When training new players one of the first questions I'll ask is what’s the longest conversation they’ve ever had with a coach.
Kids will nearly always reply never or a minute.
A 13-year-old player recently told me less than thirty seconds and this despite playing competitive soccer for years.
Parents too will repeatedly say their child has never had any help and that’s a concern especially when they don’t feel that their kid is improving.
Without feedback how would a player even know what they need to work on to get better?
One way I address this is by attending matches and completing evaluations.
I observed four kids over the last two weeks and was happy to support them and take in their game in a game!
Here are some of the other reasons I do evaluations…
Style of play
Are the kid’s team playing good soccer or even trying to? Clear signs they’re not are the players are playing direct (route one!) and kicking the ball first time towards the opponent’s goal. More red flags are the goalkeeper is sending the ball up the field as far as possible or even worse a ‘big boot’ field player is assigned to take goal kicks and free kicks. Direct soccer is not good soccer and it will NEVER develop future players.
Individual player development
Kids will play on multiple teams and under several coaches well before they reach their teens. A game evaluation begins the process for families to shift their focus away from the short-term (wins and losses) to what’s far more important. Their child’s long-term individual development.
Checking in!
What’s transferring to the games? It’s crucial to know this on my end. Is the kid being direct (with the ball at their feet!), displaying skills, being creative, making good decisions and expressing themselves? That’s what I’m looking for. I’ve trained one player on a weekly basis since November ’15. Taking in a game is simply just another fantastic tool I use to evaluate him.
Soccer IQ
Tactics, systems of play, positions, what qualities are needed to play each position? All this comes out when I review the evaluation form and my notes with the player. We discuss how they performed in their spot and where they can improve. It’s the fastest way to find out a kid’s Soccer IQ and assess their knowledge of the game.
If you enjoyed today's message, please share it with a friend or fellow soccer enthusiast.
Chat soon,Patrick
Soccer 1:1
