Download our 2018 MSC Annual Report
| msc_annual_report_2018.docx-2.pdf |
MSC Vision
Middleton Soccer Club (MSC) is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization registered with the State of Idaho. We take great pride in providing the children of Middleton and surrounding areas an opportunity to learn TEAMWORK, DEDICATION, LEADERSHIP SKILLS, SPORTSMANSHIP and THE JOY OF ATHLETICS. Our goal is to provide quality coaching, equipment, and opportunities that engage, challenge, and inspire youth regardless of previous experience, to reach their highest level in the sport of soccer and to fulfill their civic responsibility by actively participating in community partnerships and activities. The main goals of our organization are:
President's Message
To see a child of any age on the field playing soccer, with families supporting, doesn’t happen by accident. It takes children who want to play, volunteers who want to support, referees who want to officiate, fields ready for play and most of all, passion. This amazing blend has resulted in Middleton Soccer Club growing to over 50 teams and almost 500 registered kids, and has put children and their families at the center of everything we strive for both on and off the field. The City of Middleton boasts over 6,000 residents, and roughly 34% of those residents are under the age of 18. MSC is an important part of our community. We provide a quality outlet for the youth of Middleton to play soccer across age groups at various levels of play. Thank you to everyone who makes all of this possible.
In 2016, the MSC Board of Directors evaluated our club philosophy and determined our vision and goals moving forward into 2017/2018 and beyond. Four things seemed to grow from this process of change: 1) Coaching education became even more of a priority, 2) Creating a MSC style of play across all age groups, 3) Strengthening the framework of our Youth Academy Program, and 4) Building the Outback & Competitive program.
A strong competitive program starts with a strong youth program. This starts at the U6 level. MSC utilizes USSF & National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) to provide quality coaches education. All youth coaches are encouraged to obtain their USSF F license or NSCAA Level 1. All competitive coaches are licensed coaches. In addition, MSC supports the Positive Coaches Alliance. MSC is a 501c3 Non-Profit, and club funds are spent on improving the program via coaching education, player clinics, and equipment.
Style of play. MSC follows the US Soccer Player Development Model. We implemented the new small sided games initiatives in 2016. Coaches must encourage their teams to play in a manner that stresses technical play. We promote creative, confident attacking play and always reward effort and good sportsmanship. Ball possession with the ball on the ground as much as possible is favored particularly with the U-8 through U-14 age groups. This controlled, attacking/possession oriented style of play will lend itself to mistakes and may hinder winning some matches in the short term. The club’s objective is to develop highly skilled players who can solve problems on the field through their own individual creativity, through quick combination play with teammates or with accurate, purposeful longer balls, when needed. If players are not taught these lessons early, they will be unsuccessful against more skillfully developed opponents at the U-16 and U-18 age groups where we focus on playing from back to front in a controlled manner—the ideal style we strive to accomplish.
The comfort zone. Effective coaches will look for a balance where players are successful in their training sessions so players gain confidence. Even at the youngest age groups, coaches must encourage their players to play faster, play more aggressively and compete harder in training and games. It is not a mutually exclusive proposition to play with an effort and vigor to win while training or playing games and demonstrating technical skill and tactical thought.
Components of skills development. Our consistent theme is BALL POSSESSION AND CONTROL. This theme is relevant to U-8 players keeping the ball close on the dribble in their warm up to the U-17 player in her taking the first touch away from pressure in the direction she wants to go. Repetition leads to mastery in music, education and sport. Hence, repetition of technical skills training will lead to the development of skillful players and creating players with FIELD VISION. Players need to be reminded consistently to have their heads up and see the field at all times. Players should be looking for offensive solutions to the opponents’ defense. Constantly remind players to “see your teammates, the opponent and the GOAL”.
Developing speed of play. Coaches must instruct players to make quicker decisions in the defensive and midfield thirds of the field as players improve. Touches on the ball do not need to be limited as long as play has the correct timing and decisions are made quickly. Adjusting field size may be more effective and realistic than limiting touches. Coaches must simultaneously promote creativity in the attacking third of the field. Effective coaches will adjust the size of playing field during training to ensure players can be successful and then slowly make the area smaller/tighter to challenge their players. This technique should be implemented during practices and incorporated during the course of a season.
Developing attacking attributes and mentality. Coaches must encourage teams to play skillfully with a constant theme of creating scoring opportunities. Coaches need to create players with an attacking mentality. Teams that keep possession without a purpose of going forward are doomed to fail.
Coaching Style. Coaches are facilitators for the player’s development and need to adjust to put players in the right environment and act in a manner that best benefits the individual players and the team.
Holistic approach to coaching. Youth soccer players are children. We cannot forget this fact. Coaches must remember they are positive role models. The children should be treated with respect and in a manner we would want to be treated. Remember to listen to the children. Players must be instructed to treat one another with respect. We are dealing with the whole little person, not just the player. In the end, if the best player never learns good sportsmanship and to respect others, then our program has failed that player. Similarly, if the least effective player feels badly as a PERSON because of their level of play in a GAME, then we have also failed that player. Kindness, empathy and respect are important qualities to be taught by the coaches. Use the GAME as a great teacher. Avoid frequently stopping training. If practice is stopped, instruct the players quickly or demonstrate the correct skills technique and begin play again. One of the most positive and attractive parts of the sport is it is a players game where the players solve the majority of problems the game presents, not the coach.
Planned Training. Effective coaches plan practice sessions to create a positive learning environment. Practice plans should include each training component and the time devoted to each component. Training components should include a technical warm-up, technical session(s) and game related/game phases. However, remember that variable attendance and shared field space make highly detailed practices difficult on the club. Above all, coaches need to be creative and flexible given those factors to go with what may work in an unforeseen situation over what was planned on paper. Quality practice plans will: a) emphasize technical topics almost exclusively in lower age groups with tactical themes gaining more emphasis as players get older; b) move from the simple to the complex within a practice (e.g., shooting a stationary ball, followed by a moving ball, and then a bouncing ball); c) add defensive pressure (e.g., 1 v. 1 to large goal); and, d) finish with a game that emphasizes the training topic(s) (e.g., 4 v. 4 to full goals with goal keepers).
Winning is not the most important aspect of youth soccer player development. An emphasis on winning as the primary goal U8 to U14 will inevitably take away from development. There are no short cuts. You cannot cheat the game, the game knows.
Middleton Soccer Club (MSC) is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization registered with the State of Idaho. We take great pride in providing the children of Middleton and surrounding areas an opportunity to learn TEAMWORK, DEDICATION, LEADERSHIP SKILLS, SPORTSMANSHIP and THE JOY OF ATHLETICS. Our goal is to provide quality coaching, equipment, and opportunities that engage, challenge, and inspire youth regardless of previous experience, to reach their highest level in the sport of soccer and to fulfill their civic responsibility by actively participating in community partnerships and activities. The main goals of our organization are:
- To provide an environment where young soccer players build character through the development of important life skills such as time management, responsibility, resilience, sportsmanship, work ethic and teamwork;
- To provide an environment where open honest communication between MSC Officers, coaches, players and parents is encouraged;
- To provide a structure and environment where winning is important but player development is paramount;
- To create a safe environment that contributes to the development of mentally and physically healthy individuals that have self-confidence and respect for themselves and for others,
- To create an environment that facilitates the growth of the sport of soccer and fosters a love of the game.
- Provide consistent and quality coaching to all MSC players. The difference between Rec, Outback, and D3 is the level of skill of the team we play. Every game is a competition, and therefore competitive.
President's Message
To see a child of any age on the field playing soccer, with families supporting, doesn’t happen by accident. It takes children who want to play, volunteers who want to support, referees who want to officiate, fields ready for play and most of all, passion. This amazing blend has resulted in Middleton Soccer Club growing to over 50 teams and almost 500 registered kids, and has put children and their families at the center of everything we strive for both on and off the field. The City of Middleton boasts over 6,000 residents, and roughly 34% of those residents are under the age of 18. MSC is an important part of our community. We provide a quality outlet for the youth of Middleton to play soccer across age groups at various levels of play. Thank you to everyone who makes all of this possible.
In 2016, the MSC Board of Directors evaluated our club philosophy and determined our vision and goals moving forward into 2017/2018 and beyond. Four things seemed to grow from this process of change: 1) Coaching education became even more of a priority, 2) Creating a MSC style of play across all age groups, 3) Strengthening the framework of our Youth Academy Program, and 4) Building the Outback & Competitive program.
A strong competitive program starts with a strong youth program. This starts at the U6 level. MSC utilizes USSF & National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) to provide quality coaches education. All youth coaches are encouraged to obtain their USSF F license or NSCAA Level 1. All competitive coaches are licensed coaches. In addition, MSC supports the Positive Coaches Alliance. MSC is a 501c3 Non-Profit, and club funds are spent on improving the program via coaching education, player clinics, and equipment.
Style of play. MSC follows the US Soccer Player Development Model. We implemented the new small sided games initiatives in 2016. Coaches must encourage their teams to play in a manner that stresses technical play. We promote creative, confident attacking play and always reward effort and good sportsmanship. Ball possession with the ball on the ground as much as possible is favored particularly with the U-8 through U-14 age groups. This controlled, attacking/possession oriented style of play will lend itself to mistakes and may hinder winning some matches in the short term. The club’s objective is to develop highly skilled players who can solve problems on the field through their own individual creativity, through quick combination play with teammates or with accurate, purposeful longer balls, when needed. If players are not taught these lessons early, they will be unsuccessful against more skillfully developed opponents at the U-16 and U-18 age groups where we focus on playing from back to front in a controlled manner—the ideal style we strive to accomplish.
The comfort zone. Effective coaches will look for a balance where players are successful in their training sessions so players gain confidence. Even at the youngest age groups, coaches must encourage their players to play faster, play more aggressively and compete harder in training and games. It is not a mutually exclusive proposition to play with an effort and vigor to win while training or playing games and demonstrating technical skill and tactical thought.
Components of skills development. Our consistent theme is BALL POSSESSION AND CONTROL. This theme is relevant to U-8 players keeping the ball close on the dribble in their warm up to the U-17 player in her taking the first touch away from pressure in the direction she wants to go. Repetition leads to mastery in music, education and sport. Hence, repetition of technical skills training will lead to the development of skillful players and creating players with FIELD VISION. Players need to be reminded consistently to have their heads up and see the field at all times. Players should be looking for offensive solutions to the opponents’ defense. Constantly remind players to “see your teammates, the opponent and the GOAL”.
Developing speed of play. Coaches must instruct players to make quicker decisions in the defensive and midfield thirds of the field as players improve. Touches on the ball do not need to be limited as long as play has the correct timing and decisions are made quickly. Adjusting field size may be more effective and realistic than limiting touches. Coaches must simultaneously promote creativity in the attacking third of the field. Effective coaches will adjust the size of playing field during training to ensure players can be successful and then slowly make the area smaller/tighter to challenge their players. This technique should be implemented during practices and incorporated during the course of a season.
Developing attacking attributes and mentality. Coaches must encourage teams to play skillfully with a constant theme of creating scoring opportunities. Coaches need to create players with an attacking mentality. Teams that keep possession without a purpose of going forward are doomed to fail.
Coaching Style. Coaches are facilitators for the player’s development and need to adjust to put players in the right environment and act in a manner that best benefits the individual players and the team.
Holistic approach to coaching. Youth soccer players are children. We cannot forget this fact. Coaches must remember they are positive role models. The children should be treated with respect and in a manner we would want to be treated. Remember to listen to the children. Players must be instructed to treat one another with respect. We are dealing with the whole little person, not just the player. In the end, if the best player never learns good sportsmanship and to respect others, then our program has failed that player. Similarly, if the least effective player feels badly as a PERSON because of their level of play in a GAME, then we have also failed that player. Kindness, empathy and respect are important qualities to be taught by the coaches. Use the GAME as a great teacher. Avoid frequently stopping training. If practice is stopped, instruct the players quickly or demonstrate the correct skills technique and begin play again. One of the most positive and attractive parts of the sport is it is a players game where the players solve the majority of problems the game presents, not the coach.
Planned Training. Effective coaches plan practice sessions to create a positive learning environment. Practice plans should include each training component and the time devoted to each component. Training components should include a technical warm-up, technical session(s) and game related/game phases. However, remember that variable attendance and shared field space make highly detailed practices difficult on the club. Above all, coaches need to be creative and flexible given those factors to go with what may work in an unforeseen situation over what was planned on paper. Quality practice plans will: a) emphasize technical topics almost exclusively in lower age groups with tactical themes gaining more emphasis as players get older; b) move from the simple to the complex within a practice (e.g., shooting a stationary ball, followed by a moving ball, and then a bouncing ball); c) add defensive pressure (e.g., 1 v. 1 to large goal); and, d) finish with a game that emphasizes the training topic(s) (e.g., 4 v. 4 to full goals with goal keepers).
Winning is not the most important aspect of youth soccer player development. An emphasis on winning as the primary goal U8 to U14 will inevitably take away from development. There are no short cuts. You cannot cheat the game, the game knows.
