Kids Soccer - How Serious is it?
By Business101
@Business101 (59)
United States
September 7, 2011 9:00pm CST
Soccer is my favorite sport, I really look forward to coaching my kids' soccer teams. I coach 5, 10 and 12 yr old teams. Of course the 5 yr old is so fundamental, but I still teach them to be agressive through the different drills I teach. The 10 yr old team is a girl's team and they are somewhat passive, but we still maintain a strong record. We seldom give up any goals. The 12 yr boy's team is playing for blood. My point is that I want all my kids to be on a winning team, but I have never been the coach to make kids sit out because they are behind the skill level of the other players. I have seen some kids sit out on so many other sports when the coach is either playing his favorites or he can't stand to take a chance with a weaker player. Why do some coaches drive the weaker kids away and never really give them a chance to play. If they don't get a chance, they will never be able to improve.
1 person likes this
3 responses
@ElscottHavoc (180)
• United States
8 Sep 11
Essentially, it's because deep down inside, despite what they may say, they're out to win. I've seen this in all ages, even very young kids and the problem is that many kids could turn into vibrant athletes once they've grown up a bit, but may never get the chance early on to explore their abilities.
Most notably, I've seen this in younger kids who are obese or slow. I've seen them sit on the bench thier whole childhood and grow up to be very muscular people or lose their fat and suddenly the coaches are like "hey, where'd this kid come from".
@Business101 (59)
• United States
8 Sep 11
Kids deserve a chance to improve and have personal "wins". There was nothing more gratifying than to take a child who appeared very quiet and unskilled to perform on the team and to see them grow and improve from the efforts and dedication you give to them. I guess some just rise to the occasion later than others.
@cowgirl03051979 (918)
• United States
8 Sep 11
well with it being kids soccer i dont think it is considered very serious at all but you will always have that one fan or those parents that take it very serious i dont think coaches should drive the weaker kids away i agree with you if they dont play they will not be able to improve and once they improve they may end up being the best soccer player in the world but some coaches are so driven to win and want to win so bad they are willing to hurt a little kids feelings and not let them play just so they can win
1 person likes this
@huilichan8 (1378)
• Singapore
8 Sep 11
I suppose in any competion, no coach will be prepared to lose a game because eventually his 'rice bowl' (job) may be jeopardised. Even if this won't happen, a loss in a competitive game will probably affect his team's reputation. Having said this, I must say that I agree with you on one point. That is, the weaker players ought to be given chances to improve. Moreover, kids being likely to be emotionally more fragile than adults, I think not being given chances would probably affect their emotional development and ultimately their self-esteem. I wouldn't do that to kids.
@Business101 (59)
• United States
8 Sep 11
Tough decisions a coach has to make. I play all the kids and we still win most of our games. I think the best way is to slip in some kids into the less critical positions. I rotate the kids in and out very regular so they are always fresh on the field and I can identify the weak areas quickly. Main thing is that the kids love to play and get a chance to improve their skills. What you sacrifice losing a game by playing several kids that perform poorly on the field every time?
@huilichan8 (1378)
• Singapore
8 Sep 11
I think ultimately it depends on who calls the shots and whether you mind losing a game or two just to ensure that weaker players get to play. I suppose in the short-term, it may seem to be unwise to place weaker players on the field in a competitive game. But in the long-term, I believe that the weaker players would have improved somehow and the team will stand to gain eventually. And I am quite sure the weaker players will be thankful to you for giving them chances to play.
