Coaching the AYSO Way 2013 Section Meeting Coaching Workshop

Coaching the AYSO Way AYSO Vision Statement: Mission Statement: To provide world class youth soccer programs that enrich children’s lives. Mission Statement: To develop and deliver quality youth soccer programs, which promote a fun, family environment based on our philosophies of…

Applying the AYSO Philosophies Coaching the AYSO Way What are the 6 philosophies of AYSO? Open registration Balanced teams Everyone plays Positive coaching Good sportsmanship Player development… Applying the AYSO Philosophies

Applying the AYSO Philosophies Coaching the AYSO Way Open Registration Our program is open to all children between 4 and 19 years of age who want to register and play soccer. What does that mean to you, coach?... Applying the AYSO Philosophies

Applying the AYSO Philosophies Coaching the AYSO Way Balanced Teams Each year we form new teams as evenly balanced as possible. What does that mean to you, coach?... Applying the AYSO Philosophies

Applying the AYSO Philosophies Coaching the AYSO Way Balanced Teams are: A GIFT for all PLAYERS/COACHES… Applying the AYSO Philosophies

Applying the AYSO Philosophies Coaching the AYSO Way Everyone Plays: Our program’s goal is for kids to play soccer, so we mandate that every player on every team must play at least half of every game. What does that mean to you, coach?... Applying the AYSO Philosophies

Applying the AYSO Philosophies Coaching the AYSO Way Everyone Plays is all about player development! To learn the game one must play it, not sit on the bench and watch others play it. To be relegated to little or no playing time sends the clear message to the player that she/he lacks the skills to play at this level and thus encourages dropping out… Applying the AYSO Philosophies

Applying the AYSO Philosophies Coaching the AYSO Way Playing time sends other messages: That the coach has confidence in the child and accepts them at whatever skill level he/she is at. Confidence and acceptance is communicated not just by how much playing time we give a child but how we play them. .. Applying the AYSO Philosophies

Applying the AYSO Philosophies Coaching the AYSO Way Playing time, things to do! Watch your players when they play and when they are not. Give the less skilled players help. Give every player a chance… Applying the AYSO Philosophies

Applying the AYSO Philosophies Coaching the AYSO Way Positive Coaching What is it? I don’t know what it is but I know it when I see it!... Applying the AYSO Philosophies

Applying the AYSO Philosophies Coaching the AYSO Way Positive Coaching is: Encouragement of player performance and effort provides a greater enjoyment by the player and the coach and ultimately leads to better skilled and better motivated players… Applying the AYSO Philosophies

Applying the AYSO Philosophies Coaching the AYSO Way Tools for Positive Coaching Assume they will learn Accept player mistakes Let them play Encourage them to take risks Let them know mistakes are not only okay, but expected Catch them being good… Applying the AYSO Philosophies

Applying the AYSO Philosophies Coaching the AYSO Way Positive Coaching pays off Old school? Research by sport psychologists consistently shows that athletes do better when coaches reward them for their effort than punish them for their shortcomings. The player who is not giving their best effort is more likely to try harder if the coach identifies what they are doing right and encourages them to improve their effort… Applying the AYSO Philosophies

Applying the AYSO Philosophies Coaching the AYSO Way Good Sportsmanship We strive to create a positive environment based on mutual respect rather than a win-at-all cost attitude Celebrate the competition, not who wins or loses… Applying the AYSO Philosophies

Applying the AYSO Philosophies Coaching the AYSO Way Good Sportsmanship By a show of hands, how many of you in here are liars and cheaters? How many of you teach your players to lie and cheat?... Applying the AYSO Philosophies

Applying the AYSO Philosophies Coaching the AYSO Way Player Development: Not about developing the next National Team Players. It is about all players developing their soccer skills and soccer knowledge to the best of their abilities. To maximize their enjoyment of the game… Applying the AYSO Philosophies

Applying the AYSO Philosophies Coaching the AYSO Way 2009 Applying the AYSO Philosophies

Applying the AYSO Philosophies Coaching the AYSO Way AYSO and United States Soccer Federation (USSF) Focus Development Over Winning Quality Training Age Appropriate Have Fun/Inspire Players… 2009 Applying the AYSO Philosophies

Applying the AYSO Philosophies Coaching the AYSO Way What about: “Gamesmanship” “Trash talking”… Applying the AYSO Philosophies

Applying the AYSO Philosophies Coaching the AYSO Way Cheating, or for those who would like a more delicate term, Unsporting Conduct: A player pulls out a knife and cuts her opponent to force her out of the game. A player on the red team grabs the jersey of a blue player and holds them back. Is it okay to cheat if the ref does not see it? Is it okay to violate the laws if the ref fails to enforce them? Is it okay to violate the laws because it could prevent a score and thus possibly mean winning?... Applying the AYSO Philosophies

Applying the AYSO Philosophies Coaching the AYSO Way Conclusion We have lots of words used to describe youth sports: recreational, competitive, select, premier. Perhaps the word that should be our guide is developmental. We are helping young people develop as soccer players, as athletes, and as good people. It is a tremendous trust we have as coaches. If we really examine how each of us applies good sportsmanship, positive coaching, and everyone plays we may be a little better at our job… Applying the AYSO Philosophies

Applying the AYSO Philosophies Coaching the AYSO Way Questions? Thank You! Applying the AYSO Philosophies