DOCs be dammed - Coaching is a dictatorship

[Cujo]

This is an interesting topic. Perhaps you can think about it like the NFL....each organization takes on a structure that they believe best facilitates what they want to achieve. Of course, there's a better chance of that working if there are stated goals, mission, etc.

As a coach, I like all of the input I can get. True, in the end I'll make the decision about the team composition, formation, and what not...but I like input from other smart people. Our DOC is a person I can approach with questions and solicit ideas from.

In the end, I'm responsibile for the team's performance...but so is he/she. We need to work together. The relationship is most successful when these things are talked about before there's a problem. Then everyone has set exepctations.

Just my thoughts. Keep it going!

I'd like to take a different slant on things. The DOC needs to view his responsibility as supporting the hierarchy (pyramid) of priorities which are (or should be) in order:

1) Support Development of player's individual play/performance within a Team Concept
2) Support Development of Individual Players Technical Skills/Fitness (plus more Tactical stuff for older players)
3) Support and Development of Coaching Staff as relates to 1 and 2
4) Further Clubs Mission as related to 1 - 3 above
5) Accomodate / Address needs of parents
6) Work with the Club's Board to faciliate 1-5

Problems arise when the less important constituencies in the soccer world think that they should be number one and two on that pyramid.

Regarding 1 & 2, you mean from a club wide perspective though I am assuming?

In part, the team as a whole and the players that comprise that team are always the 1st priority, the club is always secondary to the players.

[MASC]

DOC's and their duties will vary by club, but a soccer club is very similar to an academic department in a school. The department head determines teh curriculum and assigns the teachers to the various courses. Their duties include:

1) Hiring. review, evaluation, retention and placement of teacher.
2) Proper placment of students in classes.
3) Establsihing the curriculum with-in the school's mission.
4) Providing continuing education and support for the teachers.
5) Monitoring the teachers, class and student's performance.
6) Insure that resources are available as necessary.

Some department heads, are mainly administrators and some also teach.

The styles and functions differ by school and depatment and person.

The DOC at a soccer club is no different.

I stronly disagree that a coach has sole control over who are the players on his team. A club can have a large number of players and the DOC (hopefully in consultation with the coaches) evaluates and appropriately places players.

One of the problems in club soccer is the view that the coach is an empire unto himslef. I believe that no coach should handle a specific team/group of players for more than a few years (2 to 3). It is important for player development that they be exposed to different coaches with differing styles and approaches to the game.

DOC's and coaches should be used as resources to enhance the education of the teams and players. There are times when another should handle specific aspects of training. I have always learned from watching and working with other coaches. Hopefully, they too benefited from some of the approaches that I took to the training and game.

Not one approach works for all people. I can rememeber a coach who constantly talked about hip position. I could/can never visualize and control myself thinking about hip position. Another coach made corrections by having me repostion my shoulders that I was very aware of and by such was able to properly position my body. Both wanted the same net result, a different explanation produced the required result. Both coaches were right, but only one was effective for me.