Question for coaches

What kind of questions would you like to hear from a player (not the parents) that would like to see more playing time?

03soccermomtx wrote:What kind of questions would you like to hear from a player (not the parents) that would like to see more playing time?

Actions would speak louder than words! If actions on the field are not working , then the question you should ask yourself is this the best fit for my DD?

totalsoccer wrote:

03soccermomtx wrote:What kind of questions would you like to hear from a player (not the parents) that would like to see more playing time?

Actions would speak louder than words! If actions on the field are not working , then the question you should ask yourself is this the best fit for my DD?

Now to get past all the cliches...

The questions are simplistic, but they make the coach accountable:

(1) What are a coach's policies on playing time? Ideally, the player and parent knew this before signing with him, but it's a good point of clarification.

(2) How do I specifically need to improve as a player? Roughly, where do I numerically rank on the team's depth chart? I would like the coach to rate me on a 1-10 scale on key talents and would have a sheet ready to hand to him. Doing this relieves a bit of the pressure. Few coaches want to tell a player "you're way too slow" but would be willing to give them a score of "3" on paper. Human nature, I suppose. Here's a sample list -

* Speed - with and without the ball
* Vision / anticipation
* Control of the ball
* Finishing (shooting)
* 1v1 talents / creativity
* Decision making (to include passing skills)
* Impact on the game (this is a big one)
* Physicality / strength on the ball
* Attitude
* Effort / leadership by example
* (Other talents that are more specific to the position of the player)

(3) If I rank low in, say, three areas, I would want to know what the coach recommends I do to improve. Private/semi-private skills, attending a speed and conditioning camp, practicing specific drills by myself, extra training with another team in the club, or whatever. If I rank high in an area, can I master that talent and become a more "impact" player because no one else on the team is close? Having a single, strong unique ability such as finishing well can be far more important for time on the field than being above average in five other areas.

(4) Then it's time to demonstrate what I'm working on and hold the coach accountable. If he had wanted to see more 1v1 talent from me, I would showcase it in every practice and game and get his input after each. If I'm improving - and the coach is honest - I should start seeing more time on the field. If not, it may be time to look elsewhere.

I have 2 questions and they lead to different topics. The first is the question that several of the kids that play for me should ask. The second is the question I wished my DD would have had the confidence to ask.

Player to me: "Coach, how many practices can my parents skip getting me to before it negatively impacts your perception of me?"

DD to coach: "Coach, you recruited me to join this team. I've attended every practice and every skills session since I've been on this team. I've been doing all the homework. But I'm not playing as much during games as I did when I first joined. I've altered the way I play to how you're teaching me. Since I've been doing all this work under your tutelage, shouldn't I be getting more playing time for you instead of less?"