Overview
My vision this summer came alive with the help of the Kokomo YMCA, when I was granted the opportunity to coach Centipede Soccer. Centipede Soccer is the perfect introduction to the game of soccer for children of the ages 3-5. The mission of this program is that the children will learn the fundamentals of the game in a non-competitive atmosphere, while working on motor skills, coordination and listening skills. The benefits of the Y’s youth sports programs for the little ones are big both on and off the field. My role as the coach was to find fun ways to make this a great first time soccer experience for all the children by showcasing the different skills and objectives of the game but also advocating new skills to maintain a
…show more content…
My first and probably most important duty as a coach to this younger age group was to make all activities fun and easy to understand, but to also think about safety and the well-being of all my players. Because this was many of the team’s first soccer experience, going over the proper equipment was key to do to ensure they were all protected with the right shoes and shin guards. While watching the first few practices and games, it was becoming clear to see which areas needed the most amount of work on and picking up on these things are vital to plan creative drills that will improve each skill. All of my hard work with planning the lessons for the day to creating a positive environment for the children to learn and thrive follows right along with the mission of Centipede Soccer by instilling the importance of teamwork.
Objectives.
Within this Sport and Fitness Internship, it was my agreement to coach a minimum of 40 hours at Darrough Chapel Park through a partnership with the Kokomo YMCA’s Soccer Program. This permitted me the chance to put all my knowledge and skills to the test, whether it was being recalled from my soccer experience growing up or getting the first hand feel of how to apply what I have learned from my courses at IU Kokomo University in the past semesters. Regardless of which method gave me better insight on coaching, this internship has become a stepping stone in showcasing my efforts don’t go unnoticed and that I am going to do great things
Being a professional athlete is one of the most commonly heard dreams of a young boy or girl who currently elementary school. Whether it is realistic or not, these kids will be participating in the sport that they wish to thrive in. But, time after time we hear adults complain about their child’s insane soccer schedule, or how they have to spend their whole weekend traveling for games. The parents complaints shouldn’t be the topic of discussion, in fact the only opinions that matter are the children. The question shouldn’t be asking whether or not youth sports are too intense, it should be asking if it is worth it. If a child loves what they’re doing then they have every reason to continue playing their sport, but if they are not all in, he or she has to question whether or not all the craziness is worth it.
To be a successful soccer player, you need an abundance of different qualities or skills. Good footwork, passing, and shooting are all major components when it comes to the technical side of the game. However, soccer is a very physical sport; and to keep up with your opponent, you need to be aggressive and competitive. At the age of two, physicality can be a scary thing for a little girl. Although I can’t recall it myself, my parents always bring up the meltdown that I had before I played in my first soccer game. They say that right before the game started, I began to cry uncontrollably. My dad, being the coach, came to my side to ask me what the matter was. In response, I told him that I didn’t want to take the ball away from the kids on the other team because it was mean. He then explained to me that my opponents would be trying to take the ball away from me too, and that it was just a part of the game. It is still a running joke that I haven’t been the same
Joining a new club soccer team coupled with almost daily workouts allowed me to improve my skills in the offseason. The feeling of going into tryouts being so prepared allowed a new level of confidence to emerge in myself. With only two starting spots open, working hard from the very start was necessary in order for me to prove myself to coach. After making the team again, I knew giving my best effort couldn’t end here. I showed up to practices with a positive attitude, always ready to work hard. When the preseason scrimmages, long practices, and exhausting fitness checks were over, the feeling of having earned a starting spot was incredibly satisfying. Now, not only am I working hard to keep up my starting spot, but I am hoping my attitude will rub off on everyone and make the team stronger. Afterall, soccer is a team sport; and the possibility of winning a state title in the near future adds to my ambition to perform well for my teammates every time I step on the field.
Growing up, sports never seemed to be my expertise. Dancing my youth away, I never imagined to show passion for such an intrusive contact sport. My friends continued to nag at me saying “You have to try out for the soccer team.” My first year of middle school I stepped out onto the field. Occasionally forgetting to breathe,I focused right on the ball. I started to think to myself that I could get used to this. I mean how bad could it be? What I didn’t realize was I did not have much soccer skills under my belt, but making the team already was an accomplishment. I respected the captains when they talked, and I tried, day after day, to pick up the skills they possessed.
As I stepped onto the field preparing to be a ball boy, I could feel my heart pounding inside me. When I spotted the players walking to the field, I was nervous and super excited at the same time. I had been deliberating what I should or should not do before the onset of the game. For example, if our team (Atlanta United) was winning, I would take a moment to slow the game down. On the other hand, if the opposite team was winning, I would demand of myself to be nimble and get the ball back into play as soon as possible. Finally, my dream of being a ball boy for a major league soccer team was becoming a reality.
This portfolio is a compilation of my works while pursuing a Master's degree in Coaching and Athletic Administration. These selected works illustrate my professional development gained from this educational experience. Seeking out professional development opportunities is critical for athletic coaches and administrators because every sports program, regardless of the age or skill level, should have a qualified coach lead it. In fact, many would argue there are a moral and a legal obligation to have qualified coaches at all levels. There is a legal obligation because unqualified coaches are more likely to teach improper skills and techniques, which puts athletes at risk for injuries. Further, there is a moral obligation, as qualified coaches are more apt to understand and address the psychological and physiological developmental needs for each athlete. When a coach knows these psychological and
In my past, competitive sports has not been a great memory of mine. I had an experience while playing indoor soccer where the competitive aspect of the game made it less fun to play. However, after reading the article, “Have Youth Sports Become Too Intense?”, where the issue of competitive youth sports becoming too intense or extreme is debated, my perspective was changed. The benefits of participating in competitive youth sports are worth the drawbacks because athletes learn to use pressure to their advantage later in life along with how to block out negativity.
Over the years, playing soccer has taught me what it takes to succeed. From months of tough practices, I have gained a hard work ethic. From my coaches and fellow teammates, I have learned to work well with others in a group, as it is necessary to cooperate with teammates on the playing field. But most important, I have also gained self-confidence. If I fail, it doesn't' t matter if they mock or ridicule me; I will simply try again and do it better. I realize that it is necessary to risk failure in order to gain success. The
Concord AYSO (Adult and Youth Soccer Organization) is a predominantly a volunteer based organization which provides soccer lovers in the community of Concord, California with facilities, games, and coaching in soccer. The age ranges of those who enroll in the Concord AYSO program fall into three categories: children ages 4-19; adults 19 and over; and mentally or physically handicapped children starting by age 6. My first three observations were with volunteer coaches: Armando Rivera, Fan Yang, and Brian Johnson, all of whom were working with groups of children and adolescents under the age of 19. My last three observations were with volunteer coaches: Larry Durham, Yoni Dahan, and Mark Hansen, working with the adults over 19. The specific training routines and drills of each class run by each instructor tended to vary in some details though there was a solid amount of consistency between the regimen that one instructor followed and the regimen another followed.
In recent years the soccer association has grown from one hundred and fifty players to three hundred players. In doing so they needed to expand their facilities. The local municipality did not have the resources nor the soccer association for doing such a project. With my continued involvement with the soccer association throughout the years, I knew I had to do something to help them. With helping to get this project done, I could get the children of the area the same experience I had as a child only better.
Throughout my soccer career here at South Rowan High School, we have orchestrated a youth soccer camp for a week each summer for kids ranging from the ages of 6 years old to 13 years old. The summer going into my freshmen year, Walker, who is my best friend, and I were assigned to the youngest kids in the camp. Obviously, the younger kids in the camp were going to require more patience and attention than the older kids.
I had always loved soccer and it had been my favorite sport since age four. When I turned eleven years old I joined a club named Indiana Elite which was very competitive and “hardcore” persay. We had practice three days a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. I was very nervous to attend my first practice on my team
Personal Statement As I lined up for another “suicide” sprint, summer sun scorching, muscles taut and ready to fire, I could not help but begin to let my mind wonder if I was cut out for this. Defining moments like this one emphasize my ability to understand the long term orientation needed to complete goals in life. Hard work, on hot summer mornings were easy to come by at the beginning of my division 1 collegiate soccer career. I have always found deep internal gratification in becoming a better soccer player. Whether it was learning one new move, or becoming .1 of a second quicker, my goals and dreams revolved around reaching the highest peak in soccer.
Program Evaluation Youth house league soccer was evaluated with the approach of observing one child participating in the program and recording the outcomes. A neighbour’s ten year old son named Brian was observed. He was the perfect candidate to record because he fit the criteria of the project perfectly. Brian is involved in the Mississauga FC house league soccer club, intended for boys age ten to twelve. Brian’s soccer position was a right wing midfielder and sometimes he played as a forward.
It was a cold day in November as I scampered out of my Biology class, unsatisfied with the grade that I had received on my exam. I rushed to the basement of my campus’s athletic facility brimming over with frustration and quickly tossed aside my school supplies in exchange for a pair of soccer cleats and goalkeeper gloves. I threw over my grass-stained gray cotton sweatshirt, stepped outside to the bite of an approaching winter and joined my comrades in our warm-up lines. The boys were all laughing and talking about what happened over the weekend as we prepared for another practice. Being surrounded by my teammates made me forget about my worries and allowed me to disappear into the routine of physical activity. My collegiate varsity soccer