By: Michael Swanwick, Director of Coaching

Thoughts on Coaching Education

Having been both a candidate and instructor for USSF Coaching Courses, I wanted to take a brief moment to discuss the benefits of taking an Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association.  I recall taking my first soccer course.  It was the winter of 1993, and an “F” license was being offered by ENYYSA hosted by the Pine Bush Soccer Club in Pine Bush NY.  I vividly remember Nick Zlatar being the instructor.  I recollect that I was filled with mixed emotions about taking the course.  Although I was interested in learning more about the game of soccer and different ways to teach young players, I played the game at a high level for 30+ years and what was I really going to be taught.   To put it frankly, the experience changed my life forever.  Not only did I enroll in nearly every USSF course offered within the last 17 years, I also used what I have learned in my various coaching positions throughout the years - be it U11 girls to Division 1, Manhattan College.  I was sold – Hook, Line and Sinker. 

What was it about the Coaching Education Courses that grabbed me? 

Was it the unparallel teaching ability of Nick Zlatar?  I have to say there is no one since who can both imitate and/or impersonate a U6 player like Nick.  One of his natural gifts that helped candidates truly understand what a young player is feeling, thinking, experiencing, expecting and desiring from a coach.  In other words Nick was in touch with the “child within”. 

Was it the unwavering philosophy of both how coaches should behave during training sessions as well as what the content should be?

When I was a young player growing up, coaches were loud and forceful; towering over their various drills barking out orders.   I have learned over the years that this is unacceptable.  Instructors like Nick and current USYSA Director of Coaching, Sam Snow, stated that this style will not only hinder the development of youth soccer players but it will also drive players away.   To remedy, I’ve learned to replace the word “Drills” with “Activities” (sense the difference?) and get the youth players involved in fun behavior, making the experience enjoyable.  Also, I’ve learned to design age appropriate practices so that the players can experience a challenge but not experience failure.  In other words - Don’t teach calculus to a third grader; try basic math first.  Finally, I’ve come to appreciate the importance of keeping training sessions to a reasonable amount of time.  We can always continue unfinished business at the next practice. In the beginning of my coaching career I used to hold 3 hour marathon sessions.  The players were disinterested, unenthusiastic and just plain wiped out.  Each age group has a different threshold for attention, i.e. U6 – 45 min, U8 – 1 hour, U10 – 1:15, U12 and above 1:30.

Was it the people I’ve met along the way?

There is an unwritten rule in the courses to “Leave your ego at the door”.  This is something that is very difficult for coaches to do since we all tend to have tremendous confidence and our desire to win and direct sometimes demonstrates an attitude that we “Know it All”.  Bottom line:  The USSF courses promote the philosophy that we all have much to learn and that when we feel we know it all we should get out of “the game”.  I cannot tell you how many times, as an instructor, I have watched a first time coach conduct a session where their explanation, organization, insight and attitude was so “spot on”, I used the exact session at my next session.  Again, whether your twenty years or twenty minutes into coaching soccer we all can learn from each other. 

At this point my soccer rolodex is at its maximum.  I have always made it a point to compose a list of emails from both the candidates I was taking the course with as well as the candidates I am instructing.  Countless times I have given or received tips from fellow coaches on all the above including: how to address a team player, teach a technical or tactical topic or simply get advice on team management.  The Soccer World is a small world – this process made it even smaller for me.