Coaching Youth Soccer
With Koach Karl Dewazien
United States Soccer Federation 'A' Licensed Coach
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Youth Soccer Coaching
"Get To Know Yourself And Your Youth Soccer Players
(Part 1)

Editorial by Koach Karl Dewazien

GENERAL PROBLEMS with YOUTH PLAYERS...

  1. Should you expect the players to be awkward while learning new motor skills?
    • Yes, be patient. Feeling of confidence and satisfaction go along with achieving something new.
  2. Should the players be punished?
    • Experts generally agree that children learn to behave well not through threats and punishment, but through respect.
  3. Is it normal for young players to have a hard time paying attention?
    • Yes, average five-year-old shows sustained attention for seventeen seconds, and six-year-old for twenty-eight seconds.
  4. Why do children ask so many questions?
    • Out of curiosity.
    • To establish social contact.
    • To show resistance.
    • To learn the "what" and the "why" and the "when".

WHAT TO DO WHEN A PLAYER SHOWS A LACK OF INTEREST?
  1. Show enthusiasm yourself
  2. Do not press the irritable or tired child.
  3. Participation stimulates interest.
  4. Give them help in getting over snags.
  5. Encourage "helping" you.

Note: Children change their interests for much the same reasons that adults do, but more often. Interest runs along with the development of abilities.

WHAT TO DO WHEN A PLAYER SEEMS LAZY

  1. Are they bored?
  2. Are they happy?
  3. Are they being disciplined the wrong way?
  4. Are they trying to cope with too many problems?
  5. Are they in good physical condition?
  6. Are you supplying motivation correctly?

I "WON'T" DO IT ATTITUDE

  1. I'll do it my way. Let them try. But also introduce correct method.
  2. Test them ..with fast rolling and bouncing balls.
  3. What you are teaching must make sense to them or under pressure they will rely on their own movements.

I "CAN'T" DO IT ATTITUDE

  1. It hurts me that you think that you can't do that.
  2. Ask, "What is it that you think you can't do".
  3. Ask questions you know they can answer.
  4. Do techniques you know they are capable of doing.
  5. Let's not practice this week, maybe next.
  6. Many times this attitude is the result of the parent's negative feeling toward the sport. No background - talk to them…and also listen!
  7. You show me how it is done.

FRUSTRATIONS

  1. Mistake center, working on dribbling. Stick to the theme don't worry about shooting.
  2. Frustration is part of the game; even pros make mistakes and still do.
  3. Let them know frustration is normal response but don't let it interfere with other areas.
  4. Find out what may be causing angers. ASK!
  5. Go to a successful part...do not continue till nighttime.
  6. If detected, allow individual water break to cool off.

Next issue Koach Karl will give you suggestions on 'how to' deal with: THE SHY, INTROVERTED ATHLETE; LACK OF EMOTIONAL CONTROL; THE BULLY; HYPERACTIVE PLAYER. Readers remember that your comments on these and other 'themes' are welcome…!