Plymouth Soccer Club

November 29, 2005

PLYMOUTH, MI -

I just thought you may appreciate some feedback from someone who has been involved in this game since it was introduced to Michigan in the days of the Detroit Express. It is obvious to me that you have invested considerable time in putting together these newsletters and anyone who has been involved in the game for any amount of time, I am sure sees the same. In this newsletter you pulled pieces that touch upon a significant point, and that has to do with the natural development of the game.

I refereed a game last spring where it was obvious upon kick off that the kids were a little lost. It wasn't long however, as opportunities developed so did the players, and they learned from each other. It was clear that each call I made would require an explanation and they were quick to retain what was being explained so that even my explanations diminished by the end of the game. It made me think about what was missing, the experience you touched on in the Newsletter, "free play", uninhibited, experimental development. The only place I have seen this occur is at recess during school, or at a field where some older high school or college kids get together.

So what does that mean for coaches? What a huge responsibility for a volunteer in the recreation arena. Isn't sports about winning? What is winning? Each of these little players comes to the pitch for a different reason, but most have seen the ball, have seen players at one time or another, or have an idea or dreams of 'greatness.' Winning according to Webster's, "1 a : to get possession of by effort or fortune b : to obtain by work : EARN"

To the kids in the game I reffed winning was a little more solitary. The players were about 9 years old. Anyone who has children or has worked with children should have some grasp of a nine year olds comprehension of things. Imagine if you were given an opportunity to do something you thought you were going to love to do, with little or no guidance, and someone put you in front of a packed audience at Ford Field and said, "ok have fun!" . . . under those circumstances the players did a great job and the effort was evident. What about the coach, with 7 different personalities and 7 different learning styles coming together for the first or second time? What an experience! They had 6 chances to work on their kick-off in the first half, and two the second half. Unfortunately, the other team only had a couple of chances at a kick off. The players new that they weren't "winning" the match, but they didn't stop, quit or give up, and their efforts continued. They tried and tried and tried, and the more they tried the better they communicated, the better they dribbled and the more opportunities they created all by themselves. The key was the celebration of the little victories. The coach recognized the better touches, the successful throw-ins, a good punt by the goalie, a completed pass. The minutes were full of victories and the game, although measured by standard of goals, was a huge victory for the team that lost. These players were given an opportunity and their successes, through well directed effort, was encouraged and their successful choices reinforced. The coach was from Plymouth.

The questions I ask myself if I were a player; Did I do good? Did I have fun? Do I want to come back? What I come to realize is the questions really are; Did I learn something? Was I able to do what I thought I could do? What do I need to learn to do it next time? So, when I read your newsletters I ask pretty much the same questions. Did I learn something? Most of the time I am able to pull something new from your Newsletter or the topic reinforces a current and relevant issue for the time. What do I need to learn to do it next time? Am I able to incorporate anything shared in the Newsletter to my own practices? And it is the message I read all season long; the message you convey is win - by recognizing all of your victories.

Your message is clear, not all wins are measured in points. As a coach, and for the program, winning is a great. It is a great feeling to share with your team, parents and the players, but even a match loss can be riddled with tactical and technical victories. It is not easy to win and that may not be as obvious as the challenge posed by losing a match. This game is wrought with freedom and creativity and while you try to expose the players to situations they are most likely to encounter, as a coach, it is the players ability to adapt, improvise and overcome with artistic application that contributes often time to success. What does this have to do with the Newsletter? I think it is heart of the type of program you are developing and I think it is a well rounded approach. You have taken the time to pull together and incorporate information at all levels, to include participants at all levels and it will only make the program stronger as more players develop through it.

As long as the coaches and the keepers of the game continue to learn and can share with players while encouraging the fundamental elements of sportsmanship, I think we're on to good thing.

Thanks for all of your efforts this year from the U-12 rec team and their parents, we all appreciate what you are doing.