Developing Great People

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Arkansas Comets

• Developing Great People
• Through Soccer

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About The Club
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Club History

• Began 1993 As Single Team
• Club Initiated in 1994 by 3 Coaches
• 2 Teams U13 U14 Boys
• Intent to Develop Players for College
• Totally Volunteer
• 1995
• U12s Introduced

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Club History

• 1996
• 7 Teamsclub Begins Paying Coaches
• 1997
• Coaching Director Introduced As Full-time Paid
  Position
• More Teams/coaches, Full-time Administrator,
  College Exposure
• 1999
• U11 Age Group Initiated

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Club Structure

• Founders
• Club Originators
• Board of Directors
• President, Team Representatives
• Coaching Director Contracted Position
• Coaches Report to Director
• Committees Work Groups
• Ozark Classic, Disciplinary, Special Event, Web,
  Etc.
• Team Positions
• Manager, Board Rep, Medic, Fundraising

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Some of the Club Benefits

• Player Development
• A Total Plan (U11 - U18)
• Quality Coaching
• Quality Players
• Role Models
• Opportunities for Players to Do More
• Comets Reputation
• Tournament Invitations
• Guest Playing Opportunities
• College Coach Awareness
• Club Store
• Member Discounts on Reebok Gear

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Philosophy Player Development

• Team Success/winning Come From Player Development
• Club Provides the Environment to Nurture
  Development

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Philosophy Player Development
Technical skills and the players approach to
game of soccer.
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Philosophy Player Development
Tactics and decision making included, emphasizing
player development within team structure. Higher
competition.
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Philosophy Player Development
Highly competitive soccer. Self motivation is a
key element. High School soccer shortens club
season.
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Philosophy Player Development
College preparation and exposure to college
scouting.
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Roles Of Parents
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Roles Of Parents

• Parents Very Much Influence Development
• Attitude
• Commitment
• Sportsmanship
• Examples of Past Players

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Parents Code of Ethics

• 1. Program is for youths - Not Adults!
• 2. Sportsmanship a stepping stone to good
  citizenship
• 3. Mentally, physically safe, healthy
  environment.
• 4. Instinctive benefits to athletics.
• 5. Keeping success and failure in perspective.
• 6. Parental encouragement and inspiration.
• 7. Empower my child and dispel victimization.
• 8. Promote the Golden Rule
• 9. As fans we CHEER - Not JEER!
• 10. Soccer as a learning experience through my
  attitude.
• 11. Be an active volunteer.

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Expectations
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Playing Time

• Not Guaranteed in Classic Soccer
• Coaches Try to Be Accommodating
• May Be Special Exceptions
• Fluctuations May Occur From Game to Game

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Handling Issues

• DO NOT APPROACH THE
• COACH AFTER A GAME!
• Wait for Trend. Dont Overreact at Every
  Instance.
• Schedule a Phone Call or a Meeting to Discuss
  Your Issues As Adults.

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Creating A Great
Youth Organization
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Focus Group
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Benefits of Athletics

• Benefits Extend Beyond Playing Field
• Physical Fitness
• Peer Involvement and Bonding
• Pride in Achievements
• Sportsmanship
• Constructive Outlet for Spending Time
• Desire, Dedication, Determination
• Team Work
• Confidence
• Accepting Competition As a Challenge, Not a
  Threat
• Accountability

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Why Kids Quit Athletics
Boys
Girls

• I was no longer interested
• It was no longer fun
• The sport took too much time
• The coach played favorites
• The coach was a poor teacher
• I was tired of playing
• There was too much emphasis on winning
• I wanted to participate in other non-sport
  activities
• I needed more time to study
• There was too much pressure

• I was no longer interested
• It was no longer fun
• I needed more time to study
• There was too much pressure
• The coach was a poor teacher
• I wanted to participate in other non-sport
  activities
• The sport took too much time
• The coach played favorites
• I was tired of playing
• Games/practices were scheduled when I couldnt
  attend

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The Negative Adult ImpactOn Youth Sports
45.3 of the youngsters surveyed said they had
been called names, yelled at, or insulted
By parents or coaches or other players.
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The Negative Adult ImpactOn Youth Sports
21 said they had been pressured to play with an
injury.
By parents or coaches or other players.
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The Negative Adult ImpactOn Youth Sports
17.5 said they had been hit kicked or slapped.
By parents or coaches or other players.
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The Negative Adult ImpactOn Youth Sports
8.2 said they had been pressured to
intentionally harm others.
By parents or coaches or other players.
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The Negative Adult ImpactOn Youth Sports
8 said they had been called names with sexual
connotations.
By parents or coaches or other players.
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The Negative Adult ImpactOn Youth Sports
3.4 said they had been pressured into sex or
sexual touching.
By parents or coaches.
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The Ugly Parent In All Of Us!

• Show Me The Money!
• There was a father in New Jersey who threatened
  to sue a coach because they were using a
  non-regulation baseball to reduce injuries. He
  said this type of ball would diminish his sons
  professional future.
• His son was 6 years old!

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The Ugly Parent In All Of Us!

• The Fearful Parent.
• I remember a father who had lost his job because
  he couldnt face going to work on the days his
  son played in all-star games.
• He feared that if he werent able to be
  there, it might cause his son not to play well.

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The Ugly Parent In All Of Us!

• Dont I Look Great!
• A friend of mine has an 8 year old son who plays
  all sports. He was a good athlete in high school
  and college and would not have it any other way.
• This father is devastated when his son is
  not on the first string varsity team in every
  sport he plays.

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Parental Behaviors

• Its Me Out There
• Living Vicariously Through Our Children
• Paying for a Parents Failure.
• Unfortunately the Child Pays When They Fail
• Close to Home
• Where Does Encouraging Stop and Pushing Begin?

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Parental Behaviors

• The Parent That Could Do No Wrong
• The Jeckyl and Hyde Syndrome.
• The Major League Parent.
• Seeing Your Child As a Professional Player.
• The Status Conscious Parent.
• Making Our Children Do Things They Cant
• The Other Sideline Coach.
• Depriving Players of a Learning Opportunity

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Solutions
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Safety

• Team Role Medic
• Appoint Someone to Tend to Injuries or Illnesses
• Injury Treatment
• Training for Coaches and Medics
• Club Provided First Aid Kits
• Safe Fields
• Club Work With City to Improve Field Conditions

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Parents

• Parent Orientation Program
• Inform
• Enlighten
• Encourage Positive Behavior
• Parents Code Of Ethics Developed.
• Accountability to Child and Team

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Coaches

• Coaching Training
• Licensed Coaches
• Age Group Standards Developed
• Continuing Education
• Coaching Mentors
• Injury Treatment Training
• Coaches Orientation.
• Inform
• Set Expectations

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Administrators

• Club Structure Progression
• More Consistency and Direction
• Maximize Resources
• Orientation for Board Members
• Manager Training
• Better Communication
• Open Board Meetings
• Web Site, Email
• Direct Access to Coaching Director

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Players

• Emphasize Sportsmanship
• Set Good Examples With Coaches, Parents,
  Administrators
• Have Consistent Expectations
• Disciplinary Committee
• Enforce Club Expectations
• Deal With Players, Parents, or Coaches
• Create Consistency Throughout Club

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Recommended Reading
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Arkansas Comets

• Developing Great People
• Through Soccer