The US Youth Soccer foundation of America provides almost anything parents would need to know. From as far as information about the sport as to how the beautiful game has helped mold there children into successful adults.
Parent Resources – http://www.usyouthsoccer.org/ParentResourceCenter/
Motivation and the desire to succeed is one of the biggest pros of being an athlete. In high school I played soccer and ever time I stepped on the pitch I would turn on a mental switch which would allow me to play as good as I wanted. Now, being a sophomore in college, I find myself in scenarios where I can apply the same tactics I use to use as player.
One of the greatest gifts ever given to me was the permission and funding of my family to play youth soccer. Starting at the age of 4 I would play weekly in my Redding Park and Rec soccer games. As I became older the games went from having fun to being all business. As the games became more intense as did my life. This came hand-in-hand with my level of maturity and desire to become successful.
My senior year of high school my aunt passed away from breast cancer. I was emotionally destroyed and on the verge of self implosion. My grades went down, my social life began to fall apart and worst of all I burden with sadness. The only thing that kept me going was playing soccer. The work I put in well training and playing in games sky rocketed as well as my attitude towards succeeding. After a long talk with my coach one day I dawned on me I could overcome my personal struggles by applying the way I held myself on the soccer pitch.
This was not only a revelation in my life but also a turning point which I often reflect on when asked about my past. I, to this day, believe if it wasn’t for the guidance of my coaches, fellow teammates and maturity level learned from the “beautiful game” would not have overcome such a set back.
I urge parents to promote the playing of youth organized soccer to their children. As a person who used his experiences to improve his life, can attest to the greatness of the sport.
Leadership is one of the most important aspects athletes and coaches can take away from sports. Whether through coaching or wearing the captains arm band, both positions can invoke growth or teammates and those involved. A great example of this is Terry Behan. His foundation, Africa Leadership Initiative (ALI) has helped promote social change in the country of Africa. Through using soccer and the help of Brazilian soccer great Pele, they have helped change the life of over thousands of African children.
Since the launch of the program in 2003, Behan and company have been raised of 5 million dollars for the foundation by partnering with Standard Bank and Mastercard to proceed the African Eagles, a soccer academy develop through the program. Behan stated, “We believe we can create a world-class soccer academy that benefits the underprivileged, promotes holistic values, and produces talented, educated, and morally and socially minded young players who will … make the nation proud.” The programs ability to provide not only soccer mentoring but also life training gives players the tools they need to succeed on and of the field. It is because of people like this that children who ordinarily would lack the resources to lead normal life’s can proceed with brighter futures.
I stress that parents of youth soccer players and wealth individuals who want to shape their children and friends to contribute to programs such as this as well as start new ones whenever and wherever it is possible.
ALI Website – http://www.aspeninstitute.org/node/3044
Here is a short video I found promoting respect toward referees. Often times calls are made in sports which are incorrect. We see this everywhere from the high school to the professional level. This is one the many valuable lessons we can pass on to the next generation of American soccer players.
This video is one of many examples of how to teach your players the fundamentals. To teach players at a young age how to play correctly is a vital aspect of promoting skills later on.
Talk is cheap. Sitting around and promoting a cause only goes so far. Getting involved in your local youth soccer clubs or coaching boards is worth a thousand blog posts. I have been volunteering as coach since I was in high school. Being able to help teach kids how to play is only the tip of the iceberg. Promoting sportsmanship, team work and physical exercise are all corner stones of living a healthy life.
Volunteering is one of the easiest ways to contribute. It can be as simple as being a part time, weekend coach or as much as being a sport team booster. Either way the more you put in, the greater the reward. Here are some links to places you can get involved.
Redding/Easton, CT – http://www.erunited.org
Kingston, RI – http://www.nksoccer.org
USA Youth Soccer Association –http://www.usyouthsoccer.org/coaches/Help_Volunteered/
Reliability is defined as the quality or state of being relatable. In order to generator support for any sort of promotional or activist movement you must put things onto a relatable level. Soccer is relativity new. For example, I am the first member of my family to grow up in the “soccer generation.” My dad played football, my older cousins played basketball and my uncle played baseball. The new generation of athletes have been moving towards “the pitch” (European term for soccer field).
The problem youth soccer has encountered over the past 10 to 15 years is a lack of experienced coaches. In order to build up the youth academy systems the younger generations must pass on their knowledge.
Welcome to WordPress.com! This is your very first post. Click the Edit link to modify or delete it, or start a new post. If you like, use this post to tell readers why you started this blog and what you plan to do with it.
Happy blogging!
It's A Pitch, Not A Field 