Player Burnout

Player burnout can be a significant problem in youth soccer. We play nine months a year, and some players may play several days a week for almost 12 full months. Between practices, games, tournaments, camps, school, homework, chores, and other activities, it can be difficult to find time to just be a kid. After a while, it's natural that kids can wear of soccer.

Our coaching style and how we choose to run the team can strongly influence a player's mental state and attitude toward soccer as well as life in general. In fact, studies have shown that coaches can have as much (or more) effect on youth as parents, teachers, and friends. Therefore, as a coach I take my responsibilities very seriously. Although my teams work very hard, I also keep in perspective the need for the players to enjoy themselves. Although criticism is sometimes needed, I try to do it in ways that players respond to it positively. They know I respect them. I try to get to know each player and learn about those things in their lives other than soccer that interest them. I make it clear to all my players that soccer is a game. By keeping soccer fun yet challenging, staying positive, guaging player attitudes, having realistic expectations, and appropriate periods of rest away from the game, the Rampage will always strive to keep players enthused about the game.

Parent Burnout

The parent who doesn't burnout is probably the bigger concern... However, parent burnout can be a problem, that invariably leads to player issues. We all live complex lives, so the source of parent burnout is much more complicated than the stress we endure by dedicating a huge fraction of our lives to our children's soccer schedule. I probably can't help you much away from the soccer field, but I will give you this advice... Enjoy soccer for what it is: a game. Have fun on the sidelines, cheer for the Rampage, but don't get so worked up that you find yourself having heart palpitations before the game (I have enough of those for all of us). Don't pressure your child (or yourself). Be their supporter, but don't push them to the point where soccer could become something your child would rather not discuss with you. Tell them what they did well, not what they did poorly. (Kids always know what they did poorly, it's the positives they forget most easily.) Just love your kid and let them play.

Coach Burnout

Never happens...

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DEVELOPING GREAT SOCCER PLAYERS ONE STEP AT A TIME