Youth Soccer & Org. Development

Over the past several months I have had the pleasure to coach an Under 10 Year Old (10U) youth recreational soccer team. This group of boys was made up of children most of whom did not know one another previously. Some kids who had never played soccer before, and others who had three or more years of experience. In addition, I am sure that they joined to play soccer for a variety of different reasons. Some of which included; parents wanted children more active, friends were playing, child had a genuine interest in soccer, an older sibling played or maybe they watched the recent World Cup with great interest. Also, this team had children that represented a variety of ethnic backgrounds. In addition, to the differences in skill level, interest and ethnicity, this team had boys ranging from second to fifth grade. So there were many differences.

I was excited to approach this coaching opportunity and thrilled that my son wanted to continue to play soccer. With that said, I was a little nervous that I wouldn’t remember all of the appropriate soccer teaching techniques for a 10U soccer team. It was my first time really coaching soccer in more than 25 years when I used to help coach my younger siblings. My significant experience working with children as a baseball & basketball coach and youth development executive would help me keep my eye on the most important aspect of youth sports. From the first day of practice until the last minute of the last game I wanted to make sure that all of the kids were having FUN!

In looking at the differences between each of the boys I knew that the one thing that they all had in common was they wanted to have FUN. Therefore, the energy that I brought to practices and games had to always stay positive on everything that each of them were doing well and were contributing to the team. Another word that I was focused on emphasizing, was TEAM work. In the first few games the team was playing well and we had some individual performances that allowed us to see early success. In the second game of the season they walked away with tie after playing for sixty minutes in the pouring rain. But, then in the third game we faced a stronger, bigger and more aggressive opponent who in many ways was intimidating our team. But, regardless of the aggressiveness of this team our team continued with a positive attitude and overcame this challenge and was resilient in it’s effort to come away victorious. It was during and after this game that our group of players became a team, they seemed to realize that all together they could be much more effective than any one of them could be alone. Each and every practice and game following our third game we were a team and individuals were LEARNing how they could make one another successful. Every player was understanding that no matter what position they were playing on the field they were and could contribute to the success of the team. As we closed out the season we walked away with only one loss, in eight games. More importantly, we had FUN. We also LEARNed that despite the differences of every member of the team, if all the players worked hard together every player would play an important role and the TEAM would be successful. Finally, we celebrate and RECOGNIZE the success of our team and all of it's players with a pizza party!

As a recreational soccer coach I may be over analyzing the 10U Fall soccer season. As a Non-Profit & Education Executive I realize that these same principles apply in my professional work. Regardless of differences we work to identify a common vision and mission that everyone can agree upon. FUN! We ensure that organizational and professional development opportunities are in place to support high levels of success. LEARN! Finally, we create a collaborative work environment to make sure that everyone is participating in the success of the larger organization. TEAM Finally, we stay positive, celebrate and RECOGNIZE the success of not just the team but the roles that all of the players play in the teams success!

The things that we can take away from our daily life and the joys of coaching children provide great lessons for the organizational and professional development that we receive or provide as leaders in whatever our field might be. I guess the experience of coaching youth sports makes me a much better leader and professional away from the sports field as well.