 Soccer is a “game” like many others. It may look chaotic from the bench or appear scripted from the folding chairs, but it's ever evolving for everyone. As we’ve stated previously, its intended to be fun in many different ways. Some like to compete, some like to just understand the strategy, and others are there because their parents signed them up to make friends or learn to play in groups. The “game” is the common tie.
You're going to practice, a lot. Practicing should always have some element of the game in it. Drills are important, but they must also have some element of how it fits into the game to draw the connection of why players are working at improving their skills vs. playing the game. The irony is that to enjoy the game more, you need to develop all types of skills at the individual or team level. One of the great satisfactions of being a coach is seeing your player learn a skill in practice and execute it in a game. The genuine smile on their face when you recognize it is priceless. You may be one of the only people to understand because of the few moments you took in practice to explain it and work on it while they master the concept and technique. This is one example of “where the game is at”. Players will find the answer to this in all types of ways. You’ll get frustrated by some, but roll with it as long as you can keep the overall team moving ahead. Not every player is going to want to be a lifelong competitor. Again, roll with it as the coach not as the parent. Your roll is different. There are resources available for new coaches to get up to speed on where to start and where to grow. The SYSA team has periodic coaching sessions and various soccer organizations have training available. SYSA also invests in coaches that are interested to earn various licenses. Get in touch with us to learn more about how SYSA reimburses coaches for selected training programs. The time you put in as a coach multiplies to every player who affirms back to you that the practice time was worth it.  (Credit: Coach Lisle Facebook Page) I love this quote from former Yankees Manager Joe Girardi, Show kids your belief in them regardless of how they perform. It's easy as a coach to praise great performances. The less obvious praise is to demonstrate to the less heralded player why you depend on their contribution to make the team excel. "There has never been a soccer game where one player has defeated another team singlehandedly for up to 90 minutes", Former SYSA President Dave Jolie. Identify the contributions of every player because they all play a role, whether this is obvious or not to their teammates. This isn't about getting everyone a trophy though, make them earn their praise and feedback. This is one of the great joys of coaching, seeing a player put the work in and achieve whatever it is they set out to do. One seemingly forgettable throw in, played well, can make the difference in a game. This other coach sums it up better than I can...and with more credentials. (Source: AZ Quotes)  |
Scott Moroney"As a coach, board member and new SYSA VP, I've likely seen and heard a lot of what you may be wondering how to manage as a parent or player. Great kids with supportive parents make it all a "once in a lifetime" experience. Archives
October 2019
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