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...
