It has been a while since I blogged. Hectic isn't even the word. Last month I had more page views than in any month since I started writing this so I feel a bit like I have been slacking so far in February. There are good reasons trust me!
I get a number of emails each month from young students and coaches looking to work in football. The majority want to work in the professional game, and who can blame them. There are stepping stones and other options, however that need to be experienced or may be a better fit in the long run for that individual. I am lucky to have worked extensively in all of the situations below (with the exception of #3 & #10) and so will share some experiences with you here. It is a very frank and brief insight into working in the sport. Don't take it as gospel as every situation is different. At the same time, be realistic as sometimes you can do everything right and yet still fight a losing battle.
If you work at one of these levels yourself please please please comment and add your own experiences. The more the better!
1. Amateur Youth Football / Soccer
Pay: Usually a volunteer position. Unless you are part of an extensive , professionally run academy, this is probably how it should be.
Hours & responsibilities: 2 - 3 sessions per week, possible game day responsibilities. Sessions may be incorporated with regular training or specialist "fitness" sessions
The atmosphere: A grass-roots position. It may seem to be "bottom of the ladder" on this list, but it is an important role. It is also an important step to go through in your development as a coach. You will have lots of kids and coaches with varying personalities to work with.
The athlete: Players will not be used to having you there. They will not know how to do anything properly. Coaching is very much like teaching at this level, so you will need creativity to make it interesting for the kids, and also be prepared to hold a firm line with them. Try not to blow them away with too much information, education, or over-coaching. Things will not be perfect over-night but understand that any development, little by little, will be a big improvement in the long run. They may never be perfect, but do not take this personally.
The coach: Coaches will vary greatly here. Some may feel threatened (whether they seem to be or not), others will not be able to get enough (and will never leave you alone - usually a good thing). It is best to try to open the lines of communication early on. You may or may not be welcome. This usually depends on who made the decision to bring you in. Try to see this as how you can help the coach rather than how this can help you. Roll with the punches.
Positives: You can mistakes here (as long as they are not mistakes that compromise the safety or wellness of the kids). Generally the kids want to get better. You have the potential to positively impact a lot of careers and lives which is very rewarding.
Negatives: Can be a thankless job for long periods of time, but stick with it and those moments when a kid or a team "gets it" will make it worthwhile.
2. Amateur Football / Soccer
Hours & responsibilities: 2 - 3 sessions per week, possible game day responsibilities. Sessions may be incorporated with regular training or specialist "fitness" sessions
The atmosphere: A grass-roots position. It may seem to be "bottom of the ladder" on this list, but it is an important role. It is also an important step to go through in your development as a coach. You will have lots of kids and coaches with varying personalities to work with.
The athlete: Players will not be used to having you there. They will not know how to do anything properly. Coaching is very much like teaching at this level, so you will need creativity to make it interesting for the kids, and also be prepared to hold a firm line with them. Try not to blow them away with too much information, education, or over-coaching. Things will not be perfect over-night but understand that any development, little by little, will be a big improvement in the long run. They may never be perfect, but do not take this personally.
The coach: Coaches will vary greatly here. Some may feel threatened (whether they seem to be or not), others will not be able to get enough (and will never leave you alone - usually a good thing). It is best to try to open the lines of communication early on. You may or may not be welcome. This usually depends on who made the decision to bring you in. Try to see this as how you can help the coach rather than how this can help you. Roll with the punches.
Positives: You can mistakes here (as long as they are not mistakes that compromise the safety or wellness of the kids). Generally the kids want to get better. You have the potential to positively impact a lot of careers and lives which is very rewarding.
Negatives: Can be a thankless job for long periods of time, but stick with it and those moments when a kid or a team "gets it" will make it worthwhile.
2. Amateur Football / Soccer
Pay: Almost certainly unpaid (apart from post-match chips and the odd bevy)
Hours & responsibilities: May be fairly random, depending on the below. Just getting these guys warming up properly and not going out on the town the night before matches. Adding optional group lifting sessions can go over well and improve the keen players massively.
Hours & responsibilities: May be fairly random, depending on the below. Just getting these guys warming up properly and not going out on the town the night before matches. Adding optional group lifting sessions can go over well and improve the keen players massively.
Carlsberg - probably not the best post-game hydration in the world
The atmosphere: This position usually comes about by knowing someone on the team or the gaffer. Occasionally there may be a amateur team that is serious about moving up divisions, in which case it is more likely to be like a semi-pro set up.
The athlete: The younger lads will likely want to get better, the older boys probably won't care unless they have an injury. Most are just happy to get away from the wife for a little while so don't spend too much time and effort with those that obviously don't care. You can go in as a hard-case but will need the support of the manager.
The coach: Hopefully the coach wants you there. If he doesn't, then there is probably no point. Chances are he hates having to warm the players up before training and matches so that can be your little "kingdom". Sneak some basic modified body weight strength training in there as mobility work, and speed and agility at the end and improvements will be made.
Positives: This is all about being realistic and learning how to work the situation the best way. This may well be valuable experience that can help you later in your career with higher level athletes. It may be enjoyable to be with a team for social reasons.
Negatives: You are probably not going to get as much practice in delivering quality work as in #1, and realistically will not make as much of a difference.
3. UK University Football
I have not worked in this situation and so cannot give you too much. Any comments on how it is at this level would be greatly appreciated!
It seems that things vary greatly. Some teams are run by the "3rd years" and are similar to #2, whilst others (such as Team Bath), are run as a semi pro team (#7). How you approach the situation really depends on the atmosphere at the place.
4. American College Soccer (as part of the S&C staff)
Pay: Can be volunteer ($0), graduate assistant ($5000-$10,000 plus tuition), to full-time ($25,000 - $75,000)
Hours & responsibilities: Always long hours due to working with a number of teams and athletes. Your role will most likely be centered around weight room activities.
The atmosphere: At smaller universities, you may be a one-man-show with little or no budget for help. At larger universities, you may have to deal with less teams and so can focus more on programming for soccer. You will always have to assist in program implementation for other sports. Keep in mind the priority is most likely to be the revenue generating sports such as (American) football, basketball, (ice) hockey, and baseball. The demands on players vary greatly throughout the year going from the most intense (but short season) you can imagine, to periods where no soccer is allowed. The summer and Christmas periods often result in detraining. NCAA rules can be tricky to maintain performance levels during these times.
The athlete: Usually work-horses and do what you tell them without too much thinking, but as always this can vary. Most American players want to work too hard, lift too much, run too much. International players can be very different, depending greatly on their culture, economic background, and training history. Education of nutrition and training principles is key for buy-in during times away from formal training.
The coach: Varies massively. Some are very old school, others are new age and keen to try modern tactics and training methods. It is especially important to set-up regular meeting times as interaction during sessions is difficult. If you have time, getting out on the field is massively important to see (and hopefully in the future monitor training) as it is all too easy to become shoe-boxed in and never leave the weight room.
Positives: You can get buy-in and usually get players globally stronger.
Negatives: Very long hours without much chance to really get things right (beyond the weight room). Tough to individualize. Players are often run into the ground as the "yeah yeah yeah, hussle hussle hussle" culture is rampant.
5. American College Soccer (as part of the coaching staff)
Pay: From unpaid volunteer to a full-time position with all the benefits as an assistant coach.
Hours & responsibilities: Can be a similar role to # 4 if you are a volunteer (except you will only work with soccer), but may extend into other coaching duties including recruiting if you are full-time. Greater budgets and focus is often on women's soccer due to Title IX.
The atmosphere: If the coach wants you there you can have a massive role in the program. I am lucky to be currently in this situation with East Tennessee State University. Coaches may not be used to having a strength and conditioning coach out there on the field with the team. If the coach buys in you can have a bigger impact that in any of the levels here on this blog.
The athlete: The younger lads will likely want to get better, the older boys probably won't care unless they have an injury. Most are just happy to get away from the wife for a little while so don't spend too much time and effort with those that obviously don't care. You can go in as a hard-case but will need the support of the manager.
The coach: Hopefully the coach wants you there. If he doesn't, then there is probably no point. Chances are he hates having to warm the players up before training and matches so that can be your little "kingdom". Sneak some basic modified body weight strength training in there as mobility work, and speed and agility at the end and improvements will be made.
Positives: This is all about being realistic and learning how to work the situation the best way. This may well be valuable experience that can help you later in your career with higher level athletes. It may be enjoyable to be with a team for social reasons.
Negatives: You are probably not going to get as much practice in delivering quality work as in #1, and realistically will not make as much of a difference.
3. UK University Football
I have not worked in this situation and so cannot give you too much. Any comments on how it is at this level would be greatly appreciated!
It seems that things vary greatly. Some teams are run by the "3rd years" and are similar to #2, whilst others (such as Team Bath), are run as a semi pro team (#7). How you approach the situation really depends on the atmosphere at the place.
4. American College Soccer (as part of the S&C staff)
Pay: Can be volunteer ($0), graduate assistant ($5000-$10,000 plus tuition), to full-time ($25,000 - $75,000)
Hours & responsibilities: Always long hours due to working with a number of teams and athletes. Your role will most likely be centered around weight room activities.
The atmosphere: At smaller universities, you may be a one-man-show with little or no budget for help. At larger universities, you may have to deal with less teams and so can focus more on programming for soccer. You will always have to assist in program implementation for other sports. Keep in mind the priority is most likely to be the revenue generating sports such as (American) football, basketball, (ice) hockey, and baseball. The demands on players vary greatly throughout the year going from the most intense (but short season) you can imagine, to periods where no soccer is allowed. The summer and Christmas periods often result in detraining. NCAA rules can be tricky to maintain performance levels during these times.
The athlete: Usually work-horses and do what you tell them without too much thinking, but as always this can vary. Most American players want to work too hard, lift too much, run too much. International players can be very different, depending greatly on their culture, economic background, and training history. Education of nutrition and training principles is key for buy-in during times away from formal training.
The coach: Varies massively. Some are very old school, others are new age and keen to try modern tactics and training methods. It is especially important to set-up regular meeting times as interaction during sessions is difficult. If you have time, getting out on the field is massively important to see (and hopefully in the future monitor training) as it is all too easy to become shoe-boxed in and never leave the weight room.
Positives: You can get buy-in and usually get players globally stronger.
Negatives: Very long hours without much chance to really get things right (beyond the weight room). Tough to individualize. Players are often run into the ground as the "yeah yeah yeah, hussle hussle hussle" culture is rampant.
5. American College Soccer (as part of the coaching staff)
Pay: From unpaid volunteer to a full-time position with all the benefits as an assistant coach.
Hours & responsibilities: Can be a similar role to # 4 if you are a volunteer (except you will only work with soccer), but may extend into other coaching duties including recruiting if you are full-time. Greater budgets and focus is often on women's soccer due to Title IX.
The atmosphere: If the coach wants you there you can have a massive role in the program. I am lucky to be currently in this situation with East Tennessee State University. Coaches may not be used to having a strength and conditioning coach out there on the field with the team. If the coach buys in you can have a bigger impact that in any of the levels here on this blog.
The athlete: Obviously similar to #4, but as you are with them more you can give them more and therefore can ask for more in return. Effort should always be there - but in this situation you can educate more to get better compliance during the Christmas and summer periods, and engagement when they are with you. Some players may take a while to get used to having this much attention. Stick with it and emphasize that it is to benefit them and they will come around.
The coach: If you are brought in in this capacity then the coach probably wants you to be there. This means the potential is far greater than in the normal collegiate S&C coach role. You may be held more accountable due to this.
Positives: Very rewarding (the most rewarding of any situation I have been in). Greater impact outside the weight room, and individualization is easier to implement in programming.
Negatives: Could be easy to lose sight of training other sports.
The coach: If you are brought in in this capacity then the coach probably wants you to be there. This means the potential is far greater than in the normal collegiate S&C coach role. You may be held more accountable due to this.
Positives: Very rewarding (the most rewarding of any situation I have been in). Greater impact outside the weight room, and individualization is easier to implement in programming.
Negatives: Could be easy to lose sight of training other sports.
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Good post!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
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