1. How to get the best experience out of your child’s youth soccer participation

2. Youth Soccer Clubs should have a mission statement that discusses issues such as if that club puts player development first or results first. If the club does not have anything in writing then ask the Director of Coaching or the Coach to present something in writing. If the club brags about how many wins they have and does not discuss how they help the players improve then they are result oriented and not focused on player development. Ask not only people at the club but ask others about their experience with the club and how things were run. Remember that the hype isn’t always as big as someone may sell it and just because you pay more money for one club than another, that does not mean you are getting more for your money. Also within the philosophy the club/team should describe the playing style and or the way the team will play, examples are possession oriented or direct, long ball, kick and run. Find what best suits your child and if this matches the clubs mission statement. Possession style allows the players more touches on the ball which equals more opportunity to develop as an individual player; direct does not allow all players maximum touches on the ball and stifles their development process.

3. A club or team’s goal should be to develop talented confident players who not only posses comfort and poise on the ball but also can make the correct decisions that are brought out through the game; not recruit new players each season for success. Again if the mission statement and or philosophy is development, the club should retain a high number of players compared to having a large turnover year in and year out. Ask the club/coach how many players have been with the team since its inception, this will allow you to get a better understanding of what the club/coach is really about.

4. Bill Beswick (a sports psychologist who works with professional teams in England) views the coach as the most influential person during the development phase. So, what is the coach’s position on teaching technique, developing committed players, making soccer fun, fueling the soccer passion and keeping players enthused? Is the coach interested in short-term success (winning now) or is there a commitment to developing players over the long- term? Everything the coach does should be shaped by a commitment to player development. Players should be able to play multiple positions, should receive intensive technical training, should be encouraged to experiment with their individual skills and take risks. They should ask questions when they don’t understand something or if they are confused, players should not be afraid to make mistakes and try things for the benefit of their development and understanding of the game.

5. USSF LICENSE'SNSCAA LICENSE’S We can not forget that coaches are also teachers, and just like teachers, coaches should be licensed or educated if working with our youth. The “A” license is the highest available award from the USSF, it is also the only license offered in the United States recognized by FIFA. However, the “B,” “C” and “National D” also indicate that coaches have shown an ability to coach at a higher level as well as some of the license’s offered through the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA).

6. Keys to Communication  Is the coach available to address any issues or concerns, most clubs will not answer questions regarding playing time or positions for the child. Most clubs and coaches also have a 48 hour rule after game before answering questions or concerns  If the coach is unavailable is the Director of Coaching or President available to address concerns or do they ignore the issues and hope that they go away?  Does the coach/club provide updates as to what/where the team is working on Concerns  Most clubs will not offer a refund if unhappy or commitment is not fulfilled due to financial obligations  Will Director of Coaching or President address player development issues with staff if they arise?  Is there a club curriculum that the staff is expected to follow?  Does the club live up to the mission statement?  Does the club/coach/team encourage players to participate in higher levels of play to increase the individual player’s chance of development? Or do they stress the importance of staying with their team for that certain coach only? Do the coaches badmouth and put down higher levels of play that could open other doors for your player?

7. Beware of teams/clubs that put a time restriction on commitment after tryouts. If they really care about the players best interest they will allow and support players to experience other teams, coaches and club philosophies prior to making a year long, time and financial commitment Beware of club/teams/coaches who do not encourage players to play multiple sports and urge them to focus on one sport, numerous studies have shown numerous advantages to no sport specialization Being a great soccer player does not automatically translate into being a great teacher of soccer players. Beware of any coach who takes credit for the success of his or her past players; the best coaches understand that players earn their own achievements. Beware of any coach advertising the number of college scholarships their players have received, (and run the other way if they promise one to you). Though earning coaching licenses doesn’t guarantee a great coach, it does show effort on the part of the coach. (That said, a license does not certify honesty or integrity.) Is the coach offering a training-based program with appropriate training-to-game ratios (at least 2-1), or is the coach promoting a program overly emphasizing competition?

8. Did your child enjoy the session, and does he or she want to go back? Is your child receiving coaching points that are detailed, personalized, and technical, or are they general, vague, and primarily focused on hustle and attitude? Are the players consistently engaged and active, with frequent contact with the ball? Does your CHILD, not parent, leave the training feeling that he or she has learned something new, or excited to try something new?

9. While the quality of the opposition in games and training gradually becomes more important as players age, (and is very important at U14 and above), these factors are far less significant when the player should primarily be learning individual technique and decision-making through quality training that replicates game situations. Unfortunately, no matter how much you research your decision, you may make a mistake -- the world is full of great salesmen. To minimize the impact of a bad decision, you must be able to recognize when the coaching your child is receiving is slowing their development. Without being a “helicopter parent,” be mindful when watching your child’s team play: * Are players encouraged to solve problems and think, or are they simply running around and kicking? * Does the team try to possess the ball (good sign) meaning they find teammates and pass the ball with a purpose compared to just kicking it when they get it or dribbling into space, or are they in a rush to go to goal immediately every time they get the ball (bad sign) and not allowed to control the ball? * Is coaching in the game given to players away from the ball (good sign), or is the coach joy sticking the player with the ball (bad sign)? * Is most of the coaching concerned with “working harder”? (What do you do when “working harder” is no longer sufficient because of a lack of knowledge or skill?) * Does the team rely primarily on serving the ball forward to a fast player up front to score, and on a fast player in the back to cover for mistakes? (Bad sign) Are the players to give the ball to one kid or look for one certain kid every time they get the ball? (Very bad sign) Or are players encouraged to take risks with the ball and try things to better themselves even with the possibility of losing the ball? * Does the team play differently at the end of the season than it does at the beginning? Is your child a noticeably different (and improved) player?