January 24, 2025

I've been thinking a lot recently about why I coach. Is it about winning? Is it about making world class soccer players? There's so much you can't control as a coach so do the outcomes really drive how I feel and whether I'm successful or not?

99.9% of the players we coach will not turn professional, so even if they play college soccer they will be working or living a life that doesn't involve playing soccer at an "elite" level. Consequently, I'm doing it to make a difference for the kids. Can I help them with life skills they can use in all future avenues? How does setting goals and working towards them, even if not achieved, become a negative? I don't think it can. It's not about the outcomes it's about working hard for something you care about and knowing you gave your best effort, getting a win or two along the way will be helpful but it's just not important. It's also about building relationships. This season I'm working on different ways to challenge my players but doing it safe culture / environment. It's okay to demanding but don't fall into demeaning.

If I've fully planned my practices and I bring energy and joy to practice then immaterial of the scores I feel like I've been successful. I do think there are other indicators I will consider, I'll share with myself in a future post. Keeping this reason why you coach close is important as it's easy to forget in the middle of a gamel