SUCCESS IN YOUTH SOCCER
Short-Term
FUN …
Do the players smile and laugh? Do the players look forward to playing? The first question from the player’s family should be, “Did you have fun today?”
Fair Play …
Does a player demonstrate by words and actions a sense of sportsmanship?
Laws of the Game …
Do the players know and follow the rules of soccer?
Health and Fitness …
Are they developing good nutrition and hydration habits befitting an athlete?
Are the players physically fit enough to meet the fitness demands of the game?
Friendships …
Are the players creating new friends within the team and with players from other teams?
Skills …
Are the players demonstrating a growing number of ball skills and are they becoming more proficient?
Long-Term
Commitment …
How do the players answer when asked at the end of a game, “Did you try your best?”
Roles in the Team …
More important than learning a position, are the players learning about positioning? Knowing where the right back or the center forward spot is on the field is important, yet learning how to move tactically within the game is far more important. Do all of the players get exposed to playing all of the positions?
Leadership …
Are players given the opportunity to take on leader roles and responsibilities and are the coaches teaching leadership?
Tactics …
Are the players experimenting with new tactics in matches? The coaches must teach new tactics to the players in training sessions and then allow them to try out the tactics in a match, regardless of how that might affect the outcome!
Retention … do the players come back year after year?