Not every player or household has a recreational mindset. Even at age 9 you can be competitive and strive to be the best in your sport. Imagine we had this mindset in school, it wouldn't be acceptable.
New Soccer Parent - Need some advice on future
- Thread starter RaeJaxx
- Start date
Not every player or household has a recreational mindset. Even at age 9 you can be competitive and strive to be the best in your sport. Imagine we had this mindset in school, it wouldn't be acceptable.
Certainly - BUT, if you worry too much about the "stream" then the fun aspect can be lost and that's when kids quit.
100% disagree... I say that because my environments are extremely technical, high tempo, high standards with competitive elements yet I know how to make it fun. This is why we talk about pro coaches lately on this website. Pro coaches know how to make it challenging, technical developing yet engage the players so they are thirsty for more. Volunteer parents lack the experience, passion and courses to know how to do this. Take soccer tennis as a very basic example. Very challenge for a Gold U13 player. Yet after a few weeks of hard work, focus and some coaching on why soccer tennis is important yet fun. They become obsessed after one month.
When I design a session, get ideas, implement principles into my kids.... not a shred of material is north american. Most is South American / Dutch / German / Spanish exercises / ideology.
When I design a session, get ideas, implement principles into my kids.... not a shred of material is north american. Most is South American / Dutch / German / Spanish exercises / ideology.
how do you know this kids current coach is "volunteer"? How do you know a volunteer coach can't be very good and bring similar insight and education to a so-called "pro" coach.
I get your meaning, and generally agree with you, but I'd suggest you not be quite so dismissive of volunteer coaches. As a staff coach I work with 10 volunteer coaches - there are definitely steep learning curves. But it's clear they are doing some very good things too.
easoccer
Established Member
- Aug 27, 2015
- 862
90 percent of coaches are volunteer. It cant all be bad. And not only that but I applaud the efforts of those who volunteer there time so that kids can be involved in soccer. Without them it wouldnt be possible.
indeed my sentiment too.
do we need to improve coaching levels? yes. But let's applaud and appreciate our volunteers. Is 9 a critical age for development? Yes. But should "elite" be the top priority at that age? No, not IMO, considering our current playing environment/set-up.
The two best coaches my kids have ever had were both volunteers. My son got hooked on soccer-tennis playing soccer-tennis with his friends for countless hours after his volunteer coach showed them how to do it, then got out of the way. My son's high school soccer team was a powerhouse this year, thanks in large part to a handful of very talented kids who'd returned to soccer after burning out and quitting HPL and metro levels teams. If you want to see 14-16 year olds enjoying themselves, really enjoying themselves, playing soccer, check out a high school game! Kids and friends of all abilities playing (surprisingly high level) soccer together with volunteer coaches.
There is a place for professional coaches, but the system in BC as it exists now seems designed to to squeeze dollars from the most willing parents at the expense of the vast majority of kids playing soccer.
As to the question of "recreational" vs "competitive" 9 year olds? Apart from the 1 in 100,000 or 1 in a million exception, nine year olds should be playing all kinds of sports with their friends. One of the (many) things we get wrong is telling kids at age 9 or 10 that they aren't good enough to play with their friends, or that they're too good to play with their friends.
The path of a child should not be entirely dictated by a parent...but influenced. You have to understand what your child finds "fun" in soccer ( not what you do) If she wants to excel and win ,and friends are not the key...help her find teams seeking results. If she wants to be with her friends...help her play with them . The more pressure you put on a child to achieve goals that are not her own...the less likely she will achieve them...
rich
Active Member
- Aug 20, 2015
- 291
Some of the best coaches I've seen in 20 years have been volunteers. Some of the worst have been paid "professionals". A paycheque and a title do not equal quality. Knowledge of the game, and the ability to translate that knowledge in appropriate learning blocks to children, while keeping it fun...that is quality.
Let's stuff the "we need more professional coaches" argument and stuff it where it belongs. We need more educated coaches.
See, this is why I need at least two cups of coffee before logging online in the morning... *grumble grumble*
Let's stuff the "we need more professional coaches" argument and stuff it where it belongs. We need more educated coaches.
See, this is why I need at least two cups of coffee before logging online in the morning... *grumble grumble*
EDUCATION is critical. We can create all the leagues we want (Including the Canadian premier League and Regional Tier 3) but without properly educated, supervised coaches we will go nowhere in truth (just look at Germany and Iceland's progression for recent guides - Spain as well)
easoccer
Established Member
- Aug 27, 2015
- 862
I found, in my own experience, volunteer coaches to be somewhat more dedicated as well. Minimal abscences, show up early, leave late, mentor kids. Ive known many paid coaches to not be as such.