Youth soccer is the fastest growing sport in the United States, and soccer clubs are struggling to keep up with the demand for quality soccer programs and training. This causes a huge demand for the relatively small supply of qualified trainers and coaches. If the clubs, however, are doing a good job of developing soccer players with a love for the game, it is only a matter of time until those players become young adults and want to give back to their communities and return to the sport that they love.

I predict that a steadily increasing influx of qualified trainers will outpace the demand and drive down the high cost of club soccer training. This will level the playing field (no pun intended) so that the only differentiating factors will be the club’s style and programs – not the quality of technical training.

US Youth Soccer states that soccer is “The Game for All”, and many clubs have programs designed to lessen the financial hardship. However, the harsh reality is that some players don’t get the quality development that they require in order to excel at the game. I, for one, look forward to the day in which financial status will no longer be a barrier of any kind to participation in this great sport.

Communication is infectious, and the same is true for the lack thereof. Once a few players start to communicate effectively, the whole team starts to communicate effectively (offensively and defensively).  Once a team starts communicating, they take a step in becoming proactive players. You will be amazed at the increased level of play, enjoyment and how quiet you have become at games. Parents will also be amazed at your poise, but some may question why you aren’t “coaching” as much from the sidelines (which is an excellent opportunity for some impromptu parental education).

Empower and encourage your players to communicate and try new things (and make mistakes) in a supportive environment, and you will be surprised by the positive results.

Too often, young players defend to “dispossess” instead of “possess”.  When a defender blindly stabs at the ball in an uncoordinated attempt to simply disrupt the play,  it is an example of defending to dispossess. This approach - if successful - will usually results in a 50/50 ball. Instead, players should to be taught patience, timing, technique (e.g. “sticking” the ball with a solid wedge trap) and the importance of on-field decisions and communication.

Although the younger players cannot be expected to understand complex defensive techniques, they should be introduced to a few concepts that will lay the proper foundation on which more advance technique/tactics can be developed. One of the simplest methods is to start teaching the supporting players at the U11/12 ages to communicate with a few simple single-word defensive instructions (single words are especially important when players are fatigued later in the game).

 The specific words are not as important as the concept that they convey. I try to teach younger players to communicate using five simple defensive words: “left”, “right”, “tight”, “contain”, and ”tackle”. Sam prefers seven: “left”, “right”, “tighter”, “looser”, “contain”, “tackle”, and “switch”, so I am going to try to adopt his approach. My guinea pigs will likely be my son’s winter indoor team!

After the session, a small group had a very good informal discussion with Sam over dinner about a positive trend of Youth Soccer Academies in US Youth Soccer, but more on that topic in later posts…

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?

Coaches, when you ask one of your players to change positions or incorporate a newly introduce skill, watch the reaction and listen carefully to the response. Is the response enthusiastic? Even if the player sounds enthusiastic, body language may be saying something completely different. Does the facial expression convey wide-eyed fear? There are also keywords to listen for. I interpret the word ”can’t“  as “I won’t even try“. I also interpret the word  ”but“ as “I heard what you said, and I disagree completely“.

As a youth soccer coach, you should be challenging players to become comfortable with new situations. This is a fundamental step in the long term player development process.

As a player, you should be open to accepting the challenge of trying something different. For example, first hand knowledge of another position allows a better understanding of the implications of your actions when you return to the position in which you are most comfortable - positional flexibility is critical to your development as a soccer player.

Too often, head coaches that try to do everything without delegation get overwhelmed by the administrative necessities of running a team, and team management suffers. On the other hand, some head coaches attempt to throw all responsibility for team management activities “over the wall” to their managers or assistance coaches, and these coaches will usually end up driving off those who truly wish to help (after all, team managers are adults who don’t really need extra headaches).

Tips for effective delegation:

• Have a preseason meeting with your team staff (assistants and managers) to discuss the ground rules and division of responsibility - this should be an interactive discussion where you take time to understand the viewpoints of all involved, not simply deliver a statement of your demands.
• Be respectful, tolerant, responsible, organized, knowledgable and honest. Do not take responsibility for a task then try to “delegate” it at the first sign of trouble.
• Encourage your team staff to enlist other parents to help. After all, a head coach is not the only one who can delegate.
• Understand which issues need your immediate attention and which ones can be delegated. For example, issues such as communication of practice schedules can be delegated, but issues regarding your expectations of player behavior should not.
• Delegate the task, not the method to accomplish it. No one likes to have every little thing critiqued and second guessed
• Understand the administrative deadlines to which teams must adhere, and do everything in your power to enable compliance.
• Never wait until the last moment to delegate tasks.
• Try to create an open atmoshpere of inclusion and communication. Remember that everyone is not an expert in team management.
• Remember that your “team staff” usually consists of volunteers. They, as you, have the kids best interest in mind.
• Do not be afraid to ask for help or advise.

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.

• to set a positive example
• to feel needed, good or proud
• to share skills or experiences
• to demonstrate commitment to a cause/belief
• satisfaction from accomplishment
• to keep busy
• to have an impact
• to learn something new
• to help a friend or relative
• to become an “insider”
• to be challenged
• to have an excuse to do what you love
• to assure progress or be a watchdog
• to test yourself
• to be an agent of change
• for fun! 

A Few Tips for Volunteers

• Do not assume that you have to be an expert to help.
• Communicate openly and feel free to question & challenge. Understand that no question is a “stupid question”.
• Know your limitations and when to “back away”. Too often, volunteers get so emotionally involved that they burn themselves out in a relatively short period.
• Treat your activity as a learning experience. According to the 2000 National Survey of Giving, Volunteering and Participating (Canadian), sixtythree percent of volunteers reported increased knowledge about issues related to their volunteering.
• It is perfectly acceptable to want want some benefits for yourself from volunteering.

A Few Tips for Organizations

• Do not underestimate the power of harnessing volunteers.
• Do not take volunteers for granted. Show your appreciation and realize that volunteers can “vote with their feet”.
• Know what you want from volunteers and know when it is inappropriate to ask volunteers for help.
• Do not overlook fresh ideas from volunteers. New perspectives should be welcomed.
• Volunteers provide enthusiasm, extra resources and, often, skills. 
• Utilize volunteers in such a way as to add quality to your organization. 

• PASA seeks to foster good sportsmanship: a welcoming attitude toward visiting teams, coaches and fans. All teams should greet their opponents and regard all visitors as honored guests.
• PASA will not tolerate physical or verbal unsportsmanlike conduct by players, coaches or parents. Sanctions can include barring a player from PASA participation as a result of his/her behavior.
• Use of tobacco products at field areas is prohibited.
• Use of alcoholic beverages or other illegal substances at field areas is forbidden and subject to city ordinances and/or school policies.
• The PASA Board of Directors may expel from the program any coach or player whose conduct during PASA-sanctioned activities is damaging to the image of the PASA program as a whole. The Board shall determine the length of the expulsion and the terms under which an individual may be reinstated, if at all.
• Abusive conduct by a player or parent towards a coach or other team official, at any time, shall be deemed conduct damaging to the image of the PASA program as a whole. Abusive conduct includes, but is not limited to, verbal or physical abuse.
• PASA abides by VYSA guidelines regarding referee abuse or assault. Should PASA be fined by VYSA for referee abuse or assault, the coach, player, team official, or spectator who abused or assaulted referee or assistant referee will be required to reimburse PASA the full amount of the fine within 30 days from the issuance of the fine by VYSA.
• Concerns regarding sportsmanship should be expressed in writing to the PASA Board of Directors. Head Coaches are responsible for facilitating communication between the Board of Directors and any concerned individual.

“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?

Why they start…

Before we discuss why kids quit, we should look at why they start in the first place. First, it is important to understand that players coming to any sport prior to the age of 6 do not do so by their own choice. Regardless of why children start participating in organized sports, all will cite a core set of reasons.

• Affiliation (being a part of something like a team or a club)
• Competence (learning and improving)
• Fitness (agility, balance, coordination & physical health)
• Fun (the overwhelming reason why children play sports)
  • Players want to compete with each other & will strive to do their best when they step into a competitive environment
  • Players naturally want to compete, but when younger players leave a game, they basically want to know two things: When do we play again & Where is the snack

Note that “Winning” (or other adult concepts of success) is not one of the reasons that children start to participate in organized sports.

Why they quit…

Research shows that 70-75% of children will quit playing an organized sport before age 14. Six of the seven primary reasons for dropping out of organized youth sports are “adult influenced”.

• Lack of playing time
• Over-emphasis on winning
• Lack of fun
• Dissatisfaction with personal/team performance
• Lack of social support
• Coaching/adult behaviors
• Other activities are more interesting (the only reason that is not adult influenced)

How to be a good sports parent…

Fixing the crisis in youth sports must begin at home. What follows are tips from “Sports Done Right” to get parents started.

• Encourage your child, regardless of his or her degree of success or level of skill.
• Ensure a balance in your student athlete’s life, encouraging participation in multiple sports and activities while placing academics first.
• Emphasize enjoyment, development of skills and team play as the cornerstones of your child’s early sports experiences while reserving serious competition for the varsity level.
• Leave coaching to coaches and avoid placing too much pressure on your youngster about playing time and performance.
• Be realistic about your child’s future in sports, recognizing that only a select few earn a college scholarship, compete in the Olympics or sign a professional contract.
• Be there when your child looks to the sidelines for a positive role model.

Although you may hear “soccer is played in all weather, so we will train in all weather”, there is one notable weather exception: lightning.

Lightning is extremely dangerous, and each year, more people are killed by lightning than are killed by tornadoes. The annual number of deaths from lightning is roughly 80 people, and several hundred more are struck and left to suffer serious long term effects. Lightning can travel sideways for up to 10 miles, and many referees now carry “lightning detectors” which can detect lightning up to 30 miles away. This would be a good investment for a coach or parent as well.

For youth soccer, finishing the game or training activity is not worth the risk of permanent injury or death. Lightning safety is the responsibility of everyone involved with youth soccer: coaches, managers, trainers, parents, spectators, etc. Coaches are usually focused on the players, so if lightning is observed by ANYONE, please do not hesitate to notify the coach (or person in charge of the activity).  All players, spectators and coaches should take cover immediately. Do not take the time to “clean up” until after the danger has passed. A good rule of thumb is that the activity should be postponed until at least 30 minutes after the last occurrence of lightning or thunder. 

If a coach wants to squeeze out a few more minutes on the field, pull your player and head for cover (you should also report the coach to the club).

The US Youth Soccer site has posted some very good advise on Lightning Safety Outdoors. There is also more information at the National Weather Service web site.

• Hydration: Effects of dehydration can include heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. By the time players feel thirsty, it is already too late. Beginning the night before, drink plenty of cool water (cool water is absorbed by the body more quickly). Keep this up during and after the camp as well. DO NOT DRINK SODA.
• Nutrition: Along with proper hydration, proper nutrition is vital to a player’s performance. The night before camp players should eat a balanced meal with plenty of complex carbohydrates (pasta, potatoes, etc.). Avoid fried foods. The morning of camp days, players should try to eat a good-sized breakfast of mainly fruits and grains. They should have juice, water or milk – NOT SODA – with breakfast. Players need to eat a light lunch during the day (especially if they are going to an all-day camp).
• Sleep: Players need at least 8 hours of restful sleep prior to camp days.
• Ball: All players need to bring a ball. Even if your camp provides a ball, it is a good idea to bring one just in case.
• Sunscreen: All players should to be slathered in sunscreen, and don’t forget to put sunscreen in their bags.
• Rain gear: In summer, thunderstorm or rain showers can quickly form. In addition to knowing what the camp procedures will be for rainy weather, place a poncho or other rain gear in the player’s bag.
• Shoes/Foot Care: One often overlooked detail is proper foot care. Players should not wear cleats (referred to as “boots”) to/from camp. They should wear comfortable sneakers or padded sandals (no “flip-flops”), and do not go barefoot. Likewise, do not wear your shin guards or socks before or after camp. These should be put on at the field, and removed at the field. Not wearing boots, socks and shin guards when not at camp will prevent sweaty feet, undue wear on the cleats, and be easier on the nose.
• Shin Guards: Players should always wear shin guards when on the pitch!