Comments on: Advice To New Club Soccer Parents

By: jesran

jesran — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 18:04:55 +0000

Good advice, but I’d also like to add that I think that all parents (most likely the dads) who were soccer stars in the country that they left behind have an obligation to add to the US domestic knowledge base by coaching their kids. Too often I see these parents on the sidelines (cringing at what they see) and not on the field with their kid showing the kids why the game is so great. Convince the Italian dad in your town to be a defensive assistant coach, the Brazilian dad to be offensive assistant coach, engage the Mexican star who loves his team’s recent success. Just get the people involved who care for the game and it will penetrate our kids mentality.

At the very least domestic parents should value fresh perspectives for what they offer. Too often coaching youth soccer is nothing more than winning a place holder job for getting your kid extra playing time… but I digress. It’s getting better. Stay positive!

By: Gary Kleiban

Gary Kleiban — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:42:24 +0000

Hi Oscar,
I think all your comments are spot on!

The opposite is also true:
If you have the greatest coach on the planet, but you don’t have a “love affair” with the game, it’s just not gonna happen.

Thanks for contributing man!

By: Oscar Mayer

Oscar Mayer — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 21:53:16 +0000

I have seen too many good players ruined by the poor decisions their parents make.

Many parents have a very low soccer IQ and are impressed with unimportant things.

Worse is the parent that lacks discipline and integrity and teaches the wrong values to his kid. Like the saying goes, “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”

Some of the best players in the world developed talent without a coach or a pesky parent. I do believe that love for the game is the key.

Some of the best players grew up playing on the streets. No Coach, Parent, Ref, Trainer, etc, etc, just a love for the game.

If your child has a love affair for soccer, then find them the best coach and team you can find, the rest will fall into place.

Garry has covered the subject of coaches in quite some detail. Read some of the older blogs to be enlightened.

By: Gary Kleiban

Gary Kleiban — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 06:22:03 +0000

Thank you for the comment Adrianne!

You seem very well grounded and your son is lucky to have you. Feel free to contact me any time if you have questions. I’ll be happy to answer.

By: Adrianne Spear

Adrianne Spear — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:23:56 +0000

I think that is the best advice you can give. I struggle with my kiddo because for parents who coach a different sport you always think well I can help him out with some advice but I realize the older he gets I don’t know enough about the soccer to help him anymore. Just because your a coach in another sport doesn’t mean you know your kids sport! I always encourage him to ask your trainer or your coach!I realize now how much I do need to understand Soccer and how I do need to surround myself with the game as much as I do volleyball to better understand how to get my son to the next level and help him be successful in pursuing his Dreams! Thanks for the advice I hope you can share some advice!