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When coaching, we are often tempted into the “Soccer Drills” syndrome. Some aspects of the game encourage the use of line-ups to get the organization right. We’ve all done it, but …… Long Line-ups are Boring! More info
Finding volunteers that can make your program or event a big success is critical to virtually every soccer organization. The key word is “finding” them. More info
Recently I received an email from a soccer coach, asking for advice. This is what he pointed out:
“My pet peeve at the moment is parents yelling instructions at kids. In the last week all three of my kids have had parents (not me!) yelling instructions at them and what is even worse is that the instructions have been wrong!! I could go on and on, but this has to be addressed. Cheer yes, instruct no.” More info
As a parent, you are constantly faced with decisions that have a profound impact on your child’s future. I believe it is important to examine some of these issues as they relate to youth soccer and all youth sports today. More info
“I have what? Myositis ossificans”? I thought it was just a bruise. More info
Gordon Taylor is the head of the English PFA (Players Football Association). He is reportedly the highest paid union official in the world, but he had some harsh things to say about the game and some of his members. I’ll send you to the link in the Telegraph Newspaper in a moment. More info
Jerry Macnamara has a long and vast experience in the game of soccer.
His website www.soccerclassroom.com is worth bookmarking as it covers most of the areas a soccer coach needs help with.
Jerry takes this tongue-in-cheek look at why some soccer players quit and gives 10 reasons why they do. Brian Halliday first sent me the article and in his satirical way said that he was considering going back into coaching, but would only coach orphans.
His reasons are in Jerry’s article.
Especially for Parents & Coaches
by Jerry Macnamara (see link to Jerry’s website below).
1. Lose your Perspective. Stand on the sidelines and complain about the coach. Plot ways to get your kid onto the best team. If it doesn’t go your way, change teams. Blame it on the coach. Call every coach you know proclaiming your player’s greatness and setting up the next three years of his life.
2. Lose your Composure. Yell at the coach. Yell at the referee. Yell at the fourteen year old flag runner. Yell at the field. Yell at the wind. Being “that parent” and embarrassing your child will almost certainly lead to dropout. Awesome!
3. Count Everything. While soccer doesn’t lend itself to statistics, there are certain self-appointed statisticians who will track and distribute every known stat they can imagine. Unfortunately, it doesn’t equate to player development or enjoyment. It does, on the other hand, provide fodder for all disgruntled parents to explain how “Jimmy” shouldn’t be on the field based around his plus / minus ratio.
4. Add Pressure. Tell your kid that the reason you are driving them all over Timbuktu is to make sure they score a college scholarship. Yep, that will certainly enhance the enjoyment and provide for a relaxing atmosphere to grow and develop as a player. College is years away!
5. Specialize Early. If you’re going to score the big scholarship for your child, then they need to become serious earlier. And, they need to play year round. If they can play “up” instead of growing and developing with their friends, this is better because they’ll be more focused. Good job, Mr. Burnout. Here comes Johnny Quitter.
6. Sports First. Family, friends and being a kid second. Not only did you lose last match, but your ball possession stats were off too! Get in the backyard and practice! You need the work. No hanging downtown for ice cream and friends until you’ve reached five thousands touches in the next hour. Your friends will wait.
7. Win. Win. And, Win. Lose sight of the real importance of soccer to development of young people. Stress winning at all costs, tips to cheat the system and disrespecting the hated opponent. This is a war, not a game. Keep that determination. Forget about all the wonderful, lasting lessons soccer can teach youth: commitment, dedication, hard work, sportsmanship and teamwork – to name a few of the millions of potential lessons.
8. Practice. Practice. And, Practice. Make practices long and boring. Constantly do drills until they get it right. Forget about creatively addressing skill development. And, of course, take out small sided games and scrimmages. Those are just a waste of time.
9. Mix Punishment with Mistakes. Coaches who use punishment as a method to correct mistakes are missing the point. A missed pass doesn’t require push ups. It requires more practice. They’ll never get the pass right if they’re too busy doing pushups, or sprints or jumping jacks.
A fantastic item on the Top 10 and a sure way to crush a spirit and stunt growth.
10. Fun? This is fun? Soccer isn’t supposed to be fun. Soccer is about the scholarship. It’s about winning. It’s about blaming everyone else. Most importantly, it about my status in the community as coach of the undefeated U7 Tiger Sharks this season. Yep. That’ll do it.
Jerry Macnamara is “The Coach” and founder at Soccer Classroom – Click here to check out his websitewww.soccerclassroom.com
Benito Floro is introduced as the new Canadian World Cup and Olympic Coach
All of us involved in Canadian soccer wish Benito the best of luck, but we know it’s going to need more than luck to get the team into contention for World Cup and Olympic qualification. More info
There were some very interesting and positive responses to our recent article surrounding Clint Dempsey. I pointed out that the success we had with the Canadian Olympic team (1984) and the World Cup team (Mexico 86) came as a direct result of the fact that most of the Canadian players had learned the ropes – the subtleties and nuances of the game – by playing in men’s soccer from 15 years of age onwards. Clint did the same in Texas. More info
In this day and age with so much emphasis on winning and being the best, how do you guide your child in youth soccer to continue enjoying it whatever the outcome, whatever the skill level?
Here are some basic guidelines:
Let the kids play
Mistakes
Praise
Fun
Motivation
Support
If you need more information as a parent coach or soccer volunteer check out Byte Size Coaching!
You will find all your soccer needs for coaching youth soccer, stuck on games to introduce to the kids, what about soccer skills or soccer drills. Need a soccer practice plan that is simple and laid out for you to grab quickly. Byte Size Coaching has it! Contact us for your free temporary user name and password.