Coaching Education, Player Development and Different Pathways for Success
A Soccer Development article written by Michael Barr
Michael Barr, Technical Director, Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer is one of the most successful soccer coaches in the country. Barr holds an USSF “A” coaching license, the NSCAA International Premier License, the National Youth License, and Scottish Football Association’s “B” license. Barr shares his provocative insights on the opportunities for women coaches in the world of American soccer.
It is important for players and parents alike to realize there are numerous pathways to soccer success. The recent MLS draft revealed that six of the top 10 players selected did not play in the National Developmental Academy programs but did play in their state Olympic Development Program, in the National Championship Series and in US Youth Soccer’s National League. US Soccer must recognize that top level players achieve success within different environments and locations. A more cohesive scouting system is needed to identify players who have professional talent and not solely rely on Academies to develop players.
We had two coaching courses this past weekend hosted by YSC. We conducted a National E and a National D License. We were fortunate to have Tommy Wilson, Director of the Union Academy as one of the instructors for the D License. Tommy brings a wealth of soccer education experience as a UEFA Instructor and as a former Director of Education for the Scottish Football Association. In the future we plan to do more with the Union and create a bond that will strengthen both Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer and the Philadelphia Union in developing players and coaches.
There was a candidate taking the E License that encouraged me about the value of soccer education and how he perceives himself as a coach. Unfortunately, I also heard a disappointing response from two candidates taking the D License before the course even started.
First the positive news. I was pleasantly surprised to see former Philadelphia Union player Fred, a Brazilian, in the class for the E License. With his professional experience, he could have moved right to the National C License. In talking with Fred, he felt he wanted to start from the beginning with the F License because he knew he had much to learn as a coach. Fred wants to develop his coaching skills and become comfortable with US Soccer’s educational system. His skill and personality made for a very successful and positive E License.
On the flip side, two young coaches seemed disappointed they had to go through the entire coaching licensing procedure. After all, they were academy coaches at a club that was recently awarded academy status for the younger ages. Their complaints fell on deaf ears, because all coaches must go through the entire process except for MLS professionals and National Team players. At times, there is an entitlement issue with younger coaches who feel they should be exempt, because they played college soccer and now are coaching elite players. As professional coaches who are receiving a salary, there is much the same degree of responsibility as teachers. There is accountability attached and expertise expected by parents. Having an accent or playing in college should not be pre-requisites to be a coach for any child of any age or ability level.
Young coaches should look at licenses as opportunities to become more proficient and confident in their teaching abilities. In fact, we all should. Consider Fred as the perfect example.
US Soccer should take note as well. So long as all sides of youth soccer and coaching are on the same page we can develop together and show people the different paths to success.
Michael Barr is a motivated, teacher and soccer coach with nationally recognized expertise and a thirty year history in working with top level soccer players, instructing youth coaches and speaking to numerous groups about player development.
Technical Director of Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer, Barr is also a National Staff Coach for the United States Soccer Federation, Barr is a National Youth License Instructor, and holds the USSF “A” coaching license, the NSCAA International Premier License, the national youth license, and Scottish Football Association’s “B” license.
