First of all, this question is about NPL, so if you are ECNL or DA snob, just move along please. We get that you are great and everyone else should quit soccer.
Our club was up this weekend from Ft. Meyers playing FESA at Veterans on Saturday. We lost to them 1-0. My daughter plays U13. Some observations:
1) The FESA coach was some guy with Brit accent. He literally shouted direction on every play to every player on his team the entire game.
2) FESA plays a physical game. Some borderline shoving but you get away with what the refs allow and it seems Veterans refs let it go.
3) On a regular basis, the FESA defenders especially center-back would kick the ball randomly downfield. Often with no pressure and the ball hardly playable to anybody flying off the ground. Their parents would cheer this like it was a good play.
So some questions. I realize this is not ECNL but FESA is supposed to be a very large club in the state and NPL is the next level team. PLEASE do not turn this into a FESA bashing thread since there are many others of those to choose from.
1) Is it common at the U13 level and/or above for coach to be constantly directing his players how to play and what to do? There are extremes where some coaches sit and watch. This guy was other extreme. I am familiar with this at much younger age groups but less so this age.
2) Are U13 NPL teams coached or expected to settle the ball in the back when they can and connect a playable pass normally? I get you want to clear the ball under pressure perhaps but it seems to me U13 should have ball skills to normally not randomly kick the ball downfield one touch.
3) As a parent, would you rather your team lose trying to develop better play or just be happy for the win no matter what it takes especially early in the season?
Thoughts?
Our club was up this weekend from Ft. Meyers playing FESA at Veterans on Saturday. We lost to them 1-0. My daughter plays U13. Some observations:
1) The FESA coach was some guy with Brit accent. He literally shouted direction on every play to every player on his team the entire game.
2) FESA plays a physical game. Some borderline shoving but you get away with what the refs allow and it seems Veterans refs let it go.
3) On a regular basis, the FESA defenders especially center-back would kick the ball randomly downfield. Often with no pressure and the ball hardly playable to anybody flying off the ground. Their parents would cheer this like it was a good play.
So some questions. I realize this is not ECNL but FESA is supposed to be a very large club in the state and NPL is the next level team. PLEASE do not turn this into a FESA bashing thread since there are many others of those to choose from.
1) Is it common at the U13 level and/or above for coach to be constantly directing his players how to play and what to do? There are extremes where some coaches sit and watch. This guy was other extreme. I am familiar with this at much younger age groups but less so this age.
2) Are U13 NPL teams coached or expected to settle the ball in the back when they can and connect a playable pass normally? I get you want to clear the ball under pressure perhaps but it seems to me U13 should have ball skills to normally not randomly kick the ball downfield one touch.
3) As a parent, would you rather your team lose trying to develop better play or just be happy for the win no matter what it takes especially early in the season?
Thoughts?
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