Team lacks mental toughness

[Guest]

I've watched my boys team go from an overconfident team that had great success last year into a mentally weak team that has lost belief.

Who is that on? The coach? Or the players? We're talking U16 here.

I'm at a loss here.

[Guest]

Why are you asking here? We can't know the answer. You're the only one with the relevant details. I.E. is it the exact same lineup, is it the same coach, same league/competition. Small changes in various things can alter the overall chemistry, not to mention the fact that they are growing teenagers. But it's also early in the season, these things take time to (re)gel.

[Guest]

I've watched my boys team go from an overconfident team that had great success last year into a mentally weak team that has lost belief.

Who is that on? The coach? Or the players? We're talking U16 here.

I'm at a loss here.

There is a lack of mental toughness across the board with certain groups of kids around here. It's the kids who don't come from struggle and they want for nothing. The kids on scholarship fighting every moment for their spot, taking 3 buses to get to practice. Meanwhile Zander won't get out of the cyber truck because he's crying about game time to his mommy. Mommy and Daddy think Zander is the best player on the team even though he has poor work rate, won't take direction, and talks back on the field.
When you have to worry about daily survival with food and housing, you just enjoy playing the game and escaping from life for 90 min

Let's not forget there are 30% of players who don't want to be there at all but their parents are making them play.

[Guest]

Let's not forget there are 30% of players who don't want to be there at all but their parents are making them play.

I would say with all the different screens its probably closer to 70%

[Guest]

All of the above was likely said of us adults as well, when we were growing up.
Cut the kids around here some slack, shall we? It’s not their fault that they are born in an age when there’s so many screens around them. They, and the parents, are figuring this out.
Attributing lack of confidence on the team as a whole, to lack of struggle is gross oversimplification of the different elements that go into a high performing team : coaching, player skills and strengths at all positions, winning record, how the coach, players, parents and club handle setbacks, depth and size of bench, playtime philosophy on the team. I can keep going.

[Guest]

Confidence is really crucial in soccer and there are tons of things that can torpedo it for someone - growing bodies (or not growing), hormones, coaching, always playing better teams, personal relationships within the team and also away from soccer. Some of those things aren’t the fault of anyone and some are.

[Guest]

Kids today are soft because of their parents who cheerlead and fighter their battles for them!

It’s bad parenting, the always have an excuse for their kid