Really Coaches!!!

The rec soccer season has just begun and I already have two examples of coaches doing their best to discourage their players from continuing soccer.

The first incident was at my daughters scrimmage.  Somebody forgot to tell the opposing coach that this was a scrimmage.  He acted like it was the World Cup Final.  If his girls made any mistakes, he would totally freak out.  At one point during his tirade, he threw his water bottle about 20 feet.  These are U10 girls.  There was actually fear in their eyes when he would yell at them.  I hope the parents of his team have a talk with him or turn him into the local soccer board.  I doubt he finishes the year as the coach of that team.

The second issue was also at a practice for another team.  I did not actually see this one myself.  A friend of mine went to watch his daughter' soccer practice.  Every time any child spoke during a drill, the coach made them run a lap.  My friend said out of an hour long practice, the girls ran for about 45 minutes.  They only completed one drill in an hour of practice.  These girls are eight years old.

Soccer practice needs to be fun.  I do not care if you are six or sixteen.  If soccer practice is not fun, these kids will not continue to play soccer.  Now I know that not every part of practice is going to be fun, but a good coach can make the majority of a practice fun.  Why work hard at getting better if you hate the process of getting better.  My next blog post will cover an author who has a great book that every parent and coach should be required to read before their child step a foot on the pitch.  Until next time.