Feel free to submit any questions you may have regarding coaching young players in the world's most popular sport, and I hope the information and conversations we share help you to be a better player and coach!
Jim )
I think the biggest challenge young players in America have is to develop "the love of the game." Too often, young players' soccer experiences are regimented and overstructured, and they begin to associate soccer not as a "game" but more as something they do because either their parents say they should or because their friends do.
As coaches, we need to encourage this passion for soccer, so that players want to play and play--be it at practice, at the playground, or in the backyard.
]]>As the boys and girls both grow older and enter adolescence, however, differences between the two genders are bigger, and I would encourage same-gender teams when possible. In the younger ages, co-ed soccer is perfectly fine for player development--even though the boys may think the girls have "cooties"!
]]>While this short-term view may help solve certain issues, players often miss out on a rounded learning curriculum. After all, players need training in all aspects of the game. My advice would be to sit down at the start of the season and identify a series of training topics to focus on during practices. These can be tweaked or re-ordered slightly according to game-day performances, but working on corner kicks simply because the team didn't take them well the previous game will take away from the players' learning in important other areas.
]]>Answer: There are a great number of youth soccer coaches in the United States, perhaps the most in the world. As such, parents in this country are spoiled somewhat by the talent available. There are many different qualities to look for, three of which I talk about here.
First and foremost, a good soccer coach must make the game fun for young players. A coach can have all the understanding, experience and qualifications in the world, but if they can't relate it in a way that is enjoyable to the kids, then it is relatively useless. Perhaps the most important role of a youth soccer coach is to instil a love of the game so that players want to continue playing outside of practice and into later life.
Also, when dealing with young players, communication is key. Coaches need to ensure that they are clear and understandable when explaining various drills and making coaching points. Developing an understanding of the game is critical in young players - we want them to know why, not just how, so use of language is important. A simple test to you use is when you listen to the coach explain things, can you understand him/her? If not, chances are you child can't!
Lastly, an understanding of the game is obviously important. Certifications and courses are perhaps the most effective way of determining a coach's experience, though playing ability can also be important. A good coach needn't have played professionally--a good player doesn't necessarily make a good coach--though a good level of soccer playing ability is desirable for demonstrations and providing the kids with a role model.
Hope this helps!
Jim
]]>Answer: It's important to note here that this is entirely normal, and will happen with any group of players that are so young - we shouldn't necessarily worry about it; awareness of space is something that develops over time.
That being said, there are a couple of things which a coach can do to aid their understanding during games. Restarting the game by giving 'the player in the most space' the ball will help reward players who find space, and in the future the intent is to have them do this without prompting. 'Freezing' the game at opportune moments to help the players find this space can also help. Furthermore, the field can be divided up with cones to provide a boundary for players, although this can be frustrating for players so young.
The bottom line is that we should ensure we enhance players' enjoyment of playing at this age, and realize that improvement in spatial awareness is something that will only develop over time. Spend more time on the basics of technique, and making sure they have fun!
]]>The emphasis on winning in youth soccer, indeed most youth sports, is starting at younger and younger ages. Such is the importance, players as young as 5 and 6 are having the results of games and importance of winning them drilled into them. Really though, it's the players themselves who suffer from this approoach. A friend of mine, who has a kid on a kindergarten recreation soccer team, recently told me that at the last game they had, one player saw 5 minutes on the field and another didn't get a single minute. At U-5 recreation soccer. The reason? "The other team are really good; they are top of the flight." Clearly the fact that they don't keep records doesn't discourage winning-obsessed coaches from keeping their own standings.
Unfortunately, one of the downsides of having a superbly run and organized youth sport such as soccer here in America is that statistics, standings and records are readily available. This has meant, even at young ages, a shift away from what the game should be about for youth players: improvement and enjoyment. Very few young soccer players remember the score an hour after a game, let alone the next day, so there is absolutely no need for coaches to scream at the kids if they make a mistake that caused the team to concede a goal. As coaches, we need to make sure kids develop as players and learn to understand and love the game. Without enjoyment, players will not continue playing!
Jim
]]>How hard must it be to play a game you've never really seen played? A young player that is exposed to high-level soccer games consistently will learn how to play the game better, develop a passion for the game and understand more of how the game is played. They may even learn a thing or two that we coaches couldn't teach them!
]]>The distance the team plans to travel for away games may also impact your decision. The level of the team (flight) is something to consider and whether your child is above or below that level. The coach's philosophy can also help make your mind up -- questions such as does he/she allow players to play multiple positions or do players get equal playing time can provide reassurances for you.
]]>This area is often called "the second six-yard box" and is where good corners should be aimed at. A good corner just needs the merest of touches from oncoming attackers to be highly effective.
]]>The younger the player, however, the less the emphasis on fitness. Much, much more important in these formative years are skill development and creating an understanding of the game. Besides, running around at practice is a good conditioning activity!
]]>The biggest factor to overcome is probably the psychological one -- young players often have a fear of heading the ball, especially girls. As they gain more experience and confidence their willingness to head the ball increases.
]]>Furthermore, their communication skills must also be strong -- and easily understood by the players -- some of whom may be very young, so use of language is important. Finally, a strong soccer background and knowledge of the game is obviously key for a coach. They don't have to have been a professional player -- a good player doesn't always mean a good coach -- but a coaching education is important.
]]>A: I'm sure Beckham will have a huge impact initially on soccer in the US, generating increased ticket sales and interest in the MLS. How this interest develops and is sustained, however, is of more importance for American soccer. Unlike most American sports, soccer is not high scoring and many aspects of performance are subjective. Undoubtedly, Beckham is a very talented player, but he is unlikely to score every week, nor dominate matches; it his not his game. Cynical it may seem, but the average American sports fan is looking for goals, and Beckham needs to find his range with his trademark free-kicks quickly, or fans need to adjust their expectations.
]]> Q: I'm so happy David Beckham is coming to America and playing in the MLS next season. What impact do you see him having on the game over here?A: I'm sure Beckham will have a huge impact initially on soccer in the US, generating increased ticket sales and interest in the MLS. How this interest develops and is sustained, however, is of more importance for American soccer. Unlike most American sports, soccer is not high scoring and many aspects of performance are subjective. Undoubtedly, Beckham is a very talented player, but he is unlikely to score every week, nor dominate matches; it his not his game. Cynical it may seem, but the average American sports fan is looking for goals, and Beckham needs to find his range with his trademark free-kicks quickly, or fans need to adjust their expectations.
The biggest aspect of American soccer that needs to grow is the professional game. Youth soccer is huge; the biggest participation sport in the country among young players. But there is a reason talented young athletes choose to pursue baseball, football or basketball ahead of soccer - money. The average salary of an MLS player is around $30000 a year, compare that with the NBA, NFL or MLB and you get the idea. The top 1 or 2% of young players, those with the ablity and aspiration to play professional sports, surely factor in this when deciding upon a sport to specialize in. Beckham, and other big-name foreign players the MLS hope will follow, will ultimately generate interest, which will attract more advertising and sponsorship to the game, meaning an increase in revenue. In England, the Premiership didn't develop the prestige or finances associated with the league today until foreigners started coming to play in the league in the mid-1990s.
Whatever happens, Beckham-mania is already starting to hit these shores, and will provide an excellent role-model for young soccer players, so let's hope the world's most popular game continues to grow in America.
Jim
]]>Feel free to submit any questions you may have regarding coaching young players in the world's most popular sport, and I hope the information and conversations we share help you to be a better player and coach!
Jim