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ATTITUDE TOWARDS GAMES AND TOURNAMENTS
(Taken from US Soccer’s “Best Practices”)
Focus on the process and performance rather than the outcome, but be
prepared for the possibility that your team may lose some games in the short
term with this approach. Keep in mind that it is actually easier to win games
at this age group with teams that are “organized” but lack skill. Placing the
more physically mature players down the middle of the field and just asking
players to ‘kick it down the middle’ or only allowing players to specialize at
one position may lead to more victories. This approach, however, does not
effectively teach the players the game and prepare them to continue on in the
sport. Instead, a skillful approach to playing soccer should be emphasized,
even though this may result in conceding goals or losing games in the short
term. During the learning process, ball control and passing can lead to more
costly mistakes. At the same time, the coach can manipulate the level and
variety of the competition to ensure that players and teams are being given
the opportunity to win and to lose games. Valuable lessons can be learned in
both scenarios. In the end, it is still the responsibility of the coach and the
parents, to manage how competition is addressed and managed among his
or her players.
LEARNING THE GAME VERSUS JUST PLAYING THE GAME
Far too often we see players who are good athletes doing well at younger
ages because they are bigger or faster than their competition, but then
struggle as they get older and players start to "even out" physically. Soccer
is a thinking game. It is fluid. Players have to learn to read the game, both as
an individual and as a team. Players who learn to do this will continue to
enjoy the game and be able to rise to meet the challenges it presents at a
faster pace of play. Players who continue to rely on just their athleticism or
"what use to work" will become more and more frustrated with the game.
Because of this, a main focus for my teams is learning to "Play what you
see". This is the "why of what" (the why we do what we do). Players who
are content with playing at the level they have always played at will be
frustrated this year whereas players who want to learn can and will improve if
they put in the time and effort at practice and at home.
(Taken from US Soccer’s “Best Practices”)
Focus on the process and performance rather than the outcome, but be
prepared for the possibility that your team may lose some games in the short
term with this approach. Keep in mind that it is actually easier to win games
at this age group with teams that are “organized” but lack skill. Placing the
more physically mature players down the middle of the field and just asking
players to ‘kick it down the middle’ or only allowing players to specialize at
one position may lead to more victories. This approach, however, does not
effectively teach the players the game and prepare them to continue on in the
sport. Instead, a skillful approach to playing soccer should be emphasized,
even though this may result in conceding goals or losing games in the short
term. During the learning process, ball control and passing can lead to more
costly mistakes. At the same time, the coach can manipulate the level and
variety of the competition to ensure that players and teams are being given
the opportunity to win and to lose games. Valuable lessons can be learned in
both scenarios. In the end, it is still the responsibility of the coach and the
parents, to manage how competition is addressed and managed among his
or her players.
LEARNING THE GAME VERSUS JUST PLAYING THE GAME
Far too often we see players who are good athletes doing well at younger
ages because they are bigger or faster than their competition, but then
struggle as they get older and players start to "even out" physically. Soccer
is a thinking game. It is fluid. Players have to learn to read the game, both as
an individual and as a team. Players who learn to do this will continue to
enjoy the game and be able to rise to meet the challenges it presents at a
faster pace of play. Players who continue to rely on just their athleticism or
"what use to work" will become more and more frustrated with the game.
Because of this, a main focus for my teams is learning to "Play what you
see". This is the "why of what" (the why we do what we do). Players who
are content with playing at the level they have always played at will be
frustrated this year whereas players who want to learn can and will improve if
they put in the time and effort at practice and at home.