be objective

Parents must enter the youth soccer marketplace with an objective view of their child’s abilities and the type of environment in which they can grow and thrive. Where do they fit on the talent spectrum? How important is the game to your child? If you shop for a club with blinders on, you are far more susceptible to the sales pitch and false promises. Does the Club value the player as an individual or just as a piece on a team? Are the costs and level of commitment clear? These are factors to be considered in determining whether a particular program has value for your child.

be an educated consumer

1. What is the club's Mission Statement? Does the Club stress outcomes (wins, league standings and tournament results) or do they stress player development (the individual growth of each child). An outcome-oriented club may sacrifice the personal development of players to achieve team or club success. These clubs sell outcomes not development. A club focused on player development allows players to develop at their most productive rate. They embrace failure as a stepping stone to success. These Clubs will talk about player movement between teams, trying new things and being innovative with your child’s development as an athlete.

2. Who is the Coach? At tryouts you should have a clear understanding of who your child’s coach would be. Attend a team practice or a game. Observe the coach, the players and the parents that attend. Find out…

• What coaching licenses does he or she have? Does the Club stress coaching education?
• What coaching experience do they have? Have they coached at this age group, gender and level of competition before?
• What is their coaching style? Is it conducive to how your child learns?
• Are they engaged, excited, and passionate about the game? Are they attentive to each player?
• Do they challenge players? Is their criticism positive and fair? Is their instruction productive and understandable? Are mistakes part of the learning process or just mistakes?
• Do they make the game fun?
• Do they challenge themselves to be a better coach?

3. Tournaments. A club’s philosophy will also be reflected in how their teams approach tournaments. Do they approach tournaments as a chance to win a trophy or as an opportunity to enhance the development of each of their players? Again, if winning is the primary goal, players will be coached to win not coached to learn. Also ask which tournaments the team will attend and chances for the team to play opponents from other states.    

4. Will your child be happy? The most important factor is whether your child will be happy with the club? Is your child’s happiness paramount to all else to the Club or are they focused entirely on team and club successes? 7 out of 10 kids quit soccer by the time they turn 13 years old. Overwhelmingly the reason they quit is because the game and the experience is no longer fun. Find a Club that puts their players happiness, growth and development ahead of all else.