US played coaches vs European played coaches

[shirivelli]

We noticed that more coaches who played in Europe, especially in the UK, have been coming over to coach and train local soccer clubs here in the US. While these coaches are very passionate about soccer, I think they lack insight into how the whole US soccer clubs operate including player development, college networking, player recruiting, pay-to-play dynamics, and more. At first, their British accents and soccer training method seem attractive for joining a club, but these coaches often have minimal understanding of how to manage and guide players through different soccer stages of development here in the US. First of all, they have zero college networks, because they did not play soccer here in the US with college affiliations. They lack any coaches in their speed dial or any former alumni players who may be assistant coaches somewhere to get some recruiting guidance to advise. Additionally, they need to get their visa sponsored from their employing clubs, which sometimes means managing up to five teams with a very strenuous working schedule. Many of these coaches are often young, so they may try this US experience for a while and then return to the UK to explore other opportunities there. Now, my player, who built rapport with these European coaches over multiple years, needs to start anew. Am I totally missing this observation or many of the people experienced something similar?

 

[Jamisfoes]

Never had a British coach other than those in summer camps. I don’t think it's a big deal for a coach to have college connections as long as the DOC with the A license has connections.

 

[crush]

Never had a British coach other than those in summer camps. I don’t think it's a big deal for a coach to have college connections as long as the DOC with the A license has connections.

I got played big time by the accent. It was used as bait, and they and the others knew it. He played some ball in Euro but was not fast enough, so he decided to make millions off all the girl's hard work. He knew EVERYONE in this great sport, and you best better not blow a whistle on his behavior or else. I think Messi would make a great coach. I love this guy more and more each day. He said he hated running laps after practices and would cheat and hide. He prefers to walk around the pitch to get a great feel for the game and he said those stupid GPS vests are not a good way to motivate the players to play better. One of my dd championship teams were one or two touch or you sit on the bench. I'm serious man, you try to create, you're on the bench. Teaching kids this way and yelling at them the same time can be very mental on the brain.

Messi, who said this during an interview with JP Varsky on Clank Media, added that six-year-olds were taught to take two touches and play faster.

Messi is of the opinion that instead of such training, the kids should be taught to understand the game and work on their movements to find spaces instead.

The former PSG star said (via Mundo Albiceleste): “The Guardiola era was a bit confusing. … Many times, six and seven-year-old kids are already starting to be told that they have to play with two touches, to play fast, that they can’t have much of the ball.

“I think that at that age it has to be a bit like what happened to me: to teach them to better understand the game, to know how to move, to find spaces, to play quickly, but not to take away the spontaneity of each one.”

Sorry if this went off topic

 

[Slobodan]

We noticed that more coaches who played in Europe, especially in the UK, have been coming over to coach and train local soccer clubs here in the US. While these coaches are very passionate about soccer, I think they lack insight into how the whole US soccer clubs operate including player development, college networking, player recruiting, pay-to-play dynamics, and more. At first, their British accents and soccer training method seem attractive for joining a club, but these coaches often have minimal understanding of how to manage and guide players through different soccer stages of development here in the US. First of all, they have zero college networks, because they did not play soccer here in the US with college affiliations. They lack any coaches in their speed dial or any former alumni players who may be assistant coaches somewhere to get some recruiting guidance to advise. Additionally, they need to get their visa sponsored from their employing clubs, which sometimes means managing up to five teams with a very strenuous working schedule. Many of these coaches are often young, so they may try this US experience for a while and then return to the UK to explore other opportunities there. Now, my player, who built rapport with these European coaches over multiple years, needs to start anew. Am I totally missing this observation or many of the people experienced something similar?

What you're describing isn't new. The tell is when their bio says "played in various top level amateur and semi pro leagues". In other words, grab ass ball for an hour before hitting the pubs.

 

[watfly]

What you're describing isn't new. The tell is when their bio says "played in various top level amateur and semi pro leagues". In other words, grab ass ball for an hour before hitting the pubs.

The American version of that is "had a promising soccer career cut short by a knee injury" (i.e. I rode the pine at a D2 school).

 

[Mystery Train]

We noticed that more coaches who played in Europe, especially in the UK, have been coming over to coach and train local soccer clubs here in the US. While these coaches are very passionate about soccer, I think they lack insight into how the whole US soccer clubs operate including player development, college networking, player recruiting, pay-to-play dynamics, and more. At first, their British accents and soccer training method seem attractive for joining a club, but these coaches often have minimal understanding of how to manage and guide players through different soccer stages of development here in the US. First of all, they have zero college networks, because they did not play soccer here in the US with college affiliations. They lack any coaches in their speed dial or any former alumni players who may be assistant coaches somewhere to get some recruiting guidance to advise. Additionally, they need to get their visa sponsored from their employing clubs, which sometimes means managing up to five teams with a very strenuous working schedule. Many of these coaches are often young, so they may try this US experience for a while and then return to the UK to explore other opportunities there. Now, my player, who built rapport with these European coaches over multiple years, needs to start anew. Am I totally missing this observation or many of the people experienced something similar?

Think about it in reverse terms and it makes a lot of sense: If you were an Englishman, raising your family in London, and your kid really wanted to play baseball, and you had two coahces, one British and one American, offering to teach your kid, you'd probably go with the American, figuring they must know the game better. But as an American, you know that most American baseball coaches with any real credentials are working the game here, and any young baseball coach going to London is going primarily for the opporunity to live & work abroad, looking to simply leverage a skill that would be unique and hard to find overseas. I'm sure most of these European coaches see this as #1, an opportunity to live and work in the U.S., and coaching soccer is just the one thing they can sell themselves doing. As for the connections thing, I think that mostly has to do with the age of a coach and their network, not so much whether they are European or not. The club coach who got my daughter the most college exposure was an older Brit who had gotten his citizenship decades ago and coached soccer for a very long time and had built some credibility and connections, so I think it depends. A young American coach would be just as disconnected from the college scene. A note on that, though... college coaches are so inundated with recruiting contacts and youth coaches trying to get their players placed that it's not as simple as having a club coach who "knows" some college coaches. Even the most connected club coaches have trouble getting their players seriously considered by a college program.

Also, it does sound like from your post that you/your son are interested in him playing in college. My unsolicited advice is to make connections with college players or former college players or families with players/former players in college. Ask them about the experience in detail. You will be largely on your own in this process, even with a really great club coach. And, by the way, the reality of playing college soccer can be pretty ugly for a lot of people. There is a fantasy of what it is to be a college athlete and because the reality (especially in a non-revenue generating sport) is so different than the fantasy, it can feel like a nightmare if you aren't prepared. On the other hand, if you and your kid go in with a better understanding of what it is actually like, it can be a tough but rewarding experience that is worth the pain. But make no mistake. There will be pain.

 

[soccermax2]

We noticed that more coaches who played in Europe, especially in the UK, have been coming over to coach and train local soccer clubs here in the US. While these coaches are very passionate about soccer, I think they lack insight into how the whole US soccer clubs operate including player development, college networking, player recruiting, pay-to-play dynamics, and more. At first, their British accents and soccer training method seem attractive for joining a club, but these coaches often have minimal understanding of how to manage and guide players through different soccer stages of development here in the US. First of all, they have zero college networks, because they did not play soccer here in the US with college affiliations. They lack any coaches in their speed dial or any former alumni players who may be assistant coaches somewhere to get some recruiting guidance to advise. Additionally, they need to get their visa sponsored from their employing clubs, which sometimes means managing up to five teams with a very strenuous working schedule. Many of these coaches are often young, so they may try this US experience for a while and then return to the UK to explore other opportunities there. Now, my player, who built rapport with these European coaches over multiple years, needs to start anew. Am I totally missing this observation or many of the people experienced something similar?

My experience has been the opposite. The US is lacking in coaches just like a lot of sectors in US employment. So clubs are looking outside the box to get coaches for their teams. So far, the I have found the European coaches very competent with a focus on development. They seem to have more of a focus on technical training & ball movement where as the US coaches are looking towards athleticism.

But the European coaches we have had are not young, they are seasoned, know the game very well, and have played at a very high level. Since they have been around they know how the system works. So far we have a positive experience.

Also our team only allows 2 teams per coach, 5 is way too many for any coach. That sounds like part of the problem.

 

[crush]

Think about it in reverse terms and it makes a lot of sense: If you were an Englishman, raising your family in London, and your kid really wanted to play baseball, and you had two coahces, one British and one American, offering to teach your kid, you'd probably go with the American, figuring they must know the game better. But as an American, you know that most American baseball coaches with any real credentials are working the game here, and any young baseball coach going to London is going primarily for the opporunity to live & work abroad, looking to simply leverage a skill that would be unique and hard to find overseas. I'm sure most of these European coaches see this as #1, an opportunity to live and work in the U.S., and coaching soccer is just the one thing they can sell themselves doing. As for the connections thing, I think that mostly has to do with the age of a coach and their network, not so much whether they are European or not. The club coach who got my daughter the most college exposure was an older Brit who had gotten his citizenship decades ago and coached soccer for a very long time and had built some credibility and connections, so I think it depends. A young American coach would be just as disconnected from the college scene. A note on that, though... college coaches are so inundated with recruiting contacts and youth coaches trying to get their players placed that it's not as simple as having a club coach who "knows" some college coaches. Even the most connected club coaches have trouble getting their players seriously considered by a college program.

Also, it does sound like from your post that you/your son are interested in him playing in college. My unsolicited advice is to make connections with college players or former college players or families with players/former players in college. Ask them about the experience in detail. You will be largely on your own in this process, even with a really great club coach. And, by the way, the reality of playing college soccer can be pretty ugly for a lot of people. There is a fantasy of what it is to be a college athlete and because the reality (especially in a non-revenue generating sport) is so different than the fantasy, it can feel like a nightmare if you aren't prepared. On the other hand, if you and your kid go in with a better understanding of what it is actually like, it can be a tough but rewarding experience that is worth the pain. But make no mistake. There will be pain.

No pain, no gain! I also think some of the younger Brit coaches and a Doc I knew saw opportunities to hook with some of the moms to ensure play time for their dd. That's why many of these coaches say, "let me see what mama looks like." They say it's to get a better idea of what dd will look like as she gets older, but I know better.

 

[focomoso]

Think about it in reverse terms and it makes a lot of sense: If you were an Englishman, raising your family in London, and your kid really wanted to play baseball, and you had two coahces, one British and one American, offering to teach your kid, you'd probably go with the American, figuring they must know the game better. But as an American, you know that most American baseball coaches with any real credentials are working the game here, and any young baseball coach going to London is going primarily for the opporunity to live & work abroad, looking to simply leverage a skill that would be unique and hard to find overseas.

Totally off topic, but a buddy of mine went to Japan to practice Aikido. He was already high-ranked and the locals were amazed that this young gaijin was more experienced than they were. But... the dojo was part of a Sunday baseball league and they all thought he'd be a ringer. When he got up to bat, he had no idea what he was doing. Turns out he'd never played baseball in his life...

 

[Mystery Train]

I will also add that my dd had a season with a guy who fits the description. He was in his late 30's who was from England and had played for the top academy team for Arsenal and was on loan starting his pro career when he had to get hip replacement surgery. At least that was his story. So, as skeptical as I am, I figure it's exactly the situation we're all going on about on this thread. Just a guy trying to get his green card and leaning on that accent to get a paying gig. But you know what? He was a great youth coach the team loved him. Of course, the club DoC screwed it up and he left, but just an example that when it comes to youth coaches with British accents and "almost played pro" bios, some might be legit though your mileage may vary.

 

[watfly]

I will also add that my dd had a season with a guy who fits the description. He was in his late 30's who was from England and had played for the top academy team for Arsenal and was on loan starting his pro career when he had to get hip replacement surgery. At least that was his story. So, as skeptical as I am, I figure it's exactly the situation we're all going on about on this thread. Just a guy trying to get his green card and leaning on that accent to get a paying gig. But you know what? He was a great youth coach the team loved him. Of course, the club DoC screwed it up and he left, but just an example that when it comes to youth coaches with British accents and "almost played pro" bios, some might be legit though your mileage may vary.

And playing pro really has no correlation to the quality of the coach. I believe pros can skip the first two levels of coach training/licensure.

 

[Paul Spacey]

Some charlatan Brits knocking around in club soccer with their accents. In fairness, also some very good ones who do a great job.

Worry less about the accent and more about how much the coach can help your son or daughter to improve on the field and develop their character off it.

If you want to better understand the college process (and the entire developmental process actually), check out this guide I put together. It’s completely free, no gimmicks and includes the most in-depth college info you’ll find without paying $3k to a recruitment company.

Expert Soccer Parent

 

[Code]

Coaching/Training/Instructing is a skillset of it's own. Being a subject matter expert at something (Professional Soccer Player), doesn't mean that person would be any good at coaching. Knowing the subject is necessary, but it's only a part of being able to develop other people to do what they can do. I think we loose track of that when evaluating potential coaches.