Understanding Soccer

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It is How You Play the Game

1/17/2017

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Good coaching emphasizes the development of the individuals and not just their playing skills.  This includes developing leadership, self-confidence and a striving to do their best.
My goalkeepers understand that they are not defined by the score of their game.
I learned this lesson many years ago as a ten year old at summer camp.  I played many sports and was accustomed to winning. Towards the end of the summer I pitched a one hitter, but lost the softball game in the last inning 1-0.  I was so upset about losing that I went to my bunk and cried.
Later, a counselor who I was very fond of and respected visited me in my bunk.  He said very little except that I should have been proud of the game I had pitched.  He left me with an interesting book on baseball that included an inscription on the inside front cover.
I did not realize it at the time, but those words changed my life.  It was a quote by the great sports writer Grantland Rice (1880-1954).
“For when the One Great Scorer comes To mark against your name, He writes – not that you won or lost – But HOW you played the Game.I realized that I had given it my best and was one out away from defeating a stronger team.  In the following days I was often told, “great game”. Having lost no longer seemed to matter.
My subsequent athletic career included undefeated seasons, winless seasons and the whole range of results in-between. Although winning was always enjoyable, I realized that it was the enjoyment of playing and doing my best was what mattered.
When I discuss my playing days with my goalkeeper students, it is usually about a game that I had done well that but resulted in a loss. (See lessons from a 6-0 loss).
In most instances, winning is a by-product of this attitude.
See “Lessons From A 6-0 Loss” 
Click here
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    Alan Rubin

    Goalie coach for Youth Soccer in Western, MA

    ​Goalkeeper coach Taconic HS girl's soccer team

    Certified NSCAA Level 1, 2 & 3 Goalkeeper  Coach

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