Parents and players must always keep in mind - to teach and correct individual soccer technique takes a lot of patience and repetition. Parents give your players a chance to feel good whenever they play soccer.
This sport is very complex to learn and to play. Four (4) important components are required from a soccer player so they can be the best players that they can be.
Full commitment is essential in the following: Physical ability, individual technique, individual tactics and work ethic.
It is important for parents and players to know and understand, this is a long-term program and very difficult to accomplish - even if a player follows the developmental training completely and beyond. Not all players will develop at the same pace but all players need to train and play at the same high work rate. Each Player that joins the Academy has different needs and potential.
Each plays for a variety of reasons and will succeed at very different levels of play.
The Academy’s coaching Staff
All coaches will conduct themselves first as teachers and second as soccer coaches. Nothing positive will come of their efforts if we produce world-class players who do not know how to conduct themselves as successful human beings. In this regard you can expect the JGSA coaches to conduct themselves as positive role models and display appropriate behavior. Our coaches recognize that we are dealing in an important way with young people and we cannot overlook the impact they have on player’s lives. You can expect honesty, communication, and reliability from your coach.
The commitment the JGSA makes to you under no circumstances guarantees that you will be offered a college scholarship or that you will be considered for a state, regional or national team.
Does not let the value of winning completely overshadow the value of learning. It’s All about Training
Soccer mirrors life. Just like life, soccer is a game with rules where everybody must have an equal opportunity to Participate but we must understand that there is no such thing as EQUALITY; some players naturally will be better than others.
A young soccer player must go through years of preparation before he or she can begin to imitate top-flight soccer. The Academy's philosophy gives players a chance to learn and enjoy the very special formative years of their growth.
John Gaspar feels that it is a proven fact by the teams and players developed by him, that there is no greater service he can perform than to impart a love of soccer to the players he develops.
Each soccer player's development must be nurtured. Players who have a passion for the sport are driven to EXCEL.
The JGSA and it's coaches do guarantee to provide you with the tools and skills that will enable you to become as good as your ability, desire, commitment and effort will take you,
Do not expect your coaches to praise everything you do well. After a time, there are things your coach will come to expect from every player. There are times when your coach will say very little and times he/she will provide instructions. There times the coach will be critical of players, and other times they will be very generous with praise. You and your parents are expected to take constructive criticism along with praise for a job well done, and be able to deal with both.
The JGSA coaching staff presents lessons and techniques in an easy to understand step-by-step format. Common mistakes are discussed, so it will be easier to correct them.
The Academy sets individual levels of expectation and is open to the needs (physical and psychological) of every player. Understand that soccer is just another vehicle through which we all try to add to the lives of those who participate. Certainly we hope to develop players with a wealth of talent, but at the same time we hope to promote good character, responsibility in our players.
Developing young soccer players is an art form.
Avoid stifling a youg player's creativity, as it is vital that players develop skill and confidence with the ball.
John Gaspar does not underestimate the need for personalities on the field nor does he forget that each position demands different personality types.
To develop a TOP young soccer player is a continuous program. It is impossible to do so with just two or three weeks of top training per year.
Parents
It is generally accepted that for a player to progress all the way to either a National Team or Professional player they should have spent 10,000 hours with a soccer ball in a variety of connotations and environments.
Between the beginning of August and the end of November the average traveling player will have attended one or two summer soccer camps, played in 10 league games, up to 9 tournament games and attended between 20 and 30 team practice sessions. This amounts to somewhere in the region of 75 to 100 hours per half season of "soccer time". Even if we double that number, it still takes 25 years before that player will reach 10,000 hours. Not much instant gratification can be expected from this situation, and yet coaches and ultimately the players are constantly under pressure to produce results.
Once the decision has been made to join and play for an Academy traveling team, how much time are the player and the parents willing to invest with that team? The reality is these days youth soccer is an investment of time, effort, energy and yes, money. Involvement and improvement vary based on the age group. Patience and understanding are the keys for U.7 through U.12.
Parental involvement, support and commitment are an essential element of developing top-level soccer players.
CIYSL games, State Cup and tournaments demand weekend commitments of parents or families as well as expenses related to those activities.
Parents must help players maintain a proper balance between the strong demands of a semi or full traveling team and other critical elements in their lives, such as education, family, religiion and other activities. Parents must also provide continual encouragement and not let "their" disappointments or frustration (with their child's initiative, playing time, playing positions, level of play, etc.) degrade the child's attitude and committment.
Parents and players must recognize when a player joins a JGSA travel team that playing time and positions are not guaranteed and will vary based on the team's needs, player ability, player effort during the game, player illness and the mix of players and opponent match-ups.
Soccer is an intense, action packed sport. Consequently, it is easy to forget the "purpose", which is to develop players and teams, not just winning at all costs.
Sidline coaching by parents will not be tolerated. No matter how good your intentions are, we insist there be no shouting instruction to your child or yelling to officials during games. Your vocal support and positive encouragement are welcome after a good play. It is important that players not be distracted, and that players are only given one set of instructions, by one voice, before, during and after practices and games.
For this reason, John Gaspar insists the coaching staff be the only "coaching voice" at all games involving JGSA team.
The JGSA's first concern/attention is for the long-term development of your child's soccer skills, and there will be times players are instructed to do things parents don't understand. Player and team development will sometimes be given a greater priority than winning. Parents and players must understand this and conduct themselves in a matter consistent with a healthy team enviornment.
Parents, at the appropriate time, please feel free to communicate and ask questions about your child (in a professional manner\approach) directly to John Gaspar. Please do not approach your child's team coach or manager with any questions regarding, playing time, field positions or coaching decisions. Again, all questions regarding the player, the team or the game should and must be directed to the JGSA Director of Coaching, John Gaspar.
Please take the initiative to teach your child to speak up and communicate for themselves. Whenever possible, his/her coach will always be available for discussion with your player.
JGSA Semi and Full Competitive Team Program (Traveling Team)
Soccer is a game of Skill...Technique...Physical Endurance...Sportsmanship...and Fun, but nevertheless, it is a full contact sport. If, for any reason you may feel that your child may get hurt playing this game, then it is advisable that your child not participate.
There are three core components that must be met before the Academy will commit to a semi or full travel team. (a) High quality coaching; (b) Full parental support; and (c) Full player commitment.
The Academy will commit to provide high-level competition to challenge and develop higher skilled male and female players "if" all three core components are in place.
Try-outs are never easy for any child.
John Gaspar and the developmental coaching staff form the Academy travel teams.
Ideally, players are evaluated and selected over an extended period of time through the Academy's Developmental Program and at the Soccer Centre indoor activities, such as leagues, indoor tournaments and outdoor clinics/camps.
Player Evaluation/Selection
Player performance will be evaluated by observing the player under pressure and in the process of training and games.
Only the JGSA coaching staff will confer in matters of player's evaluation and selection. There are many terms used to categorize and describe soccer abilities. Present and potential JGSA team players will be evaluated in four (4) areas. These are (not in specific order of importance):
A) Mental dimensions (character, discipline and leadership)
B) Physical dimensions (Agility, coordination, speed, overall fitness)
C) Technical compentence (Skill development and usage)
D) Tactical awareness (Ability to read the game)
If you have any questions about the meaning of these terms, please ask the JGSA staff. The coaches will base their decisions solely on those four area.
Player and family commitment is a key element and is required to join and succeed on any Academy Travel Team.
The coaches will base their decisions solely on those four areas and they are responsible to make decisions for the good of the JGSA and the teams.
Politics, friendships, personal relationships and financial contribution to the JGSA teams or the organization itself will not enter into those decisions.
Your understanding here is avery important, for just as players and parents have freedom to select a soccer organization without unfair pressure and with a full understanding of what is expected, the JGSA coaching staff needs the same freedom to work objectively.
We (parents and JGSA coaches) will not always agree on issues as sensitive as player evaluation and selection. The JGSA coaches hope that you will respect our attempt to be objective in these matters.
The Player
You are not under any pressure to join the JGSA. Instead, we hope that you and your parents will consider all of your options and choose what will be best for you, taking in consideration your goals and aspirations as a person and as a soccer player.
Once you commit to joining the JGSA, you agree to abide by the policies of your team.
As a member of the JGSA you are responsible for your own performance and conduct. Honesty, communication and reliability will be expected of you at all times.
The JGSA asks that you care about yourself and the sport of soccer. This requires that you maintain a healthy lifestyle, a healthy team attitude, a personal sense of sportsmanship and fair play.
During the soccer year, you and your team will be participating in practices, league competitions and tournaments. Your coaches will make decisions on player selections, game lineups, player positions, amount of playing time, tournament participation, ect. Players must be positive in fulfilling the role they are asked to perform for the team at any moment, even if that role has them not playing at all, coming off the bench, or playing different positions.
Nutrition and rest are also part of your responsibility as a member of the JGSA. We (coaches) expect you to eat nutritious, healthy food in a timely manner, so as not to interfere with your performance. If you do not know what you should be eating , have your parents check with your family doctor.
Parents Pledge - Behaviors
As a member of the JGSA, I fully support their efforts to keep the game of soccer fun for the children. In supporting this effort, I pledge to abide by the following:
I will use only positive words of encouragement to the players. I will not degrade referees, players or coaches, either verbally or with my actions.
I will lend the young players my support in a positive manner, not pointing out their mistakes, leaving that the the coach.
I will ensure that the player brings equipment to and from all soccer activities and wears them when appropriate.
I will avoid rewarding my player with materialistic rewards.
I will never criticize the players, his or her teammates, coach or organization.
I will ensure that players of the JGSA refrain from using foul language.
I will allow the players to think for themselves on the field by not constantly shouting instruction from the sideline.
I will hold the ideals of sportsmanship, integrity and respect above all other things. At every opportunity, I will teach and encourage the players to do the same by my words and actions.
I will treat all JGSA members, opponents, officials and coaches with courtesy, respect and good sportsmanship.
I will be a good role model, not only for my child, but also for all players with the JGSA by showing proper respect for authority and complying with decisioins that are made both on and off the field.
I will support and abide by all JGSA policies and teach the children to do the same. If I disagree with certain policies, I will voice my concerns to John Gaspar in the appropriate manner.
I will keep in mind that the JGSA emphasis is on the player development in a safe, fun environment and not primarily on winning.
I will represent the JGSA with values, principles and ethics of the highest standards both on and off the field, and my sideline behavior will be of the highest standards with no verbal or physical abuse towards anyone.
Spectator Expections
Remember that children play organized sports for their own fun. They are not there to entertain you and they are not miniature pro athletes.
Encourage players to always play according the the rules/laws of the game.
As adults we have to set the right example for the players. The lessons of teamwork and fair play are lost on our children when we as adults act inappropriate at games and practices.
This John Gaspar Soccer Academy manual is the work of John and Chris Gaspar.
