Fall 2010 NEP - what a joke.

[Unregistered]

It actually is a legit question. Do all the clubs have a DOC with at least a B license?

The question should go deeper since, I suspect that the majority of the clubs do. However, how often is the DOC involved in the teaching and development with all the teams? I hear that Ainscough is very involved with the older teams (U14/15 and older), especially the Academy stuff. I know that he showed up to some of the younger teams activities. Since the DOC is not always present, your question should delve deeper into asking if the majority of coaches have high licenses and what the clubs requirements to coach are.

I am not going to say that a license makes you a great or better youth coach all of the time. Clearly, dealing with youth soccer is different than with college level athletes. However, I would suspect that the majority of trained coaches have a better repertoire than those without coaching training. From the lowest license to the highest, there are components of how to deal with the younger athlete.

When investigating what club might be best, parents should definitely inquire about the coaching and stability more so than what titles the team has won or where they are ranked. If the NEP offers better coaching and a more constructive emphasis then go there. Maybe the Bolts are making the right choice.

[Unregistered]

The question should go deeper since, I suspect that the majority of the clubs do. However, how often is the DOC involved in the teaching and development with all the teams? I hear that Ainscough is very involved with the older teams (U14/15 and older), especially the Academy stuff. I know that he showed up to some of the younger teams activities. Since the DOC is not always present, your question should delve deeper into asking if the majority of coaches have high licenses and what the clubs requirements to coach are.

I am not going to say that a license makes you a great or better youth coach all of the time. Clearly, dealing with youth soccer is different than with college level athletes. However, I would suspect that the majority of trained coaches have a better repertoire than those without coaching training. From the lowest license to the highest, there are components of how to deal with the younger athlete.

When investigating what club might be best, parents should definitely inquire about the coaching and stability more so than what titles the team has won or where they are ranked. If the NEP offers better coaching and a more constructive emphasis then go there. Maybe the Bolts are making the right choice.

The value of an A,B, or C license is really hit or miss. You certainly will be getting somebody who has paid their dues in terms of dedicating themselves to what are very rigorous standards. However the unfortunate part is that these level licenses really have a cliquish slant especially the A & B licenses. I know that USSF has really tried to change the culture but those two levels in particular favor playing ability over coaching ability which is totally nonsensical. The C is not as bad. I took the C at age 46 during a hot week in August and it was more demanding than Army basic training. The word from the instructors is that at A & B they really work hard to make sure that certain people "fail" the class if they don't conform to physique standards. Of course you can always head off to a foreign country and buy one of their licenses for a certain price.

Bottom line is US soccer needs to decide whether it wants players who can coach or coaches who can play. The mentality of the current license culture is so stupid that somebody like Bill Belichek might not even be able to get a D license. Same for Charlie Weiss or Rex Ryan. The sport in it's cliquish playing arrogance is passing over some damn good coaches because of the peculiar and unique notion that in order to be a top (no other sport has the same notion) coach that you need to be a pro level player. I call Fail on that.

[Unregistered]

It actually is a legit question. Do all the clubs have a DOC with at least a B license?

Having a DOC with a B license doesn't do much if your actual coach isn't the DOC? Maybe he or she can be used a resource, but having a DOC "supervising" your team coach in reality does not usually mean very much or provide any benefit. Normally the coach is out on his/her own and won't ask for help even if they realize it is needed. AS such, the B licensed DOC is not a very valuable asset from what I have seen.

[Unregistered]

It actually is a legit question. Do all the clubs have a DOC with at least a B license?

License means nothing. Anyone can study a book can do it. Maradona did not finish elementry school and I bet he'll fail on any kind of exam. But I'll also bet he has more soccer knowledge than any one in this country. Not to mention all those DCs.

[Unregistered]

License means nothing. Anyone can study a book can do it. Maradona did not finish elementry school and I bet he'll fail on any kind of exam. But I'll also bet he has more soccer knowledge than any one in this country. Not to mention all those DCs.

So why make it mandatory then

[Unregistered]

So why make it mandatory then

That's why soccer in this country suck. Bookworm DCs can't juggle a freaking ball but are in charge of training your kids.

[Unregistered]

So why make it mandatory then

Because the parents who are paying big bucks want people with the highest levels of license and best resumes possible teaching their kids. It is why they pay $75k for a car when $40K will get them a car that has equivalent or better quality.

One thing that sports have proven over the years is that there is absolutely no correlation between playing ability and coaching ability. In fact I would argue that the better a player someone is the less likely they are able to coach. The game comes to them so easily that they have difficulty either dealing with players who are learning the fundamentals or they simply cannot convey in words or by demonstration things that they do without thinking.

As for juggling as a measure of coaching ability? Please. Can Belichik throw a football 70 yards? That is totally irrelevant. The most important quality a parent should look for in their kid's coach is someone who is patient, and can communicate complex concepts in easily digestible components clearly and efficiently.

[Unregistered]

Because the parents who are paying big bucks want people with the highest levels of license and best resumes possible teaching their kids. It is why they pay $75k for a car when $40K will get them a car that has equivalent or better quality.

One thing that sports have proven over the years is that there is absolutely no correlation between playing ability and coaching ability. In fact I would argue that the better a player someone is the less likely they are able to coach. The game comes to them so easily that they have difficulty either dealing with players who are learning the fundamentals or they simply cannot convey in words or by demonstration things that they do without thinking.

As for juggling as a measure of coaching ability? Please. Can Belichik throw a football 70 yards? That is totally irrelevant. The most important quality a parent should look for in their kid's coach is someone who is patient, and can communicate complex concepts in easily digestible components clearly and efficiently.

Hey Cujo! Forgot your password?

You don't need to a great player to be a great coach. But you need to be able to have some basic ball skills at least to teach the kids. Otherwise you don't really have much idea of what you are telling the kids.

[Unregistered]

Because the parents who are paying big bucks want people with the highest levels of license and best resumes possible teaching their kids. It is why they pay $75k for a car when $40K will get them a car that has equivalent or better quality.

One thing that sports have proven over the years is that there is absolutely no correlation between playing ability and coaching ability. In fact I would argue that the better a player someone is the less likely they are able to coach. The game comes to them so easily that they have difficulty either dealing with players who are learning the fundamentals or they simply cannot convey in words or by demonstration things that they do without thinking.

As for juggling as a measure of coaching ability? Please. Can Belichik throw a football 70 yards? That is totally irrelevant. The most important quality a parent should look for in their kid's coach is someone who is patient, and can communicate complex concepts in easily digestible components clearly and efficiently.

Sounds like your kid didn't get the scholarship despite all the money you dished out.
First of all, you can get quality cars that get you from 'A' to 'B' for less than 20-30K.
You can also get decent coaching from coaches that don't have a license...but have played the game.
You can probably get a mole removed by some able bodied person who has read a text or two...........
however:
You would prefer the surgeon with a license and experience........
You would also prefer a coach with experience in the game, and knowledge on how to coach. The knowledge may come naturally, however, for even such a person, courses would be a big benefit.
Here is lie the reality....if you take 50 coaches who have been taught/trained how to coach, they are likely to be more capable than 50 who have not been taught/trained. This doesn't mean that there is no overlap, however, I would prefer the one that it experienced and trained.

[Unregistered]

Can Belichik throw a football 70 yards? That is totally irrelevant

he probably cant and wont talk to Brady or the rookies about mechanics but ill bet you he has hired a ex QB/ QB coach who probably played and coached at the highest levels before he hires one that will.. whats your point? please keep your examples relevant
Actually he is a strategic specialist like the specific coaches he hires like said example.. DB coaches oline coaches Dline coaches etc etc

[Unregistered]

Hey Cujo! Forgot your password?

You don't need to a great player to be a great coach. But you need to be able to have some basic ball skills at least to teach the kids. Otherwise you don't really have much idea of what you are telling the kids.

I agree with you 100%. I did not say "no playing experience". But just in general reject the idea that someone who played EPL 1st Div with a USSF A is automatically a better coach than someone who played HS and college ball and has no license.

The problem with the higher level license classes in the past is that they become an ego camp for the twenty something whizz kids. I made it through the D and C but as I was in my forties I was really sucking wind. The A & B are still biased towards high level players. My point is that it is really stupid. The goal of these courses is to prove that the coaches are able to manage a soccer teams development and training during the course of a season or seasons. I was a forward in HS and a GK in college. My field skills are sufficient to show players how to do things. Obviously when dealing with technical matters you have to be able to demonstrate proper technique. I used to be able to punt the ball 70+ yards when in college. I am lucky to get it over midfield now that I am my 50's. The important point is that my technique is better than it was 30 years ago so I can show players how to punt. Distance is irrelevant. It doesn't matter if I can cross the ball or not so long as I can show the player the proper approach, hip and leg position, and striking location and angle.

When I did my C & D in 90 degree August heat I was definitely sucking wind compared to the 20 something hot shots. But I was still standing at the end of the day just like they were.

My point? Focus on the coaches teaching ability and not the shiny trinkets on the resume.

[Unregistered]

Can Belichik throw a football 70 yards? That is totally irrelevant

he probably cant and wont talk to Brady or the rookies about mechanics but ill bet you he has hired a ex QB/ QB coach who probably played and coached at the highest levels before he hires one that will.. whats your point? please keep your examples relevant
Actually he is a strategic specialist like the specific coaches he hires like said example.. DB coaches oline coaches Dline coaches etc etc

Is Josh McDaniel in the Quarterbacks HOF yet? Can you even say where he played?

Why isn't Dan Marino or Joe Montana a QB coach. They were better QB's than McDaniel.

[Unregistered]

Can Belichik throw a football 70 yards? That is totally irrelevant

he probably cant and wont talk to Brady or the rookies about mechanics but ill bet you he has hired a ex QB/ QB coach who probably played and coached at the highest levels before he hires one that will.. whats your point? please keep your examples relevant
Actually he is a strategic specialist like the specific coaches he hires like said example.. DB coaches oline coaches Dline coaches etc etc

JOSH MCDANIEL
Playing career
Recruited out of Canton McKinley High School by Greg Debeljak, McDaniels attended John Carroll University, where he played football, primarily as a wide receiver, from 1995 to 1998.[2] Though a quarterback in high school, he was beaten at that position at John Carroll by Nick Caserio, who joined the Patriots staff in 2001 (the same year as McDaniels). His other teammates included London Fletcher, now a linebacker for the Washington Redskins, and Brian Polian, the special teams coach at Stanford.

Why didn't Belichik hire Joe Montana?????


Booyah!!!!!!!!!!!, Cujo slamdunks on his drive through the lane!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Unregistered]

I agree with you 100%. I did not say "no playing experience". But just in general reject the idea that someone who played EPL 1st Div with a USSF A is automatically a better coach than someone who played HS and college ball and has no license.

The problem with the higher level license classes in the past is that they become an ego camp for the twenty something whizz kids. I made it through the D and C but as I was in my forties I was really sucking wind. The A & B are still biased towards high level players. My point is that it is really stupid. The goal of these courses is to prove that the coaches are able to manage a soccer teams development and training during the course of a season or seasons. I was a forward in HS and a GK in college. My field skills are sufficient to show players how to do things. Obviously when dealing with technical matters you have to be able to demonstrate proper technique. I used to be able to punt the ball 70+ yards when in college. I am lucky to get it over midfield now that I am my 50's. The important point is that my technique is better than it was 30 years ago so I can show players how to punt. Distance is irrelevant. It doesn't matter if I can cross the ball or not so long as I can show the player the proper approach, hip and leg position, and striking location and angle.

When I did my C & D in 90 degree August heat I was definitely sucking wind compared to the 20 something hot shots. But I was still standing at the end of the day just like they were.

My point? Focus on the coaches teaching ability and not the shiny trinkets on the resume.

USSF equals Old Boys Network. Get Klinsmann in.

[Unregistered]

Hey Cujo! Forgot your password?

You don't need to a great player to be a great coach. But you need to be able to have some basic ball skills at least to teach the kids. Otherwise you don't really have much idea of what you are telling the kids.

Being a good or great player and/or having a B license certainly will help and are some of the few truly objective criteria you could use. Having said that, I am sure there are many B coaches who I would not let train my dog and many former players that are terrible coaches. These factors are helpful to know and the sign of some achievement, but don't tell but more than 25-50% of the story and alone they are pretty useless. I'd rather watch 1 practice than review any resume, I can tell more in the first 5 minutes or practice than any piece of paper will tell me.