Second Year of Comp: Questions and Advice

[Lemmon Pepper Lou]

In our own expereince, it's more effective to let your daughter have that conversation with the coach herself (maybe from U9 and up). It's never too early for kids to learn to speak for themselves. It doesn't need to be a long discussion. Simple questions such as "What do I need to do to get more playing time?", or "If we are up by 3 goals in a game, can I play some winger instead of always playing centerback?".

Coaches get offended when parents want to have a say in roster construction and playing time, i.e. you're telling him how to make his soccer team better. It's more genuine and less confrontational when the request comes from a kid.

Make sure you leave the club if your coach expects communication solely from a 9 year old. Once your player hits the high-school age its then time for them to take some more responsibility.....but U9.....just LOL - terrible advice. If you have a coach who refuses to speak with the parents -this almost always means they don't have the gonads for criticism. If you - the customer is paying $2k-$3k a year - coach better make time to talk with the player and parent for anything. Most of these coaches are snake oil sales men - even at the highest levels. Majority have more experience in manipulating players and parents over actual soccer experience. Also if a DOC cant return your phone call or email in a timely fashion its time to pack up and leave - especially if your players on a top flight team.

 

[Orca10]

These same players were the same kids of the parents who would complain to the coach in a loud and often cruel manner after practices, things such as: she doesn't run because she has diabetes, she doesn't like running, she is bored with sprints.

I assume this was referencing the old club with the multiple coaching changes midseason. It sounds like the a very bad situation with worse parents. Glad to see you get out of there.

I’m far from perfect. I’ve yelled instructions from the sideline. Hand up, I am working on getting better. Parents who yell (anything but a hoot for a good play) at practice are on another level, and I’d advise anyone to run not walk away from a culture like that.

 

[outside!]

You may already know this, but if not, I mean the following in a very friendly way. During a game, STFU on the sideline. Cheer the positives and any time either keeper makes a great save. Other than that, see step 1.