Role and impact of technical director

[Anonymous]

Newish to travel soccer. What's the role of the technical director at some of the larger clubs? Have you seen them make an impact on training and level of play across multiple age groups?

[Anonymous]

Higher pay.

[Anonymous]

+10 charisma buff when talking to soccer moms

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:+10 charisma buff when talking to soccer moms

[Anonymous]

I talked to someone leaving Great Falls Reston because they changed the technical director.
He explained to me that they work with coaches to set style of play and training plans.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I talked to someone leaving Great Falls Reston because they changed the technical director.
He explained to me that they work with coaches to set style of play and training plans.

Well, KB was both the TD *and* a coach. I can see leaving because your coach is gone. But a TD isn't going to have the same kind of direct impact on your player.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I talked to someone leaving Great Falls Reston because they changed the technical director.
He explained to me that they work with coaches to set style of play and training plans.

Well, KB was both the TD *and* a coach. I can see leaving because your coach is gone. But a TD isn't going to have the same kind of direct impact on your player.

Sure, but I’m guessing that they could make the training and style of play better or worse across the board. Is this accurate?

[Anonymous]

A good Technical Director (TD) should have longer term perspective on kids development over time and might make judgement calls on player placement within the club. They should also coordinate for continuing coaching education within the club and help establish the overarching training program.

Without a quality TD or Director of Coaches (DOC), the individual team coaches will revert to doing whatever they see fit. We had poor TD and DOC coaching oversight last year... and I swear my daughters coach ( on the A team) just did small sided scrimmages for the whole season. It was like Rec plus for the whole year. This year the TD is more engaged, and there is more structure... but it's negligible. However, the TD and the DOC are the "adults" in the club and can be contacted incase you have issues with your coaches.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A good Technical Director (TD) should have longer term perspective on kids development over time and might make judgement calls on player placement within the club. They should also coordinate for continuing coaching education within the club and help establish the overarching training program.

Without a quality TD or Director of Coaches (DOC), the individual team coaches will revert to doing whatever they see fit. We had poor TD and DOC coaching oversight last year... and I swear my daughters coach ( on the A team) just did small sided scrimmages for the whole season. It was like Rec plus for the whole year. This year the TD is more engaged, and there is more structure... but it's negligible. However, the TD and the DOC are the "adults" in the club and can be contacted incase you have issues with your coaches.

This is very helpful. Thanks so much. Should you expect to see the TD at games and practices periodically (or regularly)?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A good Technical Director (TD) should have longer term perspective on kids development over time and might make judgement calls on player placement within the club. They should also coordinate for continuing coaching education within the club and help establish the overarching training program.

Without a quality TD or Director of Coaches (DOC), the individual team coaches will revert to doing whatever they see fit. We had poor TD and DOC coaching oversight last year... and I swear my daughters coach ( on the A team) just did small sided scrimmages for the whole season. It was like Rec plus for the whole year. This year the TD is more engaged, and there is more structure... but it's negligible. However, the TD and the DOC are the "adults" in the club and can be contacted incase you have issues with your coaches.

This is very helpful. Thanks so much. Should you expect to see the TD at games and practices periodically (or regularly)?

You should. The TD or the DOC should be at practices or games periodically. But, if you see the coaching slate, notice how many teams the TD and DOC are coaching. If they are busy coaching 2-3 teams, then they won’t have much time to monitor much of anything.

[Anonymous]

I highly doubt there is TD or DOC 1. does not have a team to coach. 2. actually put together a style of play 3. watch any games aside from their own kids game.

[Anonymous]

We are at a big club and the TD has zero interaction with the kids. We've never seen him. Perhaps they are teaching the coaches, but our coach only does scrimmages so I don't think that's the case either!

[Anonymous]

Over the past 6-7 years at 3 different clubs, the TD never showed up to games or practices.

At times, a TD is not much more qualified than a coach. A TD is typically also a coach themselves. It’s a time commitment to be a TD whereas a regular coach might not have the time.

At younger ages and particularly non-experienced coaches, a TD will make a difference. But at U15 or above and with seasoned coaches, the style of play is determined by the coach and predominantly be based upon the type and strength of players that are on the team.

[Anonymous]

There are no real youth Technical Directors in the DMV
Just people with the title

[Anonymous]

You would think that with the way FCV St. James throws around director titles at every coach that they have an impact but in reality is just another excuse to justify paying more to attract coaches. All for the hope that the coach is going to attract new players when they are desperate to fill their teams. Almost every recent announcement on instagram has a director or assistant director title attached to it. SMH.