Coaching from the Sidelines - US Youth Soccer
Why coaching your child from the sidelines only works in Hollywood
Written by: Dean Koski, Lehigh University [email protected]
A player with the ball is required to
make many decisions.
For example, consider this decision making matrix of a 9 year old soccer player DWHERE IS MY TEAMMATE?!
DDO I DRIBBLE OR PASS?
DSHOULD I STEP ON BALL?
DSHOULD I USE MY INSTEP? DALL I SEE IS BLUE SHIRTS AND SOCKS! DWHERE IS THE GOAL?
DAM I BEING CHASED?
DIS THE GOALIE COMING OUT?
DSHOULD I SHOOT?
DWHAT DID MY COACH TELL ME TO DO?
DWHAT DID MY DAD TELL ME TO DO? DIF I SHOOT SHOULD I CHIP IT?
DWHO IS TO MY LEFT AND RIGHT?
DWHO SHOULD I PASS TO? DWHERE IS THE 18?
DWHERE IS THE SIDELINE?
He has no less than 16 possible decisions to make…
…and 14 reasons to be distracted. DGO ALEX!
DPASS THE BALL!
DC’MON ALEX! DWHERE IS MY TEAMMATE?! DGET THE BALL! D9 TEAMMATES YELLING “ALEX”!
DGO, GO, GO!
DSHOOT THE BALL!
DDRIBBLE THE BALL! DKICK IT!
DREF!!!!
DMAN ON!
DSTOP HIM!
DGIVE IT UP!
1 coach + 5 teammates + 14 parents = sensory overload
Average total time for 9 year old to make 16 decisions with 14 external influences:
1-5 seconds
Now, consider this…..
…decision making matrix of a 40 year old at work: DSHOULD I REPLY TO THIS EMAIL NOW? DTEXT MESSAGE…I’LL ANSWER IN A MINUTE
DSHOULD I ANSWER THE PHONE?
DHMMM. SHOULD I HAVE ANOTHER CUP OF COFFEE? DSHOULD I FINISH THIS REPORT NOW?
DGUESS I SHOULD OPEN THE BLINDS.
6 Possible decisions
External influencers during decision making matrix: DSOMEONE KNOCKING ON DOOR.
DPOTENTIAL FOR CELL AND OFFICE PHONE TO RING AT SAME TIME.
DOFFICE IS TOO COLD.
4 Potential Interferences
DINTERNET IS SLOW TODAY.
Average total time for 40 year old to make 6 decisions with 4 possible interferences and no one yelling at him?:
8 hours
So my wish for all the parents who feel compelled to interfere (coach, yell, shriek or “encourage”):
…is to be able to show up at their office with the soccer team and support them. DANSWER THE PHONE!
DALEX!
DC’MON!
DOH MY GOD! DCHECK YOUR EMAIL!
DTHAT’S AN AWFUL DECISION! DWHAT ARE YOU DOING?!
So to all well intended parents: It is not as easy as you think and while you believe that you are helping by yelling, coaching or encouraging…
You’re not.
Created by Dean Koski, Men’s Soccer Coach Lehigh University [email protected] 30 years coaching at the club, high school, college and professional level. Father of four sons…who all play soccer.
www.lehighsports.com
Written by: Dean Koski, Lehigh University [email protected]
A player with the ball is required to
make many decisions.
For example, consider this decision making matrix of a 9 year old soccer player DWHERE IS MY TEAMMATE?!
DDO I DRIBBLE OR PASS?
DSHOULD I STEP ON BALL?
DSHOULD I USE MY INSTEP? DALL I SEE IS BLUE SHIRTS AND SOCKS! DWHERE IS THE GOAL?
DAM I BEING CHASED?
DIS THE GOALIE COMING OUT?
DSHOULD I SHOOT?
DWHAT DID MY COACH TELL ME TO DO?
DWHAT DID MY DAD TELL ME TO DO? DIF I SHOOT SHOULD I CHIP IT?
DWHO IS TO MY LEFT AND RIGHT?
DWHO SHOULD I PASS TO? DWHERE IS THE 18?
DWHERE IS THE SIDELINE?
He has no less than 16 possible decisions to make…
…and 14 reasons to be distracted. DGO ALEX!
DPASS THE BALL!
DC’MON ALEX! DWHERE IS MY TEAMMATE?! DGET THE BALL! D9 TEAMMATES YELLING “ALEX”!
DGO, GO, GO!
DSHOOT THE BALL!
DDRIBBLE THE BALL! DKICK IT!
DREF!!!!
DMAN ON!
DSTOP HIM!
DGIVE IT UP!
1 coach + 5 teammates + 14 parents = sensory overload
Average total time for 9 year old to make 16 decisions with 14 external influences:
1-5 seconds
Now, consider this…..
…decision making matrix of a 40 year old at work: DSHOULD I REPLY TO THIS EMAIL NOW? DTEXT MESSAGE…I’LL ANSWER IN A MINUTE
DSHOULD I ANSWER THE PHONE?
DHMMM. SHOULD I HAVE ANOTHER CUP OF COFFEE? DSHOULD I FINISH THIS REPORT NOW?
DGUESS I SHOULD OPEN THE BLINDS.
6 Possible decisions
External influencers during decision making matrix: DSOMEONE KNOCKING ON DOOR.
DPOTENTIAL FOR CELL AND OFFICE PHONE TO RING AT SAME TIME.
DOFFICE IS TOO COLD.
4 Potential Interferences
DINTERNET IS SLOW TODAY.
Average total time for 40 year old to make 6 decisions with 4 possible interferences and no one yelling at him?:
8 hours
So my wish for all the parents who feel compelled to interfere (coach, yell, shriek or “encourage”):
…is to be able to show up at their office with the soccer team and support them. DANSWER THE PHONE!
DALEX!
DC’MON!
DOH MY GOD! DCHECK YOUR EMAIL!
DTHAT’S AN AWFUL DECISION! DWHAT ARE YOU DOING?!
So to all well intended parents: It is not as easy as you think and while you believe that you are helping by yelling, coaching or encouraging…
You’re not.
Created by Dean Koski, Men’s Soccer Coach Lehigh University [email protected] 30 years coaching at the club, high school, college and professional level. Father of four sons…who all play soccer.
www.lehighsports.com
