The recent trip taken by the Fremont YSC Directors, gave an opportunity for great insight in to how other countries, successful countries, are developing their players. This post will be exploring the differences in how Europe confronts the challenge in prioritizing winning vs development.

It’s important to remember that these are huge clubs, with multi-million dollar budgets, and are the elite of soccer, with some of the worlds best coming through their academies. Notably was how these academies worked together, to find the best pathway and environment for the player. The following are differences between the US model and that used in the Netherlands.

All players are used, very few players need to sit out, and the game system develops throughout the playing event. With the focus shifted to the development of the player, there is less time and resources placed on the demands of lining multiple fields, specific outlines, and players within the game are given the freedom to regulate and decide on appropriate parameters of the game, and this even goes as far as not needing referees. This keeps the money within the game and not out to referees, this could save clubs a fortune, and get clubs to work closer together, but this made possible by no focus on results. When the importance of the scoreline is taken away there are less confrontations and any need for referees.

With the focus and importance placed on the scoreline, there is less investment in the process. It also means coaches cannot make decisions based on the benefit of the individual player, but what will get them the win, but that is the adult world. Coaches need to be rotating players through different positions, and setting out the players to achieve a solution to a given problem through the practice topic.

This is where winning and development cannot co-exist, as their priorities are different, and the process is different, therefore not pulling in the same direction to reach a common goal.

How Can You Help

By investing in and supporting the process, this gives both the coach and players freedom to make mistakes, learn, and grow. From the players perspective, the chance to play without stress gives them an opportunity to try new skills and be a decision maker on the field. Reading up on the clubs vision and philosophy will help with understanding the direction and purpose of the club. The focus on a game day from a parent should be age appropriate and specific to their own child, and not based a comparison with a different player. The importance should also be placed on the player being out and playing, and that you enjoy watching them play.

Some things we cannot change, and this needs to come from the higher organizations that govern soccer in the US, but at a local level we can all help with making change.

An Elite Coaches Insight – https://www.ted.com/talks/valorie_kondos_field_why_winning_doesn_t_always_equal_success?language=en

This past December the directors from Fremont YSC went on a tour of Germany and Holland to visit some of Europe’s most successful academies.

Click here for a more in depth look at the information and details from the trip – https://www.dropbox.com/s/r8vyd9d3xas5vq9/Coach%20Education%20Tour%202019.pdf?dl=0

The trip included visits to the clubs, and game analysis of Eredivise and Bundesliga games.

The tour was an insight in to areas of benefit for us in reference to soccer in the USA vs Europe, the structure of grassroots programs and academies, and the challenges we face in the US to make soccer better for the youth player.

Over the coming weeks we will be releasing posts on where we are right now in the US in reference to youth soccer, the challenges we face as a club, and how we can all work together to make Fremont YSC a leading educational soccer program.

We already have the methodology and structures in place, but the experience gained from these trips and the visit of the elite like Frans Hoek, will continue to drive us in the right direction and do what is best for the youth player.

This Tuesday 14th January, we had the incredible opportunity at Fremont YSC, to have the personal education experience of Frans Hoek.

Frans have been the senior staff coach at Europe’s biggest clubs, including Ajax, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Manchester United, while also coaching the Netherlands to 3rd at the 2014 World Cup. During this time Frans has coached the best in the world, including Pep Guardiola, Wayne Rooney, and Lionel Messi.

The directors had the opportunity to discuss and present the operations of the club, from its vision of developing every individual no matter their soccer history through modern methodology and a clear playing identity. The importance we place on the individual as a human and not just an athlete, and our philosophy of an holistic approach to the player development and growth.

Frans with all the knowledge and experience of the elite on soccer coaching gave us incredible insight and direction with areas in which we can continue to grow as an organization.

The staff coaches were also put through their paces and guided on a discovery of the mastery of soccer language, structure, and the reference in the analysis of performance. Reality based practice is the modern and very European approach to coaching, and the staff performed on field this discipline in coaching with the help of the Senior Boys team as the demonstrating players.

A great event, and opportunity for the club, and an experience I am sure the players will reflect on for many years, and an educational opportunity for the coaches to continue to grow from.

Long term development is a journey where the individual will face many challenges, rewards, and set backs, but the development comes from the experiences along the way and how they use these experiences to evaluate, analyse, and adjust the challenge they face.

Development is not a perfect trajectory of constant improvements, it’s a continuous pathway of peaks and troughs with many obstacles and challenges to get you out of your comfort zone. It takes time, dedication, commitment, and a strong personality to face challenges and conquer them. Today we are too quick to move away from challenges, to find the easiest pathway, or just completely stop when it becomes difficult.

Long term player development isn’t just about an individual athlete becoming a good soccer player, it is about the life lessons learned along the way, and positive personal traits gained from the journey.

While 2020 is upon us, and 2019 is about to leave us, our continued philosophy of player development through fun and inclusive learning, not focusing on the match results and trophies, and the importance of players optimizing soccer techniques and knowledge will not be leaving us. We can however, become even better.

Without players, parents, and the coaches, this would not be possible, we thank you so much for all you give to youth soccer.

Now is a great time to relax, recharge, and we’ll see everyone back on the field in the New Year. You can still reach the staff, but we will be spending time with our families, so will get back to you when we get the chance. Safe travels if heading out of town, and have lots of fun.

Have a Wonderful Holidays, and a Very Happy New Year.

Sadly the recent November Nights Showcase for the Senior teams, was the last soccer event for Musashi Avalos. While his final event with Fremont YSC, he is still considered part of the family and welcome to play at any time or be part of any club events until he graduates college. While sad for us to see a player move on, it is great for Musashi as he focuses on his stellar track ability and works towards a commitment for college sport.

Musashi sent an incredible letter to the team, and something I hope you all take the time to read, it is an incredible insight to the thoughts and experiences of a youth player.

Dear soccer, I was never supposed to take you seriously, nor was it expected to become impactful in my life, you were supposed to be something my parents just put me in to kill time or to put something on my college application. Starting from the first time Coach Dai recruited me at summer camp, until my last minutes in San Diego, this journey has been filled with bittersweet memories, hard work and grit, and an irreplaceable bond with some of my closest friends I have met. I lost passion for soccer around 2 years ago, but what continued to motivate my passion for playing was my love for my teammates, the inherent procreation of an inseparable bond was in my possession. This was a family I wanted to grow, mature, and live with. From practice every night under the bright lights, from traveling hours just to go away games, from changing from MVU to FYSC has all been a wonderful journey. Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end, and I have decided to forego my soccer career in order to fully commit to track. To expand on the magnitude of this decision, I have received offers from multiple D1 schools with high aspirations that I will attend one of those schools in 2 years. This has been one of the hardest decisions of my life, but I will ensure that I will not regret it and continue to work harder. 

As Coach Dai always states, it’s about the development. As of this moment I have a complete understanding of what he means. At the end of the day, it isn’t about how many goals you score or the team wins the state cup, it’s an accumulation of growth and maturity as a person. Dai, under your guidance I have grown to become a successful athlete, but more importantly, I have become a better person that exhibits hard work, commitment, sportsmanship, and generosity (sorta). To all the parents that came out every weekend, thank you for all your support and I hope you continue to support the whole team until it’s very last moments. In addition, if any parents read this, I want to emphasize that winning isn’t everything. I fully understand the concept of losing 6-0 every game, been there and done that. It is about development as a person, to explain concepts of commitment and dedication. Parents, you shape your children and will never understand how impactful you are to your children, they see and view how you act on a daily basis. Speaking from a teenager’s perspective, my parents are my role models, and looking at how supportive and committed they were, made me want to do the same. 

To the players. We have grown and lived with each other from when we were just kids kicking a ball, and to see some of you submitting college applications hurts. To every single one of you, I personally know that you guys all have the potential to do fantastic things in life. To my 2nd family, you guys have been one of my closest supporters and friends, and i hope it continues to be that way. Although I won’t be on field anymore, I will be supporting you guys to the best of my abilities and I wish the best for everyone. 

Lastly, to my parents. There has never been a moment where you have let me down, despite being tired, sick, busy, you always made sure that I attended every game and practice. I never realized the importance of having you guys beside my side watching my games, always supporting me no matter what the scoreline portrayed. I’m sorry that all your efforts towards my soccer career may seem for naught, but they are not, I am striving and working towards a bigger dream. Thank you. 

Dear Soccer, I’ve hated you for so long now, and I’ve pushed my body to the limit. I dreaded going to games and practices, and hated high school season. But now, I understand how much you mean to me, I’ve developed my character and my athleticism, and I’ve forged bonds and joined a family that I will never forget. Dear soccer, sorry for not appreciating you while it lasted, and thank you for everything. Thank you for giving me happiness. 

-Musashi Avalos

To put into perspective the context of the message. Musashi is an accomplished player, having won many league divisions, State Cup Winner, and recently an undefeated league season in the Premier playing bracket, and winning all 3 games at the November Nights College Showcase, and all of this as a team mostly playing up an age group. He does not mention any of this in his message, and neither does the club advertise these accomplishments, as the process, environment, and experience, is so much more important that trophies, medals, and playing brackets.

 ‘I wanna say something. I’m gonna put this out there: if you like it, you can take it. If you don’t, send it right back …’ the Fremont YSC Senior teams are on the road to San Diego, to participate in the LA Galaxy San Diego, November Nights Showcase. Having left Fremont at 4.30am, I can’t help but feel like ‘I’m in a glass case of emotion!’ Surrounded by some great people, and players who we are proud to have representing Fremont YSC.

The first in what we aim to be an annual event for the Senior teams within Fremont YSC, this gives players wanting to pursue College Soccer, the opportunity to play in front of potential coaches, and to have a great social experience in what will be their final years with the club before graduation. ‘Don’t act like you’re not impressed.’

Wishing everyone at Fremont YSC, and throughout the greater soccer community, a very Happy Thanksgiving.

We at Fremont YSC are thankful for having you as part of the club, and look forward to many more holidays with you.

Taking in to consideration the current weather and forecast for continued rain, and combined with the low projected numbers of attendance due to the holiday week, we will cancel practice.

The weather conditions for a regular practice session would be fine to practice in, players are fine to practice in inclement weather. However, as a coach we consider the playing enviornment, and while the session would be adjusted so players are less static than a coached session, the low numbers would slow down a practice session and therefore players would lose engagement and be more static.

Preparing for the Winter Sessions

Players need to dress appropriately for the conditions, and in the rain a rain jacket is recommended, and at least a warm up top should be worn. In the car following the practice a change of top should be ready. Players will not get sick from being in the rain, but will if not prepared for post exercise.

As a reminder, all players also need to be in Fremont YSC attire for all practices.

During this period of division and hostility towards each others personal beliefs, it is important we take the time and remember the importance of Veterans Day, for those who lost their lives in war to allow us to live in peace, and to focus on working together to allow the peaceful time to continue in to the future.