Spartac International Soccer School

1052 Croton Road, Pittstown, NJ 08867
tel: (908) 806-7080 fax: (908) 806-3978
e-mail: spartac-soccer@att.net

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Player Development

Motivation Factors for Developing Young Athletes

In order for the coach to stimulate and inspire players during the learning process a number of principles should be observed:

1. Set training targets - tests of skill or fitness stimulate interest.

2. Simulate the real thing - try to make practices as near to reality as possible.

3. Give each player a maximum amount of ball contact time.

4. Explain the purpose of the practice.

5. The training session should be well structured in order to keep players active and interested.

6. Information feedback to each individual is necessary for progress to take place. It also increases motivation.

7. Occasionally spring a surprise change to the training schedule in order to eliminate the possibility of boredom.

8. In the initial stages of teaching skill, a high level of motivation may be detrimental. This is one reason for avoiding fierce competition during this period.

9. The coach must be sensitive to the problems which players face when learning complex skills, e.g. plateau of learning.

10. Short periods of work at maximum concentration should be followed by short active rest periods.

11. Players must be clear about their function in any practice.

12. Constantly re-enforce positive behavior.

13. Satisfy players' competitive urge by using small games and skill contest.

14. Expose the players to problems that they may encounter during match days, e.g. give one team a two-goal head start. The others must try to fight back in a given time.

15. Give the players the opportunity to make suggestions about the best way of solving a playing problem.

16. Stimulate the imagination - create problem-solving situations, teach tricks, et cetera.

17. Warm-ups are important because they set the tone of the session.

18. Make sure that the training environment has visual impact. The use of portable goals is recommended.

19. Each player is different form every other - a law unto himself - individuals, each requiring particular help, guidance and stimulation.

20. Once an activity has been explained, let the players initiate the action and take responsibility for carrying out the task.

21. Set tasks for the players for their free-time practice.

22. The coach himself must display enthusiasm and a passion for the game. He has a responsibility to promote soccer that is exciting, skillful and above all, fun!

THREE KEY POINTS:

Human and environmental factors take precedence over technical considerations.

In order to reach maturity as a player, a youngster must be exposed to a playing and training environment that extends his mental, physical and technical abilities to the limit.

Above all, coaches must inspire enthusiasm and passion for the game.

Losers rely on luck; winners on discipline

(A reproduction of an article written by Brendan Tobin in the August 28, 2000 Star Ledger)

During the Olympic trials, I saw the three Clark sisters finish in the top three spots of one race to qualify for the Olympics. This was a first of its kind having three members of a family representing any country in one event.

It took a lot of discipline and training to get three athletes into the upcoming Summer Games. It made me wonder about a home environment that fostered such competitive people.

I only wondered for a few minutes before the ESPN announcer explained that the three Clark sisters were the daughters of none other than Joe Clark, the strong-willed, bat-and bullhorn-wielding principal form Paterson's East Side High School.

Clark gained national notoriety for his unconventional methods of regaining control of a high school that had been turned into a crime-ridden nightmare by gangs who thrived on the school's lack of leadership.

Clark was both praised and criticized for his actions, taking heat from a number of groups that called his tactics "heavy-handed" and "too much," but the school did see higher test scores and a return to normalcy before Clark was ousted.

Now, we see that his strong leadership style has returned yet another benefit, that of three daughters pursuing Olympic gold. Most families would love to have ONE child on the Olympic team, but the demanding Clark has three.

There is a lot to be said about discipline.

While his friends went to movies and the mall, Alex Rodriguez maintained a level of commitment to baseball that made him a pro before the age of 20 and an All-Star. Sure, he could have done less or not bothered, opting for fun times, but he never would be where he is today by taking the easy way out.

Are his friends playing in the pro ranks? No. Does Alex enjoy the fruits of his labor? Absolutely.

The media loves to ride New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani's "get tough" attitude, but recent reports show that his disciplinarian ways have resulted in NYC being on course this year to have the lowest murder rate since 1937. Overall crime is down while tourism is way up, and a record number of people say that life in NYC is much better.

"No pain, no gain? Is an absolute truth. Surgery hurts before it heals, but it needs to be done.

You will bear one weight in life, the weight of discipline or the weight of regret. On the scales of life, discipline weighs mere ounces compared to regret.

Anyone who has ever achieved anything will tell you that it took work to get there. You don't get to the top of the mountain by falling. Life's achievers will always tell you that the discipline and hard work are well worth it. Losers will tell you that successful people are "just lucky".

Luck is a loser's excuse for a winner's commitment.

Only you can choose whether to be disciplined or to try to slide by, hoping you don't lose momentum or get caught in the error of your ways. I've tried both and I must till you that I have a far better life now and that it takes less effort than most people think to make the difference. The difference between the haves and the have-nots is discipline. Decide what you want and go make it happen. You can do it! I believe in you!