'coaching' my part-time goalie son behind the goal in U11 rec games

[Anonymous]

DS started playing part time goalie this season, and for the first two games I stood behind near the goal and 'coached' him for every play. I never do this when he plays the field positions, only when he plays goalie. It just occurred to me I probably shouldn't be doing this, and his coach might actually not appreciate it very much, though another part time goalie's dad does this too.

What are your thoughts on this? Would the opposing team think this is not playing fair? I never intend to do this forever but I thought he could use some extra help while 'learning on the job' until he gets the basics down.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DS started playing part time goalie this season, and for the first two games I stood behind near the goal and 'coached' him for every play. I never do this when he plays the field positions, only when he plays goalie. It just occurred to me I probably shouldn't be doing this, and his coach might actually not appreciate it very much, though another part time goalie's dad does this too.

What are your thoughts on this? Would the opposing team think this is not playing fair? I never intend to do this forever but I thought he could use some extra help while 'learning on the job' until he gets the basics down.

You don't do it. Let him play and leave him alone. All you are doing is joystick coaching.

[Anonymous]

1) You shouldn't do it.
2) It's against the rules at least at the travel level to stand behind the goal. Rec leagues don't have such rules typically, but it's still bad form.
3) It's not helping him and it's not helping the coach of the team, who if he had some balls would tell you to cut it out. The kid can't react to your instructions - he can't possibly wait for you to tell him to dive or come off his line if he's waiting for your instruction. If he's woefully out of position during the run of play then you should be able to correct him from the sideline, if the coach isn't doing it.

[Anonymous]

Not sure what rec league but in MSI it's not permitted. Parents aren't allowed to give direction (unless they are the actual coach).

[Anonymous]

Go to CoachUp and pay for some proper, professional coaching instruction until he gets the basics down.

My kid took a turn at goalie in a few games in the U9 league last year and he did fine. I felt the urge to give him advice but I suppressed it.

[Anonymous]

Ok I'm definitely not paying for private lessons unless he asks for it but even then we may not be able to afford it.

[Anonymous]

MSI offers goal keeper clinics that are very affordable.

[Anonymous]

This is bad form. Don't be that parent who can't chill out and just enjoy the game.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is bad form. Don't be that parent who can't chill out and just enjoy the game.

parents, plural, and lots and lots of em

it's easier said then done. soccer goalie is a tough position to play, a thankless job unless you're very good at it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ok I'm definitely not paying for private lessons unless he asks for it but even then we may not be able to afford it.

CoachUp lessons are not expensive. Different coaches charge different rates. For example, you could probably get a college player reasonably cheaply. It won't cost too much if you only plan to get, say, just five lessons on the basics.

[Anonymous]

Dear OP,

We all saw you last weekend pacing around the goal and let me put this nicely: IT'S RIDICULOUS. Just bad on so many levels. DON'T DO IT.

See you at the end-of-season participation trophy party!

[Anonymous]

If you son does not know how to play goalie the coach should be showing him during practice. I hate when coach just throws a kid in the goal.

Do not coach him from the sidelines, backline.

Print out the goalie rules and make sure he knows them.

Watch some videos on line about how to play goalie.

Watch soccer on TV and discuss what the goalie does and does not do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DS started playing part time goalie this season, and for the first two games I stood behind near the goal and 'coached' him for every play. I never do this when he plays the field positions, only when he plays goalie. It just occurred to me I probably shouldn't be doing this, and his coach might actually not appreciate it very much, though another part time goalie's dad does this too.

What are your thoughts on this? Would the opposing team think this is not playing fair? I never intend to do this forever but I thought he could use some extra help while 'learning on the job' until he gets the basics down.

Don't do it. I believe there are specific rules to keep parents and coaches out of the goalie area.
And yes - it makes you seem crazy.

Also - you are basically telling your son that he can't do it himself. What's the point of his playing sports?
I'd recommend that you find a men's soccer team to play on and see how you feel about someone directing your every move.

[Anonymous]

Don't.

The only time I did was when my six year old who was a bit of a daisy picker and trash talker got his obligatory stints in the goal. "Coaching" consisted of "Turn around and watch the game", "Don't pull on the net", and The Look/finger point whenever he started acting like goalie meant field coach and sports critic. With a wild team of kinder and first graders, the actual coaches had their hands full on the sidelines.

I have seen otyer parents do this at similar ages with similar behavior.

But real coaching for a kid that age? No way. Your job is to sit on the sidelines and cheer, whilemletting the coaches coach.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't.

The only time I did was when my six year old who was a bit of a daisy picker and trash talker got his obligatory stints in the goal. "Coaching" consisted of "Turn around and watch the game", "Don't pull on the net", and The Look/finger point whenever he started acting like goalie meant field coach and sports critic. With a wild team of kinder and first graders, the actual coaches had their hands full on the sidelines.

I have seen otyer parents do this at similar ages with similar behavior.

But real coaching for a kid that age? No way. Your job is to sit on the sidelines and cheer, whilemletting the coaches coach.

Right. I'm a rec coach, and I appreciate it when my parents tell kids to *behave*. That's fine. Other than that, "Nice pass, Johnny!" is about the extent of what I want to hear.