Contributed by Fred Teutenberg, 2010-11 U10B Coach

You see us working on the soccer fields weekly, amidst a sea of colored cones and bibs. We are employing our craft, teaching the game most of us played and all of us love. If you have wondered about “Coach” and what his/her qualifications are, you are not alone. This is a great question, but one some parents are uncomfortable asking. Read on to learn more.

The National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) is the “world’s largest single sport coaches’ organization” dedicated to educating and training soccer coaches. The NSCAA offers courses and diplomas/licenses for the beginning recreational coach on up to the professional coach working at the highest national and international levels. The progression of a coach thru the various recreational, state, regional, advanced regional, and ultimately national and premier diplomas typically takes many years of training and experience. Special diplomas for working with Goalkeepers and Youth, and many other special topics are also available from the NSCAA.
 
I am just back from Tallahassee, along with three other ECU coaches. We each benefited from nearly a week of non-stop training under the tutelage of four excellent NSCAA National Course Directors who flew in from around the nation to share their vast knowledge and experience. Each of us has now earned our National diploma. For some it is their first national license. In my case, I am proudly adding this major accomplishment to my National Youth and National Goalkeeper diplomas. My years of NSCAA training have taken me all over the country from California to Texas to Maryland to Florida. For each coach the path leading to the National Diploma is unique. I encourage you to ask your coach about their training and experience – I think you will be most impressed.

Our ECU Director of Coaching (DOC) Phil Rose was instrumental in bringing this NSCAA National Diploma course to Tallahassee. Phil is the NSCAA State Technical Coordinator for West Florida. Our club and our DOC are committed to coaching excellence and it shows by the quality of our coaching staff and the on-going coaching education.

Impressively, every ECU team coach holds one or more NSCAA national coaching licenses, or an equivalent USSF license. Few soccer clubs have a staff with such credentials. Unless you are a soccer coach you may not fully appreciate how unique and special our club truly is. Perhaps next time you see “Coach” at work you will have a new found appreciation for his or her efforts.

Contributed by Patrick O'Neil, 2009-10 U12B Coach

Research shows that 7 in 10 soccer players will quit playing youth soccer before they reach the age of 13.  There is a growing danger in US soccer today.

All too often I see young athletes  being taught to focus on short-term winning results rather than on the skill development that sets the foundation for long-term involvement and success in select soccer.  This misguided focus on results - results due in part to factors ultimately out of a young soccer players control - sets our players up for failure, decreases their interest and passion, and drives them away from select soccer, robbing them of the benefits of athletic participation.

The toxic environment that an adult-driven, win-at-all-costs mentality brings to a select soccer doesn't help matters for our players.  The fear of making mistakes due to adult pressures to perform impedes individual freedom and creativity, hinders true development and makes the game no longer fun for the players. We need to change this culture for our younger players.

Our goals as coaches should be to redefine what it means to be successful in youth select soccer; and empower young players by allowing them to have full control over this redefined success; and assist them by providing tools and ideas designed to maximize player development potential, interest, and enjoyment.

In the end, it's all about the smiles and development at the younger ages. The time will come when all players reach the age of U-14 and the focus will change to match the competiveness of the game.  Players will be pushed to play at high skill levels, and results will matter.  Unfortunately if we never give them a chance to make the “game” their own and enjoy it, they will never reach that level.

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