Team Choice for Player Development

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The coach is not important at all. Development does not take place at these clubs unless its an MLS Academy. These coaches have multiple teams and about 20 kids on each team...stop looking for clubs for development! It is on you as a parent to expose your player to all kinds of environments and experiences. Futsal, training, guest playing, pickup, street ball...whatever. Relying on some inexperienced coach to make your kid good 3 times a week is laughable.

The players your player will compete against at practice every week is more important than a coach...unless your kid is that coach's pet project...then you are good.

+1
If you are able, take a look at almost any player who was just named to the USYNT U14 Regional Training Camp roster. We know a few local players and it is clear 70% to 80% of their significant development took place outside of team practice. The kids that have been noticed for their 'advanced development, relative to their peer group,' primarily accomplished this through tons of extra work and training. Futsal, skill groups, private training, indoor, street ball, training at home, trips abroad, being on selective tournament-only teams and access to elite coaches is where development hits the launching pad and takes off.

But, I do think you need to surround your player with other like-minded and dedicated families who are committed and flush with resources to pursue all the extras.

Otherwise, if your player only does the team level training, their development will pale in comparison to the family that seeks development outside of the team training environment. But still, if you really are interested in development over the experience, you need to get on a high team level, join a group of players who participates in all the extra trainings and join that group too.

If you can't do that or don't want to commit to that level, thats fine too. Just know that by U14, the development from team training alone starts to plateau.

We know players invited to regional camps and this is not necessary.

Yes, touches and extra work is essential outside of team practices. But for the love of God, no one needs to be going abroad or going on tournament teams or going to the most elite coach. That sounds like FOMO. The best player on DS team we know takes one day off soccer but hasn’t played abroad and rarely does tournament teams. And hasn’t had any trouble being scouted.

[Anonymous]

My kid has been a star on a terrible team. This is a waste of time- who cares if he can score 8 goals if the team is one step above rec.

He would say he learned a ton being on his school team and practicing with the better kids, even though he did not get a lot of playing time. That being said, he played on a travel team where he is a starter and gets a lot of minutes.

If you never get playing time, then this isn’t a good use of time or money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The coach is not important at all. Development does not take place at these clubs unless its an MLS Academy. These coaches have multiple teams and about 20 kids on each team...stop looking for clubs for development! It is on you as a parent to expose your player to all kinds of environments and experiences. Futsal, training, guest playing, pickup, street ball...whatever. Relying on some inexperienced coach to make your kid good 3 times a week is laughable.

The players your player will compete against at practice every week is more important than a coach...unless your kid is that coach's pet project...then you are good.

+1
If you are able, take a look at almost any player who was just named to the USYNT U14 Regional Training Camp roster. We know a few local players and it is clear 70% to 80% of their significant development took place outside of team practice. The kids that have been noticed for their 'advanced development, relative to their peer group,' primarily accomplished this through tons of extra work and training. Futsal, skill groups, private training, indoor, street ball, training at home, trips abroad, being on selective tournament-only teams and access to elite coaches is where development hits the launching pad and takes off.

But, I do think you need to surround your player with other like-minded and dedicated families who are committed and flush with resources to pursue all the extras.

Otherwise, if your player only does the team level training, their development will pale in comparison to the family that seeks development outside of the team training environment. But still, if you really are interested in development over the experience, you need to get on a high team level, join a group of players who participates in all the extra trainings and join that group too.

If you can't do that or don't want to commit to that level, thats fine too. Just know that by U14, the development from team training alone starts to plateau.

We know players invited to regional camps and this is not necessary.

Yes, touches and extra work is essential outside of team practices. But for the love of God, no one needs to be going abroad or going on tournament teams or going to the most elite coach. That sounds like FOMO. The best player on DS team we know takes one day off soccer but hasn’t played abroad and rarely does tournament teams. And hasn’t had any trouble being scouted.

Agreed. Every player has their own path. Half the local girls selected haven’t done a fraction of the outside work that some of the other girls have done. They are at the top end of the athleticism pyramid and don’t need to spend every waking second on the ball. Not that it hurts, but some kids need to do it more than others.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The coach is more important than the team

This line gets repeated constantly in youth soccer…by clubs, parents, and influencers alike. It sounds smart. It feels developmental. But it misses reality by a wide margin.

As you move up the levels, you start to see it clearly.

That “amazing” U8 coach? There’s a reason they’re coaching U8.

That U11 coach working toward a UEFA B or USSF A…young, energetic, loved by the kids? Sure. But often still lacking the experience and perspective (on and off the field) to truly be elite.

The best coaches in the country don’t sit at the lower levels. They’re concentrated in the top tiers, U15 and up, and especially in the professional ranks. High-level coaches don’t stay with weak environments for long, if ever.

And here’s the part people ignore:

Teams are the constant.
Coaches are the variable.

Players develop together over years. Coaches cycle through in one to two year windows.

You can play a match without a coach.
You cannot play one without a team.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The coach is more important than the team

This line gets repeated constantly in youth soccer…by clubs, parents, and influencers alike. It sounds smart. It feels developmental. But it misses reality by a wide margin.

As you move up the levels, you start to see it clearly.

That “amazing” U8 coach? There’s a reason they’re coaching U8.

That U11 coach working toward a UEFA B or USSF A…young, energetic, loved by the kids? Sure. But often still lacking the experience and perspective (on and off the field) to truly be elite.

The best coaches in the country don’t sit at the lower levels. They’re concentrated in the top tiers, U15 and up, and especially in the professional ranks. High-level coaches don’t stay with weak environments for long, if ever.

And here’s the part people ignore:

Teams are the constant.
Coaches are the variable.

Players develop together over years. Coaches cycle through in one to two year windows.

You can play a match without a coach.
You cannot play one without a team.

This is that backwards unintelligent American soccer lack of culture thinking

Only here people think U8 coaches should be the worst least experienced coaches and the best coaches coach U19 and up

Go to Spain, Brazil, Holland, France and see the qualifications of U10 coaches at high level clubs

If your kid doesn't have knowledgeable, experienced good coach at early development stages teaching them the right fundamentals, how are they going to be high level at U16?

Under U15 age group it is mainly teaching, not coaching.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The coach is more important than the team

This line gets repeated constantly in youth soccer…by clubs, parents, and influencers alike. It sounds smart. It feels developmental. But it misses reality by a wide margin.

As you move up the levels, you start to see it clearly.

That “amazing” U8 coach? There’s a reason they’re coaching U8.

That U11 coach working toward a UEFA B or USSF A…young, energetic, loved by the kids? Sure. But often still lacking the experience and perspective (on and off the field) to truly be elite.

The best coaches in the country don’t sit at the lower levels. They’re concentrated in the top tiers, U15 and up, and especially in the professional ranks. High-level coaches don’t stay with weak environments for long, if ever.

And here’s the part people ignore:

Teams are the constant.
Coaches are the variable.

Players develop together over years. Coaches cycle through in one to two year windows.

You can play a match without a coach.
You cannot play one without a team.

This is that backwards unintelligent American soccer lack of culture thinking

Only here people think U8 coaches should be the worst least experienced coaches and the best coaches coach U19 and up

Go to Spain, Brazil, Holland, France and see the qualifications of U10 coaches at high level clubs

If your kid doesn't have knowledgeable, experienced good coach at early development stages teaching them the right fundamentals, how are they going to be high level at U16?

Under U15 age group it is mainly teaching, not coaching.

Yep. U8 Coach Klopp…😂 what a weird response based nowhere in reality.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The coach is more important than the team

This line gets repeated constantly in youth soccer…by clubs, parents, and influencers alike. It sounds smart. It feels developmental. But it misses reality by a wide margin.

As you move up the levels, you start to see it clearly.

That “amazing” U8 coach? There’s a reason they’re coaching U8.

That U11 coach working toward a UEFA B or USSF A…young, energetic, loved by the kids? Sure. But often still lacking the experience and perspective (on and off the field) to truly be elite.

The best coaches in the country don’t sit at the lower levels. They’re concentrated in the top tiers, U15 and up, and especially in the professional ranks. High-level coaches don’t stay with weak environments for long, if ever.

And here’s the part people ignore:

Teams are the constant.
Coaches are the variable.

Players develop together over years. Coaches cycle through in one to two year windows.

You can play a match without a coach.
You cannot play one without a team.

This is that backwards unintelligent American soccer lack of culture thinking

Only here people think U8 coaches should be the worst least experienced coaches and the best coaches coach U19 and up

Go to Spain, Brazil, Holland, France and see the qualifications of U10 coaches at high level clubs

If your kid doesn't have knowledgeable, experienced good coach at early development stages teaching them the right fundamentals, how are they going to be high level at U16?

Under U15 age group it is mainly teaching, not coaching.

Yep. U8 Coach Klopp…😂 what a weird response based nowhere in reality.

Not to mention, not really responsive either, just typical “Europe is better IMO, so I’m going to make up something insane and post it.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The coach is more important than the team

This line gets repeated constantly in youth soccer…by clubs, parents, and influencers alike. It sounds smart. It feels developmental. But it misses reality by a wide margin.

As you move up the levels, you start to see it clearly.

That “amazing” U8 coach? There’s a reason they’re coaching U8.

That U11 coach working toward a UEFA B or USSF A…young, energetic, loved by the kids? Sure. But often still lacking the experience and perspective (on and off the field) to truly be elite.

The best coaches in the country don’t sit at the lower levels. They’re concentrated in the top tiers, U15 and up, and especially in the professional ranks. High-level coaches don’t stay with weak environments for long, if ever.

And here’s the part people ignore:

Teams are the constant.
Coaches are the variable.

Players develop together over years. Coaches cycle through in one to two year windows.

You can play a match without a coach.
You cannot play one without a team.

This is that backwards unintelligent American soccer lack of culture thinking

Only here people think U8 coaches should be the worst least experienced coaches and the best coaches coach U19 and up

Go to Spain, Brazil, Holland, France and see the qualifications of U10 coaches at high level clubs

If your kid doesn't have knowledgeable, experienced good coach at early development stages teaching them the right fundamentals, how are they going to be high level at U16?

Under U15 age group it is mainly teaching, not coaching.

Yep. U8 Coach Klopp…😂 what a weird response based nowhere in reality.

Not to mention, not really responsive either, just typical “Europe is better IMO, so I’m going to make up something insane and post it.”

So in Europe and South America they don't have quality experienced coaches coaching younger age groups?

Are you saying they follow the American model of using inexperienced basically babysitters to coach U6 to U10?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The coach is more important than the team

This line gets repeated constantly in youth soccer…by clubs, parents, and influencers alike. It sounds smart. It feels developmental. But it misses reality by a wide margin.

As you move up the levels, you start to see it clearly.

That “amazing” U8 coach? There’s a reason they’re coaching U8.

That U11 coach working toward a UEFA B or USSF A…young, energetic, loved by the kids? Sure. But often still lacking the experience and perspective (on and off the field) to truly be elite.

The best coaches in the country don’t sit at the lower levels. They’re concentrated in the top tiers, U15 and up, and especially in the professional ranks. High-level coaches don’t stay with weak environments for long, if ever.

And here’s the part people ignore:

Teams are the constant.
Coaches are the variable.

Players develop together over years. Coaches cycle through in one to two year windows.

You can play a match without a coach.
You cannot play one without a team.

This is that backwards unintelligent American soccer lack of culture thinking

Only here people think U8 coaches should be the worst least experienced coaches and the best coaches coach U19 and up

Go to Spain, Brazil, Holland, France and see the qualifications of U10 coaches at high level clubs

If your kid doesn't have knowledgeable, experienced good coach at early development stages teaching them the right fundamentals, how are they going to be high level at U16?

Under U15 age group it is mainly teaching, not coaching.

Yep. U8 Coach Klopp…😂 what a weird response based nowhere in reality.

As he said, you are not knowledgeable. Actually, the most successful local clubs try to do this as well. Amazing how ignorantly wrong DCUM parents are. smh

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The coach is more important than the team

This line gets repeated constantly in youth soccer…by clubs, parents, and influencers alike. It sounds smart. It feels developmental. But it misses reality by a wide margin.

As you move up the levels, you start to see it clearly.

That “amazing” U8 coach? There’s a reason they’re coaching U8.

That U11 coach working toward a UEFA B or USSF A…young, energetic, loved by the kids? Sure. But often still lacking the experience and perspective (on and off the field) to truly be elite.

The best coaches in the country don’t sit at the lower levels. They’re concentrated in the top tiers, U15 and up, and especially in the professional ranks. High-level coaches don’t stay with weak environments for long, if ever.

And here’s the part people ignore:

Teams are the constant.
Coaches are the variable.

Players develop together over years. Coaches cycle through in one to two year windows.

You can play a match without a coach.
You cannot play one without a team.

This is that backwards unintelligent American soccer lack of culture thinking

Only here people think U8 coaches should be the worst least experienced coaches and the best coaches coach U19 and up

Go to Spain, Brazil, Holland, France and see the qualifications of U10 coaches at high level clubs

If your kid doesn't have knowledgeable, experienced good coach at early development stages teaching them the right fundamentals, how are they going to be high level at U16?

Under U15 age group it is mainly teaching, not coaching.

Yep. U8 Coach Klopp…😂 what a weird response based nowhere in reality.

Not to mention, not really responsive either, just typical “Europe is better IMO, so I’m going to make up something insane and post it.”

So in Europe and South America they don't have quality experienced coaches coaching younger age groups?

Are you saying they follow the American model of using inexperienced basically babysitters to coach U6 to U10?

I think maybe the reality is that in the U.S., the best coaches are in older age groups and the advice is just to accept that and work on ways to get better at those earlier ages despite the poor coaching.

I actually agree with you that the coaching at those ages are important but more so at u12-u14.

I don’t think it’s productive for coaches to bombard kids with technical stuff and drills and intensity until they clamor for it and are ready for it. So at U-10 and under, coaches should just fostering a love of the game which includes competitiveness and creativity and just letting them play with little actual coaching in games. The need to watch pro games should
also be introduced already. This is a great time to develop good and organic instincts with the ball while playing.

U-10-U13 is then a good time to perfect and hone technical skills (this is obviously good all career long) plus other things of course, and be introduced to more intensity if that is what the players desire.

This has been DS path. We’ve really lucked out with coaches who gave DS what he needed at the right times. At U12 and above, the quality of your team becomes almost as important and that’s when many choose to move clubs when players want to be on more competitive teams.

Finally, I think this is rarely touched upon but consistency of coaching and methodology is very important. We are at a small club where we know what the coaching is going to be like all the way though the older age groups. It boggles my mind that families don’t even know who the coach will be when they join the team and whether the club has an overall methodology consistently implemented at all levels and ages.

[Anonymous]

Guys…whoever is arguing that great coaches exist at U8 should stop speaking and probably doesn’t know what a great coach is. If we are talking about full-time coaches, every single one of them is striving for academy and then the men’s/women’s first team, or college. Are you honestly arguing that top level coaches are settling for U8 at some club? Stop. If we are talking about part-time coaches…who cares…wake up.

Coaching does not matter…development does not happen at clubs. It happens outside of clubs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The coach is more important than the team

This line gets repeated constantly in youth soccer…by clubs, parents, and influencers alike. It sounds smart. It feels developmental. But it misses reality by a wide margin.

As you move up the levels, you start to see it clearly.

That “amazing” U8 coach? There’s a reason they’re coaching U8.

That U11 coach working toward a UEFA B or USSF A…young, energetic, loved by the kids? Sure. But often still lacking the experience and perspective (on and off the field) to truly be elite.

The best coaches in the country don’t sit at the lower levels. They’re concentrated in the top tiers, U15 and up, and especially in the professional ranks. High-level coaches don’t stay with weak environments for long, if ever.

And here’s the part people ignore:

Teams are the constant.
Coaches are the variable.

Players develop together over years. Coaches cycle through in one to two year windows.

You can play a match without a coach.
You cannot play one without a team.

This is that backwards unintelligent American soccer lack of culture thinking

Only here people think U8 coaches should be the worst least experienced coaches and the best coaches coach U19 and up

Go to Spain, Brazil, Holland, France and see the qualifications of U10 coaches at high level clubs

If your kid doesn't have knowledgeable, experienced good coach at early development stages teaching them the right fundamentals, how are they going to be high level at U16?

Under U15 age group it is mainly teaching, not coaching.

Yep. U8 Coach Klopp…😂 what a weird response based nowhere in reality.

Not to mention, not really responsive either, just typical “Europe is better IMO, so I’m going to make up something insane and post it.”

So in Europe and South America they don't have quality experienced coaches coaching younger age groups?

Are you saying they follow the American model of using inexperienced basically babysitters to coach U6 to U10?

I think maybe the reality is that in the U.S., the best coaches are in older age groups and the advice is just to accept that and work on ways to get better at those earlier ages despite the poor coaching.

I actually agree with you that the coaching at those ages are important but more so at u12-u14.

I don’t think it’s productive for coaches to bombard kids with technical stuff and drills and intensity until they clamor for it and are ready for it. So at U-10 and under, coaches should just fostering a love of the game which includes competitiveness and creativity and just letting them play with little actual coaching in games. The need to watch pro games should
also be introduced already. This is a great time to develop good and organic instincts with the ball while playing.

U-10-U13 is then a good time to perfect and hone technical skills (this is obviously good all career long) plus other things of course, and be introduced to more intensity if that is what the players desire.

This has been DS path. We’ve really lucked out with coaches who gave DS what he needed at the right times. At U12 and above, the quality of your team becomes almost as important and that’s when many choose to move clubs when players want to be on more competitive teams.

Finally, I think this is rarely touched upon but consistency of coaching and methodology is very important. We are at a small club where we know what the coaching is going to be like all the way though the older age groups. It boggles my mind that families don’t even know who the coach will be when they join the team and whether the club has an overall methodology consistently implemented at all levels and ages.

I should have said U6 to U14

You're right

Granted the education and development is normally tiered in phases U6-U8, U9-U11, U12-U14 or thereabouts

That said, we here need to place more focus on coaches for these foundation and early development stages being more qualified, experienced and knowledgeable

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Guys…whoever is arguing that great coaches exist at U8 should stop speaking and probably doesn’t know what a great coach is. If we are talking about full-time coaches, every single one of them is striving for academy and then the men’s/women’s first team, or college. Are you honestly arguing that top level coaches are settling for U8 at some club? Stop. If we are talking about part-time coaches…who cares…wake up.

Coaching does not matter…development does not happen at clubs. It happens outside of clubs.

You're being extremely loud in your obvious ignorance

So kids should skip school and just do homework because schools and teachers don't matter and are irrelevant?

If your kid's team coach at U10 is offering no value, then you should leave and find one who does.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Guys…whoever is arguing that great coaches exist at U8 should stop speaking and probably doesn’t know what a great coach is. If we are talking about full-time coaches, every single one of them is striving for academy and then the men’s/women’s first team, or college. Are you honestly arguing that top level coaches are settling for U8 at some club? Stop. If we are talking about part-time coaches…who cares…wake up.

Coaching does not matter…development does not happen at clubs. It happens outside of clubs.

Good Coaching absolutely matters and if one can’t be found, then you become the parent that spends all their time and resources to get your kid the proper development and on to the platforms that get them noticed, which can often lead to FOMO.

I don’t think there is one answer for all families. It’s a matter of making the most of what is available to you and how to fit it in to your family’s lifestyle. Not many can do all the things that have been shared here such as moving to europe, training and playing tournaments regularly abroad, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Guys…whoever is arguing that great coaches exist at U8 should stop speaking and probably doesn’t know what a great coach is. If we are talking about full-time coaches, every single one of them is striving for academy and then the men’s/women’s first team, or college. Are you honestly arguing that top level coaches are settling for U8 at some club? Stop. If we are talking about part-time coaches…who cares…wake up.

Coaching does not matter…development does not happen at clubs. It happens outside of clubs.

Good Coaching absolutely matters and if one can’t be found, then you become the parent that spends all their time and resources to get your kid the proper development and on to the platforms that get them noticed, which can often lead to FOMO.

I don’t think there is one answer for all families. It’s a matter of making the most of what is available to you and how to fit it in to your family’s lifestyle. Not many can do all the things that have been shared here such as moving to europe, training and playing tournaments regularly abroad, etc.

Amuses me how people don't know this is a multifaceted marathon

So many want the magic pill