By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
December 17, 2013-What is more important, winning or player development in youth soccer? We asked four very successful coaches in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) for their views. Three of the coaches said that player development is more important while one coach said that both are equally important.
Tim Bradbury, the Director of Coaching Instruction for Eastern New York, said, "For the truly devoted coach who can educate the parent group, the answer is that winning is not at all important. Youth players can be convinced to take pride in skills mastered, consecutive passes in a row and moments of individual brilliance being more important than the win or loss. Players quickly realize that learning and how they play is more important than the win."
Sarah Dwyer-Shick, the Head Coach for the Girls Division of Eastern New York’s ODP-North Program, commented that "if a team plays only opponents they can beat, they may have a winning record but they are not developing. If they play stronger teams, they may not always win but their vision of what is possible is expanded and the desire and motivation to improve as a player and team is fostered. This leads to development and the desire to improve so the next time they play a stronger opponent, they compete better and potentially win."
"For individual development, take a young player who has only been able to juggle the ball 10 times, the fewest on the team," Sarah continued. "She works all season and can now get 20 touches consistently. She may still have the lowest number on the team but she has succeeded in beating her previous record or ‘winning’ and that accomplishment must be recognized and the player encouraged to keep challenging herself to get the next ‘win’."
Chris Lyn was selected in 2012 as the Girls Competitive Coach of the Year in Eastern New York. He has developed top teams in the East Hudson Youth Soccer League, Hudson Valley Youth Soccer League, Westchester Youth Soccer League and the Long Island Junior Soccer League. Chris said that "player development is at the top of the pyramid. Technical ability and tactical awareness are paramount. It’s important to deal with the player as an individual and to emphasize nutrition as well. The main focus is helping players get into college programs."
Joao de Souza, the Director of Coaching for the Westchester Flames in the Cosmopolitan Junior Soccer League, commented, "Both player development and winning are important. The most important thing is skills, then mental preparation. The coach needs to understand the player and how that player can help the team win. Unfortunately, focusing only on skills does not solely make the team victorious."
Bradbury and Dwyer-Shick had very similar ideas on how to get the most out of players.
"All training sessions focus upon individual ball work and age appropriate technical mastery of skill sets that are taught through a series of fun and competitive game-like activities. Through guided discovery and effective questioning, players begin to figure out the game for themselves," Bradbury said, "Although it takes more time and demands more patience, it creates players who can think for themselves and understand the game. I never use laps, lines, lectures or drills. All players are active in every session so their level of engagement is high."
"While every coach and team is different, I have found that an environment that is both fun and focused, where the players are encouraged and comfortable trying new things and making mistakes as they learn is the one where the greatest improvement in play and love of the challenge is seen," Dwyer-Shick stated.
With 123,843 youth soccer players––68,587 boys and 55,256 girls––and more than 25,000 volunteers, the non-profit Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) stretches from Montauk Point, Long Island to the Canadian border. Members are affiliated with 11 leagues throughout the association, which covers the entire state of New York east of Route 81. ENYYSA exists to promote and enhance the game of soccer for children and teenagers between the ages of 5 and 19 years old, and to encourage the healthy development of youth players, coaches, referees and administrators. All levels of soccer are offered––from intramural, travel team and premier players as well as Special Children. No child who wants to play soccer is turned away. ENYYSA is a proud member of the United States Soccer Federation and United States Youth Soccer Association. For more information, please log on to http://www.enysoccer.com/, which receives nearly 300,000 hits annually from the growing soccer community.