DBSS Parent Expectations and a Father/Son Story
1. SPECTATE AND SUPPORT - There will be no parental coaching or input for the duration of DBSS sessions unless identified and utilized as a DBSS staff member.
2. FUEL THEIR HUNGER POSITIVELY - Refrain from discussing player performance, effort, or attitude immediately after a DBSS session or any game or training session for that matter. If a child/player initiates that conversation then proceed with positive feedback and understanding, allowing the child to guide the conversation.
3. TRUST - Trust the Dan Bulley Soccer School to push the physical and mental limitations, educate, and encourage your child throughout sessions and to provide feedback when necessary. This will include constructive criticism and if needed, a stern talking to/time out situation for unacceptable behavior (see player expectations).
4. ENJOY - Watch your child grow as a player and person under DBSS. We endeavor to bring the best out of each and every participant and put smiles on faces in a fun and challenging environment.
5. ENCOURAGE - Coach and Player conversation/Interaction. Parents are welcome to ask for feedback and invited to join players in a group discussion but we place the emphasis on players to engage in talks with coaches.
6. RESPECT - Show respect for fellow parents who like yourself dedicate their time and efforts to providing their child with the best opportunities to develop in life through soccer.
7. MINGLE - Pertaining to #6 you are not alone! Meet someone new, shake someone's hand, get to know someone and share the DBSS experience with other families.
Parents, let me be the first to thank you for all of your efforts ahead of time. Personally, I have my father to thank for providing me with opportunities to put me in situations which have helped lead me to this wonderful time of my life.
Dad and I shared many memories together when I played. He saw me score my first goal, an amazing strike on goal (from 2 yards), He stood on sidelines in freezing cold weather, he totaled a car on the way to a tournament (not his fault - not mine either!), and was my hardest critic (see #2 ;).
As a player growing up in an old school environment, I reacted positively to a stern voice if I was having an off game. It drove me to train hard and spend hours upon hours of keeping the ball in the air under the street light in the heavy rain or snow. My father was my first coach and he pushed me harder than any other coach I have had. I even tried walking up the hill after he asked me to run a couple of laps around the block in the neighborhood we lived in. Little did I know he would be stood at the top ready to catch me slacking! This was very much a command style approach and I would say it worked for me.
Nowadays, as a coach, I am taught to be the cooperative style coach. I invite players to provide feedback, have a say somewhat in what sessions may consist of. This all-inclusive method keeps players engaged and makes them feel a part of the plan. Don't get me wrong, we all need a nudge once in a while for being lazy or for slacking off but if the environment is a positive one for players, they are more likely to want to come back for more, more likely to engage in conversation with you, and more likely to stick around the game long enough to develop at rapid rates.
I hope your experience with DBSS is one that will create memories for you and your children and a piece of the puzzle towards your child's success later in life.
1. SPECTATE AND SUPPORT - There will be no parental coaching or input for the duration of DBSS sessions unless identified and utilized as a DBSS staff member.
2. FUEL THEIR HUNGER POSITIVELY - Refrain from discussing player performance, effort, or attitude immediately after a DBSS session or any game or training session for that matter. If a child/player initiates that conversation then proceed with positive feedback and understanding, allowing the child to guide the conversation.
3. TRUST - Trust the Dan Bulley Soccer School to push the physical and mental limitations, educate, and encourage your child throughout sessions and to provide feedback when necessary. This will include constructive criticism and if needed, a stern talking to/time out situation for unacceptable behavior (see player expectations).
4. ENJOY - Watch your child grow as a player and person under DBSS. We endeavor to bring the best out of each and every participant and put smiles on faces in a fun and challenging environment.
5. ENCOURAGE - Coach and Player conversation/Interaction. Parents are welcome to ask for feedback and invited to join players in a group discussion but we place the emphasis on players to engage in talks with coaches.
6. RESPECT - Show respect for fellow parents who like yourself dedicate their time and efforts to providing their child with the best opportunities to develop in life through soccer.
7. MINGLE - Pertaining to #6 you are not alone! Meet someone new, shake someone's hand, get to know someone and share the DBSS experience with other families.
Parents, let me be the first to thank you for all of your efforts ahead of time. Personally, I have my father to thank for providing me with opportunities to put me in situations which have helped lead me to this wonderful time of my life.
Dad and I shared many memories together when I played. He saw me score my first goal, an amazing strike on goal (from 2 yards), He stood on sidelines in freezing cold weather, he totaled a car on the way to a tournament (not his fault - not mine either!), and was my hardest critic (see #2 ;).
As a player growing up in an old school environment, I reacted positively to a stern voice if I was having an off game. It drove me to train hard and spend hours upon hours of keeping the ball in the air under the street light in the heavy rain or snow. My father was my first coach and he pushed me harder than any other coach I have had. I even tried walking up the hill after he asked me to run a couple of laps around the block in the neighborhood we lived in. Little did I know he would be stood at the top ready to catch me slacking! This was very much a command style approach and I would say it worked for me.
Nowadays, as a coach, I am taught to be the cooperative style coach. I invite players to provide feedback, have a say somewhat in what sessions may consist of. This all-inclusive method keeps players engaged and makes them feel a part of the plan. Don't get me wrong, we all need a nudge once in a while for being lazy or for slacking off but if the environment is a positive one for players, they are more likely to want to come back for more, more likely to engage in conversation with you, and more likely to stick around the game long enough to develop at rapid rates.
I hope your experience with DBSS is one that will create memories for you and your children and a piece of the puzzle towards your child's success later in life.