ETHICS IN YOUTH ETHICS IN YOUTH

SOCCER SOCCER SOCCER SOCCER

first, the good newsfirst, the good news

�� Youth soccer has become very Youth soccer has become very competitivecompetitive

�� Level of organization and sophistication Level of organization and sophistication at youth level steadily risingat youth level steadily risingat youth level steadily risingat youth level steadily rising

�� Coaches who played soccer growing upCoaches who played soccer growing up

�� National teams and professional leagues National teams and professional leagues making steady progressmaking steady progress

�� Players are getting betterPlayers are getting better

But, there are warning But, there are warning

signssigns

�� Competitive elementCompetitive element

�� hinders player developmenthinders player development

�� leads to turf wars over players/coachesleads to turf wars over players/coaches�� leads to turf wars over players/coachesleads to turf wars over players/coaches

�� chips away at core values of youth sportchips away at core values of youth sport

�� Line between ethical and unethical Line between ethical and unethical becoming blurrybecoming blurry

Warning signsWarning signs

�� Flawed player development culture with Flawed player development culture with long term consequenceslong term consequences

�� Undesirable practice to game ratioUndesirable practice to game ratio�� Undesirable practice to game ratioUndesirable practice to game ratio

�� Inappropriate training prioritiesInappropriate training priorities

�� Size and stamina valued over skillSize and stamina valued over skill

�� Creativity stifledCreativity stifled

�� Promises to players Promises to players –– wrong messagewrong message

�� Lessons from EnglandLessons from England

A TIMELY REMINDER:A TIMELY REMINDER:

PURPOSE OF YOUTH SPORTPURPOSE OF YOUTH SPORT

�� Mission Statement of a Youth OrgMission Statement of a Youth Org�� Develop character & instill valuesDevelop character & instill values

�� Teach respect for authority & societyTeach respect for authority & society

�� Develop confidence and positive self imageDevelop confidence and positive self image�� Develop confidence and positive self imageDevelop confidence and positive self image

�� Help youth reach their potentialHelp youth reach their potential

We just happen to use soccer as We just happen to use soccer as vehicle to achieve missionvehicle to achieve mission

A TIMELY REMINDER:A TIMELY REMINDER:

PURPOSE OF YOUTH SPORTPURPOSE OF YOUTH SPORT

Collision between mission and adult Collision between mission and adult ambition ambition –– a question of ethicsa question of ethics

�� We want our club to be the best in the stateWe want our club to be the best in the state

�� Is it still about the players?Is it still about the players?

�� How exactly will it be accomplished?How exactly will it be accomplished?

�� Who benefits?Who benefits?

A TIMELY REMINDER:A TIMELY REMINDER:

PURPOSE OF YOUTH SPORTPURPOSE OF YOUTH SPORT

Collision between mission and adult Collision between mission and adult ambition ambition –– a question of ethicsa question of ethics

�� It’s a business! It’s survival of the fittest!It’s a business! It’s survival of the fittest!�� It’s a business! It’s survival of the fittest!It’s a business! It’s survival of the fittest!�� Should youth soccer model itself after the ‘cut Should youth soccer model itself after the ‘cut

throat’ practices of business?throat’ practices of business?

�� What do youth clubs and business have in What do youth clubs and business have in common?common?

�� Is NASA vs TYSA same as Nike vs Adidas?Is NASA vs TYSA same as Nike vs Adidas?

�� Similarities with School Boards & Boy ScoutsSimilarities with School Boards & Boy Scouts

A question of ethicsA question of ethics

�� Line between ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ no Line between ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ no longer clear. Examples:longer clear. Examples:�� Coaches talking players into changing mindCoaches talking players into changing mind

�� Coaches making false promises/statementsCoaches making false promises/statements

�� The ‘Surf Cup Syndrome’The ‘Surf Cup Syndrome’

�� Player abuse from the sideline (school analogy)Player abuse from the sideline (school analogy)

�� Poor handling of ‘Role Model’ responsibilityPoor handling of ‘Role Model’ responsibility

�� ‘Acceptable deceit’ vs sportsmanship and fair play‘Acceptable deceit’ vs sportsmanship and fair play

�� Indignity of sitting on the benchIndignity of sitting on the bench

A question of ethicsA question of ethics

�� It’s a ‘Must Win’ Tournament!It’s a ‘Must Win’ Tournament!

�� Who invented scores, standings and must Who invented scores, standings and must

win championships?win championships?

�� Adults’ need to be emotionally engaged Adults’ need to be emotionally engaged

clouds judgmentclouds judgment

�� Elite players don’t need extrinsic stimulationElite players don’t need extrinsic stimulation

�� Coaches and parents need the extra Coaches and parents need the extra

stimulation of championshipsstimulation of championships

A TIMELY REMINDER:A TIMELY REMINDER:

PURPOSE OF YOUTH SPORTPURPOSE OF YOUTH SPORT

Collision between mission and adult Collision between mission and adult ambition ambition –– a question of ethicsa question of ethics

�� We are an ‘Elite’ Club!We are an ‘Elite’ Club!�� We are an ‘Elite’ Club!We are an ‘Elite’ Club!�� Not a license to abuse players (not adults).Not a license to abuse players (not adults).

�� Doesn’t absolve us of responsibility.Doesn’t absolve us of responsibility.

�� An Elite Club has a responsibility to provide:An Elite Club has a responsibility to provide:�� Elite level facilities, coaching, administrative supportElite level facilities, coaching, administrative support�� High standards of behaviorHigh standards of behavior

�� Elite measured by what the club can do for the Elite measured by what the club can do for the player, not what the player can do for the clubplayer, not what the player can do for the club

THE ROLE OF CLUB LEADERSTHE ROLE OF CLUB LEADERS

�� Take responsibility for the actions of your Take responsibility for the actions of your coaches, players and parentscoaches, players and parents

�� Live by the appropriate mission Live by the appropriate mission �� Live by the appropriate mission Live by the appropriate mission statementstatement

�� ‘Quest for Excellence’ means process not ‘Quest for Excellence’ means process not resultresult

THE ROLE OF CLUB LEADERSTHE ROLE OF CLUB LEADERS

�� Handle your coaching staffHandle your coaching staff

�� Performance review not winning orientedPerformance review not winning oriented

�� Zero tolerance of unethical behaviorZero tolerance of unethical behavior�� Zero tolerance of unethical behaviorZero tolerance of unethical behavior

�� Role modelsRole models

�� Zero tolerance for player abuseZero tolerance for player abuse

�� Hold coaches accountableHold coaches accountable

THE ROLE OF CLUB LEADERSTHE ROLE OF CLUB LEADERS

�� Educate the parents. Not be held Educate the parents. Not be held hostage for the sake of winning state cuphostage for the sake of winning state cup

�� Focus on developing your own players Focus on developing your own players �� Focus on developing your own players Focus on developing your own players rather than poach from other clubsrather than poach from other clubs

�� Teach players more than x’s and o’sTeach players more than x’s and o’s

THE ROLE OF CLUB LEADERSTHE ROLE OF CLUB LEADERS

�� Put aside own personal agendas when in Put aside own personal agendas when in leadership positionleadership position

�� Focus on guarding clubs’ reputationFocus on guarding clubs’ reputation

�� Your neighbor is not your enemy. Your neighbor is not your enemy. Combine your resources and collaborateCombine your resources and collaborate

YOU ARE THE CONSCIENCE OF YOUTH YOU ARE THE CONSCIENCE OF YOUTH SOCCER SOCCER –– A BIG RESPONSIBILITYA BIG RESPONSIBILITY

CLUB STRUCTURECLUB STRUCTURE

PLAYER DEVELOPMENTPLAYER DEVELOPMENTThe process by which a player grows and The process by which a player grows and matures psychologically, technically, tactically, matures psychologically, technically, tactically, and physically within their soccer environmentand physically within their soccer environmentand physically within their soccer environmentand physically within their soccer environment

Developing well rounded players will have Developing well rounded players will have better long term resultsbetter long term results

Club structure has profound impact on player Club structure has profound impact on player development culture in a countrydevelopment culture in a country

NATURE VS NURTURENATURE VS NURTURE

How much influence do the club and coach How much influence do the club and coach have on the players’ development?have on the players’ development?

ParentsParents CoachesCoaches

PlayerPlayer

GeneticsGenetics ClubClub

TRENDS IN YOUTH SOCCERTRENDS IN YOUTH SOCCER

�� YOUTH CLUBS PROFESSIONALIZINGYOUTH CLUBS PROFESSIONALIZING

�� ELITE CLUB CONCEPTELITE CLUB CONCEPT�� ELITE CLUB CONCEPTELITE CLUB CONCEPT

�� TRANSITIONINGTRANSITIONING�� FROM INDEPENDENT TEAMS TO ‘SINGLE ENTITY’FROM INDEPENDENT TEAMS TO ‘SINGLE ENTITY’

�� FROM VOLUNTEER COACHES TO PROFESSIONAL COACHESFROM VOLUNTEER COACHES TO PROFESSIONAL COACHES

�� FROM MOM ‘N POPS TO A BUSINESS RUN ‘CORPORATION’FROM MOM ‘N POPS TO A BUSINESS RUN ‘CORPORATION’

�� FROM COOKIE SALES TO BRANDING, MARKETING AND FROM COOKIE SALES TO BRANDING, MARKETING AND

CUSTOMER SERVICECUSTOMER SERVICE

CLUBS MUST HAVE A MISSIONCLUBS MUST HAVE A MISSION

The mission of US Youth Soccer is:The mission of US Youth Soccer is:

“Foster the physical, mental, and emotional “Foster the physical, mental, and emotional

growth and development of youth through the growth and development of youth through the

sport of soccer for all ages and levels of sport of soccer for all ages and levels of

competition. US Youth Soccer’s job is to make competition. US Youth Soccer’s job is to make

soccer fun and instill in young players a lifelong soccer fun and instill in young players a lifelong

passion for the sport”passion for the sport”

CLUBS MUST HAVE A PHILOSOPHY CLUBS MUST HAVE A PHILOSOPHY

to help achieve the missionto help achieve the mission

�� Provide a place to play for every player regardless of Provide a place to play for every player regardless of ability or financial meansability or financial means

�� Every decision should be in the best interest of the Every decision should be in the best interest of the playerplayer

�� Technical decisions should be made by the techniciansTechnical decisions should be made by the technicians�� Technical decisions should be made by the techniciansTechnical decisions should be made by the technicians

�� The club board’s job is to ensure the mission and The club board’s job is to ensure the mission and philosophy is upheld (consistency and continuity)philosophy is upheld (consistency and continuity)

�� Developmentally appropriate training curriculum with a Developmentally appropriate training curriculum with a progression from youngest to oldest playersprogression from youngest to oldest players

�� A commitment to providing the best possible facilities A commitment to providing the best possible facilities and qualified staffand qualified staff

�� A commitment to provide ongoing training for staffA commitment to provide ongoing training for staff

Club board needsClub board needs

�� BOARD WITH VISION AND NO PERSONAL BOARD WITH VISION AND NO PERSONAL

AGENDASAGENDAS

�� BALANCED BOARD WITH CORPORATE BALANCED BOARD WITH CORPORATE

SKILLS, POLITICAL CLOUT AND SKILLS, POLITICAL CLOUT AND SKILLS, POLITICAL CLOUT AND SKILLS, POLITICAL CLOUT AND

COMMUNITY CONTACTSCOMMUNITY CONTACTS

�� TERM LIMITS?TERM LIMITS?

�� MENTORING & GROOMINGMENTORING & GROOMING

�� OPTIMAL SIZE?OPTIMAL SIZE?

�� COMMITTEESCOMMITTEES

CLUB CHALLENGESCLUB CHALLENGES

�� ADMINISTRATION AND TECHNICAL INTERFACEADMINISTRATION AND TECHNICAL INTERFACE�� WHO IS IN CHARGE OF WHATWHO IS IN CHARGE OF WHAT�� ADMINISTRATIVE MANUALADMINISTRATIVE MANUAL�� COACHING MANUALCOACHING MANUAL

�� CLEAR HIERARCHY AND ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURECLEAR HIERARCHY AND ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

�� COACHING EDUCATIONCOACHING EDUCATION�� PROFESSIONAL STAFFPROFESSIONAL STAFF�� VOLUNTEER STAFFVOLUNTEER STAFF�� COACHES’ EVALUATION PROCESSCOACHES’ EVALUATION PROCESS

�� PARENT EDUCATIONPARENT EDUCATION�� MANAGING PARENTS’ EXPECTATIONSMANAGING PARENTS’ EXPECTATIONS�� TRYOUT PROCESSTRYOUT PROCESS�� CUSTOMER SERVICE UP TO A POINTCUSTOMER SERVICE UP TO A POINT�� PARENT MANUALPARENT MANUAL

CLUB CHALLENGES (CONT’D)CLUB CHALLENGES (CONT’D)

�� CONNECTING REC WITH SELECTCONNECTING REC WITH SELECT�� VERTICAL INTEGRATIONVERTICAL INTEGRATION

�� REC IS NOT HOMOGENEOUSREC IS NOT HOMOGENEOUS

�� PROVIDING ROUNDED DEVELOPMENTPROVIDING ROUNDED DEVELOPMENT�� SUPPLEMENTARY FITNESS & SPEED TRAININGSUPPLEMENTARY FITNESS & SPEED TRAINING�� SUPPLEMENTARY FITNESS & SPEED TRAININGSUPPLEMENTARY FITNESS & SPEED TRAINING

�� ACADEMIC SUPPORT & TUTORINGACADEMIC SUPPORT & TUTORING

�� MENTAL TRAINING & LEADERSHIP TRAININGMENTAL TRAINING & LEADERSHIP TRAINING

�� COLLEGE RECRUITINGCOLLEGE RECRUITING

�� SOCIAL CLUB ACTIVITIESSOCIAL CLUB ACTIVITIES

�� DEALING WITH THE COMPETITIONDEALING WITH THE COMPETITION�� OTHER CLUBS, OTHER SPORTS, CHURCH LEAGUESOTHER CLUBS, OTHER SPORTS, CHURCH LEAGUES

�� DO WHAT’S RIGHT REGARDLESSDO WHAT’S RIGHT REGARDLESS

�� SHORTSHORT--TERM PAIN FOR LONGTERM PAIN FOR LONG--TERM GOALSTERM GOALS

CLUB CHALLENGES (CONT’D)CLUB CHALLENGES (CONT’D)

Most pressing problems:Most pressing problems:

�� Spiraling cost of youth soccerSpiraling cost of youth soccer�� More is not betterMore is not better�� More is not betterMore is not better

�� We can accomplish development without the We can accomplish development without the excessive travel and spendingexcessive travel and spending

�� Player burnoutPlayer burnout

�� Turf warsTurf wars

Who has got the courage?Who has got the courage?