Hoosick Falls Soccer Club Philosophy
Responsible Sports
The Mission Statement for the HFSC is, "Through the game of soccer we encourage teamwork, sportsmanship, and athleticism so as to foster the positive development of our youth in a fun and safe environment."
While WINNING is not a part of our mission it is a common goal for all of our teams. The Club's philosophy is children first, ego's and "win at all costs attitudes" do not foster success in our system of development.
Athletes must see success in terms of achieving their own goals rather than surpassing the performances of others.
The Club has set an ongoing goal to create a network of Coaches, Parents, and Families that will set a standard and be Role Models for our Children.
To this end we have partnered with Responsible Sports to educate our members with regards to Positive Coaching and Positive Parenting methods. By participating in the online course you will qualify the club for a $2500 grant and more importantly tap in to a positive resource that could change the relationship between you and your child or players.
We've all seen it: too much emphasis on winning increases players' anxiety. They end up expending their emotional energy worrying about whether they will win or lose. And that higher anxiety causes them to make more mistakes -- they play tentatively and timidly.
Ultimately, anxiety undercuts self-confidence, which affects performance and takes the joy out of sports.
Why does the focus on the scoreboard increase anxiety? Because players can't control the outcome on the scoreboard! And players become anxious about things that are important to them that they can't control. A win on the scoreboard depends a great deal on the quality of the opponent, which is outside of the control of the athlete or team. (It's also outside our control as parents!)
Sports psychology research shows that teams and athletes who give 100% effort, constantly learning, and bouncing back from mistakes, consistently win more contests. (To learn more about this research, visit Positive Coaching Alliance.
By moving our children's focus off the scoreboard results and on to their effort, our kids will be happier and more self-confident -- and the wins will come.
Responsible Sport Parents are at the cornerstone of youth athletes' lives. Parents provide important support and guidance that can help fulfill their sports dreams. But being a Responsible Sports Parent is a tough job! By providing resources, tools, insights and expert advice, Responsible Sports is a terrific resource for coaches and parents alike!
- The Art of Conversation between Parents and Athletes
- Determining Goals for Our Kids in Sports
- Key Safety Measures for Responsible Sports Parents
- Kid-Friendly Criticism
- Weekly Parent Tips
- Or visit the Responsible Sports Parents Course and take the quiz to Join The Movement
Responsible Coaches take on the challenge of helping kids apply the lessons learned on the field to lessons in life. Kids who play sports like soccer learn the life lessons of leadership, perseverance, overcoming adversity and functioning as a productive team member.
- The X's and O's of Soccer
- Coaching For Mastery
- Filling Players Emotional Tanks
- Using Winners Circles After Games
- Weekly Coaching Tips
- Or visit the Responsible Coaching Course and take the quiz to Join The Movement
You can also sign up for Fundamentals, the monthly Responsible Sports eNewsletter