Role and impact of technical director

[Anonymous]

Our TDOC knows the name of every single kid in the club. Pretty remarkable, but small club.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

This is helpful. A follow-up question- do you think that there are no possession-based vs long ball style clubs, only coaches? At least not driven by the TD? I assumed that some clubs have a general style of play but maybe individual coaches are driving it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

This is helpful. A follow-up question- do you think that there are no possession-based vs long ball style clubs, only coaches? At least not driven by the TD? I assumed that some clubs have a general style of play but maybe individual coaches are driving it.

This is a great question. Again, this depends on the coach and the players. In my opinion, most coaches prefer a possession style of play but require players that have good first touch and passing abilities particularly at the midfield. We specifically asked this question after attending the training as a guess player as my DD is an attacking midfielder. This team was a “kick ball” type of team before my DD joined the team. The style of play changed based upon my DD and the newly added players. Moreover, players need to have at least above average soccer IQ, decision-making and calmness to be a decent possession type team.

As to the TD, while the style of play is important, winning is even more important at the competitive ages. Hence, the TDs needs to listen to the coaches and determine what type of players they have on each team. A cookie-cutter style of play for every team can’t always apply. A TD might help with practice planning, etc.

Please note, at small clubs, the TD or even ED is much more involved. But again, winning is everything at smaller clubs to get name recognition and interested players.

Hope this answers your question.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

This is helpful. A follow-up question- do you think that there are no possession-based vs long ball style clubs, only coaches? At least not driven by the TD? I assumed that some clubs have a general style of play but maybe individual coaches are driving it.

This is a great question. Again, this depends on the coach and the players. In my opinion, most coaches prefer a possession style of play but require players that have good first touch and passing abilities particularly at the midfield. We specifically asked this question after attending the training as a guess player as my DD is an attacking midfielder. This team was a “kick ball” type of team before my DD joined the team. The style of play changed based upon my DD and the newly added players. Moreover, players need to have at least above average soccer IQ, decision-making and calmness to be a decent possession type team.

As to the TD, while the style of play is important, winning is even more important at the competitive ages. Hence, the TDs needs to listen to the coaches and determine what type of players they have on each team. A cookie-cutter style of play for every team can’t always apply. A TD might help with practice planning, etc.

Please note, at small clubs, the TD or even ED is much more involved. But again, winning is everything at smaller clubs to get name recognition and interested players.

Hope this answers your question.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

This is helpful. A follow-up question- do you think that there are no possession-based vs long ball style clubs, only coaches? At least not driven by the TD? I assumed that some clubs have a general style of play but maybe individual coaches are driving it.

This is a great question. Again, this depends on the coach and the players. In my opinion, most coaches prefer a possession style of play but require players that have good first touch and passing abilities particularly at the midfield. We specifically asked this question after attending the training as a guess player as my DD is an attacking midfielder. This team was a “kick ball” type of team before my DD joined the team. The style of play changed based upon my DD and the newly added players. Moreover, players need to have at least above average soccer IQ, decision-making and calmness to be a decent possession type team.

As to the TD, while the style of play is important, winning is even more important at the competitive ages. Hence, the TDs needs to listen to the coaches and determine what type of players they have on each team. A cookie-cutter style of play for every team can’t always apply. A TD might help with practice planning, etc.

Please note, at small clubs, the TD or even ED is much more involved. But again, winning is everything at smaller clubs to get name recognition and interested players.

Hope this answers your question.

Based on what do you present as facts that winning is everything at smaller clubs?

You're saying the coaches wait every year to decide their coaching philosophy based on the current roster?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

This is helpful. A follow-up question- do you think that there are no possession-based vs long ball style clubs, only coaches? At least not driven by the TD? I assumed that some clubs have a general style of play but maybe individual coaches are driving it.

This is a great question. Again, this depends on the coach and the players. In my opinion, most coaches prefer a possession style of play but require players that have good first touch and passing abilities particularly at the midfield. We specifically asked this question after attending the training as a guess player as my DD is an attacking midfielder. This team was a “kick ball” type of team before my DD joined the team. The style of play changed based upon my DD and the newly added players. Moreover, players need to have at least above average soccer IQ, decision-making and calmness to be a decent possession type team.

As to the TD, while the style of play is important, winning is even more important at the competitive ages. Hence, the TDs needs to listen to the coaches and determine what type of players they have on each team. A cookie-cutter style of play for every team can’t always apply. A TD might help with practice planning, etc.

Please note, at small clubs, the TD or even ED is much more involved. But again, winning is everything at smaller clubs to get name recognition and interested players.

Hope this answers your question.

Based on what do you present as facts that winning is everything at smaller clubs?

You're saying the coaches wait every year to decide their coaching philosophy based on the current roster?

Not the PP.

Based on what do you present as facts that winning is everything at smaller clubs?

You’re new to club soccer if you don’t already know this. It’s like show me proof that the sky is blue. LOL. If small clubs can’t win, they lose players then the club slowly withers away.

You're saying the coaches wait every year to decide their coaching philosophy based on the current roster?

Some coaches are stuck in their ways while other coaches evolve/modify the game style/tactics base on their players year to year. This is common sense and it happens at all levels of sports.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

This is helpful. A follow-up question- do you think that there are no possession-based vs long ball style clubs, only coaches? At least not driven by the TD? I assumed that some clubs have a general style of play but maybe individual coaches are driving it.

This is a great question. Again, this depends on the coach and the players. In my opinion, most coaches prefer a possession style of play but require players that have good first touch and passing abilities particularly at the midfield. We specifically asked this question after attending the training as a guess player as my DD is an attacking midfielder. This team was a “kick ball” type of team before my DD joined the team. The style of play changed based upon my DD and the newly added players. Moreover, players need to have at least above average soccer IQ, decision-making and calmness to be a decent possession type team.

As to the TD, while the style of play is important, winning is even more important at the competitive ages. Hence, the TDs needs to listen to the coaches and determine what type of players they have on each team. A cookie-cutter style of play for every team can’t always apply. A TD might help with practice planning, etc.

Please note, at small clubs, the TD or even ED is much more involved. But again, winning is everything at smaller clubs to get name recognition and interested players.

Hope this answers your question.

Based on what do you present as facts that winning is everything at smaller clubs?

You're saying the coaches wait every year to decide their coaching philosophy based on the current roster?

Not the PP.

Based on what do you present as facts that winning is everything at smaller clubs?

You’re new to club soccer if you don’t already know this. It’s like show me proof that the sky is blue. LOL. If small clubs can’t win, they lose players then the club slowly withers away.

You're saying the coaches wait every year to decide their coaching philosophy based on the current roster?

Some coaches are stuck in their ways while other coaches evolve/modify the game style/tactics base on their players year to year. This is common sense and it happens at all levels of sports.

All clubs at the travel level particularly at the top 1 or even 2nd team at U14/U15 and above want to win and they try to make take advantage of the talent/skill levels of their players.

Read all the posts in this forum. Parents are very focused on team wins/rankings and move their DCs to these teams accordingly unless it’s a toxic environment. But there are also parents that accept toxic coaches and environments because of high rankings and/or the ECNL badge.

[Anonymous]

It is the equivalent of adding "specialist" to a title. It means nothing.

[Anonymous]

Depends on the club, the DOC/TD will set the style of play across the club regardless of team. Coaches are hired and expected to follow that style of play. Barca Academy had this and you could tell by the way they played, it was the same across all teams.

Most clubs in our area are coach specific.

[Anonymous]

More roles means the club can charge more. TDs are common, age group directors are when you can really jack up the rates