In the youth sectors, you learn not only to play soccer, but also to live

In designing and playing Tascout, the first worldwide community of football fans, team's goal was offer all the tools to bring out the talent of those who love to play football, especially the younger ones.

In fact, they are the true protagonists of the platform. But how much will influence in the realization of their football dream, in addition to talent, the awareness of being part of a team and having to deserve the call to the matches? Can meritocracy be taught from an early age? For Tascout, yes. We believe, in fact, that this type of teaching can lead to the birth of a player who, first of all, is a person of value. But the road isn’t always so linear, this because of the interference that often hinder the growth and the affirmation of a young football player.

For example, how many times have you witnessed, after a youth football match, an animated discussion between the coach and the parent who complains that the child has not played enough? Unfortunately it happens often and the consequences are not positive for anyone, especially for the child. In fact, if on the one hand the coach must weekly make a choice about who to take to the field, often dissatisfying different members of the team, on the other there are children who want to give their best in front of their families.

However, it’s important to understand that if a child isn’t present in a game or isn’t called up, there is a reason and must be accepted. Often it’s simply that he hasn’t deserved it. This is because meritocracy is valid also for children. To reiterate it was the coach Alessandro Zenone who, thanks to his experience as a coach in the youth sectors, explained what it means to be worthy in the age range of 5 to 12 years.

What are the parameters of merit?

Zenone argues that criteria for assessing merit for competitive sectors are different from those for young people. In fact, if in former it’s fundamental the performance in the field, in the latter a child has the right to participate in the game only if he has shown education and commitment both training and in race. In summary, irreproachable conduct will guarantee access and permanence of play in all matches. If you are faced with incorrect behavior and unjustified absences from training, child should not be called. If he's allowed to play, he will only participate in the three times of the match if he really deserved it. On the contrary, if he has not respected the rules, he has not listened to coach and he has not helped his teammates, he will have to settle for the complete time he has for regulation and nothing more. This is an important teaching of life, because it educates the child understanding that nothing is given if it‘s not deserved.

The role of parents

Parents, on the other hand, play a fundamental role in youth football, since they depend on the very existence of football schools. In fact, are they who bring their children to train, often with big economic and organizational sacrifices. Always from the parents, an exemplary conduct is expected, that strengthens the job of the coach. But not only that, they must encourage their children regardless of the results, respect the referees, the opponents and all the insiders and, above all, do not interfere in the technical and corporate choices.

Conclusion

To conclude, it’s essential that the three figures (coach, child and parent) work together without invading the space of the other, but rather support and encourage each other. Only in this way, in fact, the football activity of the child can be training not only in terms of competition, but also existential.