U.S. needs qualified coaches if we are to compete

[Unregistered]

Here's a thread that's being discussed on the Florida forum and thought it is a good topic for any forum in the U.S.


Now that Germany are the latest darlings of world soccer and all eyes are on their system of youth development, it's a good time to revisit an excellent piece in the U.K.'s The Guardian from last year examining the German youth development system. We all know that the national team is filled with technically superb, tactically astute players all over the field but, for our purposes here in the U.S., how and why do they have so much quality.

Well, the primary reason would seem to be the wealth of truly qualified coaches throughout their youth system (see below excerpt). One of the U.K. papers published a similar article following Spain's 2010 WC victory, and as I recall, the density of highly licensed coaches in Spain is even greater than in Germany. The U.K. acknowledges how poorly they stack up with these countries in terms of qualified coaches throughout their youth system (though not sure they're doing much about it).

Isn't it time this issue is seriously discussed here in the U.S. by all stakeholders, especially U.S. Soccer? Please don't go pointing to the DA and its coaching requirements--compare those requirements with those in the German and Spanish development system, and it becomes clearer why we can't field players anywhere near as technically and tactically developed as them. Of course, there are many other contributing factors (pay to play, not top sport in U.S., etc., etc.) which are commonly discussed everywhere, but it's time we focus on our coaching (or stark lack thereof).


"The incredible depth of Germany's coaching resources, as well as the DFB's close relationship with Bundesliga clubs, helps to make the programme. According to Uefa, Germany has 28,400 (England 1,759) coaches with the B licence, 5,500 (895) with the A licence and 1,070 (115) with the Pro licence, the highest qualification. It is little wonder that Ashworth said last month that there will be no quick fix for English football. The country that invented the game has forgotten that we need people to teach it."
http://www.theguardian.com/football/...st-boom-talent

[Unregistered]

Here's a thread that's being discussed on the Florida forum and thought it is a good topic for any forum in the U.S.


Now that Germany are the latest darlings of world soccer and all eyes are on their system of youth development, it's a good time to revisit an excellent piece in the U.K.'s The Guardian from last year examining the German youth development system. We all know that the national team is filled with technically superb, tactically astute players all over the field but, for our purposes here in the U.S., how and why do they have so much quality.

Well, the primary reason would seem to be the wealth of truly qualified coaches throughout their youth system (see below excerpt). One of the U.K. papers published a similar article following Spain's 2010 WC victory, and as I recall, the density of highly licensed coaches in Spain is even greater than in Germany. The U.K. acknowledges how poorly they stack up with these countries in terms of qualified coaches throughout their youth system (though not sure they're doing much about it).

Isn't it time this issue is seriously discussed here in the U.S. by all stakeholders, especially U.S. Soccer? Please don't go pointing to the DA and its coaching requirements--compare those requirements with those in the German and Spanish development system, and it becomes clearer why we can't field players anywhere near as technically and tactically developed as them. Of course, there are many other contributing factors (pay to play, not top sport in U.S., etc., etc.) which are commonly discussed everywhere, but it's time we focus on our coaching (or stark lack thereof).


"The incredible depth of Germany's coaching resources, as well as the DFB's close relationship with Bundesliga clubs, helps to make the programme. According to Uefa, Germany has 28,400 (England 1,759) coaches with the B licence, 5,500 (895) with the A licence and 1,070 (115) with the Pro licence, the highest qualification. It is little wonder that Ashworth said last month that there will be no quick fix for English football. The country that invented the game has forgotten that we need people to teach it."
http://www.theguardian.com/football/...st-boom-talent

As time progresses, you will see the number of qualified coaches increase dramatically as today's players join the ranks. It has already increased by leaps and bounds from when I played in the 70's and 80's where we had virtually no coaching and you learned by playing with and against the immigrant clubs. We must be patient (a struggle for us in sports) and stay the course. It will not happen overnight.

[Unregistered]

As time progresses, you will see the number of qualified coaches increase dramatically as today's players join the ranks. It has already increased by leaps and bounds from when I played in the 70's and 80's where we had virtually no coaching and you learned by playing with and against the immigrant clubs. We must be patient (a struggle for us in sports) and stay the course. It will not happen overnight.

Yes. Club soccer exists because there is a niche for parents who want their child trained by a professional. If enough of today's players give back, town soccer will be able to do that. The funnel is currently way too narrow, we need x100 to be trained properly at the youngest ages. A few towns in MA (Lexington, Needham) have outstanding coaches, no need to go club. In the German model you drop your child off, no worries, and if they are truly gifted they will rise through the ranks. Twenty years away but improving here, we need many real coaches get the clueless dads off the sidelines.

[Unregistered]

[QUOTE=Unregistered;1317728]Yes. Club soccer exists because there is a niche for parents who want their child trained by a professional. If enough of today's players give back, town soccer will be able to do that. The funnel is currently way too narrow, we need x100 to be trained properly at the youngest ages. A few towns in MA (Lexington, Needham) have outstanding coaches, no need to go club. In the German model you drop your child off, no worries, and if they are truly gifted they will rise through the ranks. Twenty years away but improving here, we need many real coaches get the clueless dads off the sidelines.[/

Even town will improve as the former players have kids and as you point out, hopefully, they become the next wave of volunteers.
We do need a better understanding of development and less pressure on wins. Maybe there are no wins/losses till 13 yrs, with this being a national agreement. Hard sell in this country.

[Unregistered]

If found this sentence interesting, given how there seem to be more UK coaches coming here (I hear the accents on fields far more than I did just five years ago)

"The U.K. acknowledges how poorly they stack up with these countries in terms of qualified coaches throughout their youth system (though not sure they're doing much about it)."

If youth coaching is slipping in the UK, who is coming over here to coach then?

[Unregistered]

If found this sentence interesting, given how there seem to be more UK coaches coming here (I hear the accents on fields far more than I did just five years ago)

"The U.K. acknowledges how poorly they stack up with these countries in terms of qualified coaches throughout their youth system (though not sure they're doing much about it)."

If youth coaching is slipping in the UK, who is coming over here to coach then?

You know the old saying about a sucker born every minute.

[Unregistered]

You know the old saying about a sucker born every minute.

Everyone loves their accents...

[Beachbum]

If found this sentence interesting, given how there seem to be more UK coaches coming here (I hear the accents on fields far more than I did just five years ago)

"The U.K. acknowledges how poorly they stack up with these countries in terms of qualified coaches throughout their youth system (though not sure they're doing much about it)."

If youth coaching is slipping in the UK, who is coming over here to coach then?

Ironic, isn't it.

Look at "what country is this" thread also....
We are getting what we are paying for it seems.

[Unregistered]

Ask yourself if the English do not want English coaches why do we here are so into having an Englishman coaching our kids here in Mass?

[Unregistered]

the statement didn't say they didn't want English coaches, just that the coaching was slipping. I asked a UK coach about a year ago why he came here and he said the coaching system there is very old boys' and there were too many coaches. Said there were better opportunities here, not just coaching but even getting into club management. May or not be true for all, just his take.

On the flipside, a friend in another state had to fire a UK coach after just a few weeks when his U12 year team saw him stumbling about of the hotel bar at a tournament. So there you go.

[Unregistered]

the statement didn't say they didn't want English coaches, just that the coaching was slipping. I asked a UK coach about a year ago why he came here and he said the coaching system there is very old boys' and there were too many coaches. Said there were better opportunities here, not just coaching but even getting into club management. May or not be true for all, just his take.

On the flipside, a friend in another state had to fire a UK coach after just a few weeks when his U12 year team saw him stumbling about of the hotel bar at a tournament. So there you go.

But go back and read the Guardian excerpt--while there may be too many coaches in England according to the expat you spoke with, the whole point of The Guardian article is that there isn't enough qualified coaches as determined by how many hold UEFA coaching badges B and higher, which is far more intense and thorough than even the highest USSF license. We here have too many coaches, but the whole point is we don't have enough qualified coaches.

[Unregistered]

But go back and read the Guardian excerpt--while there may be too many coaches in England according to the expat you spoke with, the whole point of The Guardian article is that there isn't enough qualified coaches as determined by how many hold UEFA coaching badges B and higher, which is far more intense and thorough than even the highest USSF license. We here have too many coaches, but the whole point is we don't have enough qualified coaches.

On that we can all agree

[Unregistered]

Please enlightenment me as to what you consider a great coach. Great coaches are not professional coaches who chase licenses. They are born to lead, focus on the core foundation, encourage player development and understanding of how the game is played or learn to maximize the players' ability they have. I almost certain all the great coaches don't have all the required license you all mentioned. However, they all have a good understanding of the national playing style. I for one knows that if I have the talents Stars of Mass does I would have done a better job than the idiotic who is coaching the team. Sadly, he is also involve with the national program. I watched them played and it a waste of talents.

[Unregistered]

Please enlightenment me as to what you consider a great coach. Great coaches are not professional coaches who chase licenses. They are born to lead, focus on the core foundation, encourage player development and understanding of how the game is played or learn to maximize the players' ability they have. I almost certain all the great coaches don't have all the required license you all mentioned. However, they all have a good understanding of the national playing style. I for one knows that if I have the talents Stars of Mass does I would have done a better job than the idiotic who is coaching the team. Sadly, he is also involve with the national program. I watched them played and it a waste of talents.

The qualities that you mention for a great coach and having coaching badges are not mutually exclusive. But that's the problem here in the U.S. and apparently in England too--all the unlicensed or under-licensed coaches just "know" they're great coaches and don't need no stinking badges.

At least recognized high level coaching badges provide some minimum assurance of knowledge and competence. Are all coaches with high level badges great coaches? Of course not, but the have a certain minimum level of knowledge and ability to transfer that to players as certified by their license or badge.

I know, the truly wonderful coaches like you don't waste your time chasing licenses and everyone who sees your training for a moment knows you're UEFA Pro badge quality, but what about all the other hucksters out there preying on gullible parents who aren't fortunate enough to be at your club and know nothing about soccer? That's right, they are awed by coaches without licenses throwing around all the right buzz words and impressing the heck out of parents who don't know that they're talking with a charlatan with an accent. Well, that's where we are right now. So, coach, either be part of the solution or get out of the way, but the status quo has to change. It's time fast talking coaches whose sales pitch is about the extent of their soccer knowledge fleece parents and don't develop anything. Frauds never like licensure.

[Unregistered]

The qualities that you mention for a great coach and having coaching badges are not mutually exclusive. But that's the problem here in the U.S. and apparently in England too--all the unlicensed or under-licensed coaches just "know" they're great coaches and don't need no stinking badges.

At least recognized high level coaching badges provide some minimum assurance of knowledge and competence. Are all coaches with high level badges great coaches? Of course not, but the have a certain minimum level of knowledge and ability to transfer that to players as certified by their license or badge.

I know, the truly wonderful coaches like you don't waste your time chasing licenses and everyone who sees your training for a moment knows you're UEFA Pro badge quality, but what about all the other hucksters out there preying on gullible parents who aren't fortunate enough to be at your club and know nothing about soccer? That's right, they are awed by coaches without licenses throwing around all the right buzz words and impressing the heck out of parents who don't know that they're talking with a charlatan with an accent. Well, that's where we are right now. So, coach, either be part of the solution or get out of the way, but the status quo has to change. It's time fast talking coaches whose sales pitch is about the extent of their soccer knowledge fleece parents and don't develop anything. Frauds never like licensure.

While I don't disagree with the majority of your post, your tenor suggests that many coaches are in this for the money: what money? Unless you own the club, the chances are that you will struggle to find and/or survive on coaching salary alone. "Sales pitch", "fleece", and "fast talking" are inflamatory phrases that belong on a used car lot. There have been entire threads devoted to how coaches should get a "real job".
A pervasive argument, and one not answered in the op, is the role of paid vs volunteer. Are all these Germans volunteers or do the parents shell out thousands of deutschmarks? I would argue that the dinner table discussion in Germany is about the local football team and families kick a ball instead of throwing one and that means that dad/mom know the game intimately. More kids learn from them than a coach. That process does not exist with soccer in this country, and in fact, kids know more than the parents. Until the generational switch occurs, we will never catch up. Mom and dad will be the catalyst for that change over time.