Good Read - Evaluate your DD

Makes you wonder who will turn out to be The 'One'.   


http://www.socceramerica.com/article/43695/growing-pains-girls-face-challenge-of-the-commot.html


quote in article:

“The ego of the parents drives this whole female soccer phenomenon. ‘I want my daughter to be better. I want more. Give me more, give me more because I want to stick out my chest.’ That’s the mentality of the American culture."

Sounds like most of us!!

Great article. Thanks for sharing.

Good article. The best part is the quotes below:


"The key thing is the skill base,” Bobak says. “If they have good body form when they pass the ball, when they collect the ball, when they dribble the ball, when they shoot the ball – it might get shaky a bit during those tumultuous years but when everything catches up, when their bodies fill out – they regain in their impactfulness. The base is still there and that base can even be shined.

“But if the base is not there, it’s never going to be there later on.


“These are very sensitive things, because they’ll say, ‘You’re giving up on a kid already.’ But what I’ve seen is that players who are 11, 12, 13 and are very helter-skelter in their base of skills, I haven’t come across a player who’s found those skills later on in my 40 years of coaching.

You will know if your kid is a player by the time she is 13.

Interesting his take on not being able to teach a non-aggressive girl aggressiveness.

Also interesting his take on strength and conditioning programs.

Nice read. Hits a little too close to home.

Does this mean I should double on my DDs skill sessions for 2 more years. Maybe triple?

i do agree, you can't make a lion out of a housecat, that is either in you or not.... 

Met Tad some years ago at Surf Cup. At the time SC Blues were a very strong program.

Particularly agree with the limits on acquiring speed/strength, although first time I've seen it quantified as such. And really like the 2 months off.

silentparent wrote:i do agree, you can't make a lion out of a housecat, that is either in you or not.... 

If you bring me a horse, I'll make a better horse. If you bring me a camel, I cannot make a horse. - old Brazilian coach

flame away but i get sick of coaches bag on america about this or that. The first thing these countries do when the identify talent is PUT THEM IN A PROGRAM. their parents are no different then ours, because people all over the world are the same about their kids, they want them to be stars, its human nature.....

Another interesting quote:

"What I’ve seen when they do that, these girls having private soccer coaching lessons, they have their own club coaches, they go to these centers, they go to these soccer camps, and what I see is girls at 16 burnt out of soccer. They’re burnt out. They don’t want to come to practice or games. They’re burnt out here in America. I see that over and over.

“Going to these centers when they’re young is nonsense. But these parents are driving them in car pools to these things."

Does this guy know NTX or what? Wonder what he thinks about residency programs for 10 year olds that are skipping school are changing to home school just to attend soccer training?

There are a lot of good people out there with some really good ideas about how to fix youth soccer, it's just a matter of getting the parents out of the way (which will never happen).

Smaller fields, more touches, and more empahsis on skills would go a long way to improving the level of play. Sadly though things are going to continue being about going to the bigger fields as quickly as possible and playing year round.

RunsLikeWind wrote:Another interesting quote:

"What I’ve seen when they do that, these girls having private soccer coaching lessons, they have their own club coaches, they go to these centers, they go to these soccer camps, and what I see is girls at 16 burnt out of soccer. They’re burnt out. They don’t want to come to practice or games. They’re burnt out here in America. I see that over and over.

“Going to these centers when they’re young is nonsense. But these parents are driving them in car pools to these things."

Does this guy know NTX or what?  Wonder what he thinks about residency programs for 10 year olds that are skipping school are changing to home school just to attend soccer training?

they do that in mexico, just like here, i know because my friend's nephew does it.....

RunsLikeWind wrote:

Does this guy know NTX or what?  Wonder what he thinks about residency programs for 10 year olds that are skipping school are changing to home school just to attend soccer training?

I accidentally wandered over and observed one of these training sessions and was quickly shooed away. "We don't allow anyone to watch", I was told. So at least from that perspective, we are mimicking the top academies. I guess those untold millions of dollars the girls can make in the game are the lure...

I actually like the idea of time off for recovery and rest, my player actually asks to play soccer when we don't cram soccer into winter and summer breaks.

Gunner9 wrote:

RunsLikeWind wrote:

Does this guy know NTX or what?  Wonder what he thinks about residency programs for 10 year olds that are skipping school are changing to home school just to attend soccer training?

I accidentally wandered over and observed one of these training sessions and was quickly shooed away.  "We don't allow anyone to watch", I was told.  So at least from that perspective, we are mimicking the top academies.  I guess those untold millions of dollars the girls can make in the game are the lure...

thats so they can bitch at your child in private, away from snoopy parents and other adults....

silentparent wrote:i do agree, you can't make a lion out of a housecat, that is either in you or not.... 

Sorry, that's crap. If you go on eBay, it's like $20 max to make this happen.

(Didn't work. Got bit fitting the costume. Scratched to #### taking it off. Looked lion-ish for 20 seconds.)

Kids love to do what they are good at. By 16 many players have been run through the system and are just not very good. Yeah you paid the money and she went to every practice, every game, and even skills training with that really great coach with the foreign accent, but she still kicks the ball out of bounds under pressure, and can't pass to feet. By 16 she reaches the 'wall of frustration' - her/your expectations (the next Mia) are out of whack with her real abilities (average player). Your dd decides she would rather do something else with her quickly evaporating youth..... It's not burnout it's just coming to grips with reality (there's more to life than soccer), and there's nothing wrong with it..

Very interesting article - once again, parents being told to chill out in their dream making. I know I've been in the minority in that my kid's teams have always taken a lot of time off - minimal tournaments - which drives the new parents crazy. 'what are we paying for? We need more and longer practices...'. It is an interesting concept with differing opinions as to what is worthwhile or what they get for their money.

I've offered to my kids skill sessions or speed sessions to no avail - I ask, if they say 'no', I 'might' ask again, but normally, I just drop it. As the article insinuates, if it's not in them, it won't likely be there.  Seems to me, the kids liked the sessions as youngsters, but were interested in getting better, not having fun later.  I think the last time this came up it was initiated by one of my kids, not me - which, was a shocker, but also worked about 1000 times better than vice-versa in results.

More amazing than the U10-11 parents thinking their kids are going to be collegiate or national team standouts is when they are U17-18 and there is nothing to indicate they are of that ilk.  I certainly don't envy select coaches explaining how truly gifted (not) the players might be and how that will translate to playing time or futures after select.  Can't imagine that's a welcomed message.  

Totally agree with Dr S - the kids are normally well ahead of most parents as to when it's time to let go of soccer (it's a sport, not lifeblood). I did have the discussion with my son the other day to not put his kid into anything that leads to a year-long contractual situation - buy a cabin on a nearby lake instead.

silentparent wrote:flame away but i get sick of coaches bag on america about this or that. The first thing these countries do when the identify talent is PUT THEM IN A PROGRAM. their parents are no different then ours, because people all over the world are the same about their kids, they want them to be stars, its human nature.....

I disagree.  Your statements are the type that psychotic sideline parents use to defend their behavior.  A lot of us just go to our daughters' games to watch and enjoy seeing them play.  Many of us who have been around this block before would be just fine if our kids were to find something less expensive and time consuming than select soccer - regardless of their ability or potential.  My 19 year old who was (and still is) a fantastic player is not getting an MBA in Soccer.  It's just a sport.

PS -
Dr. Soccer and Clueless, your responses give me hope that at least some parents to do "get it".

The article does present some excellent points and a few with which I disagree. Great talking points, though:

* Girls' speed peaks early. I've often said that after around U10, it's hard to watch even the best females play the sport. I don't mean that as a sexist remark. It's just that girls appear so quick and creative at the younger ages... and then look like boys playing under water by U14 and older.

* I disagree that "mental aggressiveness can't be taught" as the author asserts. I've seen too many girls work their way through martial arts having started as lambs and coming out as lions. I've also worked with some very timid soccer players who have upped the ante in physical play with hard work and determination. Sure, a coach can't create the kamikaze mentality that some girls have, but that type of player can also become the subject of a soccer career filled with injuries when she's always playing for the jugular instead of self preservation.

* He makes great points about parents burning their kids out by always having them in the latest-greatest training sessions. Good grief. Let them relax on some of their off days.

JustaSport wrote:

silentparent wrote:flame away but i get sick of coaches bag on america about this or that. The first thing these countries do when the identify talent is PUT THEM IN A PROGRAM. their parents are no different then ours, because people all over the world are the same about their kids, they want them to be stars, its human nature.....

I disagree.  Your statements are the type that psychotic sideline parents use to defend their behavior.  A lot of us just go to our daughters' games to watch and enjoy seeing them play.  Many of us who have been around this block before would be just fine if our kids were to find something less expensive and time consuming than select soccer - regardless of their ability or potential.  My 19 year old who was (and still is) a fantastic player is not getting an MBA in Soccer.  It's just a sport.

PS -
Dr. Soccer and Clueless, your responses give me hope that at least some parents to do "get it".

you missed the point completely, he was talking as if only american parents want their kids to be a star. all parents around the world want their kid to shine, hardly "psychotic". i found alot of what he said somewhat offensive and snobbish......

silentparent wrote:

JustaSport wrote:

silentparent wrote:flame away but i get sick of coaches bag on america about this or that. The first thing these countries do when the identify talent is PUT THEM IN A PROGRAM. their parents are no different then ours, because people all over the world are the same about their kids, they want them to be stars, its human nature.....

I disagree.  Your statements are the type that psychotic sideline parents use to defend their behavior.  A lot of us just go to our daughters' games to watch and enjoy seeing them play.  Many of us who have been around this block before would be just fine if our kids were to find something less expensive and time consuming than select soccer - regardless of their ability or potential.  My 19 year old who was (and still is) a fantastic player is not getting an MBA in Soccer.  It's just a sport.

PS -
Dr. Soccer and Clueless, your responses give me hope that at least some parents to do "get it".

you missed the point completely, he was talking as if only american parents want their kids to be a star. all parents around the world want their kid to shine, hardly "psychotic". i found alot of what he said somewhat offensive and snobbish......

People in other countries understand the sport way better than we do over here. They do not play anywhere near as much competitive soccer as we do, more in the streets and parks. The point is we focus too much on the winning and not enough on enjoyment. That's our fault, the parents, as much as society.

Master Bates wrote:

silentparent wrote:

JustaSport wrote:

silentparent wrote:flame away but i get sick of coaches bag on america about this or that. The first thing these countries do when the identify talent is PUT THEM IN A PROGRAM. their parents are no different then ours, because people all over the world are the same about their kids, they want them to be stars, its human nature.....

I disagree.  Your statements are the type that psychotic sideline parents use to defend their behavior.  A lot of us just go to our daughters' games to watch and enjoy seeing them play.  Many of us who have been around this block before would be just fine if our kids were to find something less expensive and time consuming than select soccer - regardless of their ability or potential.  My 19 year old who was (and still is) a fantastic player is not getting an MBA in Soccer.  It's just a sport.

PS -
Dr. Soccer and Clueless, your responses give me hope that at least some parents to do "get it".

you missed the point completely, he was talking as if only american parents want their kids to be a star. all parents around the world want their kid to shine, hardly "psychotic". i found alot of what he said somewhat offensive and snobbish......

People in other countries understand the sport way better than we do over here. They do not play anywhere near as much competitive soccer as we do, more in the streets and parks. The point is we focus too much on the winning and not enough on enjoyment. That's our fault, the parents, as much as society.

lol, which is why they put chicken wire around their fields, and have riots and kill people when their teams lose...yep they are just abut "enjoyment"  

silentparent wrote:

Master Bates wrote:

silentparent wrote:

JustaSport wrote:

silentparent wrote:flame away but i get sick of coaches bag on america about this or that. The first thing these countries do when the identify talent is PUT THEM IN A PROGRAM. their parents are no different then ours, because people all over the world are the same about their kids, they want them to be stars, its human nature.....

I disagree.  Your statements are the type that psychotic sideline parents use to defend their behavior.  A lot of us just go to our daughters' games to watch and enjoy seeing them play.  Many of us who have been around this block before would be just fine if our kids were to find something less expensive and time consuming than select soccer - regardless of their ability or potential.  My 19 year old who was (and still is) a fantastic player is not getting an MBA in Soccer.  It's just a sport.

PS -
Dr. Soccer and Clueless, your responses give me hope that at least some parents to do "get it".

you missed the point completely, he was talking as if only american parents want their kids to be a star. all parents around the world want their kid to shine, hardly "psychotic". i found alot of what he said somewhat offensive and snobbish......

People in other countries understand the sport way better than we do over here. They do not play anywhere near as much competitive soccer as we do, more in the streets and parks. The point is we focus too much on the winning and not enough on enjoyment. That's our fault, the parents, as much as society.

lol, which is why they put chicken wire around their fields, and have riots and kill people when their teams lose...yep they are just abut "enjoyment"   

Slightly sweeping statement? Who is "they"?