Guiding Principles for Youth Soccer

I have included an article written by my good friend Dean Conway, who is the former Director of Coaching for Mass Youth Soccer.

I always appreciate his work as he makes me think!

Let me know what you think… OK?

11 Guiding Principles

In general, the basis of our endeavor should be regard for the physical, emotional and social welfare of children, for the joy and worth of play and of athletics, and for integrity of soccer.

1. Youth soccer should be considered a wholesome leisure activity - not a “spectator sport,” even though it’s wonderful to watch. The enjoyment and fulfillment of the players are primary.

2. The spirit of the game is paramount: coaches should insist on uncompromising adherence to the rules. Sporting gestures (applause for all good plays, thanking the referee after the game, etc.) should be encouraged.

3. Coaches should honor and respect all the players, parents, fellow coaches, referees and spectators whom she or he encounters.

4. Coaches are teachers. They should be knowledgeable about children and about soccer - especially about the prevention and care of injuries, nutrition and the techniques of the game. More of our most experienced coaches should commit themselves to teaching the youngest children. Coaches should aim to teach players and to educate parents and to continue learning about the game as long as they are involved in it.

5. All approaches and activities must be age appropriate. The youngest players (those five and six years old) should be allowed to experience soccer on their own terms, to play “in their own world”, to become friends with the ball. At the next stage (ages seven to eleven), techniques and essential tactical understanding - “reading the game” - should be emphasized. After eleven come positional functions, the big field, more refined tactics and fitness training. For the youngest; “Let’s try…” and, “Here’s something…” and, “How about this?” as opposed to “You must…”, or, “DO what I say.” Freedom, not pressure. Always, the key is FUN!

6. Patient development of all players - not just winning - is most important, at least through the U-14 stage. Coaches should not encourage - or allow - players to specialize by position until they are at least twelve. All young players should learn to attack and to defend and should be exposed to playing the goal. Perhaps the largest obstacle to the optimum development of players and coaches in Massachusetts is an over-zealous, result-oriented approach where league standings, trophies and “today’s game” can be considered more important than long term development.

7. Coaches should have faith in and rely on the expression “The game is the greatest teacher.” At practice, the maximum amount of time should be spent in activities that develop techniques and in vigorous, realistic, small-sided games. Set plays, for example, should be considered a very low priority. All fitness work should be accomplished in a soccer context - never without a ball.

8. More emphasis should be placed on free, unrestricted, uncoached play; coaches should do what they can to encourage pick-up, “street soccer” environments as a complement to formal practices.

9. Coaches should encourage positive, assertive, attacking soccer: youth teams should always play to win, never “not to lose”. For coaches and players up through U-12: play the game to win, yes, always! But don’t worry about winning the league, coming in first in the tournament, etc.

10. It should be recognized and accepted that the soccer played by young kids, by adolescents, and by adults does not and should not look the same.

11. Coaches should remember that a child’s involvement in soccer - as well as theirs - takes place in the context of family dynamics and is only one of many elements of one’s life. So, at the heart of soccer is: Fun, positive spirit, enjoyment, learning, and passion for the game.