From the National Soccer Coaches Association of America comes this article Ten Reasons to Not Coach the Player in Possession – Part 1 by Roy Dunshee, Maryland State Technical Coordinator for the NSCAA and President of United Soccer Coaching, LLC.

“To not do something for someone who can and should do it for themselves is an act of love.” – John Wooden

Among the many negative side effects from overbearing coaches is the arrested development of player creativity. Yet it is not just the stereotypical loudmouth who inhibits creativity by attempting to orchestrate play. Nearly all youth coaches (present company included) are guilty in some way of making decisions for our players that they can and should make for themselves. Coaches who dictate play by directing the player in possession ensure that players never get to think for themselves and therefore never develop the skill so elemental to our sport; decision making.

Excellent article that ties into the earlier discussion on the emphasis on winning at an early age and how it inhibits player development. Same issues here – the beauty of soccer is the lack of timeouts and the opportunity as a player to learn to understand the flow of the game and apply lessons learned. If you think the kids are listening, it’s only because you control the decision to who plays, not how well they play. If you want them to learn and become better players, consider your training program and what you are doing to prepare them for games. Then sit back and evaluate how well they applied the lessons YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE for providing.