In order for kids to stay in the game, a new definition of soccer success must be evaluated and enforced. Surely a better definition of success and a better way to measure this would be to count the number of kids who turn up to play next year.

When coaching young children, the most satisfying experience is seeing the kids turn up again for the next season. If you are a coach and the team remains the same except for the addition of a few players, then it probably means

• They enjoyed your coaching, training and games.
• The children feel like they are improving and have alot to learn from you as their coach.
• The parents believe that you are a good coach and want to invest their time with you.
• and obviously want to be trained by you again because  you have done a great job.

Let me give you a scenario: Your the coach of the local soccer team. According to you last season was successful because your team won more games than they lost. You even finished 3rd on the ladder which is a great accomplishment. Now for the new season, your goal is to improve on the 3rd place finish. The new season starts and you feel very motivated and enthusiastic. To your surprise only 6 of your players from last year turn up for the new season. You can’t believe it and start to wonder why they left. If they don’t turn up next year have you succeeded? You might have won the majority of games, but do you feel successful? Remember your coaching juniors and the game should not be about you.

If your players don’t turn up in the following year, you can bet your bottom dollar that they:

• Didn’t enjoy the training or the games.
• The children felt like they hadn’t improved.
• The parents were not satisfied and no longer want to invest time in your coaching methods.
• and obviously don’t want more of the same in the following year.

Given the two scenarios above, which coach would you prefer to be? Notice how the definition of success as a coach has changed. Its important not to put too much emphasise on winning at a junior level. To ensure you are a “successful junior coach” remember to:

• Make training sessions and games fun and enjoyable.
• Involve every single kid and don’t base the level of involvement on performance.
• Keep the kids active all the time at training. Don’t lecture or teach them the game, they get that all day at school.
• Do not focus on results and winning.
• Focus on skill development and personal development.
• Care for the kids as if they were your own.
• and ensure club officials and parents support you in your new definition of success.

From my personal experience, the year my team finished last was the most successful season I’ve had as a coach. Sounds funny, but really think about it.

Is it the kids that are drawn to the “Hollywood lifestyle” or are the parents dreaming up a plan that will inevitably end in tears? Adults (parents) who are involved in youth soccer as coaches, officials, administrators and even sponsors, must understand that the kids are drawn to soccer because it is fun. A young child has no need for money or fame and does not need to be payed to play and associate with his new team mates.

Adults involved in youth soccer should provide an atmosphere and structure the environment so that the children enjoy their soccer experience. If the children are very young, they should be allowed to choose their own positions on the field. Teaching the fundamental skills should be taught through non-competitive games to ensure that every child is given every opportunity to develop systematically.

At a very young age, winning and losing should not be the main focus of the kids. Although winning and losing is part of Soccer, a focus on results rather than performance or development can be detrimental. When children lose or make mistakes, they tend to feel like failures and perceive themselves to have less ability than others. With this belief the child loses confidence an may even lose interest in the game he loves. Add to this, the pressure put on children by their parents and you have a recipe for disaster and a formulae that will end your child’s career by the age of 13.

Coaches and parents should not place emphasise on the end result, but concentrate on the development of the player. Is the player improving? Is he enjoying his training? Is the player developing friendships and is he learning social skills? Parents should help children realize that personal growth, effort and achievements are more important than the outcome or final results. High effort and the accomplishment of personal goals can provide a sense of success for the child. The child does not need to be compared to another child because children obviously develop at different rates.

It is extremely important that coaches always treat children equally. If a child is ignored or neglected, the child’s self confidence and self image will deteriorate. Every child needs to be given equal opportunity, attention and playing time to eliminate the feeling of inadequacy. If a child feels inadequate, his self esteem will drop which will lead to the child dropping out.

With youth soccer becoming increasingly popular and the number 1 sport for kids, coaches and parents need to help children learn the basic values of life first. Help children learn how to deal with a lose in a way that it doesn’t affect their self-confidence and doesn’t destroy their social skills. With the right guidance children will learn that hard work and determination will eventually lead to their goals. Successful goal setting and the correct mindset will enable the youngsters to grow up into great men whether it will be on the soccer field or in life in general.

Finally, the most important message of this post is to make sure the children are having fun and are treated equally and given equal opportunities. The sacrifices and efforts by adults (coaches, parents) should be designed to help children enjoy their life. Notice how i didn’t say Soccer, Soccer should always be secondary when compared to a childs happiness and standard of living. Make your players or children smile and with time the other variables will fall into place.