Lenape Valley Soccer Club
Coaching Philosophy
Develop, Inspire, Achieve and Encourage

At Lenape Valley Soccer Club, our goal is to help develop the youth in our community through participation in soccer. We are committed to making this activity a safe and rewarding experience for everyone involved, regardless of age. We will provide recreational, social and physical development for children of all ability levels so that each child will be presented with a positive, supportive, and safe environment.

For the love of the game… player development off the field
As adults we often get wrapped up in the wins and losses, the trophies, and goals scored, but these are not our first priorities when dealing with recreational and travel soccer at the youth age. For a child to play any sport for an extended period they must feel as if they have some ownership in the experience. Work to develop a sense of responsibility in your child to pack his or her own training bag with everything needed for games and practices. Players should also be encouraged to talk with their coaches and ask questions when they arise. If your child can't attend training, please encourage him or her to speak directly to the coaches. This experience should be about enjoying the game, and at the same time, learning and developing soccer AND life skills. If our children are having fun and they are participating fully in the experience, they will continue on the path that soccer can help them pave.

Player development on the field
It is our goal to provide a challenging yet supportive environment, where children can learn from their mistakes without unnecessary pressure and anxiety. Using age appropriate activities allows children to experience, comprehend, and execute the game as it relates to where they are in their own stage of physical and mental development. To ensure each child grows as an individual both on and off the field, we will also teach the necessary technical, tactical and physical skills through a variety of fun drills and games that are educational, engaging and enjoyable for players at all ages and abilities.

Greeting
Players are expected to greet the coaches prior to any training session or game. This can be as simple as a handshake or fist bump.

"What position do you play?"
Any conversation based on sports will invariably include the question, "what position do you play?" It is our opinion, that under the age of 14, every player should have the opportunity to experience all positions on the field. Players should not be stereotyped into specific positions because of speed, size or other qualities. The development of a goalie also requires varied playing opportunities. At U15 and older, players have become more familiar with two or three specific positions, understanding the defensive and offensive roles and expectations that the position entails, and they can begin to specialize in these roles on the field.

Put me in, Coach!
At the recreational level playing time should be equal throughout the season. At the travel level playing time is completely at the coach's discretion and largely dependent upon the competition. At the younger developmental ages (U8-U12) players should be exposed to as much of the game as possible. As athletes age and reach a higher level of soccer (U13+) there is a chance that playing time will vary from game to game.

Trading and Tryouts
Based upon the player's individual abilities, performance, and evaluations created by the head coach and Director of Coaching, athletes will be placed on a roster. Current travel players must attend tryouts week. The club is loyal to players within the club first, but current players may be replaced by players from outside the club causing movement to another team within the organization.

How you do anything, is how you do Everything…
All coaches, players and parents must be aware that any time they travel they are not only representing themselves but they are representing Lenape Valley Soccer Club. It is imperative that players, coaches, and parents are respectful at all times of the opposing team and their parents and fans, the officials, and anyone else attending the game. It is also important that facilities at grounds are left as neatly as they were found. No parent should audibly dispute a referee's decision, enter the field of play or coach from the sidelines. It is the job of parents and coaches to stay positive and motivational throughout each game, and continuing on the car ride home. Do not criticize your child's coach to your child or other parents. If you are not happy with the coach you should raise the issue with the coach. Be your child's biggest fan and support his or her team unconditionally, and you can't go wrong.