Feedback on coach's approach

[Anonymous]

My U11 DS is in his 2nd yr of travel soccer. Last year the coach focused on foot skills, played the boys in different positions, didn't care about winning and was calm on the sidelines. This year the coach has relegated the boys to one specific position (DS is RD), screams at them during the game if they move past a certain line on the field or mess up a play, focuses on passing, and has told them after winning a game that they did horrible and should have won by a larger margin. My question is - at age 10 - does this approach make sense? Coaches have different styles, but this seems to be an extreme at this age.

[Anonymous]

same coach?

[Anonymous]

No. Different coach last year who actually left the club due to conflict in training philosophy. I don't know the politics but last year's coach feels that the club is only focused on winning and not developing the kids. I don't know enough about appropriate age development so I am trying to get an unbiased perspective.

[Anonymous]

Ugh - I think terrible. Yelling at 10 year olds? I know it's travel and everyone is crazy, but soccer is supposed to be fun. I'd move to another team.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No. Different coach last year who actually left the club due to conflict in training philosophy. I don't know the politics but last year's coach feels that the club is only focused on winning and not developing the kids. I don't know enough about appropriate age development so I am trying to get an unbiased perspective.

Well, it sounds like the old coach was correct.

We had a favored coach my son’s U9 year who left the Club and we reached out after to thank him (my son loved him; great coach) and only then did we come to see it was similar-he was not happy with big club’s Training philosophy or coach quality. He is still a mentor for my son now at U14 even though he gave up coaching (still plays) due to work/family. He played at a very high level and has been a great source of wisdom and trainer for both my kids.

What you describe is common and sometime even when a Club does have a stated philosophy, it still comes down to the Coach, his/her personality and whether they adhere to that training style.

We moved our kids around a bit depending on what they needed training and/or club environment at certain stages and I think that is why they have kept joy and passion for the sport and grown into more well-rounded, versatile players.

I learned to keep emotion out of those decisions. It’s not personal even though it can feel that way. Like anything, not every place is for everyone. Intentions are often not malicious, it’s just how that coach “sees” things. I never got into why we left, etc. Frankly, if you start down that path you just burn bridges. Just move on if you aren’t happy. But, if it looks like this Coach is a Club anamoly and you will have a different one next year you may not need to move. But, from what you wrote sounds like a Club issue rather than a Coach issue.

[Anonymous]

So u9-u12ish should be about individual ball skills/technical development. Technical skill is one of the qualities of a player can be developed from u9-u12 that will stay with them is the older age groups. Things like athleticism and soccer IQ are hard to increase. I have seen very good athletic u10 players get eclipsed athletically by u13.

Remember the younger ages u9-u11 are a time when a coach/club can game the age group and win without developing players. You get the biggest fastest strongest kids. Teach them poke and go and you will win games. After u13, the kids start to balance out athletically(or everyone catches up growth wise), the defense get tougher(most goals at u10 will not be a shot at u13) and speed of play increases. I will define speed of play as- the player should be able to field the ball and pass it to the (right) next player while under pressure under 2 seconds. This means you have to have technical skills.