I had a fantastic time playing with my Olympic Development Program team this year. It was a really unique and new experience for me, playing at such a high level, being with players from different teams all around NorCal, and traveling with the team.

The Olympic Development Program is a process of identifying players to represent the State in Camps and events, with those further identified being selected for National Camps

Although I went into tryouts and games feeling a little nervous, it was easy to settle in and get comfortable playing with welcoming teammates and coaches. One of the biggest challenges was adapting to the quicker and more physical game at that level, and it was pretty frightening at first.

ODP is a collection of identified players from across Northern and Central California, coming together to represent the State.

However, playing soccer with Fremont YSC for over 7 years, working our way through the bronze bracket to state premier as a team allowed me to keep up with and perform even at such a high level of play and the pressure that comes with adapting to it. Being in a competitive environment within the club and the training and support provided by coach Gavin and other coaches really helped me stay driven, compete, and perform well during the tryouts. In addition to bringing the skills I had learned and developed over the years to the team, I felt it was a great experience to see how different players play, and I was able to experience new playing styles and formations.

An ODP team is a collection of players. This underpins the importance of the individuals development and not the team, As we highlight in our Parent Workshops, it’s the individuals journey, and Johan Cruyffs important quote about the individual learning, teams don’t learn, it’s the individual within the team.

In addition to playing with other State ODP Teams in Oregon, there were also friendly scrimmages with other teams such as Sacramento Republic during practices. These scrimmages gave everyone in the player pool an opportunity to show their talent and ability, and play with the team even if they aren’t on the travel roster. One of my favorite things about the program is how we hung out a lot even outside the games as a team during the trip. I really enjoyed being a part of Cal North ODP and I look forward to continuing trying out and staying with the program in the future!

The clubs commitment and vision is to supporting the foundations needed, game intelligence, and creativity, to give players the chance and opportunity to work towards representing the State in these programs. A winning team or a playing bracket does not get selected for these higher level programs, nor do they prepare you for the occasion. It is the individuals dedication, commitment, and desire to learn, in a learning environment. Early burnout sees too many young athletes not make to these more important ages of sports performance. Barghav is a great example of the importance of fun, age appropriate environments, and process focused coaching, to support the individual player.

A common question we are asked, or a concern of parents, is how can we affect a youth players confidence? In the age of social media, and changing beliefs and values throughout society, confidence has become a miss understood concept.

Confidence

Confidence has become a perception of what people see, the posts and messages put on social media oozing with confidence as people put themselves in the limelight, often portraying their ‘best self’, and other people, celebrities, people of influence, letting us know they are thriving! Through this new age of self promotion through media, we are believing that confidence is what the loud, bold, and brash have. However, that is not the case, and being the loudest, opinionated person is not confidence. This new trend in modern society has a knock-on effect of what we expect in youth sports.

Confidence is the belief in being able to complete a task, and specifically a task in a given moment, it’s very much intrinsic.

Youth development is a completely different domain to senior sport. Senior sport is outcome driven (game results, championships), youth sport is a process of improvement (process goals to improve dribbling, shooting, etc). With that said, the senior game is becoming even more individualized, and process driven.

The attached presentation will introduce confidence as one of the 5 main ‘Cs’ of sports psychology (https://www.fremontyouthsoccer.com/psychological/), and how the Individual Development Plan as an intervention will support player confidence.

Assimilating this to a game situation, no matter the result, how we frame, and review players experiences can support confidence. As the adults involved in the experience, if we frame a process for the player (e.g., when you receive the ball can you take on your player – with levels of support from the coach to guide the player to solutions in how to beat the opponent), confidence is achieved through being invested in a process, and empowerment to make their own decision in how to beat an opponent. In addition, making gains in performance increases performance and long-term improvement, utilizing a short-term process goal, as opposed to relying on an outcome that is not within the individual’s control. The review (what is said after the game), is incredibly important. Focusing on a result, or comparing to others damages the individual psychologically, in review as the adults involved the coach should be offering solutions in guiding the player to how they can use their experience to further improve and positively reinforce the positive moments, and as parents we can let the player know we loved seeing the determination and effort they showed to improve.

Soccer coaching is significantly more than how to kick or dribble, is deeper than ‘who wants it more’, and cannot be measured by game results. It is a long-term process. The continued ‘race to nowhere’, is having this negative effect on all players. With more league acronyms, fancier and bigger trophies and medals, the toxic nature of youth sports spirals, as we leave best interests of players behind as clubs chase numbers and ultimately money!

We look forward to seeing the players engage in their own IDP (our foundation phase players engaging in their TopTekkers challenges, and older players their own individual plans and training away from practice), and empowering the player to make decisions on where and how they are going to focus on their continued growth.

We are incredibly excited about the continued relationship between Fremont YSC and Oakland Roots.

Oakland Roots Sports Club seeks to harness the magic of Oakland and the power of sport as a force for social good. Whether on the pitch, in the stands, or within the community, Oakland Roots will represent our one-of-a-kind city with passion, pride, and commitment to all things Oakland. Player by player. Supporter by supporter. Resident by resident. One day at a time. One game at a time. This is about Oakland first, always.

We are proud of being able to partner with Oakland Roots, and with this partnership there comes a host of benefits to the membership. From FREE tickets to Oakland Roots games, to player experiences, player identification, and coach education opportunities for staff.

Taking in to consideration the current weather and forecast for continued rain.

Preparing for the Winter Sessions

Players need to dress appropriately for the conditions, and in the rain a rain jacket is recommended, and at least a warm up top should be worn. In the car following the practice a change of top should be ready. Players will not get sick from being in the rain, but will if not prepared for post exercise.

As a reminder, all players also need to be in Fremont YSC attire for all practices.

As coaches we must be committed to being lifelong learners.

The moment we stop learning, the moment we stop searching for more information about modern practices and research into youth development, at a deeper level than just technique and tactics, is the moment we are not providing the environment the youth athlete needs to support their development journey.

This week we were incredibly lucky to have a special online session with Frans Hoek. The Fremont YSC coaching staff got exceptional insight into the Netherlands process around the game day in Qatar 2022, specifically the USA knockout round.

Process and references are important for effective coaching, and we gained great insight into the selection process of the Netherlands squad, the scouting of the USMNT, and coaching practices around gameday -2, -1, Game Day, and +1. The level of detail, the long hours, and objectivity is what sets the exceptionally high standard of coaching at the elite level.

2/18/2022, we were left in shock and devastated by the sudden passing of Jesus.

Jesus had given so much to the club. As a youth player he was unplayable at times, fully committed in the way he played, displaying some of the most incredible ball manipulation and close ball control seen at the youth ages. Not only an exceptional player, but very popular with all team mates.

While still playing, Jesus volunteered his time to coach the 5 and 6 year old’s, nurturing their early love for the game and in the friendliest and kindest manner.

Jesus retuned to the club as a staff coach, passionate about the development of the next generation of youth players, he gave them an experience of passion for the sport, and a care to the players wellbeing through his player first approach.

Jesus left us way too soon and incredibly young, not a day goes past where we don’t think of him. He is sorely missed by his family, friends, and our own football family.

Kids will participate in sports for three main reasons; to be social and nurture friendships, for the pure love of and fun of playing, and to be better and develop an ability to play at a desired level. These are not exclusive, and all three should be achieved in support of each element. For those who prioritize wanting to be better, the following is a great extract from ‘Peak – Science from the New Science of Expertise’ (Ericsson and Pool, 2017) *.

The following is from Ray Allen, NBA All-Star, and one of the leagues greatest three-point shooter. In an article a sports journalist stated Allen was born with a gift, Allen’s response was one we often forget about with elite performers.

“I’ve argued this with a lot of people in my life. When people say God blessed me with a beautiful jump shot it really p****s me off. I tell those people, ‘Don’t underestimate the work I’ve put in every day’. Not some days, every day. Ask anyone who has been on a team with me who shoots the most… the answer is me”

It goes on to note that in High School his shooting did not stand out amongst others and was in fact poor. Allen was dedicated and committed to improving and took control over what he could do to improve and transformed his shooting into a ‘gift’.

By sharing this with parents and players, we can take a few golden points from this. Firstly, young prodigies are few and far between, most elite performers are late developers, and this is supported throughout research literature. Secondly, you must put into something what you want to get out, being committed to a process of growth will be rewarding in the long term, embracing the process over immediate outcome. To be the best, be open to failure with a growth mindset to keep growing but work towards the short-term goal in a long-term process to achieve a high level of performance.

This links in to confidence. It’s often perceived that confidence is a result of winning, but this is confused with the immediate gratification of a result. Confidence is the result of recognizable growth while engaged in a process of development. We will soon be playing games again as the playing season kicks off. It is incredibly important that coaches, players, and parents, remember that these are not adult games or an adult environment, but a learning experience youth the youth player. Setting process driven goals will prioritize the individuals pathway, and confidence will increase as the individual recognizes that they are improving. This is where our language as adults is incredibly important, and the message we send can have lasting implications for the youth athlete.

* ‘Peak’ is a book that expands on Ericsson’s theory of deliberate practice. Deliberate practice is incredibly successful in developing fine skills from very young ages but must be utilized in team sports at an age-appropriate stage in development, so deliberate and free play can still dominate the younger ages to nurture a love of the game and empower the individual athlete in decision making. See more about deliberate play and balancing this with deliberate practice in later stages of invasion game player development. https://www.fremontyouthsoccer.com/2021/08/week-2-review/

Youth sports has lost it’s way, early specialization, fear of missing out, burnout at young ages from a must win culture, and a lack of commitment to chase short term rewards.

Developing the human is so important, coaching the person and not just the football.

We are incredibly grateful to have a great human in Max Allen

This Christmas, Max Allen asked his family friends to donate to the club, rather than receive a Christmas present. Specifically to help support the Financial Aid program that helps us provide the youth soccer experience to any player/family, no matter their financial situation.

Max has been with us since he was 5, both his Mam and Dad were volunteers in the U6 program, and he has been with us ever since both parents very supportive of the program, and his Dad a team manager.

Thank you Max, you are a credit to your family.

In the first session of Day 3, Aaron Negel, CEO of the Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club presented on building a successful operating system within youth organizations. The first question he asked was “Why?”, why are we here, why is this club here, what is the club’s purpose”, this led to the development of club values, beliefs, behaviors, attitudes that the club would adapt and that they would be committed to moving forward, this means every decision moving forward reflect at least 3 out of the 4 values and beliefs of the club. Aaron discusses how important it is for a youth organization to have a clear identity, purpose, belief and the people in the right positions to make it happen. As they move forward, the Rapids main motto is “Develop remarkable coaches”, they believe that investing in their coaches will make for better players, a better program and more importantly an organization that is constantly evolving and improving as they are always pursuing to improve in every regard.

Session 2, a field session working on modern attacking and defending trends in youth soccer, Paul Payne worked on shaping the team in those two phases of the game. Paul emphasized that field players must have

• A clear understanding of the positional responsibility within the team dynamic. Communication channels between coach and player must be open and democratic.
• Good understanding of roles and responsibilities in relation to other units.
• Good understanding of specific roles and responsibilities within pair-partnerships (RB and RW).

Session 3, Molly Grisham worked on team building. Molly was quick to establish that team bonding, team building and team development are all different but also simultaneously very relevant in each other’s success.

Team Bonding can be short lived, as they are surface interactions where players find similarities within activities which can be perceived as a positive interaction within the team dynamic. Team building can have a significant impact but also comes with considerably more risk, as players will have to get to the root of issues and consequently requires very careful and deliberate planning from the coach or organizers. Team development is Molly’s bread and butter, which dives past issues, to find leaders within the team, find specific players that fill specific roles and how those players can fill other roles that they are interested in or the team needs them to fill.