Article Courtesy of: finesoccer.com Stepping Up and Taking Responsibility

One of the questions that coaches seem to ask a lot is "where can I hide my weaker players on the field?" The real question should be "how can I help develop my weaker players so they become stronger and help the team rather than hinder the team?" When you watch a lot of youth soccer you notice that certain players (so called stronger players) will literally try to do both their job as well as the job of another "weaker" player on the field. They do this thinking it’s helping the player and helping the team (it’s a prime example of an "I" player who thinks that the way for the team to be successful is for her to do more and try to take over ). However, what these players (and the coaches who instruct them to do this) need to understand is that it holds back these other players development as well as the teams development. How fun can it be to have a teammate who tries to do your job for you? How fun can it be to try to do another players job as well as your own which will frequently result in doing two jobs very poorly? As a coach, you can try to put players in a position where they have to step up and take responsibility. Trying to find positions where you hide the weaker players does NOT accomplish this at all. Instead set up scrimmages where they don’t have a stronger player beside them. This way, if they don’t step up, they get beat (please understand getting beat is frequently a learning experience which is not necessarily a bad thing). When the player sees the ball coming and there isn’t a teammate to step in front of her and take it, she will usually step up, and take the responsibility herself. Once she does this throughout a game or two, she will most likely rise up her level of confidence (which is frequently what separates the timid player from the aggressive player) and take more responsibility during full-sided games. In order for this to work, it’s important to do this against the correct level of competition. If you put these less confident players against an opponent that they can’t succeed against it just further confirms these players idea that they aren’t good enough. Schedule the games so that they can be successful and let the players work this out on their own (players are so much smarter than we coaches like to give them credit for). Instead of trying to hide players or putting them in a position to fail, find a way to put a player in a position to be successful and you will be amazed at the quick improvement you will see.

Courtesy of: Ian Plenderleith You've Got To Be Joking, Ref (excerpt)

In soccer, there are two kinds of people - those who accept the referee's decisions, and those who don't.  If you're the sort of person who has come to terms with destiny more or less moving your life along in ways beyond your control, then you probably do not find it difficult to shrug, and then absorb the decisions of the game's whistlers, regardless of their merits. On the other hand, there are those players, coaches and fans who simply cannot take the apparent injustices served on them and their teams by the arbitrator, and will shout, gesticulate and disclaim until they can go no redder, before repeatedly talking the incident through with every unfortunate person they meet, sometimes for decades.  For thirty years, I fancied myself in the former category - the arch-rationalist - both as player and fan. Why harangue the referees? They never change their minds after they've made a decision unless the linesman is frantically waving his flag. Law 5 states: "The referee may only change a decision on realizing that it's incorrect or, at his discretion, on the advice of an assistant referee, provided that he has not re-started play."  Sure, I've questioned them momentarily from the safety of the stands, and I've thrown up my arms in frustration on the field, but at the end of the game, the first thing I do is run over to shake their hands and thank them. It can hardly be described as a pleasant job, and I appreciate that without them we wouldn't be able to play at all. Blaming them for defeat is merely to deflect the shortcomings of your own side.
For professionals, I realize that there is far more at stake than merely a matter of principle or the outcome of an irrelevant match in the bowels of an unknown amateur league. Yet still I've always wondered why so many pros risk red and yellow cards just because they can't shut their mouths and get on with the game. And why coaches don't crack down more on poor discipline when they know they will have to do without key players because of suspension, often at critical points of the season. The amateur psychologist in me has always fancied that I could start a business going around pro soccer clubs to educate soccer players on the futility of arguing with the referee. I would show clips of angry men yelling and throwing their arms around as the yellow-shirted beacon of law stood in their midst, unmoved and steady as a Velcro shinguard, looking as righteous as John Harkes during one of his early Sunday morning moral speeches on 'MLS Wrap' (the soccer highlights show with barely any soccer highlights). Seeing how stupid they looked, my pupils would realize the errors of their ways and adjust their behavior accordingly. I can only hope that, as in all other respects, our creaking old hackers' league does not become a trendsetter for soccer as a whole.

Article Courtesy of: Ken Gamble In the past year what have you learned in regard to soccer?

I've learned that when someone says "I'm doing it for the kids" he's probably not.
I've learned that a 0-0 game can have as much offense in it as a 5-4 game.
I've learned that it's not parents or coaches or players that are a problem - it's egos.
I've learned that 99% of the fans at a match think that the referee is terrible and is biased for the other team. The other 1% are not sure which one the referee is.
I've learned never to judge a player's ability until they are at least 16 years old.
I've learned that some coaches are considered successful because they develop good players and others because they recruit good players. The ones that develop players are the ones I consider successful.
I've learned that speed is good - but speed and size is better.
I've learned that you should never dribble when you can pass and that you should never pass when you could shoot.
I've learned you should never "dive in" when you're the last defender.
I've learned that despite what I think soccer will never be as popular in the U.S. as it should be.
I've learned that all goals count the same no matter how they're scored.
I've learned that if I won the lottery I'd use some of the money to build a top notch soccer facility in my town.
I've learned that way too many of my clothes have three stripes on them.
I've learned that I'm going to miss all this when my children quit playing.
I've learned that I can't pass a large open field without thinking "That would sure make a good soccer pitch."
I've learned that I know much less about this sport than I used to think I did.
I've learned that I would be much better off if I kept my mouth shut during games.
I've learned that less than 50% of all coaches know the Laws of the Game and only about 75% of the refs do.
I've learned that no matter how many cones and balls I carry to practice some will disappear like socks in a drier.
I've learned that not all kids play soccer for the same reasons. Some want to compete and others want to socialize. But they all want to have fun. All coaches should remember that.
I've learned that not all soccer matches are exciting but neither are all baseball, basketball or football games.
I've learned that soccer is both an incredibly simple game and an amazingly difficult game - at the same time.
I've learned that one of the hardest jobs is that of an assistant coach.
I've learned that you should under-promise and over-deliver if you want to be successful as a coach.
I've learned that sometimes the way a player plays or practices has less to do with the coach than with what's going on in his home or school life.
I've learned that most really competitive players want to be pushed out of their comfort zone.
I've learned that you can shoot all you want but that the only shots that count are the ones in the back of the net.
I've learned that every win is not good and not every loss is bad.
I've learned that the harder you train the better your team will be, but that if you train too hard, you'll miss all the fun and experiences that make sports worthwhile.
I've learned you should never take youth sports too seriously.
I've learned that the best players never think they are.
I've learned that every good referee I've met has doubts about the calls they made in the game. But they've learned to accept that they will make mistakes and try their best to keep them to a minimum. Coaches would do well to do the same.
I've learned that some of the most influential people in my life have been coaches and teachers and that all the really good coaches I knew were also really good teachers.
I've learned that how I behave toward referees sets the standard for my players and that if I blame the refs my players will also blame the refs. Putting the blame on anyone other than ourselves is non-productive and won't make me a better coach or make my players better defenders or attackers.
I've learned that attackers that want to score a goal shouldn't stand in the middle of the goal and hope that the ball will come to them.
I've learned that if we want more of our kids to keep playing soccer as they get older we need more soccer-playing heroes for them to look up to.
I've learned that a penalty kick is both the easiest and hardest shot in soccer.
I've learned that it's not always the most talented players who turn out to be the best soccer players but the best soccer players are almost always the ones that work the hardest.
I've learned that not all great (soccer ball) jugglers are great players but almost all great players can juggle.
I've learned that there's always a time later to teach tactics. At almost any age coaches are better off using practice time teaching skills.
I've learned that if you don't shoot you can't score.
I've learned that when a team I coach loses the players get over it much quicker than I do.
I've learned that in the overall scheme of the universe, sports means very little - and so much less than we (fans, coaches, players, parents) make of them.
I've learned that some players take criticism better than others but all players take praise well.
I've learned that it helps to have a mentor - even if that person doesn't know what a mentor is.
I've learned that hydration is more important than nutrition in sports - just as in life. You can survive days without food but will die quickly without water. Encourage your players to drink lots of water. It's the simplest advice that pays the biggest dividends.
I've learned that practice and not halftime is the best time to provide a coaching lesson.
I've learned that you should always choose the wind at the start of a match - you never know when it'll change direction.
I've learned that all athletes are just one serious injury from being spectators.
I've learned that not every coach with a foreign accent is a soccer expert.
I've learned that no matter how close you are to the goal, you're never too close to kick the ball over the top of the goal.
I've learned that I spend way too much time thinking up this stuff.

Article Courtesy of: US National Soccer Players The Mental Game

What makes a strong soccer player? A knowledgeable soccer enthusiast may choose among a variety of appropriate answers. Good foot skills. Aggression. Speed. Athleticism. Although all of these physical abilities strengthen a player’s performance on the field, many players and coaches pay little attention to the importance of the mental aspects of the game.

What are the mental components of playing soccer, and why is it important to investigate a player’s mental capacities? Primarily, actions on the field, during games and practice, are direct results of players’ motivation, attention and confidence. Without determination and the ability to focus, the National Team players would never have gotten to where they are today. Every learning experience, every motion and every moment of contact with the ball begins with the mind. A player’s mental game facilitates development and ultimately, the enjoyment of the game.

As a coach, it is important to check up on your players’ mental game and to maintain confidence, motivation and satisfaction among your players. Sustaining positive thoughts and self-confidence will ensure that players will play at their potential and strive to reach beyond expectations on the field. What can you do as a coach to promote self-confidence and a positive mental outlook? Encouragement, communication and support are the foundations of self-confidence.

In order to bolster positive mental attitudes among your players, let’s take a moment to acknowledge what undermines self-confidence. Sometimes a mistake or negative feedback concerning performance on the field can cause a player to lose confidence in his abilities. Other times, the insecurities of being a substitute can weaken a player’s self-confidence. Ultimately, self-confidence is governed by a player’s perception of himself. What kind of feedback are your players receiving about themselves and about their abilities as soccer players?

As the coach, you have an important impact on your players’ self-confidence. When you are demonstrative and clearly convey that you are pleased with a player’s performance, the player will in turn be pleased with himself. Give credit where it is due, and encourage individual players as well as the collective team. A coach’s enthusiasm boosts motivation and improvement. Your positive comments will positively influence players’ self-confidence.

Conversely, self-confidence is harmed when players think that coaches do not believe in them or do not have faith in their abilities. There is nothing wrong with expressing dissatisfaction with a player’s decision on the field, however, the ways in which you communicate your criticism are important. Provide the player with a better alternative, and explain your reasoning behind it. Make eye contact, and try not to lecture your players. Improvement takes cooperation from you and from your players. It is important to recognize that you are working with your players as opposed to working them.

Communication with your players facilitates improvement. When you take the time to explain things, your players will interpret the effort you put forth as an indication that you respect them and believe in them. The best way to bolster self-confidence is to communicate your own confidence in their capabilities.

In order to remind your players of their own strengths and abilities, make sure that variety is a feature of every practice. Players have different strengths and weaknesses, as does the team as a unit, and it is important to develop weaker skills as well as spend time displaying the strengths. Self-confidence is enhanced when players have the chance to witness their own talents. If you spend an important day practicing the tough stuff, end practice with a scrimmage, juggling contest or a fun game of some sort. Enjoyment fosters self-confidence as well.

If one of your players is discouraged by his own abilities, or more specifically by a mistake he made on the field, it is important for you to help him work through his feelings. Validate the player’s sentiments, and assure him that improvement is on horizon as long as he works hard. Determination and hard work lead to success, and every small blunder can be turned into lesson that will bring your players closer toward their goals. If your players aren’t worried about the repercussions of making mistakes, they can exert all of their energy on improvement and striving for success.

During a game, substitution can sometimes be interpreted as a consequence of making a mistake, and many times a coach will pull a player off the field because of an error. Substitution is a touchy issue because of its potential effect on a player’s mental game. Many players base part of their self-confidence on the amount of playing time they receive. It is rare to find a dedicated player who isn’t concerned when he receives little playing time. Therefore, how you deal with substitution can significantly affect your players’ self-confidence.

Continuously pulling players off the field the instant they make mistakes is unwise. First of all, it is best to admit to yourself now that your team is likely to make mistakes. Everyone makes mistakes. If you consistently remove a player every time he makes a mistake, he will spend so much time in fear of messing up that he will be unable to focus on his strengths and the development of his skills. When anxiety about making mistakes is on the forefront of a player’s mind, messing up is almost guaranteed. Players play their best when they feel as though they have nothing to lose.

Ultimately, when dealing with substitutions at the youth level, let your players learn from their faults on the field, give everyone adequate playing time and provide them with constructive criticism when you do decide to withdraw them from the game. This is the best way to sustain self-confidence and strengthen a player’s mental game.

If you believe in your players’ abilities and potential, they will believe in themselves and play without any reservations. Self-confidence is an important key to developing skillful soccer players.

Article Courtesy of: finesoccer.com Team Player?

Many people are familiar with the "me" syndrome which is where players are in it simply for themselves and don't care what is in the best interests of the team. Given the choice between doing what is in their best interests or in their teams best interests, the players afflicted with the "me" syndrome will chose themselves over the team. If they can score a goal a game and lose most games or score the occasional goal and win most games, they chose the option of scoring and losing. A team with players suffering from the "me" syndrome will end up being unsuccessful. Many people are familiar with the "me" syndrome.

The "I" syndrome isn't as well known but can cause almost as many problems as the "me" syndrome. The player suffering from the "I" syndrome thinks that the way for the team to be successful is for him/her to do more and try to take over. This is the person you see at the end of the game who tries to dribble through everyone to score the winning goal. The person with the "me" syndrome does this for the glory while the person with the "I" syndrome does it for the good of the team.

Unfortunately, neither really works. If you have 5 players with the "I" syndrome, you will have 5 players at the end of the game trying to do what each thinks is the best thing for the team. Frequently, this results in a frantic finish with players running all over the place but unfortunately, it doesn't usually work. The person with the "I" syndrome thinks he/she is doing what is in the teams best interests but in reality he/she is really being counterproductive.

The player with the "we" syndrome will do what is in the best interests of the team even if it means taking a step back for the team. While the "we" player and the "I" player have the same interests the "we" player understands that the bests interests of the team takes more than just personal effort. An example is that in the last few minutes of the game, while the "I" player is trying to do everything on his/her own, the "we" player is trying to find the best way to succeed any way possible whether it directly relates to their own effort or not. The "we" player ends up being the successful one even if sometimes the "me" and "I" players sometimes get the short-term glory. A player can change from a "me" player to an "I" player to a "we" player but only if they understand the concept. Without knowing that being a "me" or "I" player is a problem, they will never know they have to get better and become a "we" player.

If you are a player, the first step in becoming a better team player is to ask yourself whether you are a "me" player, an "I" player or a "we" player. Then if you are not happy with your HONEST answer, set out to do something about this.