Qualifications

[Unregistered]

Was that really necessary? I mean, when I read the example of Doc Rivers I thought it was both poor and incomplete, but by its juxtaposition with Magic, wasn't the point made by implication and inference? I think I got it.

As an aside that other football has plenty of examples of great players, terrible players and non-players with disparate coaching results.

It was necessary because the overall point, not just that example, was deeply flawed, including an actual theory ("those us who have been around the game know this is so," etc, etc) that is deeply flawed and grossly simplistic.

[Unregistered]

How does your situation have anything to do with coach licensing?

A license doesn't make you a good driver, just means you passed a test. just look at our Wmass high coach and assitant

[Unregistered]

A license doesn't make you a good driver, just means you passed a test. just look at our Wmass high coach and assitant

Actually in some cases, it doesn't even mean you passed a test. It means you were physically present. Anyone who has invested the time knows where in that process the wheat really begins to separate from the chaff.

[Unregistered]

Actually in some cases, it doesn't even mean you passed a test. It means you were physically present. Anyone who has invested the time knows where in that process the wheat really begins to separate from the chaff.

Nicely put!

[Unregistered]

It was necessary because the overall point, not just that example, was deeply flawed, including an actual theory ("those us who have been around the game know this is so," etc, etc) that is deeply flawed and grossly simplistic.

Fair enough. I agree with your assessment. For what it's worth, I especially don't care for weak arguments made for a point of view that I'm otherwise in agreement with. But like I said, despite the missteps, I think I knew what the intent was.

[Unregistered]

A license doesn't make you a good driver, just means you passed a test. just look at our Wmass high coach and assitant

And a sweet ride doesn't mean you even know how to park the damn thing at your kid's training session...or that your kid isn't as good as you think...

[Unregistered]

So you liked the post, or you didn't?

It means you presented a valid point in a nicer way than is usually offered as a counter argument to the idea that you need to play and at a high level to be a great coach.

To the extent you offered a different view than I may have, I agree in part. You made an affirmative case for those having been exposed to great coaching and that being an asset as they go on to become coaches. It more than likely helps, and can't possibly hurt. The parallel is touches on the ball - more is better (without getting into the nitpicking of diminishing margins of returns, fatigue/injury or anything else).

Unfortunately it's been my experience that a certain segment of coaches, typically those who have played at the most elite levels, have a bias towards that experience often dismissing the abilities/attributes of other coaches who may have not relied upon playing experience as much.

It's as simple as being open-minded and relying on individual merit and a more broad criteria for drawing conclusions rather than having those conclusions clouded or influenced by preconceived notions.

[Unregistered]

And a sweet ride doesn't mean you even know how to park the damn thing at your kid's training session...or that your kid isn't as good as you think...

Thanks coach, hope you always coach your, kids otherwise they wouldn't play

[Unregistered]

Thanks coach, hope you always coach your, kids otherwise they wouldn't play

Is there a reason to come at me? I wasn't coming at you with my reply...unless you happen to be one of those gas guzzling pig parkers (as Larry David calls them, that's worth watching on YouTube for those unfamiliar with the reference)

Now if only the crack about me or my kids made sense or hit me where it hurts, but neither is the case...

[Unregistered]

I am out of coaching now because I simply can't get hired. I have a Nat'l C and other creds. I have College, HS, Premier coaching and playing experience. Problem is I am nearly 60. I recently applied for a U12 Premier team coaching opening recently. I interviewed and thought that I really did well. I asked them if I could do a practical interview by running a training session for players so I could show them my coaching skills. They said thanks but no thanks. They hired a fresh out of college player with no experience but with a fabulous accent. The team cannot even beat middling town teams. The coach has no control over the team and is in over their head.

I guess shaggy blond hair, a cool accent, and ripped abs in a $200 warm-up suit helps them sell roster spots better than I can.

I still have alot to offer youth soccer but nobody really wants to hire an old guy with grey hair and lots of experience.

If your serious about coaching I can possibly set something up with my club I know he is always looking for qualified coaches. stay tuned I will get back to you to contact you.

[ForzaAzzurri]

I'm not sure if I agree with the implicit point of the original poster, namely that a recent college graduate is necessarily unqualified to be a youth soccer coach, especially when compared to others who (presumably) have more experience and licenses.

There's a big variance in recent college grads and their readiness to coach. If you're talking about a kid who played youth soccer and intramurals in college, then I agree that qualifications are probably weak. It's quite different if the new coach graduated after playing for 4 years at a D1 college program. Those experiences (exposure to very experienced and skilled coaches, advanced training, high skill games) are part of the background that a skilled coach should have. I'd be much more interested in my kids playing for a coach with that background than someone who has been a high school coach for 15 years and has a D license after being a former player in high school and not playing in college.

response to the above:

Pretty tame version of the parochial thinking I referred to early, but as others have responded, it's there.

YES - I agree with you, that a recent college graduate of a D1 program has an exposure to qualified coaching that a person who only played youth soccer, maybe some high school back in the day and only kept kicking it around in an adult league has not. And this means nothing. It MIGHT mean something, but tangibly means nothing. It does NOT preclude that player that never became anything as a player from being a GREAT coach, nor does it guarantee that D1 player with that exposure amounts to anything but a poor teacher and mentor to players of any age.

Again, the bias in the post is tame. I have had some fairly interesting to heated discussions with a variety of coaches on the subject and invariably I steer it to the teaching. I believe I am an excellent coach personally because I NEVER stop trying to learn. I have more friends who are coaches that I respect than I can count on all of my fingers and over the years I have never become complacent with what they've taught me or I've observed, I still seek out collaboration, tutelage. In terms of that dynamic, playing ability or experience means nothing. If you have a great player, who fails to embrace that mindset when it comes to his/her professional coaching career as a constant evolution, they will come up short, probably way short.

I think you provided an excellent response to the first post, and I also agree with and/or like to think that I practice a lot of what you have touched on in your other posts.

Anyway, I was particularly struck by the sentence I highlighted so I wanted to add to your response (I believe you were #4 as well) and some of the other supporting comments from the thread (e.g, #22) with an analogy, if an imperfect one at that:

Speaking as a parent, I have to think I would be a whole lot more comfortable entrusting my elementary school-aged, middle school-aged and even HS-aged kids' education (development?) with "Ms. Mabelle" or "Mr. Goode"----non-descript but dedicated teachers (coaches?) in their "15th" year of teaching (coaching?) with periodic continuing education credits to go along with their now-ancient bachelors degrees in child psychology or education or whatever from, oh (does it even matter, or would I even know?) but let's just say Stonehill or Salem State----than with a Cum Laude whiz kid recently bestowed an MA (MA Ed?) from Harvard or Tufts. The latter could have been an English major, an editor of the Observer and interned at the Globe and WCVB...but, in the real world, those things in of themselves don't necessarily make one an effective (or better) English Language Arts teacher (coach?) do they? Conversely, it doesn't mean they won't be a highly effective educator, but until their ability to teach is shown/known, I'll opt for the one that has been getting it done, with a track record of connecting with kids and fostering a desire for and realization of learning/growth.

Similar to what the poster above said, being credentialed and knowing "stuff" cold in your head (or being able to do it in your sleep, so to speak) and imparting it onto others...especially kids...are two different animals.

Now...if we're talking my (hypothetical) college-aged kid and who he might prefer to have "teach" his journalism class, well, then my kid (not my concern anymore!) might have a much different answer as to who would make the "better" professor (not teacher!)...and I might be inclined to agree.

YOUTH soccer coaching. Not college soccer, and certainly not professional soccer. Let's not forget the context.

[Unregistered]

Rules

With all that has been stated no one has quoted any of the rules or requirements for coaching that exist. What are they for MAPLE or NEP? Which clubs have minimum standards regarding licenses and education? I do believe that every coach must have an up-to-date CORI.

[Unregistered]

With all that has been stated no one has quoted any of the rules or requirements for coaching that exist. What are they for MAPLE or NEP? Which clubs have minimum standards regarding licenses and education? I do believe that every coach must have an up-to-date CORI.

Heard of google?

[Unregistered]

Is being a (new) coach any different than any other occupation these days? Everyone needs experience and on the job training. As long as they go through the process; get licensed and work in a system that provides ongoing training and support, I don't see the problem. Everyone has to start somewhere.

If you are not happy with the coach, find another club. No one is forcing you to stay.

I second that...It is obvious the OP is trying to dig at some club, probably MPS

[Unregistered]

Was that really necessary? I mean, when I read the example of Doc Rivers I thought it was both poor and incomplete, but by its juxtaposition with Magic, wasn't the point made by implication and inference? I think I got it.

As an aside that other football has plenty of examples of great players, terrible players and non-players with disparate coaching results.

Name one great football player who is or was a great coach. BB? Parcells? Shula? Walsh? Lombardi? Knoll? Landry? Dungy? How about the Harbaugh brothers? Mediocre quarterbacks. Look at MLB, NHL, and NBA coaches. The VAST majority were mediocre/average players and in many cases were minor league players or borderline major league.

This influx of D1 hotshots as soccer coaches is just another example of why soccer is treading water in the US. The business models are being driven by the demands of customers, many of whom have very little experience with the game and simply don't understand the difference between being able to do something and to teach something.

I am a very proficient guitar player (boy, talk about the 10,000 hour standard being spot on....) but I am a horrible guitar instructor. I simply cannot explain stuff that I do naturally without thinking.

I am not saying that a top D1 player cannot become a good coach. That is not the issue. The issue is when playing ability trumps all other criteria that most of us know works in the coaching arena.

- Cujo