Confidence to Show Your Stuff

I never tell a coach how to coach or where to play my kids, but I like to interact with them to learn what is important to them and to find out what my kids may need to work on. I pass this knowledge on to my kids when we practice in the backyard.

Here is an exchange with my daughter's soccer coach.

From: Stats Dad
Sent: Friday, March 19, 2010 2:37 PM
To: Coach Tiffany
Subject: Thanks

Hi Coach,

I have been meaning to talk to you about my daugther prior to the season.

First of all, I am very pleased with her development. Prior to last season she did not have any concept of how to play defense. She was always used as a striker on offense and a goalie on defense, so she never developed defensive skills. She is really turning into a complete player.

I am also very pleased with her offense - she has always been a very smart player with great vision and anticipation. I think that she is even better and her touches are more efficient. 

Here is where I need your help or advise - I would like her to regain her confidence in using her individual moves again. Prior to last year she would school kids with her spin and scissors moves. She has been and always will be an unselfish player, but every game she would put on a show. She did not use them to show off - she used them to create space. I know that the competition is much better, but in my opinion that is more of a reason to work on these moves and not less of a reason.

She does them with me in the backyard all the time, but for some reason she is reluctant to do them in games now. Can you restore her confidence to use these moves in game situations?

Good luck this weekend

Stats Dad


From: Coach Tiffany
Date: March 22, 2010 7:59:11 AM EDT
To: Stats Dad
Subject: RE: Thanks

Stats Dad,

I will work with her.  It seems to me that she is not the only one.  I think the majority of the girls on the team are reluctant to use their moves.  I know they all can do them because we do them in practice.  But for some reason, maybe self-confidence, they shy away from using them in a game situation.

I am pleased with your daughter as well. She is becoming as you said, a more complete player.
 
Thanks for the note

Tiffany