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What is Coach Denton’s coaching philosophy for this team?
There is the old commercial that goes, “You can pay me now or you can pay me later.”
In regards to soccer, the same holds true. Coaches can focus on winning games and tournaments
now at the expense of players learning the game properly and have poorly prepared players OR
coaches can focus on preparing players and create better players for down the road.
What about playing time?
Playing time most likely won’t be equal, but all players will get a good amount of time. Some things
that will affect playing time are:
Players’ attitude
Attendance and effort at practice
Contribution/effort in each particular game
The opponent
Tardiness for practice and games
Will my daughter play one position?
NO. They are all still learning, and exposure to all positions helps teach the game. Besides, we
grow in to different positions based upon our past experience, our physical, psychological,
technical and tactical development. If you are expecting this you should look elsewhere.
Will all girls play in goal?
Not necessarily. I will try and pick a few regular goalies. If the chance arises and another girl wants
to try in goal we will let them.
Are practices mandatory?
I realize that things can come up that can prevent a player from practicing. However, if they don't
make practice they won't improve, and may not get as much playing time. If your daughter can't
make practice or a game please let me know.
What are my expectations as the coach?
I like to equate practice to homework and games to the test at the end of the week.
"When your son/daughter is taking the test on Friday, do you stand next to their desk and scream
out the answers"? If we want the team and your child to figure out what it is to be a better player,
we can't give them all the answers. They need to be able to solve the problems faced in the game.
If you truly feel the need to interrupt the game and "learning experience" of your child, I will gladly
sub them out and send them over to them for the remainder of the game so they can "discuss" what
is so important.
A coach did this once. It made a pretty strong point. Some of the parents thought the dad was
going to pass out when he realized his son was standing next to him and asked "Dad, coach said
you had something really important to tell me. What is it???"
Practices are for the coaches. Games are for the players. None of it is for the parents.
Reasons for parents not coaching from the sidelines:
1-They probably don't know what the coach is working on and thus are working
against what the coach is trying to accomplish.
2-The coach is trying to teach the kids to be creative on the field and not moving
them around like chess pieces. The coach wants them to think more for themselves.
3-When the kids hear more than one voice from the sidelines it is very
distracting for them.
If you must say things from the sideline, parents can cheer their daughter and team on in a
constructive and positive soccer fashion (no shouting “boot it!!”, or cheering for toe balls),
BUT DO NOT COACH FROM THE SIDELINES
What is my goal for each game? For the season?
To compete in every game.
We are all in this to have fun and develop. If you can look back at the end of the season and your
daughter is a better player and had fun, then the season was a success.
What if I have problems/issues/sensitive questions?
Please address them with me apart from the other parents and players. I will listen and do my best
to resolve any situations I can.
There is the old commercial that goes, “You can pay me now or you can pay me later.”
In regards to soccer, the same holds true. Coaches can focus on winning games and tournaments
now at the expense of players learning the game properly and have poorly prepared players OR
coaches can focus on preparing players and create better players for down the road.
What about playing time?
Playing time most likely won’t be equal, but all players will get a good amount of time. Some things
that will affect playing time are:
Players’ attitude
Attendance and effort at practice
Contribution/effort in each particular game
The opponent
Tardiness for practice and games
Will my daughter play one position?
NO. They are all still learning, and exposure to all positions helps teach the game. Besides, we
grow in to different positions based upon our past experience, our physical, psychological,
technical and tactical development. If you are expecting this you should look elsewhere.
Will all girls play in goal?
Not necessarily. I will try and pick a few regular goalies. If the chance arises and another girl wants
to try in goal we will let them.
Are practices mandatory?
I realize that things can come up that can prevent a player from practicing. However, if they don't
make practice they won't improve, and may not get as much playing time. If your daughter can't
make practice or a game please let me know.
What are my expectations as the coach?
I like to equate practice to homework and games to the test at the end of the week.
"When your son/daughter is taking the test on Friday, do you stand next to their desk and scream
out the answers"? If we want the team and your child to figure out what it is to be a better player,
we can't give them all the answers. They need to be able to solve the problems faced in the game.
If you truly feel the need to interrupt the game and "learning experience" of your child, I will gladly
sub them out and send them over to them for the remainder of the game so they can "discuss" what
is so important.
A coach did this once. It made a pretty strong point. Some of the parents thought the dad was
going to pass out when he realized his son was standing next to him and asked "Dad, coach said
you had something really important to tell me. What is it???"
Practices are for the coaches. Games are for the players. None of it is for the parents.
Reasons for parents not coaching from the sidelines:
1-They probably don't know what the coach is working on and thus are working
against what the coach is trying to accomplish.
2-The coach is trying to teach the kids to be creative on the field and not moving
them around like chess pieces. The coach wants them to think more for themselves.
3-When the kids hear more than one voice from the sidelines it is very
distracting for them.
If you must say things from the sideline, parents can cheer their daughter and team on in a
constructive and positive soccer fashion (no shouting “boot it!!”, or cheering for toe balls),
BUT DO NOT COACH FROM THE SIDELINES
What is my goal for each game? For the season?
To compete in every game.
We are all in this to have fun and develop. If you can look back at the end of the season and your
daughter is a better player and had fun, then the season was a success.
What if I have problems/issues/sensitive questions?
Please address them with me apart from the other parents and players. I will listen and do my best
to resolve any situations I can.