Post by TheMadOx on Jun 3, 2015 8:54:40 GMT -5
This was posted on FB by Lisa Cole, Former Head Coach of the Boston Breakers....Good luck this week at Tryouts!
Some Advice on Picking a Club...Step 1- looking at coaches focus...
Do the coaches teach? are they patient, but firm. Mistakes and losing are an important part of the learning process. Is the league you are competing in competitive? Do players have to problem solve in the game? Do the coaches encourage them to take risks or play safe?
Do coaches get excited about helping a player improve technically and/or tactically, is there excitement when a player tries something during a game regardless of execution or result?
This could be as simple as taking on a defender 1v1, recognizing when to get wide to create space or as complicated as the correct timing of a third-man run behind a defense or holding the line in defense vs dropping to allow the midfield time to recover. All of these moments are just as exciting as winning to a club that has long term player development as a focus. Can you start to see players understanding the game, turning technical ability into skill by using it in the game at the right moment, this is exciting!
Wins are great. It’s why the game is played. Clubs always want to win..but more important then that should be player development. If the development is there, the winning soon follows. To be honest, winning is easier then player development in youth soccer.
Other signs of a good club; players thank the ref, they thank (often the volunteer coaches) after training, they clean up the bench area post game, they have respect for the game and understand playing is a privilege. Players arrive early and often want to stay late at training. Players and coaches want to attend club events...the club hosts club events that create community. Coaches are attending courses and take advantage of coaching education opportunities in the club, the club is running coaching education events for coaches. The Club celebrates players and members success on and off the field. Good clubs feel like family. Everything is not always perfect, or going well but your all committed and in it together!
Some Advice on Picking a Club...Step 1- looking at coaches focus...
Do the coaches teach? are they patient, but firm. Mistakes and losing are an important part of the learning process. Is the league you are competing in competitive? Do players have to problem solve in the game? Do the coaches encourage them to take risks or play safe?
Do coaches get excited about helping a player improve technically and/or tactically, is there excitement when a player tries something during a game regardless of execution or result?
This could be as simple as taking on a defender 1v1, recognizing when to get wide to create space or as complicated as the correct timing of a third-man run behind a defense or holding the line in defense vs dropping to allow the midfield time to recover. All of these moments are just as exciting as winning to a club that has long term player development as a focus. Can you start to see players understanding the game, turning technical ability into skill by using it in the game at the right moment, this is exciting!
Wins are great. It’s why the game is played. Clubs always want to win..but more important then that should be player development. If the development is there, the winning soon follows. To be honest, winning is easier then player development in youth soccer.
Other signs of a good club; players thank the ref, they thank (often the volunteer coaches) after training, they clean up the bench area post game, they have respect for the game and understand playing is a privilege. Players arrive early and often want to stay late at training. Players and coaches want to attend club events...the club hosts club events that create community. Coaches are attending courses and take advantage of coaching education opportunities in the club, the club is running coaching education events for coaches. The Club celebrates players and members success on and off the field. Good clubs feel like family. Everything is not always perfect, or going well but your all committed and in it together!