silly but the child will start to think they are unlucky , i have had lots of children suggesting they are unlucky in the phycological corner this can have a effect long term 

its always a great effort 

love the reply Neil good luck with your u10s , and great you mentioned him or her  

good advice Matthew and tactical approach 

I'll try to adopt that for sure... it's remarkable how powerful the spoken word it to a child, they pick up on things you wouldn't expect so totally agree with your point.