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Post by coachray40 on Sept 8, 2014 7:55:03 GMT -6
I had a good discussion with a colleague over the weekend regarding the approach coaches take when dealing with their players. The discussion centered around a coach who was extremely compassionate with his players and their parents, all the way to the point where it seemed he was more concerned with them liking him than the players and team getting better. The team seems divided on both of the sidelines as well with some players/parents wanting less "stress", shiny soccer smiles, nice medals and and after game meal, while others want to see more "push", consistency, improvement, and effort.
This type of discussion has been touched on before, but the issue of instilling drive vs compassion with players has become more exacerbated in the last year. There seems to be more movement of players from club to club trying to find what they are looking for, and even some clubs trying to "play down"--becoming less competition and improvement based and more focused on every child getting to play equally and with less push.
Im curious to see where others stand on this issue. I'll let a few of you answer before I weigh in with my thoughts
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Post by Deleted on Sept 8, 2014 9:32:16 GMT -6
We have become a society of extremes. On one side, you have the overprotective parent that is more concerned with their child's self esteem than anything else.
The other side is the ultracompetitive, results focused parent.
The kids are (unfortunately) caught in the middle.
I caught most of a 60 Minutes segment last night on a Quarterback skills coach out in California. One 6th grader from Atlanta was flying in monthly with his dad for private lessons. At $400 an hour!
Guess some people have more money than common sense. A 12 yr old? Seriously?
It begs the question...where do you draw the line?
I still say it all comes down to the level of passion a kid has for the game. And not every kid is going to be gung ho at 10, 12 even 15 years old.
The overly laid back types are just as bad as the over the top types. Like everything else, the truth is somewhere in the middle.
I've said this before, but it bears repeating (as there are always new, misinformed parents joining the forum)
No club, team or even a specific coach is going to make your child a superstar. That's largely left up to the individual child along with the physical gifts God gave them.
The level (perceived or otherwise)of the team has absolutely zero impact on the individual player...at least not at the younger ages.
Bad coaching in my opinion does much more harm to the individual player than no coaching.
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Post by laffysoccermom on Sept 9, 2014 4:04:29 GMT -6
I too think it should be somewhere in middle. I don't think practice shpuld always be "fun". Some hard work needs to be put in. This not only is good for soccer development but also their development as people. Coaches should be respected and approachable but not necessarily liked.
I believe they should give their best effort on the field with this caveat- they are going to make mistakes and have bad games. All teams will lose games they should have won. How a team and player comes back from these times is key.
The ultra competitive parents that won't accept mistakes from their child or the other players and seek to humiliate the child have no place in the game. I'm not talking about a parent telling a kid that they know they can do better but screaming from sidelines.
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Post by soccermom2012 on Sept 15, 2014 9:38:54 GMT -6
On a related note, where does player development come in? Should all players be treated equally, in the name of player development? For instance, should two players, with greatly different skills, share a key position for an equal amount of time? Of course, we want our players to develop, but we also want to win our competitive games (otherwise, why are we in a competitive league). What should one say to the highly skilled player that he/she is going to split the time with the obviously less skilled player? Should the less-skilled player automatically get half the game time in the name of development? Is this fair? Should everything be 50/50?
I've been on both sides of this issue and I'm curious what others think.
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Post by laffysoccermom on Sept 15, 2014 14:02:29 GMT -6
I'm going to be brutally honest. Player development is not paramount in most clubs. Teams are formed not to develop players but to be competitive as possible. For example, better players may not be the ones playing up in age if they think the true age group has more potential for being competitive than the older group or Susie may only play defender because she fits better on the team in that role. You also have young players who play keeper all game.
Yes- coaches try to develop their players but team formation and playing assignments are about being competitive. Clubs know that of their teams are always losing that the players will go somewhere else. It's not really the club's faults. They are merely giving parents and players what they demand.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 17, 2014 10:22:54 GMT -6
On a related note, where does player development come in? Should all players be treated equally, in the name of player development? For instance, should two players, with greatly different skills, share a key position for an equal amount of time? Of course, we want our players to develop, but we also want to win our competitive games (otherwise, why are we in a competitive league). What should one say to the highly skilled player that he/she is going to split the time with the obviously less skilled player? Should the less-skilled player automatically get half the game time in the name of development? Is this fair? Should everything be 50/50? I've been on both sides of this issue and I'm curious what others think. It depends on the age of the players. In theory, competitive soccer means playing time has to be earned and no guarantees are offered regarding minutes.
That said, giving a player 5 minutes a game probably doesn't do that a player a lot of good in that respect.
However, you shouldn't punish the better (and usually the more committed) players. Most clubs do what they can to keep players in the game because they know they will need the numbers when the players begin 11v11 and get older.
Just because a player isn't on the "A" team at U11/12 doesn't mean they can't improve and even become an impact player when it begins to really matter.
From a player development standpoint, yes, you train all players equally. But that doesn't mean you equally distribute the playing And the vast majority of youth players (and parents) tend to believe that 2-3 team practices and a game or tourney on the weekends is somehow "enough".
That isn't going to maximize a player's potential.
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Post by drogba on Oct 25, 2014 12:43:33 GMT -6
You have an awful lot of kids going back to baseball because the coaches and parents can make the schedule again. They can pick tournaments and they don't have to travel the state unless they want to. The only set items on schedule are the state type tournaments at end of year. But I think the mindset at this point is that this is needed for development. Maybe?
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Post by Deleted on Nov 6, 2014 15:15:32 GMT -6
You have an awful lot of kids going back to baseball because the coaches and parents can make the schedule again. They can pick tournaments and they don't have to travel the state unless they want to. The only set items on schedule are the state type tournaments at end of year. But I think the mindset at this point is that this is needed for development. Maybe? Depends on where you live I guess. If you live along the I-10 corridor then travel is generally minimal anyway. (Guess it all based one perspective though.)
The problem is there are different types of players/parents with different levels of expectations. The ultra competitive parents want to win titles. (Which does NOT go hand-in-hand with developing players.)
With soccer, there are still a lot of parents that don't understand the game because they didn't grow up playing it.
In the ideal situation, travel could be minimized with more effort being made to train more and play fewer games.
I don't follow baseball anymore at all. However, from past conversations there seems to be a mindset that "better competition and more of it" somehow creates better ballplayers in the long term. But I personally don't buy that argument.
As far as soccer goes, I'd love to see more emphasis placed on small sided 'rec' leagues, futsal, etc from the ages of 9-12. And that can be easily done in places like Lafayette, Baton Rouge, the Northshore and New Orleans.
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Post by playwide on Nov 6, 2014 17:03:43 GMT -6
I believe one of the key elements of individual development and team development is finding a group of "like-minded players and parents" who share a vision or commitment for the team along with a coach and club who are supportive of the vision. It is possible....
I know that many small clubs and less populated areas may have an issue finding enough like-minded folks, so I get that.
But one of the problems I have seen is players who have great potential being developmentally landlocked with teams or coaches with little or no commitment to finding appropriate levels of competition or training regimens to meet the ambition of those players.
Additionally, having a coach and team manager that are locked into the vision of fulfilling the experience for players and parents is crucial.
When teams have a shared communal vision, you can plan better, train better, and watch committed players push themselves rather than being pushed...
I will again say that I know this is a luxury rarely found in smaller markets and smaller clubs....but my point is more about how planning, playing, and training can be maximized when everyone is on the same page and working toward a goal for team & players, rather than a wild mix of player levels and parents that don't really connect to the vision.
Not everyone is regional level player, not everyone is a C1 player, not everyone wants to play C2....find the group that's appropriate for your vision.
Yes, even if it means driving a little further to play with the appropriate group.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 11, 2014 10:17:08 GMT -6
I believe one of the key elements of individual development and team development is finding a group of "like-minded players and parents" who share a vision or commitment for the team along with a coach and club who are supportive of the vision. It is possible.... I know that many small clubs and less populated areas may have an issue finding enough like-minded folks, so I get that. But one of the problems I have seen is players who have great potential being developmentally landlocked with teams or coaches with little or no commitment to finding appropriate levels of competition or training regimens to meet the ambition of those players. Additionally, having a coach and team manager that are locked into the vision of fulfilling the experience for players and parents is crucial. When teams have a shared communal vision, you can plan better, train better, and watch committed players push themselves rather than being pushed... I will again say that I know this is a luxury rarely found in smaller markets and smaller clubs....but my point is more about how planning, playing, and training can be maximized when everyone is on the same page and working toward a goal for team & players, rather than a wild mix of player levels and parents that don't really connect to the vision. Not everyone is regional level player, not everyone is a C1 player, not everyone wants to play C2....find the group that's appropriate for your vision. Yes, even if it means driving a little further to play with the appropriate group. Some great points made.
However, there are plenty of variables to consider:
1. The size of the club/geography. Even assuming the coaches get it right, the player pool in a given are is usually just too small. Yeah, a talented player can be challenged by playing up or even training up. But sooner or later those options run out.
2. Commitment vs talent. Sometimes the most talented players are NOT the most committed. usually this stems from the parents and filters down to the player.
3. Lack of education/general ignorance. Even those seemingly with the best intentions really don't get it. Players, parents, even coaches and administrators. Plenty of blame to go around.
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Post by swami on Dec 19, 2014 11:37:17 GMT -6
I do not think it is possible to train and develop players equally.
1) Coaching style: My son's club coach is offensive minded, his High School coach is defensive minded. Unfortunately, he is a center back and there is not much development provided for him at the club level. Some clubs move coaches from team to team every one or two years to minimize this problem and to avoid the notion of favoritism.
2) Resources: Private coaching and training is available but at a significant cost. Most private trainers are $45 per hour and up. Not all parents can afford to devote the extra money needed to get the extra work. Not all players have the time or desire to participate. After playing soccer 4 days per week, traveling out of town often, etc, they need a break from the game to develop other areas of their lives.
3) Player: Some players are just not into putting in the extra time. However, they still may be good enough to be a starter and play well. They play hard but the main focus is still having fun. Others are hell bent, club, school, ODP, private training, etc. It is hard if not impossible at the club or school level to require all players to undergo the same training.
4) Parent: Most times it is the parent making the decisions. From my experience, even against the child's wishes. I have seen many instances where a very good player winds up quitting the game altogether because their parents are nightmares. Of course, this happens in other sports as well, not just soccer.
For me, i do my best to provide some encouragement, suggestions and resources. However, i ultimately leave the decision up to my child. He is the one playing after all.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 23, 2014 13:14:51 GMT -6
I do not think it is possible to train and develop players equally. 1) Coaching style: My son's club coach is offensive minded, his High School coach is defensive minded. Unfortunately, he is a center back and there is not much development provided for him at the club level. Some clubs move coaches from team to team every one or two years to minimize this problem and to avoid the notion of favoritism. 2) Resources: Private coaching and training is available but at a significant cost. Most private trainers are $45 per hour and up. Not all parents can afford to devote the extra money needed to get the extra work. Not all players have the time or desire to participate. After playing soccer 4 days per week, traveling out of town often, etc, they need a break from the game to develop other areas of their lives. 3) Player: Some players are just not into putting in the extra time. However, they still may be good enough to be a starter and play well. They play hard but the main focus is still having fun. Others are hell bent, club, school, ODP, private training, etc. It is hard if not impossible at the club or school level to require all players to undergo the same training. 4) Parent: Most times it is the parent making the decisions. From my experience, even against the child's wishes. I have seen many instances where a very good player winds up quitting the game altogether because their parents are nightmares. Of course, this happens in other sports as well, not just soccer. For me, i do my best to provide some encouragement, suggestions and resources. However, i ultimately leave the decision up to my child. He is the one playing after all. And herein lies the root of the problem!
80% of the equation is up to the individual player. Yeah, there are some good coaches out there. But not as many as you might think. Not even close.
I've never invested in private training. That, in and of itself accomplishes very little. Most players just don't put in enough time working on the basics. Controlling the ball/first touch. Because no matter how big, strong or fast you are...if you are poor technically you are limiting your potential.
Players that really love the game also become students of the game. I'm not talking about watching highlight reels or watching just the individual dribbling or goalscoring. Studying the individual player's movements (mainly off the ball) the team's shape and overall style are a must.
ODP is okay (especially at younger ages) but it certainly isn't an indicator of current or future ability. By the time a player is 15/16 they should be looking at other venues. Like showcases and id camps. (Assuming they want to play after youth/high school. Besides, ODP isn't getting the very top players anymore. Some of them..but certainly not all.
By and large, high school soccer is about earning individual awards and winning...period. It has very little developmental value for the individual player. However it does provide for enjoyment, character development and other variables. Both tangible and intangible. There is a developmental component for a fresh/soph playing varsity against largely older players. (For most this is their first opportunity to 'play up'.)
Parents need to understand that writing a bigger check isn't going to improve their child as a player.
Yes, kids need a break from soccer. No question. But 4 days a week of soccer (training/competition aside) is NOT too much. Ideally, clubs would train 4 days a week (beginning at u14) and play fewer games. That's why I cringe when I see that some hs teams have played as many as 20 games in 5 weeks! That's just insane!
I've always stressed to my son that, as long as he puts in the work (on his own...in addition to club/hs training sessions) then I would continue to support his endeavor financial and logistically. It's really that simple. Players that are truly driven are going to put in the work. Which, to me translates to average 5 days a week for 48 weeks. Taking 4 weeks off completely. Although not all at once. And the 5 days excludes games.
Expecting a kid to develop without putting in the extra 1-3 days a week outside of formal training is like expecting them to just show up at school and make good grades without additional studying/homework.
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Post by p_malinich on Dec 23, 2014 16:18:03 GMT -6
I do not think it is possible to train and develop players equally. 1) Coaching style: My son's club coach is offensive minded, his High School coach is defensive minded. Unfortunately, he is a center back and there is not much development provided for him at the club level. Some clubs move coaches from team to team every one or two years to minimize this problem and to avoid the notion of favoritism. 2) Resources: Private coaching and training is available but at a significant cost. Most private trainers are $45 per hour and up. Not all parents can afford to devote the extra money needed to get the extra work. Not all players have the time or desire to participate. After playing soccer 4 days per week, traveling out of town often, etc, they need a break from the game to develop other areas of their lives. 3) Player: Some players are just not into putting in the extra time. However, they still may be good enough to be a starter and play well. They play hard but the main focus is still having fun. Others are hell bent, club, school, ODP, private training, etc. It is hard if not impossible at the club or school level to require all players to undergo the same training. 4) Parent: Most times it is the parent making the decisions. From my experience, even against the child's wishes. I have seen many instances where a very good player winds up quitting the game altogether because their parents are nightmares. Of course, this happens in other sports as well, not just soccer. For me, i do my best to provide some encouragement, suggestions and resources. However, i ultimately leave the decision up to my child. He is the one playing after all. And herein lies the root of the problem!
80% of the equation is up to the individual player. Yeah, there are some good coaches out there. But not as many as you might think. Not even close.
I've never invested in private training. That, in and of itself accomplishes very little. Most players just don't put in enough time working on the basics. Controlling the ball/first touch. Because no matter how big, strong or fast you are...if you are poor technically you are limiting your potential.
Players that really love the game also become students of the game. I'm not talking about watching highlight reels or watching just the individual dribbling or goalscoring. Studying the individual player's movements (mainly off the ball) the team's shape and overall style are a must.
ODP is okay (especially at younger ages) but it certainly isn't an indicator of current or future ability. By the time a player is 15/16 they should be looking at other venues. Like showcases and id camps. (Assuming they want to play after youth/high school. Besides, ODP isn't getting the very top players anymore. Some of them..but certainly not all.
By and large, high school soccer is about earning individual awards and winning...period. It has very little developmental value for the individual player. However it does provide for enjoyment, character development and other variables. Both tangible and intangible. There is a developmental component for a fresh/soph playing varsity against largely older players. (For most this is their first opportunity to 'play up'.)
Parents need to understand that writing a bigger check isn't going to improve their child as a player.
Yes, kids need a break from soccer. No question. But 4 days a week of soccer (training/competition aside) is NOT too much. Ideally, clubs would train 4 days a week (beginning at u14) and play fewer games. That's why I cringe when I see that some hs teams have played as many as 20 games in 5 weeks! That's just insane!
I've always stressed to my son that, as long as he puts in the work (on his own...in addition to club/hs training sessions) then I would continue to support his endeavor financial and logistically. It's really that simple. Players that are truly driven are going to put in the work. Which, to me translates to average 5 days a week for 48 weeks. Taking 4 weeks off completely. Although not all at once. And the 5 days excludes games.
Expecting a kid to develop without putting in the extra 1-3 days a week outside of formal training is like expecting them to just show up at school and make good grades without additional studying/homework.
Generally I agree. A few comments to echo what was said. My sons usually train 6 days/week (supplementing to whatever is required with the team at that time). Not always with ball; sometimes just a 3 mile run. Generally a 2-week break between club and high school and then between high school and club. Some of that post States/Regionals as well. So 46-48 weeks per year with built in rest times for body to recover and get ready for next level. I'm not a fan of tourneys. In the early days I probably liked them more than now. It was fun to have that short-term pressure of winning (and walking away talking about underperforming if we didn't win). It's not just because I've grown weary of them, but rather, I think that they put too much strain on a player's bodies. No matter how high the intensity of training is, game time is always more. The minutes put a burden on your body. I think we need to be more strategic in our approach into tourney selection and timing. By the player owning their own development all week/all year, they partner their commitment with my chauffeuring and financing and fan activities. Writing checks without player commitment really doesn't do a whole lot. Pressure on winning rather than developing doesn't do a whole lot either. Help your son discover his passion and pour himself into it (whether it's soccer or something else). |
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Post by oldhattrick3 on Dec 26, 2014 15:26:15 GMT -6
Interesting topic Coach Ray. Although with much experience in this, old hat will just point out a few things hopefully considered to be on topic here (based on my experience)
[I'll call this "The Chip on the Shoulder" Player] One thing that I haven't read through this, (or possibly missed), is there are many "gifted" young adults who become "un-coachable" at an early age, which makes it difficult, if not impossible, to ever really develop them. Therefore "drive", "push" / whatever won't really matter. I won't really say what creates this "chip" could it can be a combination of things
[I'll call this "Better than Thou" Player/Parent] I think it is easy to categorize or label a coach or trainer as "Can't really help me (or my child's) development", because "their" game/talents have passed that coach/trainer up. Personally, I don't see this as necessarily true for their are many aspects to developing an athlete.
[I'll call this "Why You should visit cemeteries"] Truth be told this applies to all young athletes, want to be athletes, and their parents. I won't reiterate what has been said numerous times on this topic - push, drive, time spent or whatever will amount to very few ever making something from it later in life (in correlation to the sport). Goals should be set realistically for young players of any sport early on, enjoyment should always be first followed by accomplishments. When I say accomplishments I don't mean such minuscule probable accomplishments as "Become a pro", or even "play for a div I school" (although that can be more realistic for some). For 99% of those out there, the time, effort, and training will amount to nothing further than fulfilling their enjoyment - make it proportional. That's why for every 1 success story the cemeteries are filled with 10s of thousands of failed athletes - some who went over and above in training, some who just enjoyed.
[I'll call this "Just Because"] Just because someone is gifted with God given talents in a particular sport, does not mean they are destined to star in it. Even to more of an extent, just because someone is gifted with God given talent in a particular sport, and trains and works hard (4, 5, 6, or 7 days a week) does not mean they are destined to star in it. That's why I say things have to be proportionate. There are several things I've seen happen with "gifted" athletes - too much parent pressure, burn out from training and playing for so many years, too much pressure to perform from coaches and parents - all of these and more increase the number of "failed" athletes referenced above.
If true realistic information is used for young people early on, a lot of heartache, disappointment, and "disgruntled" parents can be avoided. Realistic information, regardless of God given talented person or not, such as:
> Find something you enjoy spending time doing - whether its sports or not
> If you enjoy the sport, work hard at improving and competing, but balance what that "work hard" is vs. enjoying other things in life.
> If you do decide to dedicate significant amount of time working hard, understand that time spent may result in nothing more than the simple enjoyment of the sport and your ability to get better.
> As a parent, I will NOT spend 100s of thousands of dollars for special training in place of spending money on your education which you will truly need to survive as an adult.
> No matter how good you think you are, or how good everybody tells you, you are, there is always, ALWAYS, someone who will be better than you (in some way, shape, or form). So skip the "chip" and be humble with your ability
> Beyond the obvious technical, strategic, and physical development you can gain from a sport, don't miss out on the other areas for development that exist in those arenas - team effort, respect, sportsmanship, humility, pride, and appreciation.
Anyway just some thoughts on what should we be doing with our kids
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Post by Deleted on Jan 7, 2015 14:35:26 GMT -6
Interesting topic Coach Ray. Although with much experience in this, old hat will just point out a few things hopefully considered to be on topic here (based on my experience) [I'll call this "The Chip on the Shoulder" Player] One thing that I haven't read through this, (or possibly missed), is there are many "gifted" young adults who become "un-coachable" at an early age, which makes it difficult, if not impossible, to ever really develop them. Therefore "drive", "push" / whatever won't really matter. I won't really say what creates this "chip" could it can be a combination of things [I'll call this "Better than Thou" Player/Parent] I think it is easy to categorize or label a coach or trainer as "Can't really help me (or my child's) development", because "their" game/talents have passed that coach/trainer up. Personally, I don't see this as necessarily true for their are many aspects to developing an athlete. [I'll call this "Why You should visit cemeteries"] Truth be told this applies to all young athletes, want to be athletes, and their parents. I won't reiterate what has been said numerous times on this topic - push, drive, time spent or whatever will amount to very few ever making something from it later in life (in correlation to the sport). Goals should be set realistically for young players of any sport early on, enjoyment should always be first followed by accomplishments. When I say accomplishments I don't mean such minuscule probable accomplishments as "Become a pro", or even "play for a div I school" (although that can be more realistic for some). For 99% of those out there, the time, effort, and training will amount to nothing further than fulfilling their enjoyment - make it proportional. That's why for every 1 success story the cemeteries are filled with 10s of thousands of failed athletes - some who went over and above in training, some who just enjoyed. [I'll call this "Just Because"] Just because someone is gifted with God given talents in a particular sport, does not mean they are destined to star in it. Even to more of an extent, just because someone is gifted with God given talent in a particular sport, and trains and works hard (4, 5, 6, or 7 days a week) does not mean they are destined to star in it. That's why I say things have to be proportionate. There are several things I've seen happen with "gifted" athletes - too much parent pressure, burn out from training and playing for so many years, too much pressure to perform from coaches and parents - all of these and more increase the number of "failed" athletes referenced above. If true realistic information is used for young people early on, a lot of heartache, disappointment, and "disgruntled" parents can be avoided. Realistic information, regardless of God given talented person or not, such as: > Find something you enjoy spending time doing - whether its sports or not > If you enjoy the sport, work hard at improving and competing, but balance what that "work hard" is vs. enjoying other things in life. > If you do decide to dedicate significant amount of time working hard, understand that time spent may result in nothing more than the simple enjoyment of the sport and your ability to get better. > As a parent, I will NOT spend 100s of thousands of dollars for special training in place of spending money on your education which you will truly need to survive as an adult. > No matter how good you think you are, or how good everybody tells you, you are, there is always, ALWAYS, someone who will be better than you (in some way, shape, or form). So skip the "chip" and be humble with your ability > Beyond the obvious technical, strategic, and physical development you can gain from a sport, don't miss out on the other areas for development that exist in those arenas - team effort, respect, sportsmanship, humility, pride, and appreciation. Anyway just some thoughts on what should we be doing with our kids For the most part, well put.
However, being "realistic" should be defined. Because I have come across a literal handful of parents that are truly realistic regarding their children.
I came across a quote once, "When you reach for the stars, you may not grab one..but you won't pull up a handful of mud either." Which I take to mean set your goals high...but be happy with the end result.
I think it is fine for any kid to have dreams. That is what sustains us. And, as adults our dreams and priorities change over the course of a lifetime.
I think kids should set high standards for themselves. I think that because of our society, kids often lose the whole point. With help from their parents. We say we want "well rounded kids", but do we encourage or enforce that? Generally, I say no.
By and large kids have "too many choices". And learning from failure is a part of growing up. In other words, I see too many kids not being told "no" and otherwise given sound direction in their lives.
And I'm not just talking about sports.
As for setting realistic expectations (regardless of endeavor) I think as parents we need to not just encourage and support, but outline what it takes to accomplish those goals. Encourage focus and accountability.
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Post by oldhattrick3 on Jan 7, 2015 20:46:09 GMT -6
Hall97 I think I'm in agreement with you. Through my years as a parent and a coach the one thing that I've seen missing at times is a realistic high stretch goal. Reaching for the stars is good as long as dealing with failure has been taught as well (personally I think that has been missing lately, but that's my personal observation) .
I recommend a book called "The Art of Thinking Clearly"
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Post by Deleted on Jan 13, 2015 11:30:20 GMT -6
By the age of 16, I think it's safe to say the kid has to be making some of the decisions. Where and even if they want to play in college, etc.
What they want to accomplish from the game should generally be framed by 16/17.
Lately I've been as hands off as much as possible.
With the current landscape of youth soccer in this country, it is particularly difficult for La based players to get to the "big name" D1 soccer schools. I'm not going to go into great detail about the advantages/disadvantages of "D1 college soccer".
I will say that the decision (in my opinion) should be built around balancing academics and financial aid BEFORE the perceived quality of the soccer program.
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Post by happyjack on Jan 25, 2015 18:27:19 GMT -6
You can only push a player so far...if they have the drive they'll thrive on it. If they are there for fun and socialization and enjoyment, it likely will push them away. Each player is different, a good coach can find the trigger point for each...but wanting to be liked by players and parents and altering coaching for that reason, well, that's heading in the wrong direction.
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