| Ever recreational soccer coach in this country has a | | | | ¨ Show them how to compete as a team |
| degree of influence on their young soccer | | | | ¨ Winning is everything |
| players-mostly positive but sometimes negative. This | | | | Whatever the results of your brainstorming session |
| influence will help to craft the future players, business | | | | are, you have just outlined the core tenets of your |
| leaders, teachers, etc. At the core of this influence is | | | | coaching philosophy. And these tenets reflect the |
| the coach's philosophy. Don't let the word | | | | values coaches more than likely hold in their personal |
| "philosophy" turn you off like it often has done for | | | | lives. |
| me over the years. Simply and carefully contemplate | | | | Recently, I completed a book titled Sport Psychology |
| your answer to the question "What do I hope to | | | | for Coaches. The book motivated me to define and |
| teach my young soccer athletes?" | | | | evaluate my soccer coaching philosophy. I found my |
| If you ponder the question carefully, your response | | | | personal perspectives were mostly positive, but |
| to the question will come pouring out as if a | | | | there is definitely room for improvement. This |
| brainstorming session. Some possible responses might | | | | thinking process increased my level of awareness |
| be: | | | | surrounding my personal values and to prioritize my |
| ¨ Teach the fundamentals of soccer | | | | competitive objectives based on those values. I can |
| ¨ Make sure the kids have fun | | | | wait to put my newly reformed philosophy to the |
| ¨ Teach them how to win | | | | test--come on Spring soccer season! Sport |
| ¨ Develop them as individuals and build character | | | | Psychology for Coaches is a great eye-opener! |
| ¨ Help them realize their potential | | | | |