Change – Why Don’t Soccer Parents Like It?

Why is it that so many soccer parents are reluctant to change? They facilitate every complaint from their kids when we try to develop a better environment for the players. Why do we have to train more? Why are the age groups training together? Why are we in this league and not the other?  Why are wearing new uniforms? Do we have to buy it? I do not like the colors, so can we wear the old set?

Last season was our most successful as a club. A large part of it was due to the fact that we had teams train together, so that we could address 11v11 issues at practice. None of our teams have two keepers. They also do not have enough to finish like the real game. The only time our teams had the opportunity to play 11v11 was Saturday at the game.

The player’s soccer IQ improved, they got fitter and we established chemistry. Seven of our teams made it to the end of season tournament final. Three of them were crowned champions. Our U19 boys made it to the final four in State Cup. This is the best a boys team has done in the history of the club. You think the parents would leave it alone. They still question why we do things. They will never understand. I am convinced of that now. People always say you have to educate the parents. Hard to do when they already know everything.

It is not just the parents though. They relay information from players. Some players do not like the competitive atmosphere. They have become comfortable with the hierarchy of their team and do not like having to prove themselves every day. They do not wish to be corrected or reprimanded for lack of soccer discipline. They are also threatened when younger players are better at everything accept physicality.

I will continue to do what is right for the players. The results are becoming increasingly evident. I have to do what is best for the players with ambition. Mediocrity will not become the norm.