Membership Growth and Retention · Membership Growth and Retention This section is divided into two sections. The first is focused on player retention at younger ages by fostering

2/20/20102/20/2010 Strategic Planning Strategic Planning -- Operations Operations Effectiveness Effectiveness

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Membership Growth and Membership Growth and RetentionRetention

This section is divided into two sections. This section is divided into two sections.

The first is focused on player retention at younger ages by fostThe first is focused on player retention at younger ages by fostering Academy programs ering Academy programs in every State. This section heavily draws from a study preparein every State. This section heavily draws from a study prepared by Dave Verso. Dave d by Dave Verso. Dave is a former AYSO administrator who left AYSO over fundamental diis a former AYSO administrator who left AYSO over fundamental disagreements with sagreements with how AYSO promotes how AYSO promotes ““balanced teams.balanced teams.”” Today he has one son who is a member of the Today he has one son who is a member of the Galaxy USSF Development Academy and another son playing for a hiGalaxy USSF Development Academy and another son playing for a highly ranked US ghly ranked US Youth Soccer affiliated team in California South. Research intoYouth Soccer affiliated team in California South. Research into membership and child membership and child development led Dave to the conclusion that an Academy style prodevelopment led Dave to the conclusion that an Academy style program similar to what gram similar to what currently exists in many Statecurrently exists in many State’’s including Indiana, Georgia, Kansas and North Texas will s including Indiana, Georgia, Kansas and North Texas will significantly increase player retention. significantly increase player retention.

The Committee recommends that US Youth Soccer develop a program The Committee recommends that US Youth Soccer develop a program to promote the to promote the advantages of the Academy concept at young ages, including highladvantages of the Academy concept at young ages, including highlighting the successes ighting the successes of programs and creating a defined standard and rules much as waof programs and creating a defined standard and rules much as was gone with the s gone with the implementation of small sided games.implementation of small sided games.

Second, the Committee recommends the development of a standard sSecond, the Committee recommends the development of a standard set of rules and et of rules and protocols allowing high school aged youth players and adults to protocols allowing high school aged youth players and adults to play in leagues jointly play in leagues jointly sanctioned with USASA affiliated leagues. Additionally, the Comsanctioned with USASA affiliated leagues. Additionally, the Committee recommends the mittee recommends the creation of an outreach program to players who are college age tcreation of an outreach program to players who are college age targeted at students on argeted at students on college campuses. college campuses.


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Membership Growth and Membership Growth and Retention Retention -- AcademiesAcademies

Commonly cited reasons for youth sports Commonly cited reasons for youth sports participation:participation:

having fun, having fun, improving skills, improving skills, developing fitness, developing fitness, being with friends, being with friends, achieving success, achieving success, experiencing thrills and excitement. experiencing thrills and excitement.


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Research related to player development has Research related to player development has confirmed the following:confirmed the following:

•• FlowFlow -- CsikszentmihalyiCsikszentmihalyioo Deep enjoyment results from the acquisition and successful Deep enjoyment results from the acquisition and successful

performance across a wide range of activitiesperformance across a wide range of activities•• Deliberate practice Deliberate practice -- EricssonEricsson

oo Expert performance is primarily due to deliberate Expert performance is primarily due to deliberate practicepractice designed to optimize improvementdesigned to optimize improvement

•• SensitiveSensitive AgesAges -- DrabikDrabikoo Targeting training during the period when the bodyTargeting training during the period when the body’’s development s development

is most receptiveis most receptive


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CsikszentmihalyiCsikszentmihalyi’’ s Flow Theorys Flow Theory

An enjoyable experience is an activity that An enjoyable experience is an activity that provides a sense of personal accomplishment. provides a sense of personal accomplishment. Such an activity includes:Such an activity includes:

•• Setting Appropriate goals;Setting Appropriate goals;•• Developing skills;Developing skills;•• Becoming immersed in the activity;Becoming immersed in the activity;•• Paying attention to what is happening; and,Paying attention to what is happening; and,•• Learning to enjoy the immediate experience.Learning to enjoy the immediate experience.


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CsikszentmihalyiCsikszentmihalyi’’ s Flow Theorys Flow TheoryIntense Enjoyment Zone

Boredom Zone

Anxiety Zone

High

High

Low

Low

Challenge Level

Skill Level


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Overview of role of deliberate practice in expert performance Overview of role of deliberate practice in expert performance --EricssonEricsson

•• In most domains, people become experts through a regimen of In most domains, people become experts through a regimen of 10,000 hours of deliberate practice10,000 hours of deliberate practice designed to optimize designed to optimize improvement.improvement.

•• Differences between experts and nonDifferences between experts and non--experts are closely related to experts are closely related to the amount of deliberate practice.the amount of deliberate practice.

•• Many characteristics once believed toMany characteristics once believed to be innate talent are actually the be innate talent are actually the result of intense practice.result of intense practice.

•• People that start earlier in childhood accumulate more accumulatPeople that start earlier in childhood accumulate more accumulated ed practice and obtain higher levels of expertise.practice and obtain higher levels of expertise.

•• Children that show early promise are given additional training, Children that show early promise are given additional training, support support and encouragement.and encouragement.


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DeliberateDeliberate practicepractice requirements requirements -- EricssonEricsson

•• Motivation exert effort to improve performance.Motivation exert effort to improve performance.•• InstructorInstructor with proper training knowledge;with proper training knowledge; understanding of the understanding of the

players so appropriate level of task is used. players so appropriate level of task is used. •• Immediate, informative feedback and knowledge of results of Immediate, informative feedback and knowledge of results of

their performance. their performance. •• Repeatedly perform the same or similar tasks.Repeatedly perform the same or similar tasks.•• LimitLimit to short periods of regular practice time to prevent to short periods of regular practice time to prevent

burnout and injury.burnout and injury. Increase practice amount with age.Increase practice amount with age.


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Sensitive periods Sensitive periods -- DrabikDrabik

Sensitive periods are the times in human life when the brain andSensitive periods are the times in human life when the brain andparts of the body are undergoing intensive development and are parts of the body are undergoing intensive development and are most responsive to certain stimulimost responsive to certain stimuli .. Once the developing system Once the developing system has matured and the sensitive period has passed, the child must has matured and the sensitive period has passed, the child must expendexpend much more effort to acquire the ability.much more effort to acquire the ability.

•• Training is most effective on maturing abilitiesTraining is most effective on maturing abilities•• Vary focus of activity by timing of individual developmentVary focus of activity by timing of individual development•• Boys differ from girlsBoys differ from girls•• Motor ability periods are shorter for girls than boysMotor ability periods are shorter for girls than boys


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Sensitive periods for components of coordinationSensitive periods for components of coordination -- DrabikDrabik

TypeType BoysBoys AgesAges Girls AgesGirls Ages

BalanceBalance 10 10 -- 1111 9 9 -- 1010Movement adequacyMovement adequacy 9 9 -- 1212 9 9 -- 1212Kinesthetic differentiationKinesthetic differentiation 6 6 -- 7, 10 7, 10 --1111 6 6 -- 7, 10 7, 10 -- 1111Rhythmic motionRhythmic motion 9 9 --1010 7 7 -- 99Spatial OrientationSpatial Orientation 12 12 --1414 12 12 -- 1414SynchronizationSynchronization 6 6 -- 88 6 6 -- 88


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Developmental ImplicationsDevelopmental Implications

•• It is very important for enjoyment and effectiveness It is very important for enjoyment and effectiveness that that challenge is matched with current ability.challenge is matched with current ability.

•• An earlyAn early start providesstart provides significant developmental advantages significant developmental advantages and accumulated practice.and accumulated practice.

•• Programs should be focused on individual skill development.Programs should be focused on individual skill development.•• Sports and physical activities should be chosen to exercise a Sports and physical activities should be chosen to exercise a

wide range of movement patterns (ex wide range of movement patterns (ex -- soccer, gymnastics, soccer, gymnastics, martial arts and swimming).martial arts and swimming).


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Natural and Developmental Differences in Natural and Developmental Differences in childrenchildren

•• Size, strength & speedSize, strength & speed•• AthleticismAthleticism•• TrainingTraining•• ExperienceExperience•• Stage ofStage of physical/cognitive developmentphysical/cognitive development


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Distribution of Soccer Ability by Chronological AgeDistribution of Soccer Ability by Chronological Age


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Characteristics of Youth Soccer Games With Highly Characteristics of Youth Soccer Games With Highly Heterogeneous Ability LevelsHeterogeneous Ability Levels

•• High rated players control level of play; Low rated High rated players control level of play; Low rated players have players have little impact on gameslittle impact on games

•• High rated players get vast majority of touches; Low High rated players get vast majority of touches; Low rated players rated players get very few touchesget very few touches

•• High rated players score almost all goals; Low and High rated players score almost all goals; Low and middle rated players can middle rated players can go years with out scoringgo years with out scoring

•• High rated players often feel unchallenged; Low High rated players often feel unchallenged; Low rated players are often rated players are often not mentally engaged in playnot mentally engaged in play


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IsIs entry level (non select) soccer fulfillingentry level (non select) soccer fulfilling reasons for reasons for participation?participation?

having fun, having fun, For most no For most no improving skills,improving skills, Not very wellNot very welldeveloping fitness, developing fitness, For those engagedFor those engagedbeing with friends, being with friends, In many casesIn many casesachieving success, achieving success, For most noFor most noexperiencing thrills and excitement. experiencing thrills and excitement. For most noFor most no

Conclusion Conclusion –– We are failing our playersWe are failing our players. As a result . As a result they leave the game.they leave the game.


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The Numbers lost from Soccer in California South - alone


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Conclusion Conclusion ––

A program designed to retain players has A program designed to retain players has the potential to increase membership in the potential to increase membership in California South, targeted at players ages California South, targeted at players ages 5 to 10, by 80,000 in 8 years.5 to 10, by 80,000 in 8 years.


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Growth area: Stratification by ability within age group (AKA "travel," "Competitive," or "club") – we are losing the “recreational player”


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Programs focused on teams lead to player attrition. Programs focused on teams lead to player attrition.

•• Restrictions are placed on player movement for team stability.Restrictions are placed on player movement for team stability.•• Rosters are filled with redundant players so teams will have enoRosters are filled with redundant players so teams will have enough ugh

players.players.•• Players outside activities must adjust to team schedules.Players outside activities must adjust to team schedules.•• Limited numbers of capable coaches only work with their team.Limited numbers of capable coaches only work with their team.•• Practices focused on preparing teams to win, which at young agesPractices focused on preparing teams to win, which at young ages

too often leads to a reduction of technical training in favor oftoo often leads to a reduction of technical training in favor of tactics tactics ““that win.that win.””

•• Early migration to Early migration to ““competitive teamscompetitive teams”” that pthat prematurely removes rematurely removes manymany good parent coaches from nongood parent coaches from non--select programs and further select programs and further leads to the premature emphasis on tactics over skill acquisitioleads to the premature emphasis on tactics over skill acquisition. n.

•• An emphasis on selecting the An emphasis on selecting the ““early maturing playerearly maturing player”” who dominate who dominate with their physical presence rather than technical skill. with their physical presence rather than technical skill.


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The Alternative The Alternative –– Our Recommendation Our Recommendation –– Academy format, no Teams Academy format, no Teams for U5 to U10.for U5 to U10.

Format:Format: 2 day per week combination of game and practice lasting 90 minu2 day per week combination of game and practice lasting 90 minutes. Because tes. Because players are not assigned to a team they can attend one session oplayers are not assigned to a team they can attend one session or both, giving families the r both, giving families the flexibility to participate in soccer AND other activities. A chflexibility to participate in soccer AND other activities. A choice we may lose is not forced on oice we may lose is not forced on families.families.

Procedure:Procedure: Sessions are Sessions are warmup;skillwarmup;skill 1; 4v4 1; 4v4 game;skillgame;skill 2; game 2; Points are give for goals 2; game 2; Points are give for goals and using skills. Players are grouped by 3 level of ability and and using skills. Players are grouped by 3 level of ability and are moved up and down based on are moved up and down based on points.points.

Results:Results: Closer games with higher player involvementCloser games with higher player involvement

Pros:Pros: High skill focused playerHigh skill focused player involvement; Dynamic player movement; reduces concerns involvement; Dynamic player movement; reduces concerns about wins. Parent Coaches become involved in the game for they about wins. Parent Coaches become involved in the game for they are taught the sessions are taught the sessions ““skillskill”” and the parent coaches in turn teach the players. and the parent coaches in turn teach the players.

Cons: Parents are conditioned to think only in terms of a team aCons: Parents are conditioned to think only in terms of a team and resist change. nd resist change.


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Coach feedback of developmental model.Coach feedback of developmental model.

•• 22 of 26 coaches were favorable to extremely 22 of 26 coaches were favorable to extremely favorable of the approach, 2 neutral, two favorable of the approach, 2 neutral, two slightly unfavorable.slightly unfavorable.

•• Most ardent supporters of system were Most ardent supporters of system were coaches with most experience.coaches with most experience.

•• Parents and childrenParents and children’’s reaction at the s reaction at the conclusion of the three month session was conclusion of the three month session was positive.positive.


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Most common benefits cited.Most common benefits cited.

•• Younger/weaker/smaller players were:Younger/weaker/smaller players were:oo More confident; less intimidated; developed better; More confident; less intimidated; developed better;

more engaged; more touches, more sense of more engaged; more touches, more sense of contribution; more likely to play.contribution; more likely to play.

•• Other commonly cited benefitsOther commonly cited benefitsoo Hi rated players challenged; more players scoring; Hi rated players challenged; more players scoring;

fewer dominating players; closer games.fewer dominating players; closer games.


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One CoachOne Coach’’s Summarization.s Summarization.

““I have 3 boys and 1 girl. 21 seasons combined between them. For I have 3 boys and 1 girl. 21 seasons combined between them. For one of one of my boys, my boys, ““unbalancedunbalanced”” (developmental model) has allowed him to enjoy (developmental model) has allowed him to enjoy soccer. soccer. ““This is the best season one for him because ... after getting smThis is the best season one for him because ... after getting smoked for 3 oked for 3 years, he is finally matched up against kids of his skill level.years, he is finally matched up against kids of his skill level. This year the This year the game is almost as important as the snacks.game is almost as important as the snacks.““Is it better to have Is it better to have ““balancebalance”” (current AYSO model) at the expense of (current AYSO model) at the expense of creating human cones or is it better to test the skill players acreating human cones or is it better to test the skill players against skill gainst skill players and let the other kids play at their level?players and let the other kids play at their level?””

Tim R Tim R –– AYSO U8 coachAYSO U8 coach


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Ideal Program Objectives.Ideal Program Objectives.

To provide high quality, mastery focused technical To provide high quality, mastery focused technical training and gamestraining and games geared to promotegeared to promote long term long term enjoyment of the sportenjoyment of the sport

•• Player FocusedPlayer Focused•• Low CostLow Cost•• Flexible implementationFlexible implementation•• EducationalEducational


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Player Focused.Player Focused.

•• Ability GroupedAbility Grouped•• Flexibility for players to switch groups to match Flexibility for players to switch groups to match

current state of developmentcurrent state of development•• Ability to participate more or less depending on Ability to participate more or less depending on

current focus and interest levelcurrent focus and interest level•• Schedule based on space and availability rather Schedule based on space and availability rather

than team and/or coach needsthan team and/or coach needs


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Low Cost.Low Cost.

•• Parent volunteer utilizationParent volunteer utilization•• Local playLocal play•• Limited equipment needsLimited equipment needs


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Flexible Implementation At the Local Level.Flexible Implementation At the Local Level.

•• Complete Program/Practice only/Supplemental Complete Program/Practice only/Supplemental clinicclinic

•• Accommodates large and small programsAccommodates large and small programs•• StructuredStructured forfor a variety of space sizesa variety of space sizes•• Variable "season" lengthsVariable "season" lengths•• Can be implemented within existing US Youth Can be implemented within existing US Youth

Soccer clubs, Parks & Soccer clubs, Parks & RecsRecs programs, Hispanic programs, Hispanic leaguesleagues

Documents

Membership Growth and Retention · Membership Growth and Retention This section is divided into two sections. The first is focused on player retention at younger ages by fostering