Terminology and Expectations 

Terminology and Expectations Based Upon Soccer Performance Level 

Recreational Level:

Definition

To build the love of soccer in players who are interested in the sport but do not have the commitment or drive to pursue soccer at a competitive level.

Requirements

1. A joy in playing soccer.
2. Respect for other players and coaches.
3. Willingness to work as part of a team.
4. Willingness to support each other.
5. Recognize objective is to perform your best in support of requirements 1 through 4.
6. Recreational soccer is not about win / loss records.  It is about the fun that comes from the personal growth of each player.

Competitive Level

Definition

For those who have a love of soccer and are committed to advancing within the sport either for personal development or professional ambitions.

Requirements

1. Dedication to full commitment and effort in all aspects of the sport.
2. Reliability for fulfilling training, conditioning, and performance expectations.
3. Respect for other players, coaches, and soccer professionals.
4. Fulfill obligations of support to other players and the team as a whole.
5. Accept accountability for own actions and hold others accountable – shared responsibility.
6. Development of critical thinking including problem solving based upon learned skills during training.  (Specifically, a competitive soccer player realizes that training provides general skills and in competitive soccer they are able to take the general skills and apply them as situations arise.  This is an application of creativity and innovative thinking that is crucial for higher level soccer.)
7. Measure yourself through competition to develop as a player and as a person.

Competitive soccer is measured by the growth of character traits and the performance level as compared to others.

Expectations of a Soccer Team

Definition of Team -

“A team is a small number of people with complementary skills who are committed to a common purpose, performance goals, and approach for which they are mutually accountable." (Katzenbach and Smith, 1993)

In soccer, there are basic characteristics that differentiate a group of players from a soccer team.

1. Common Purpose – In teams, there is an understanding that mutual support is important for the accomplishment of team and individual player goals.  You do not sacrifice your responsibility for supporting the team for your own individual agendas.  Through mutual support great achievements are made with a team.
2. A Sense of Ownership – Each player feels a sense of ownership in their respective positions for the goals and achievements of the team.  Players, coaches, and parents demonstrate a commitment to the principles and goals of the team.
3. Creativity – Each player contributes to the overall success of the team and individual player development through the application of their own individual talents, experience, knowledge and creativity to objectives.
4. Communication – Each player on a team should feel trust to communicate feelings, questions, observations and opinions to hold themselves and others responsible for individual and team performance,   As with any group conflicts will arise, when you are a part of a team you view conflicts as an opportunity for growth and creativity for new ideas.  Conflicts should be resolved quickly in a direct constructive manner.
5. Personal Support – Each player on a team should feel supported for individual growth and development.
6. Respect – Each player on a team has an assumption of good faith and competence in another person and in one’s self.  Depth of integrity, trust, complementary moral values, and skill are necessary components. 
   

   Trust is demonstrated through consistency of claimed intent and action, with responsibility for inconsistencies and adjustment of moral values and expectations as needed.  

   Integrity is demonstrated through accountability of one’s actions with outcome and adjustment of principles as necessary. 

   Skill is demonstrated by reaching or exceeding one’s goals. 

   Complementary moral values are achieved by either an agreed upon convergence of ideas or a combative elimination of inferior principles as demonstrated by failure to reach one’s goals.

   Reliability is demonstrated through the full participation in all practices, trainings (team and individual), and games to one’s fullest ability.  Reliability enables players to work together in a supportive (complimentary) manner.

   Respect is “earned” when someone (player, coach, parent, etc.) demonstrates all of the necessary components.

   For example, a soccer team is organized to evoke respect through a consensual convergence of ideas amongst teammates, as well as respect through the performance tested elimination of inferior principles of a losing team.  This respect is absent when skill levels, integrity and trust of honorable intentions are not acknowledged.

   Respect between coaches, players, parents and other soccer professionals forms when each demonstrates accountability to the other for goals set and the principles needed to meet those goals.  An environment of mutual respect can lead to dramatic increases in progress, especially when it is recognized by all individuals involved.  Showing this respect includes the following forms:  acknowledging what another person is saying by looking the person in the eye; practicing attentive body posture (i.e. standing up straight -  no slouching, body turned toward person speaking, etc.); restating what has been shared;  providing feedback as appropriate, asking questions when appropriate; and  participating in all practices, preparation, trainings and games to one’s fullest ability.

7. Leadership – On a soccer team, players work in a structured environment, they know what boundaries exist and who has final authority.  The coach sets agreed high standards of performance and he / she is respected via active, willing participation.

(Katzenbach, J.R. & Smith, D.K. (1993). The Wisdom of Teams: Creating the High -performance Organization. Boston: Harvard Business School.)