Coaches Empathy Tournament

By
Koach Karl Dewazien
 
            Thank you readers, so very much. for asking my professional opinion on ‘non-result oriented tournament’ issue.  The reason for my enthusiasm to respond to that request is that I have been studying the ‘youth tournament phenomenon’ in our country for more than ten years.  My research has included: Interviews throughout the USA with tournament participants, players, coaches, referees, administrators, moms, dads
and siblings; discussions and interviews with professional and youth soccer coaches, child psychologists, sports psychologists, pediatricians, educators, counselors and other youth development authorities; voluminous reading of articles, reports, pamphlets and books on children in sports. I have taken a national survey for United States Youth Soccer Association and written articles with requests for critiques on the subject.
 
            During these years of study and research two facts became apparent.  It seems impossible to convince another person of one’s own position through written data or verbal information.  Emotions and prejudices hinder progressive dialogue when personal opinions and experiences are attacked. One must understand that each side, on this issue has logical data and personal stories to support their viewpoints.  Both sides must be heard! In order for both sides to listen common ground must be found to begin a dialogue.
 
            In my opinion there is only one irrefutable way to reach common ground on the ‘non-result oriented tournament’ issue.  Each side must experience the players’ ordeal  before they can make any sensible comments and recommendations on the player's behalf.  In other words, ‘Adults, walk a mile in these children’s shoes.”
 
            What I propose is that we establish a “Coaches’ Empathy Tournament."
All coaches of the age groups' subject to this debate must play in this  tournament.  The standard two day tournament must be organized.  State tournament rules; that   is, the number of games, the length of games, the playing time per player -per game, etc. must be strictly enforced.
 
            Discussions as to the benefits and drawbacks of this type of event for young children are to begin immediately after the trophy ceremony.  First place winners to be allowed to talk first, second place talk second and so on...Those who did not participate should not be allowed to voice their opinions!  These discussions should resume on the following Wednesday and continue until a ‘child oriented,' ‘player beneficial’ event has been established.  If necessary schedule another weekend to play “Adult Empathy Tournament II."  This could become a f und raiser for the state association.
 
            The second fact that became extremely apparent was, that the experts are leaning very heavily toward the non-result position.  They believe that there is high potential for harm to children playing in the current youth tournament format.  Some examples include:
 
 
 
 
 
·         Physically, the demand on the growing children can cause stress injuries due to overuse.
·         Technically and Tactically there are no opportunities to correct bad habits.
·         Mentally, we do not know how coming in second or third can effect the individual child.
 
Statistically 75% of our children quit playing soccer between the ages of 10-14 in the USA .  Many experts believe that one of the reasons lies in this adult oriented beginning.  Since it is possible to eliminate this potentially damaging environment; Why aren’t we doing it for the children’s sake?
 
            My research will continue and hopefully you the reader experimenting with ‘Adult Empathy Tournaments’ will give us more insights into adjusting our programs to benefit the younger children.  Until then, be assured that the non-result oriented play proposal is receiving national attention and overwhelming support from the national/international coaching community.  Two examples:  On March 19, 1998 at the Dallas adidas workshop the  USYSA Coaching Committee unanimously supported non -result oriented play for U10.  On April 19, 1998 at the Region 4 State Coaches Symposium in New Mexico , the State Coaching Directors of Region 4 unanimously took the same position.
 
            Congratulations to those adults who have made  this innovative decision to gear their programs toward player development.  You are ‘trend-setters’ and the rest of the country will soon follow your lead, as the votes by the state coaching directors indicated.  On behalf of the young children whose soccer playing lives you will be influencing ‘positively’, thank you for taking this courageous step!
 
            Here are some suggested questions that should be covered when discussing  competitive vs. non-result oriented tournaments:
 
1)  There is always fanatical support from parents, coaches, players and communities     that win tournaments
      -Why don’t we get the same kind of response from the other teams?
 
2)  If the accepted game to practice ratio is 2 to 1 -Two practices for one game.How does one prepare for a tournament? 

3)  If youth soccer is all about technical development and development depends on correction and repetition.            -When can a coach work development during a tournament 

4)  What professional league play games in a youth soccer tournament format?            -None, they need one day rest between games! 

5)  Why do youth soccer players have to play for a championship after fatigue?
 
6)  Why are there more stress injuries in soccer players than any other sport?
 
7)  Why do we have a chronic knee injury problem with female soccer players?
 
 
8) We copy the professional example in almost all aspects.  Why don’t we copy the World Cup format where players receive two days rest between games?
 
Reader I would love to have your answers to one or all of these questions.  Send them to me at your convenience!

Hope this is of some help!!!
Koach Karl