Let’s Change the Environment After All This…
Karl Dewazien
Emeritus State Director of Coaching, California Youth Soccer Assoc., Author & Creator of the FUNdamental SOCCER Player Development Methodology.
“Proper Pre-Planning Prevents Poor Post-Pandemic Play!” KD
“Joy” (Krechmar called it “Delight”) and motivation are clearly important factors in whether early experiences turn into life-long passions. Coaches need to treat young children like young children, not just young soccer players. Youngsters often come into soccer without an emotional hook to the sport and need experiences that make them want to come back; experiences that encourage them to play and practice independent of adults.
The irony of soccer history is that the top professional and weekend amateurs alike developed their passion from playing in the streets and practicing alone. Organized sport has forgotten that. I see youth coaches trying to organize players into lines to practice discrete skills before they have any clue how, or why. It’s like giving a kid a computer and having them practice striking the letter “K” for an hour. Learning works best from global to specific, not the other way around. Youth soccer needs to base the developmental process on “play” and then find the right moments to encourage technical and tactical development.
Another factor is “managed” competition. All kids like to compete. It’s motivating. It’s fun. The joy is in striving to win a game that could go either way. However, not all kids have the experience to engage in formal competition. It is quite evident that some have a genuine enthusiasm for the sport and will engage in group and self-training activities; while others are simply participating because their parent’s signed them up. There are young kids who can’t dribble or pass or control the ball with any purpose who are playing for points and trophies.
Clearly, when we have organized leagues for six and seven and eight and nine year-olds who aren’t ready to put on a uniform; and have coaches who manage games to win – at the expense of enjoyment and development, we have a serious environmental problem.
Tom Turner
Technical Director, Ohio North Youth Soccer Association
Koach Karl’s Notes: Thank You Tom for sharing your insights with FUNdamental SOCCER!
I am hoping that others will join this discussion and will share their insights/suggestions which may help some communities adjust before the ‘new-normal’ season begins …Priceless..!
Finally, I pray that everyone will stay Safe and Healthy!
Your FUNdamental, Koach Karl (Karl Dewazien)
- Emeritus State Director of Coaching California Youth Soccer Assoc. 1979-2012
- Author - FUNdamental SOCCER Books Series
- Producer - ‘FUNdamental SOCCER -Practice’ DVD.
- Clinician at: www.fundamentalsoccer.com
Retried Budget Analyst after 41.5 years
4 年Thank you Tom moving from California were I was the Commissioner of a youth soccer organization to a city in Tennessee where they do not have this organization was a change. But being the father Of 1 U7, 1 U6 and 1 U5 player and a daughter who as a High School Freshman made the Varsity Team started and played and got her Letter as a Freshman made her Dad Proud as she never played travel ball she just played in the Youth Organization that I was the Commissioner of. But due to Covid we haste j had no organized play in our town but I have 5 acres and 1 which is fully grassed I have two nets set up and we are out in the backyard as much as we can!!! Love this game!!!
Klar f?r nytt uppdrag 2025 coach f?r Bergn?sets AIK herr div 2. Blir Lule? nu st?rre delen av ?ret????
4 年I have to say that not all kids like to compete they just want to practice