Player Development, the System, and Ideas to Improve It

[kidsakeeper]

The simple answer to why it is always structured, how can all the paid U9 to U14 "coaches" make money if it is not!!!!

That's a loaded comment

My boys have been involved in soccer for many years...I have never had to pay (nor would I) for club coaches to train them...

[Martin]

Agree wholeheartedly with you on that one.

[kids1st]

Martin, defref, and company ... free play is no doubt responsible for the early natural skills - but I'm sure you'll all agree that (with the right coaching of course) more is needed. Having said that, I agree that when it comes to quality coaching, sometimes less is more.

I have heard there are 27 players left, just wondering why such a large amount..

27 ... large amount ... you're kidding, right? I realize you are referring to the fact it is a large number for 1 roster, but since this thread is about Player Development I couldn't resist keeping the discussion on topic.

You'll have to be more specific to get an answer.

[Martin]

Martin, defref, and company ... free play is no doubt responsible for the early natural skills - but I'm sure you'll all agree that (with the right coaching of course) more is needed. Having said that, I agree that when it comes to quality coaching, sometimes less is more.

Again, coaches have a roll to play, and it is often a vital one. A coach will educate a player about the game, but (and again I do love this phrase) artistry is self made.

[defref]

Certainly players need guidance and structure at all ages, but there are some things you want to practice on your own, outside the spot light until you get them right, then you put them into your game.

[defref]

Yikes!!!! Martin and I in stereo.

[soccerfreak*]

Why is there a problem with paid club coaches?
We want more quality coaches within the club system. Coaches who are working to continue their education and development. Parents can make the decision if they are receiving good quality for their $$. I would agree that clubs must have a standard for these paid coaches and constant evaluation.

[soccerparent]

Why is there a problem with paid club coaches?
We want more quality coaches within the club system. Coaches who are working to continue their education and development. Parents can make the decision if they are receiving good quality for their $$. I would agree that clubs must have a standard for these paid coaches and constant evaluation.

There is no problem with paid club coaches as long as the club pays them out of the general funds and the parents are not saddled with the ridiculous amounts required to keep the "Mourinho" types happy. (See the girls U15 OYSL thread for starters).

In addition, paid coaches are now employees and are to be held to much higher standards than their volunteer counterparts including being terminated for cause and non performance with regularly scheduled performance reviews and the requirement for "other duties as assigned". There should be no problems with this as they are employees like the rest of us.

I have a problem having parents lining the pockets of paid coaches many of whom need an ego check before being anywhere near developing kids. If the club needs to hire paid coaches then pay them accordingly as employees.

And that is just the start....

[10 Bob]

Again, coaches have a roll to play, and it is often a vital one. A coach will educate a player about the game, but (and again I do love this phrase) artistry is self made.

I have to agree with Martin and take this one step further. I have witnessed, on more than one occassion, when coaches have penalised players for trying to implement some "artistry" during a game, usually when it is unsuccessful.
This attitude is especially prevalent in the girls provincial program. They just seem to want robotic players who unerringly deliver what is asked for. Sadly there is no tolerance for invention or creativity; a coaches job is to recognize the talent and nuture these skills as the game needs this type of talent.

[guitarguy]

There is no problem with paid club coaches as long as the club pays them out of the general funds and the parents are not saddled with the ridiculous amounts required to keep the "Mourinho" types happy. (See the girls U15 OYSL thread for starters).

I have to disagree with you SP on this. Out of the general funds means out of other parents pockets!
We have enough problems with that already with paid employees at clubs that allocate most or all of their time to one or two teams when all of the parents are paying their salary.
If an individual team wants to hire a paid coach, they should be the ones paying them.
Otherwise I am paying extra to cover the cost of the "Great Mind" (or "Great Spirit" ), and then probably paying again to send my child to an academy since above mentioned paid coach will not be available to train my child.
If you reap the benefits, you pick up the tab.

[soccerparent]

guitarguy, the clubs have a responsibility to ensure that these kinds of situations do not occur when teams bring in paid coaches that ultimately, will cost the club potential revenue from players and parents who decide to leave the team as they are unable or unwilling to pay the exorbitant fees associated with many of these gurus.

The club should allow the membership to vote on this issue at the AGM and if it is accepted then the club hires, pays and administers the paid coaches accordingly. If it is defeated then NO teams in the club structure are allowed to hire paid coaches period.

What no one needs is to have these kind of situations occurring, especially at the younger ages, because some snake oil salesman convinces a group of star struck parents that paying $6,000 for a paid coach and his program is going to get them to the promised land.

Parents who want to shell out the big bucks should do it as part of a private training program as after all what they do with their money privately is their own business.

Why should players who are able to play at the highest level and their parents be forced to feed some ones over inflated ego?

[soccerfreak*]

" Academies" pay coaches and pass the cost on to parents. They are smaller versions of clubs. I think it's great that they pay their coaches for the time they put in.

[sirroundsound]

Academies also charge parents more than most rep teams do (I did say most)
Parents send their children to academies because they are supposed to be paying for and getting better/professional coaching and they accept the fee structure.

If a club has an opportunity to hire highly qualified coaches thats great. They could be to look after only a few teams or be in charge of the training of all competitive teams whatever gets agreed upon. What I would be wary of is the team coach that suddenly sees a chance to extract some money to put in his pocket.
Although with the higher costs of getting around it might be something that has to be considered. Driving in for 2 or 3 trainings a week. Add to that the league game of the week and on top of that 3 or 4 tournaments every summer suddenly being a coach (without a son or daughter on the team) can become expensive just on gas.

[soccerparent]

" Academies" pay coaches and pass the cost on to parents. They are smaller versions of clubs.

Not even close.

Academies are for profit organizations who charge fees for their services. They are in business to make money.

Clubs are community based not for profit organizations that are accountable to their membership for their decisions and finances. How many times are the members given the ability to vote on these issues before they are implemented? Not often in many clubs even at the AGM's.

Academies charge fees upfront and parents know that they will be paying in order to have their kids train there. You pay upfront for the services you will be receiving. Clubs tend to be all over the board on the issue of paid coaches, some have them some don't and there does not seem to be any consistency in what they are allowed to charge.

I think it's great that they pay their coaches for the time they put in.

I have no problem having coaches being paid for their time as long as the clubs bring the issue to the fore, consult their membership and set standards in terms of pay, qualifications and job descriptions and pay the coaches from the club funds.

[Martin]

Academies are for profit organizations who charge fees for their services. They are in business to make money.

Clubs are community based not for profit organizations that are accountable to their membership for their decisions and finances.

Yet, you and I both know a couple of clubs who make a larger profit each year than many of the academies combined.

Not bad for not for profit organizations.