 |
| Author | Post |
|---|
SoccerDad
Member
|
Posted: Sun Feb 3rd, 2008 09:35 pm |
|
Greetings!
I'm a volunteer coach (my son's team which is a U15 this year) for our competitive soccer club, having begun as a U11 coach as a complete rookie. While I've learned a lot and now hold a D license, I STILL feel like a newbie. I stress out a great deal each season over being a better coach than I was the year before, never feeling like I'm doing a very good job. I only played soccer recreationally as a kid and for a very short time. It doesn't help that we struggle to have enough players on our team (we live in a small community) and we don't necessarily have a lot of talent on our team.
Trouble is, I'm never coaching the same age group each year (I'm following my son's team - which is standard protocol for this club) and so as their needs change I have to put a lot of time into reading and planning to develop appropriate practice sessions for the boys. It's a HUGE time commitment, and while I love learning more and more about the game, I'm not a very happy coach and find myself quite burned out by the time the end of the season rolls around in August. I know this is mostly self-induced misery, and its a product of my own perfectionism but I really do think that there has got to be a better way for me to develop as a coach to stay current with the best practices available while addressing the needs of my players for their own long-term development.
I'm well aware that I don't have to be a perfect coach (which I know doesn't exist), but I'd sure like to feel like I'm on really solid ground and that the players and parents think I am as well.
Our club uses parent evaluations at the end of each season and I was hugely disappointed in the number of gripes and complaints (and the content of these comments) that its taken me quite awhile to get over it. Honestly, I felt like throwing my hands up in the air and walking away from it all. It's a volunteer position and I'm working hard at it, and yet some parents really blasted me in their evals. Whew! I feel worn out just thinking about it all over again.
Ironically, our club has, the past two years, hired a college-level coach to come and work with our coaches for a week or two at the beginning of each season (our season doesn't really get into full swing until the end of May when we can actually get outside on the fields and school is out) and each year this coach has complimented me on my style of coaching and the content. So, I get great feedback from her but I crash and burn when it comes to the opinions of the parents (and even some of the kids, actually).
At any rate, what's most important to me is to continue to grow and learn as a coach in order to provide the best possible soccer experience for my players. Having read all of this, do you have any suggestions, thoughts, recommendations? Any special coaching schools that you would recommend that don't cost an arm and a leg?
Thanks so much for any ideas or help you might be able to provide!
|
coachv
Administrator
| Joined: | Thu Oct 4th, 2007 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 29 |
| Status: |
Offline
|
| Mana: |    |
|
Posted: Thu Feb 7th, 2008 05:04 pm |
|
Take a look at this article and it should help.
http://www.soccertrainingforum.com/view_topic.php?id=90&forum_id=6
|
FC Falcons
Member
| Joined: | Sat Feb 16th, 2008 |
| Location: | Texas USA |
| Posts: | 18 |
| Status: |
Offline
|
| Mana: | |
|
Posted: Tue Feb 26th, 2008 01:10 pm |
|
I know right where you are coming from. I do the same thing. I spend hours and hours searching and reviewing as much info as I can to make myself a better coach but sometimes it seems a waste when I can't get the kids to practice. I hope you don't have that problem too. I think you are doing great. I have noticed many coaches that accept the role as coach and then put as little time in bettering themselves as a coach. Honestly, I wouldn't bother asking for a eval. from parents as they are in direct conflict (having their son/daughter on the team). If their kid didn't get as much playing time as another or they didn't get the position they wanted to play, then you will get bad reviews from them. You have educated yourself in soccer and put time and effort into the job you took on. I would trust the opinion of the trainers and coaches that you work with. They better understand what you are trying to do and why. Trust yourself and know you are there for the right reason.( To further the kids development in a fun and educational way). Forget the evals. No matter what you do, not everyone will be happy all the time. Once you accept that, you will have a more rewarding experience.
|
Sequel8
Member
| Joined: | Wed Mar 26th, 2008 |
| Location: | Lakeland, Florida USA |
| Posts: | 11 |
| Status: |
Offline
|
| Mana: | |
|
Posted: Wed Mar 26th, 2008 08:42 am |
|
I don't know how your team is but sometimes there are certain players that just don't come to give it all. I’ve found that if you really take it to heart it will eat you up. I love this game, this game is my life. I don't have any kids or any kind of ties to soccer. I coach because I enjoy it. I figured what's not to like from my coaching stand point, well there is always someone who will completely disagree with you and your philosophy. I keep a smile on my face from watching the players that care and give you a 110% everyday. Know your making a difference and realize that you will never get along with everyone. All you can do is try. Ask yourself this, do you see yourself coaching after your kid has grown up? If so find an age group that you really like and go from there.
|
Current time is 01:20 pm | |
|
|
|
|
