Soccer is not about the destination but the journey. What we do as players, coaches and even soccer parents affects everyone involved.
Every player is responsible for themselves and their development.
Coaches are responsible for their team.
Parents are responsible for their children.
Here’s a thought!
Smoking kills thousands of people a year. Smoking a pack a day or even two is the best way to guarantee you’ll die early.
How many of you have taught your kids and players about the dangers of smoking.
Anyone?
But everyday you tell them to wear their seat belt and to look both ways before crossing the road. The chances of you dying from cigarettes are far greater than you getting hit by a car. Then why is it that you only talk about the dangers on the road?
Now to my point,
Soccer should always be about the journey. Soccer is about the opportunity to develop and learn. When coaches or parents pass down their experiences or stories, they are teaching younger players valuable lessons. Some may even call this wisdom.
Teaching players not only impacts them, it can change the world.
The main objective should be to develop their soccer skills while simultaneously teaching them about life, about philanthropy and at times incorporating science when feasible.
Explain to them the why’s and the what’s.
Explain to them why their muscles have cramped and why they are sore.
Teach them social skills, teach them to respect and teach them to be strong.
A little bit at a time we can heal the world we live in through soccer. Terrorism, drugs, cigarettes and crime will fade. But what you teach young, fragile minds will last forever.
The biggest challenge faced by coaches and parents is responding with education and not reacting with anger.
Remember, it’s never too late to start again and it’s never too late to learn.
Before I go,
Don’t forget to wear your seat belt.
soccer is the main sport for many countries, i wish it had a bigger presence in the US