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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]1) Player development =/= winning games (not necessarily, anyways). In an ideal world, a coach who does a great job of player development will send the best/most talented/most dedicated players on to bigger/better teams, so they're not doing it to win stupid EDP games. A youth coach who discourages players from moving to bigger and better teams when they have the opportunity in order to produce a good win-loss record is a poor coach. A harmful coach. No shortage of these little cults of personality centered on individual coaches. Also, player development occurs by playing against people who are bigger/faster/better. If you have a team of 15-year-old all-stars who smoke everyone else in a tournament, get them into a higher bracket, or a higher year, or a different tournament. Move the more advanced players to a higher level team. Force other players to step up and take a larger role.

2) Technical skills are a part of player development, but can't be the responsibility of the team's coach. Players have to do this on their own, and they have to do it A LOT. If you're gucci enough to hire a personal trainer, well, wow. I'm not gonna hate, but just remember that there are plenty of kids out there kicking a ball against a wall with no one looking over their shoulder.

3) Play, Play, Play. This is the best form of player development. I love how Alexandria has built futsal courts all over the place. Pickup. Play with older people and learn their techniques. Play with younger people and help teach them.

4) The goal of player development matters. It matters a lot. If the goal is to use football as an application point to a good college or even a scholarship--a perfectly valid goal--then building athleticism (the foundation of the college game), stability in teams (for a recommendation from a youth coach), and getting into more competitive leagues and tournaments (for exposure to college scouts) matter a lot. If a kid wants to be a pro, there's a whole different skill set. They need to be a self-motivator, able to play different positions, accept different coaching styles, and be ok with being the worst player on a team (hopefully temporarily). 
To live by yourself, play on crappy fields, maybe not be able to communicate well with teammates, and stay motivated for ~$300/month + room & board is a lifestyle that DMV teams (and most US teams, to be fair) don't prepare kids for. [/quote]

Great post, especially 1 and 2. Best mentors and coaches always encourage their protégés and players to go to better opportunities if appropriate. [/quote]

+1. It’s not about ego. It’s not about the club or the coach or meaningless trophies. It’s about the kid. [/quote]

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