A few weeks ago Ruben Amorim, a young Portuguese coach with a lot of potential was hired to lead Manchester United. For those who follow world soccer, specifically the English Premier League, you know what a underperforming team Man U has been since the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson over 10 years ago. Manchester United set the football standard for decades. Now they are but a shell of their former champion level teams.
What caught my attention in some of his early interviews was how he stressed to his professional players the importance of their EFFORT. He wanted their fans to see their effort on and off the pitch. To make them believe they were fighting for their club and playing for their fans. Giving everything they have.
I believe this is so important to share with our younger players. Effort is the bare minimum. It has to be a non-negotiable. It is a fundamental building block. Without effort nothing works. There is no JOY.
As coaches let’s focus on giving our full effort and coaching our players to do the same. Be a role model. Always. Every training session & every match. Put your phone down or in your bag until after training or better yet when you get back to your car.
As players let’s give everything we have as soon as training begins, when the match whistle blows and when we are working on our own to become better. There is no progress without effort. We show gratitude and appreciation to our families and to the game when we work hard and improve.
As parents, let’s reinforce our children to put in their maximum effort into every training session and every match. Into whatever they do. Let’s reassure them that nothing is as good as working hard and achieving something through their own actions. Let’s remind them that this is a long journey and it’s about getting a little better everyday. There is no such thing as instant success. They have to put in the sweat and hard work to truly enjoy the game.
Enjoy your football!
-Coach Eddie