IT'S ONLY A GAME: An Essential Handbook for Youth Soccer Coaches
Friends, As a youth soccer coach for more than 15 years, I have learned a few things! This book is the nuts and bolts of being a youth soccer coach, it is not so much a book about how to coach soccer, rather it tells you about the issues you will have to deal with from your team meeting to the end of year post season gathering, and everything in between.
Bruce Brown of www.proactivecoaching.com says:
"... great content and sequencing for youth soccer coaches. So many youth coaches go into the experience thinking, "this will be easy" and then realize that there is so much to learn - then they either say, "forget it, I'll just do it the easiest way or I will coach as I was coached" and the experience is not good for kids. What you have done is take care of a lot of the hurdles volunteer coaches are going to face and give them practical solutions ahead of time.
Well done!"
Enjoy!
Neil
About the Author
 Neil Chasan, referred to warmly as "coach" by his friends, and neighbors, was born in Johannesburg, South Africa where he played soccer from the time he could walk. He wore the covers off more than one ball in his youth! As a young lad, Neil was coached by Sir Stanley Mathews the legendary British coach who was visiting South Africa at the tail end of his illustrious playing career. Neil was privileged to sit in the commentary box while his uncle, Anthony Handley the radio voice of Highlands Park, the local professional first division team, called the game. Later on, Neil was a season ticket holder and went to every single home game that he could.
As a teen, Neil played on his local club team, and also spent summers on "Soccer Tour" where he and 100 other kids would travel by train from city to city playing in tournaments. He also played in the local pick up game in the park across the street from his home with the local adult domestic workers who seemed to have a game going at all times.
As a high school senior, Neil got his first coaching assignment, where he selected, coached and managed the high school team. At Northview High School, a rugby playing school, it was said that the word "soccer" was forbidden! But that didn't stop Neil from creating the first school soccer team in the history of the school. The process required Neil to find and join a league, market and promote the tryouts, select and coach a team, and manage the team from uniforms to travel. At University in Johannesburg, Neil played club soccer until he left South Africa.
On his arrival to the USA, Neil played Washington State First Division with the Meuller Barons, and he coached an Experimental College program titled "Beginning Soccer for Women" at the University of Washington. He played continuously while in college and after until injuries sidelined him.
As the first of his four children came of age in 1993, Neil started coaching youth soccer, and joined the Board of Directors of the Mercer Island Youth Soccer Association. While on the Board, where he served for seven years, Neil created the MIYSC Micro Soccer Program for 5 and 6 year olds, still one of the most effective and popular introductory youth soccer programs around, catering to more than 400 boys and girls each fall.
Neil has coached boys and girls in 8 seasons of Micro soccer, 16 seasons of Rec soccer, 3 seasons of Club Select and Premier soccer, 5 seasons of high school soccer, as well as numerous indoor seasons.
Along the way, Neil earned his National "D" and National "C" licenses from US Soccer, and he has attended numerous professional coaching clinics over the years. he also holds an introductory Referee Certification.
His passion for the game extends to his being a fan, Neil supports and closely follows the Arsenal FC in London England, and locally is a season ticket holder of the Seattle Sounders FC. he has been a fan of the Beautiful Game for as long as he can remember.
Neil lives on Mercer Island in Washington State, just across the lake from Seattle, he is married with four athletic kids, one of whom plays college soccer.
|
 |
|
