Blog

COACHES CORNER: The Power of Positivity

In addition to the often recommended “I love to watch you play!”, some suggestions of supportive words to offer and questions to ask the young player that will help them grow as a teammate and in their understanding of the game:

You worked so hard today.

I saw when you helped that opposing player up, that made me smile.

I am sorry that today was rough. I’m so glad you have tomorrow to try again.

It was fun to see you have fun with your friends.

What did you do today on the field that made you feel proud? READ MORE

Becoming a tech savvy Soccer Parent

I recently stopped by a soccer practice with a group of parents who were beginning to use our MOTI Soccer App and our 3D Soccer Training Platform. While I walked thru the short question and answers a few of them had, parents were reaching out with questions they have regarding other apps used by their organization to support their players and coaches in soccer.

It is not uncommon to have to use one App for player registration and payments to the organization, another App for inter-team conversations (with possible concerns about bullying and inappropriate content), and now MOTI Soccer App (previously known as MOTI Mobile) for player, coach and parent education alongside a coaching curriculum for the first time ever. READ MORE

MOTI Tip: Version 2.9.5

MOTI Mobile Version 2.9.5+

With the “I am new to MOTI Sports” new users can simple more into a mode that allows them to experience several 3D Skills and several 3D Drills. Existing users will be directed to enter their password and move on to their Team Page.

Note: When touching the username field, some phone models will open an input line directly over the Copyright statement at the bottom of the screen. Once touched the device keyboard will appear.

New Landing View, once you arrive at your team page after logging in the system you will be viewing a combined Announcement Board and current practice plan on the same page. Saving unnecessary clicks is important. READ MORE

MOTI Tip: Scratchpad

MOTI Soccer (previously known as MOTI Mobile) Scratchpad supplies the user with an easy-to-access drawing surface that can help coaches and players craft new ideas and explain current drills/techniques through drawing.

Accessing the Scratchpad

The scratchpad is only available through the mobile app user-interface.  If you are in the mobile app Web interface, you will see a button at the bottom of the screen that is labeled “SWITCH TO APP VIEW”.  Press this button to enter the mobile app user-interface. READ MORE

COACHES CORNER: I Love to Watch You Play…HONESTLY!

By now, many parents have probably heard/read that the main or only thing you should say to your young player after a game is “I love to watch you play.” While I wholeheartedly believe this to be true (even if difficult to practice at times), I think that there could be an “also” added to the parental responsibility: also mean it! And by mean it, I mean actually WATCH them play.

I learned early on that my boys were watching me to see if I was watching them. They would occasionally glance over to check in with me, looking for acknowledgment, after doing something on the field or while waiting as a sub on the sideline. Afterward, almost without fail, I would get the post-game questions of “Did you see that time….?” or “Remember when I did….?” They weren’t always referring to a big play they made – sometimes it was something silly that happened, but they wanted to know if I had noticed, if we had had a shared experience. Ultimately, it mattered to them that I bear witness to what they had shown up to do. READ MORE

Getting the Board to Get Stuff Done

I recently attended a session “Boards of Directors: Minimizing Dysfunction to Get Stuff Done” at the US Soccer Urban conference in Washington D.C. presented by Ruth Nicholson. Ruth did an excellent job laying out roles and responsibilities of what Board vs Staff functions /responsibilities are in an organization. Over the past 40 years I’ve served on boards in varying capacities from board member, secretary, treasurer, board chair and in the staff or operating executive role.

As board members, we are advocates for continuous improvement within the organization. Board members are the public face of your organization, you should have passion for seeing improvement in the organization, and you should be connected at the grass roots level of the organization to see how policies are being implemented. Remember, it is not your job to enforce policies. That is the job of the executive director. Your role is oversight. READ MORE

What did I learn? When did I learn it? Can it be passed on?

I was so fortunate to be coached by some pretty established and notable coaches during my 26 years of affiliation as a Player and Head Coach in the Professional Game these coaches rose to the top ranks of coaching and became National Team Managers and Coaches. Here are some of the names, their backgrounds and their status within the Soccer World as I learned from their tutorage. I played in three countries England, Canada and the United States of America.

I represented England in the 1968 Junior World Cup in Lyon France. The coach was Wilf McGuiness, a Manchester United staff coach who worked extensively with the English Football Association.  He was possibly the youngest coach I ever had, and his playing career was cut short by an injury. The next National Team Coach I rubbed shoulders with was Don Howe when he was named coach/manager of West Bromwich Albion in 1971 thru 1975.  Don coached the England National Team under three different managers in 1981 with Ron Greenwood then Bobby Robson and was an assistant under Terry Venables from January 1994 thru 1996. READ MORE

Coach’s Corner: One Size Doesn’t Usually Fit All

Do you know what kind of coach you are? Can you describe your style? How you motivate players? Are you impactful in tapping into players needs to be affirmed and coached positively?

I won’t continue with the 20 questions, but I will suggest that however you usually show up, it can be a game changer when you are able to be you – but also be the kind of coach (each of!) your players needs you to be for their growth and love of the game.

In other words, you should absolutely bring your authentic personality to the field – it won’t work to try to over-emulate to be too much like somebody else or something you are not. But after thoughtful reflection and getting to know your players, you should also absolutely have a strong sense of how to provide communication that is individualized to the receiver when giving one-to-one feedback. This will lead to greater impact and larger intended outcomes for the player, and possibly for the entire squad. READ MORE