Coach’s Corner
Vince Ganzberg
Director of Education--Indiana Youth Soccer
I would like for you to take a moment to read the following position statements for U9/10's Travel. While the reports of coaches who plant players permanently in an
effort to win a U9/10 match have calmed down, I am still getting reports of people taking advantage of the "no offside rule" which is not in the spirit of the game.
While we want our youngest players to put forth their best effort on the field, it should be the players determining the outcome with their talents instead of coaches that
use a tactic to "win" a U9/10 match. Coaches should simply come together before a match and agree to not utilize any tactics that are not in the spirit of the game.
The other item is the amount of “over-coaching” that is being done during these matches. Soccer isn’t baseball, basketball or football. It is truly their game when they
cross the white lines. Be positive, encourage but resist the urge to over coach them.
From US Soccer’s “Best Practices” Document:
“The coach’s long term goal is to prepare the player to successfully recognize and solve the challenges of the game on his or her own. It is vital that
the coach approaches soccer with this in mind.”
“The most fundamental skill in soccer is individual mastery of the ball and the creativity that comes with it. This should be a priority in training and
games, especially in the early years. As this skill is mastered, the rest of the game becomes easier – both to teach and to learn.”
Ethical Standards for U9/10 Youth Coaches
· Ethics With Regard To Coaching For “Process” Versus “Product”:
Coaches Who Place The Outcome Of Games Ahead Of The Ongoing Needs Of The Participants Are Being Unethical.
· Ethics With Regard To Soccer Rules:
Coaches Who Bait, Antagonize, Or Otherwise Challenge The Decisions Of The Officials Are Being Unethical.
· Ethics With Regard To Playing Time:
Coaches Who Play Only Their Better Players In An Attempt To Win Games, And Those Who Do Not Provide Young Players With Equal Playing Time,
Or Adequate Rest, Are Being Unethical.
· Ethics With Regard To Positioning:
Coaches Who Restrict The Movement Of Players In Small-sided Games In Order To Affect The Outcome Are Being Unethical. Coaches Who Rigidly
Organize Players Into Formal Positions To Artificially Separate Them Are Guilty Of Over-Coaching.
· Ethics With Regard To Blowouts:
Coaches Who Deliberately Run Up Scores Are Being Unethical.
· Ethics With Regard To Game Tactics:
Coaches Who Use Negative Tactics And Minimize The Enjoyment Of The Players In Order To Win Games Are Being Unethical.
· Ethics With Regard To Recruiting:
Coaches Who Routinely Recruit Players From Other Organizations As A Shortcut To Developing From Within Are Being Unethical.
"Young players need freedom of expression to develop as creative players...they should be encouraged to try skills without fear of failure."
Arsene Wenger,Manager--Arsenal
"Kids football is all about the individual loving the game: dribbling and shooting, playing games and scoring goals, experimenting and copying.
It is very simple and lots of fun. Adult football is all about the team and results. It is physical, tactical, complicated and very serious."
Tom Statham, Manchester United Academy
Links to Document .pdf Files:
U10 No Offside Rationale IYS No Offside Presenation Over Coaching: Resist the Urge
Vince Ganzberg
Director of Education
Indiana Youth Soccer
1-800-347-4972 ext 101
317-829-0555 (fax)
www.indianayouthsoccer.org
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