Hello. Can you kindly point out where in that link anything is said about not posting scores? I understand the direction US soccer is trying to go, but nowhere in there was anything ever mentioned "No posting of scores". Every team loses and wins games. That is a fact of soccer life. But to pretend game scores don't exist is just plain silly, don't you agree on that? Kids must learn to win and lose, as that is a part of life. Part of soccer development is having a system while also game planning for teams. Not having scores available for coaches is borderline incompetence on the league's part if you want to develop top line coaches as well. But to each their own. Now how will the showcase games be determined I wonder? Guess there's no need to report scores anymore for 2008 and below, but then that should only be a requirement for 2007 and older, right?
Short Answer: Page 26 and 42 "Results should not be recorded."
Long Answer:
Posting of scores is synonymous with "results" and/or "wins and losses." US Soccer has told its affiliates and members (US Soccer --> US Youth Soccer --> Cal South --> SCDSL) that for 6-12 year olds we are not to focus on "results of the game" rather all focus is on development. US Soccer wants to see strategies and tactics implemented that increase soccer skills and technique for the entire team (the build out line and playing out of the back is a prime example) and not just a play it over the top to the fasted kid, which is an effective winning strategy at this age.
So here you go:
~Page 2
The coaching and playing environment needs to be improved for 6-12 year olds
- Too much emphasis placed on the result of the game.
Takeaway - scores, results don't matter for the 6-12 year old group.
~ Page 3
We can’t keep doing the same thing and expect to get different results.
- Long-term development of players is the top priority -Kids under the age of 12 don’t win World Cups so we should not treat them like adults or professional players
- Individual development and fun soccer experience is a priority
Takeaway - putting the kids in a fun environment where "ALL" players get an equal change to develop their skills is the direction. Those coaches that employ the "star" strategy are dumb-dumbs, so gone is the strategy of "ok, team, everybody just kick it to Johnny and he'll take it from there because dammit kids, we have to win this game."
~ Page 5
Objectives
- The focus moves away from the team and onto the individual player
- Development and winning do not have to happen independently from one another
- Our misguided desire to win at all costs at the youth levels often comes at the expense of individual player development
- This change will cause many parents and coaches to rethink how teams will be formed moving forward and this should take place with each individual player in mind based on his or her developmental needs
Takeaway - stop putting the focus on winning and put the focus on development of the each kid.
~ Page 26 [... here it comes]
7v7 Player Development Philosophy
Player Development Philosophy
- Results and standings should not be recorded
- Players should have a minimum of 2 rest days per week during the season along with planned breaks from organized soccer during the calendar year
- Any travel should be limited to day trips with limited allowances for overnight stays
- Events (ex: tournaments, showcases, festivals, etc.) should provide a predetermined number of games with no advancement, placement games or champions
Takeaway - scores (results) and standings are irrelevant. Give the kids a predetermined number of games, play all the kids at least 50% (previous slide). But, it doesn't stop there ... same applies to the 9v9's, see below:
~ Page 42
9v9 Player Development Philosophy
Player Development Philosophy
- Results and standings should not be recorded
- Players should have a minimum of 2 rest days per week during the season along with planned breaks from organized soccer during the calendar year
- Any travel should be limited to day trips with limited allowances for overnight stays
- Events (ex: tournaments, showcases, festivals, etc.) should provide a predetermined number of games with no advancement, placement games or champions
Ultimately, your point is that winning and losing is a quality that we American's value as part of our very fiber and that (1) 8-12 year old players are primarily motivated by winning; and (2) the measure of a good coach is victories v. loses. US Soccer has expressly rejected this point. My opinion is as follows:
You have a good point, I remember as a 10 year old feeling great when we won and the play off chase in little league. I also remember thinking that this wasn't really fair because the Angels had Bobby and Billy, two twins that were really good and a bunch of other decent players whose parents asked to be assigned to that team, and my team, the Braves had me (league all-star catcher) and Ryan (good hitter), but we also had Tommy and Kenny who couldn't catch, hit or throw. We never won the league championship, the Angels always did. The measure of success came at the end of every season when I was chosen to represent 1 of the All-Star teams as catcher.
US Soccer understands that American Culture doesn't/hasn't embraced soccer like our International counterparts. There are very little pick-up games occurring in the street after school. Our young people just don't have that many touches at age 6-10 that many international kids have. We have to make the game fun for "all" of these kids and discourage strategies that focus on just a few kids, which includes game-day strategies.
I myself am one of those coaches that put winning above development. When I coached (E-License, don't coach anymore) my strategy was also put the slow kids up top, my athletes in the mid and middle positions and everybody else to the outside. The "athletes" knew and/or were told to not pass to certain kids. My mantra was you aren't going to help us, but you aren't going to hurt us. We won games. Lost a few. My practices were focused on winning the next game, neutralizing their star/strength, and getting the ball to our athletes. My son wanted to play GK ... nope, you are my best player, you are playing attacking mid. All kids did the drills and little fun games, but come game time my strategy was to win at the cost of developing the weaker players. I'm not proud of this, but its a reality for every single coach that is chasing wins. US Soccer understands this.
Winning and development can go hand in hand, but the focus at the uLittles should be development and fun. We want these kids to come back to soccer and play for the fun of the game ... not the trophy. When they get older 13+, winning is a much important motivating factor, so let's introduce it and now make it a part of the game knowing that a certain amount of development will suffer.
or maybe it's just a glitch. Guess we'll never know.
