Not a good day. Why am I too intense?

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So, my boys team (with three girls) had a soccer game vs. the #1 team in our division. We play in the lowest U14 division in my area because we are a brand new team. However, my player can do much better than Division 5. I think.....

I was so pumped up but my kids were "dead". No energy and I tried my best to get them motivated. NOTHING seemed to work.

Second before the game, they were fooling around and I said: "I have a feeling that we are going to be losing by halftime because you guys are not focused". We ended the first-half 1-1.

We played so bad and they just couldn't play their best. I get it, we have good days and bad days! HOWEVER, how bad a day can be that you simply show no EFFORT. And even though they tried, it wasn't our game style.


We tied 2-2 and I felt like we lost 10-2. I'm just disappointed and crushed. I lost my voice and now I have a long week ahead of me with 5 days of teaching, 3 days of practice, and 3 games.

My personality was brought up and I just had to leave the field defeated. I contacted the coordinators of the team and told them that "If I can't get the players to improve their performance, I will take one step aside and let another coach take over." I'm not quitting and I know that I WILL NOT WIN every single game. However, I need to find the way to help them reach their highest potential.

No time for regrets! I'm looking forward to a productive week. Work on our weaknesses and move on!

Any coaches out there? Or soccer parents? Or any other sport? Share your thoughts and feelings when our kids have a "bad day".

- Vic


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Recent Comments

7

Thank you everyone for the input.
I had practice with them today and we agreed that it wasn't our day and we will move on!

We had a great practice. We went over what we did wrong and we we need to do better to improve our performance :)

Way to go, Victor, just like here if we look at what we are doing wrong and make some changes it is not long before our weakness becomes our strengths.

2-2 is a good score.
You should be happy you didn't loose 10-2
C'est la règle du jeux and we need to always have sportsmanship whatever the score
Good luck for your future games

Sometimes kids are just not into it, from observation the team that goes out and gets beaten, only has one way to go and that is on to win, as the season progresses so will their skill set, standing on the sidelines can be hard work when the flow is going the other way.
Michael had a good idea get them out there pre-game passing the ball to one another, and get them in front of the net striking goals, it is like we have to learn how to kick goals the next step is to develop that hunger, looks like you are on a team journey there Victor, keep us up to date with their progress and best wishes.

Hi Victor. Hey man, I think I can weigh in. I'm a former collegiete semi-professional soccer player, and from my own experience helping out kids at a young age, it takes time. You have to look at every individual on that team and be honest with yourself, ask yourself 2 questions before you step in on game day: 1.."what can each player contribute to the team"? 2. "How can I bring that out of them?"

At this age group structure and experience playing with the same squad, year in and year out as they grow together will help, and it will pay off. I think you're doing everything right, and it sounds like you're working hard with the boys and girls. Finding the right formula that triggers everyone takes time. Keep on working with them tactically in training, get them to work on their touches, run one one 1 drills, 2 v 2, 3 v3, then transition, get them in a 5 a side...you'll learn what each player offers. Keep the constructive criticism, and continue giving them positive encouragement on the training pitch.

At gametime, get them passing, encourage that. Passing the ball gets every player in position before the ball gets to them. They'll be able to predict the ball location before it gets to them, and will be able to see 2-3 passes when the ball gets off their foot. This creates focus and involvement. It takes some time, and energy, but it can be done.

I remember working my butt off at that age, and some days you want it, other days you don't. But the team, the people always make the difference. Don't let up dude. You'll do great.

Hey Victor,
For 3 years I coached soccer. One year as an apprentice, next year assistance, next year lead coach. One thing that was always stressed was that each kid was there to play and have fun.
In my third year a friend of mine had a son who was only 5. He would complain how difficult it was to not be upset with your son when he missed a pass because he was busy looking at the flowers!! So I understand your frustrations. Sometimes you just have to remember that these are just kids and let it go at that!!

Tried and True

Elaine

Vic, Even when they are grown and moved away, the challenges are the same and you always try to help them reach their highest potential. Wishing you luck, you will do fine. J

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