Why Do I coach Youth Soccer ?
I often ask myself, "Can I do this another season?"  Well, here we are again at the start of a new spring season, and I look back to see the day I started with a U-6 team.  Oh it was cute and fun, but grew into a winning effort.  The kids showed me that I could have just as much fun being a coach as they do playing the game. 

Don't get me wrong.... it has never really been easy, but what responsible position in life comes easy?  I have had a few parents get on my back for the silliest reasons and scheduling is complicated, especially since I now travel more and more with my work.

Last fall it was hard to be away from the one game I missed.  I was standing in Arizona with Kevin Appier, the starting pitcher for the World Series Champion Angels.  I said.. "Hey Kevin, you know I wish I was coaching my girls right now", He replied with, "They will do just fine coach!"  Believe it or not, they won that game and did me proud!

This year I was having second thoughts until my child said she wanted to play spring and wanted me to coach. 5 years ..... Yep, 5 years have gone by since that first U-6 game.  With each division the game has gotten to me more and more... I want that win as bad as they do ....  But how are you to feel when your first game is a 6 to 1 loss ?  I found myself standing there not to sure of what just happened... when all of a sudden a little blonde haired girl came up from the other team and said .. "Hi Coach!" Boy it was good to see this little one again.  I asked her how it felt to beat "The Coach"... and she had a sad look on her face.  She stood there shaking her head from side to side... and I said... "You would rather be on my team and lose, than against me and win?" and  she  replied  with "Yes!"

I don't think I need to tell you why I am still coaching here in Region 46 after 5 years..... but I will ... "It's for the kids !"

 
Region 46 gave something to me, "Sportsmanship," and now, I shall give in return.  Thanks 46!

Hi, I was just thinking back to the days I used to play soccer back in the late 70's and early 80's.  It was in a small community called the Santa Clarita Valley.  There was Newhall, Canyon Country and Saugus, 3 little towns, 1 AYSO Region... number 46.

What a joy it was to play.  I loved going to practice to learn and get the skills I needed to better my game.  Now, I am a coach in Region 46 and still love to go to practice and better my skills.  Only now, I get to share my thoughts and theory of the game more openly.

A couple of years ago I was taken buy surprise when I recognized the coach for the opposing team...  He and I played together on the same team as kids in 46.  As I approached him, the smiles were ear to ear on both of us.  "Now this is what they call, Full Circle," I said.  "This is great!" he replied.

What a sports community 46 is to me.  Being a coach against former teammates is great, but, when a coach gets his rooster and reads the names, they are just names, unless the player is known by the coach.  Well, one season I opened the rooster and one name stood out more than the others, yet I wasn't sure, but the last name, and the father’s first name were the same as someone I knew as a child growing up in Saugus.  As the team got together, and parents came to practices, there he was... "Coach, do you remember me?" and with out a pause, "Sure I do John, how have you been?"

The sport has changed some, and for the better I might add, I re-call being in goal ALL 4 quarters, every game, and coaches being pretty strict. AYSO Coaches have a more positive coaching approach these days, and negative comments left out!  Still there are coaches who "Yell Loudly," but never negativities, just full support for the kids. "Our coach isn't yelling -AT- us, he is yelling -TO- us," commented a child this past Spring Season.

So as we go on here in 46, and grow in numbers and spirit, remember what we are all about, "The Kids!"

Life's Full Circle, right here in Region 46.  Soccer is a sport, but AYSO Region 46 is a community!

I will close by saying a few words... "Control Gets The Goal!"

I know why I am here in 46... because someone was here for me!
A coaches Story
As we look back on our youth, we remember teachers, principles and coaches!  Ones who educated us will always be remembered, some good, some bad, and as a coach, I only hope for good (positive) memories and learning to those I coach.

On Saturday, Oct. 9th, A.Y.S.O. Region 46 touched my life in "Full Circle" once again.  I am not speaking of coaching against someone I played soccer with here in Saugus, Ca, yet one of my coaches was AR (the line ref) for my GU14 game. When I saw him walk up, all I could say was; "An honor to have you on the field with me sir!", he stood in shock for a moment, and it all came back.  We spoke of my playing and how I am now coaching.  I introduced him to my team as "my coach," and that was a awesome moment in time.

As coaches, I'm sure most have asked ourselves... "Why am I doing this?"... only to see the smiles on the kids faces to remind you.  Look back, recall your youth and the coaches and educators that set fourth the positive attitude in your learning and go with it...  Coaches, you are to be commended for your time and efforts with the children in our Region, our community.

In a previous (GU12) game, after my team won, a player from the other team ran up to me to give me a high-five and say, "Hi Coach!"  Once you set fourth a positive learning experience, you are "Coach!"  What an honor that is.

Over 100 kids... over 100, have called me "Coach" and I honor that. Someone was here for me, and now I am here for them... and finding out, one of those coaches... is "Still Here For Me!" (Control Gets The Goal)