|| PRESIDENT ’ S CORNER

DR . DAVID CARR // UNITED SOCCER COACHES PRESIDENT , MEMBER SINCE 1974

“ Education is not preparation for life , education is life itself .” John Dewey

“ Success is no accident . It is hard work , perseverance , learning , studying , sacrifice and most of all , love of what you are doing or learning to do .”

Pelé

One of the most important responsibilities of United Soccer Coaches is to provide information , instruction , feedback and clarity to coaches at every level of the game . Nearly every aspect of coaching players at every level is available . This information is designed to meet the demands of coaches who live busy lives .

My background will tell you that I believe in coaching education . As I approach the end of my fifth decade as a teacher and coach , there has been a lot I have learned to cement this belief . As I started my journey as an eager 18 year old wanting to become a physical educator and coach , I was introduced to a textbook that would help me build a foundation that serves me today . The book , Teaching Physical Education by Muska Mosston and Sara Ashworth , identifies various learning styles that impact the individual learning process , especially cognitive development . It is important for all coaches to understand individual growth and development . Mosston and Ashworth ’ s Spectrum of Teaching Styles reflects a philosophy of education which promotes independence in decision-making , independence in seeking alternatives and independence in learning .

A key to Mosston and Ashworth ’ s teaching was “ The Slanted-Line Concept ” which is the belief that all children have a right to participate in activities at their own ability level . Children will not continue activities in which they are eliminated or must wait to take turns . This led to the inclusion of the 3 L ’ s ( No Laps , No Lines and No Lectures ) in the National Youth License that was initially developed for US Youth Soccer nearly 30 years ago . This course was updated in 2020 utilizing nearly 25 years of research conducted in youth soccer and is now The National Youth Diploma .

You discipline those under your supervision to correct , to help , to improve — not to punish .”

John Wooden

I am concerned that physical punishment is used by too many coaches at every level as an attempt to correct technical or tactical mistakes or to change what is judged to be

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