It should come as no shock to anyone – especially soccer parents – that “club” soccer can require a rather significant financial investment, but will it always be this way? Are the days of the ridiculously high priced soccer clubs numbered? They are if they are they are doing what they advertise… Continue reading this post »
One of my pet peeves is a youth soccer coach who [incorrectly] feels that he/she must micromanage every aspect of the game. A coach cannot hope to develop players that can proactively adapt to the constantly changing speed and mental aspects of the game if he/she is continually shouting positional information from the sidelines. Instead, the coach needs to encourage players to think, adapt and communicate on the field. Continue reading this post »
Recently, Sam Snow – the Coaching Director for US Youth Soccer (and a prolific USYSA blogger on Youth Soccer topics) - held an informative coaching clinic for local travel club and recreational coaches in Roanoke, VA. The session focused on proper training of defensive principles for the U11/12 age groups. He feels (and I have to agree) that there is far too little instruction on proper defensive technique and the importance of communication at the younger age groups. Continue reading this post »
Change is simply defined as “a transformation or modification”. Is change good? Is change bad? Change, in and of itself, is simply a fact of life. It always has been; it always will be. It is our personal reaction to change that makes it “good” or “bad” at a personal level.
I prefer to think of change as opportunity. As a player, when you are asked to change a favorite position to one that you weaker or uncomfortable with, how do you react? Do you see it as an opportunity to learn new facets of the game and become a more rounded player? Do you see it as a dreaded experience that you wish you could avoid altogether? Continue reading this post »
While PASA head coaches are held responsible for virtually everything about their teams, they are not expected to do all of the work. PASA head coaches are expected to know how to effectively delegate administative tasks so that they may focus on youth soccer player development. Effective delegation, however, requires organization, communication and interpersonal skills, and these skills are not always among a youth soccer coach’s strongest. Continue reading this post »
Volunteerism is neither a new concept nor an uncommon occurrence. According to the Fair Labor Standards Act, a volunteer is “An individual who performs hours of service for a public agency [or organization] for civic, charitable, or humanitarian reasons, without promise, expectation or receipt of compensation for services rendered.” People willingly working together for the betterment of their community, an organization and/or themselves are a truly valuable resource. Volunteers are the life’s blood of any not-for-profit organization – especially a youth sports organization.
Think about how much you receive when you give, and consider why you want to volunteer. Most volunteers find their donation of time and energy to be a meaningful experience for themselves as well as for the organization. Youth soccer parents that are involved and volunteer for the club and/or team will typically find that their children are more involved and committed to the sport as well. In addition, the children will see your involvement and are more likely to donate their time as they grow older. You may have some special reasons of your own, but here are is a small sampling of the many applicable responses given by past volunteers. Continue reading this post »
PASA is strongly committed to good sportsmanship on the part of the parents, players, and coaches, and with the fall soccer season kicking off, it is a good time to remind everyone about the club’s zero tolerance policy. Continue reading this post »
“Mom, I don’t want to play anymore!” After all of the support and effort by parents to keep their child involved in youth sports, is there anything more shocking to hear? The truth is, however, that adults are usually responsible for statements like this.
“There is a terrible imbalance between the needs kids have and the needs of the adults running their sports programs,” says Dr. Bruce Svare, director of the National Institute for Sports Reform. “Above all, kids need to have fun. Instead, adults are providing unrealistic expectations and crushing pressure.”
According to National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) statistics, fewer than 2% of high school athletes will ever receive a college athletic scholarship. Additionally, less than 0.0077% of high school athletes (less than one in 13,000) will ever play professionally. With these staggering odds, why are we [adults] treating youth-sports leagues like incubators for future professional athletes and pushing our young children toward unrealistic goals like college sports scholarships and pro contracts?
Earlier this year – as is typical in the summer time – the PASA skills training session had to be cancelled at the last minute to lightning observed at the field. This led me reemphasize my stance on player safety when it come to lightning. Continue reading this post »
Summer is “Soccer Camp” season. Many youth soccer players will enjoy themselves at any of the countless youth soccer camps across the US, and some may even learn a new trick or two! Although the players are excited, parents need to make sure that they go off to camp prepared. What follows are a few quick tips that parents can use to ensure soccer camps are enjoyed by the players. Continue reading this post »
Greg Doneghue is the Director of Coaching and Player Development for the Peaks Area Soccer Association (PASA). PASA is a youth soccer club based in Forest, VA.
US Youth Soccer
