The importance of coaching education
http://acoachinglife.wordpress.com/2010/03/11/hey-coach-get-to-class/

Good post. I like this line from the article.... "Note that I didn’t say that playing at a high-level makes you a very good coach." How true this is. My U19 played for a very high level player who was an atrocious coach. Almost soured him from the game.
The CL currently doesn't have any minimums on coaching licenses. Anyone's thought on this?

happyfeet wrote:The CL currently doesn't have any minimums on coaching licenses. Anyone's thought on this?

This isn't the answer per se - most professional players can bypass some coaching education thanks to their playing experience.

happyfeet wrote:Good post. I like this line from the article.... "Note that I didn’t say that playing at a high-level makes you a very good coach." How true this is. My U19 played for a very high level player who was an atrocious coach. Almost soured him from the game.
The CL currently doesn't have any minimums on coaching licenses. Anyone's thought on this?

I don't think a piece of paper or playing at a high level means much when it comes to coaching.
1. Do you have good understanding of the game
2. How well are you able to relay your message in a format that your athlete understands.
3. Are you able to inspire and motivate your players to perform.
If you have all three of the above skills, IMO, you will be a good coach.
I also understand that we must have some sort of measurment system. This measurement system is primarily for the consumer to serve as a guideline that the coach has met some sort of minimal qualifications to coach...
This system is especially important for people who are new or not in "the know"

soccerdoc wrote:

happyfeet wrote:Good post. I like this line from the article.... "Note that I didn’t say that playing at a high-level makes you a very good coach." How true this is. My U19 played for a very high level player who was an atrocious coach. Almost soured him from the game.
The CL currently doesn't have any minimums on coaching licenses. Anyone's thought on this?

I don't think a piece of paper or playing at a high level means much when it comes to coaching.
1. Do you have good understanding of the game
2. How well are you able to relay your message in a format that your athlete understands.
3. Are you able to inspire and motivate your players to perform.
If you have all three of the above skills, IMO, you will be a good coach.
I also understand that we must have some sort of measurment system. This measurement system is primarily for the consumer to serve as a guideline that the coach has met some sort of minimal qualifications to coach...
This system is especially important for people who are new or not in "the know"

I think #2 and #3 are what is missing in some coaches. Whenever an adult is communicating a message to a prepubescent child, it is very important the message is clear. And, by clear, I don't mean stand on the sideline and scream at the top of your lungs what a goof they are. Want to motivate a 10 year old? Reinforce their strengths. Apply your focus to their weaknesses and the results are varied. Respect begets respect.

I agree I don't think the certification makes a great coach, but I expect a certain level of education and training from my kids teacher at school, and I expect the same from their coach.

I wonder (rhetorically) if he best players came from high certified coaches. Odds are that the following were influenced more by dad, and older friends in the street. Pele, Maradadona, Zidane, Messi, Beckham, on and on, and on. It really comes down to culture. The culture is a style of play.
Don't forget the kid's desire is the ultimate differentiator. But I have no doubt that a player like Messi would not have evolved here starting at U6.

What happened to the NTSSA requirement that competitive coaches hold a D license?

Couldn't agree more!! I find a great way to communicate my message to a player is by an evaluation. That way the parents can take a look and break it down so the player has a better understanding. When coaching young athletes, you have to remember that the real head coach is the parent and all I am doing is assisting in the game of soccer. Here is an example of an evaluation. Soccer Evaluations




I think #2 and #3 are what is missing in some coaches. Whenever an adult is communicating a message to a prepubescent child, it is very important the message is clear. And, by clear, I don't mean stand on the sideline and scream at the top of your lungs what a goof they are. Want to motivate a 10 year old? Reinforce their strengths. Apply your focus to their weaknesses and the results are varied. Respect begets respect.[/quote]

Stylecounselor wrote:I wonder (rhetorically) if he best players came from high certified coaches. Odds are that the following were influenced more by dad, and older friends in the street. Pele, Maradadona, Zidane, Messi, Beckham, on and on, and on. It really comes down to culture. The culture is a style of play.
Don't forget the kid's desire is the ultimate differentiator. But I have no doubt that a player like Messi would not have evolved here starting at U6.

Thats because we lack good teachers ,whether adults or playmates to learn from. Alot of coaches will fake teaching but they also always have their eye out for talent that has already learned.

One of my kids played against a team in which my child's team was winning and the other coach yells out, "Do you see what they are doing. Do that." He was not a top level player nor do I think this person ever played but to me a person trying to impersonate a coach and people pay this guy to coach their kids at the academy level.

happyfeet wrote:Good post. I like this line from the article.... "Note that I didn’t say that playing at a high-level makes you a very good coach." How true this is. My U19 played for a very high level player who was an atrocious coach. Almost soured him from the game.
The CL currently doesn't have any minimums on coaching licenses. Anyone's thought on this?

The line you quote is true in almost any field, so no surprise that it applies here. Teaching/training relies on the ability to COMMUNICATE - information and encouragement - and you don't necessarily have that ability just because you are a great player, scholar, artist - whatever. In fact, some great performers are great because they are self-absorbed or self-motivated or obsessed to a high degree. That often runs counter to the teacher's ability to put himself in the shoes of the student to see what is needed to take that student or group to the next step up. Of course the best coaches will be both great psychologists and communicators plus have a high degree of technical knowledge or ability too.

Stylecounselor wrote:I wonder (rhetorically) if he best players came from high certified coaches. Odds are that the following were influenced more by dad, and older friends in the street. Pele, Maradadona, Zidane, Messi, Beckham, on and on, and on. It really comes down to culture. The culture is a style of play.
Don't forget the kid's desire is the ultimate differentiator. But I have no doubt that a player like Messi would not have evolved here starting at U6.

Some of these "kids" receive the best training in the world. Messi is a good example. I am sure that he was talented in his own right before he was spotted by the Barce watchful eyes roaming the streets of Rosario.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/moslive/article-1265747/Inside-FC-Barcelonas-football-academy-churning-future-Messis--free.html