International goalkeeper coach, Lead coach ZPro Futbol® MS Sport & Health Science, Speaker, Mental Trainer.
This blog will help young parents navigate the world of youth soccer.
Everyone should always do their research and learn more about how youth club coaches in this country are structured.
Also, every youth club in the country will say the right things, such as: Development, mental training, building self-esteem, we care” etc. But in the end, coaches are responsible to inspire your child to love the game and improve their skill.
Before going into a club, try to understand the type of coaches there are.
Here is the most common coaching structure that most parents will come across:
Amateur youth coach, amateur college coaches, & Professional.
At this level, it should be purely developmental. Here, kids will find inspiration to reach their full potential as soccer players. The youth club is the first step to loving the game, but only if the child receives the proper attention.
These coaches will teach young athletes new tactics new ideas, mentor them, and help athletes become mentally solid & confident. They learn to be leaders, overcome difficulties, compete and elevate their communication skills. DEVELOPMENT is the ONLY FOCUS.
NOTE:
Outside the US, youth club coaches are judged by the number of players they have developed & gone into the professional leagues. They are not judged by winning records or whom they know.
Yes, college coaches are still amateurs; they see their players much differently than youth coaches. College coaches’ job depends on 18 yr old kids they recruit. Therefore, expect high pressure on athletes almost immediately when they arrive at college. Also, the pressure will vary according to Divisions (D1, D2, D3). Regardless of what you have heard in the past, there is no time for development in college. Players need to be ready to go from day 1.
NOTE:
College coaches can spend years coaching at the same university and never win a single national title, but as long as they have winning seasons, their jobs are “safe.” So the emphasis is on winning as many games as possible per season.
Strictly business. Professional coaches, also known as Managers, earn millions of dollars (outside the US), but this paycheck brings tons of pressure. They treat their players as company employees, except these “employees” are costly and valuable workers.
There is a high level of respect for all the athletes; these professional coaches spend an enormous amount of time looking for a way to keep their players motivated & inspired to keep working despite how terrible or great their season is going—however, these coaches are judged by the number of CHAMPIONSHIPS they win. Just having winning seasons is not enough. They have to win CHAMPIONSHIPS. Therefore, everyone in this company is replaceable.
Parents will spend most of their time around youth soccer coaches. You will likely observe that some coaches will give more attention to better athletes and less to below-average athletes. Also, other coaches will do anything to build the athlete while others do a job and get paid. Either way, parents have the best interest of their children and understand if their child is getting the proper training they need. Therefore, make sure to stay informed and aware of your child’s soccer development.
You seem to be living your life according to youth club soccer. An intense emotional roller coaster is experienced by parents throughout the United States as their children progress through their youth soccer careers. You may not think so, but being a youth soccer parent is exhausting emotionally and physically. Many parents have developed serious
Nervous soccer parents
Athlete burnout is defined by Sport Psychologists as: physical/emotional exhaustion, sport devaluation, reduced athletic performance and accomplishment”. Burnout can happen at a very young age. I have personally met many 12-year-olds who show severe signs of burnout. Unfortunately, a number of parents refuse to believe their children are too young to burn out, insisting that what their children require is