Claremont Stars Soccer Club

Dear Parents,

            Playing club soccer is not only a big commitment for a player, but for the entire family. I have two girls playing club soccer now and know how rewarding it can be, but also know personally the challenges from determining when is the right time to move your child to club to which coach and program will best contribute to their development. 

Sincerest regards,

Coach Mark Estupinian

Estees2@yahoo.com

            To begin, I coach for the love of the game. I love to teach kids the game. It's not about money. I am however a competitor and have played this game at a high level and know what it takes to get there.

“You'll never reach your dreams if you end up hating the game you love”

Reality Check: Here are some statistics about club soccer and why I believe so strongly that players and teams need to develop in phases that consider child development.

Ø      50% of kids quit soccer by the age of fourteen.

Ø      Another 25% by Sixteen.

Ø      15% by seventeen

Ø      Only 2% playing after the age of eighteen.

Club Soccer

            You can tell by the level of intensity in club vs. recreational play (especially at the higher levels) there is a huge difference. You have to instinctively shield to find time, Always move to create space, know what your going to do before you get the ball and work well with your teammates (pass and communicate). *The higher the level the higher pressure.  

            In recreational play, half the kids are cones (standing still with no intent to engage). This reality promotes a strategy that relies on getting the ball to a single player. While this may be a valid option for competing at that level, it simply will not work and does not prepare players to play the real game at competitive levels. Soccer is the consummate team sport and a player has to simultaneously develop their personal skills while learning to execute within the team framework.  

Coaching Styles

            There are really two coaching models that you will encounter in competitive sports; the professional model, and the educational model.  Before explaining why I firmly believe the educational approach is the right one, first it should be noted that the professional model is about entertainment where Success = winning and Failure = losing.

            I want to be clear; it worries me about some other clubs who use this approach and put too much pressure on kids at a young age. It’s all about winning at the kid’s expense. If the coach does not have a winning team then he or she will not advance to other teams for higher pay.

                        The educational model has multiple definitions of success like learning, improvement, love of physical activity, friendship & good memories, and development of personal qualities like confidence.  Definitions of failure are different too like giving up, not trying your best, or poor sportsmanship.

Winning player traits:

            The statement above shows that having a realistic appraisal of ability is important to long-term enjoyment of the game and success. There are several things I look for in a player: Athletic ability, awareness, attitude, speed and competitiveness. When a kid has a good combination of these traits, all they need to blossom over time is exposure to good coaching, progressive levels of competition, and a healthy team atmosphere.

Team Vision

            The object of our team is to maintain the local talent so that not only do they get to play with their friends and have fun, but also get to play together long enough to develop the cohesiveness that will allow them to play at a higher level. Teach them the real game. I believe they go hand in hand in their development at a young age. Wait until they are older and more mature to handle life's pressures. Have fun playing and growing together as a team. This is what they will remember when they are adults.

Mia Hamm once said, “I am a member of a team, and I rely on the team, I defer to it and sacrifice for it, because of the team, not the individual, is the ultimate champion.”

My Background

            I have coached with and have been mentored by Bill Swartz (Level A USSF, Pomona College Men’s Coach, English Premier League Tottenham and  Scout for Los Angeles Galaxy) for the past three years and remain great friends; see his bio: (http://www.physical-education.pomona.edu/facstaff/billswartz.shtml . I also played for one of the original Stars teams. I still enjoy playing with my friends who I have played soccer with for over 35 years from our original club team (Claremont Stars), PSL league to Semi Pro division and now in CASA League and playing in tournaments together in Santa Barbara and Las Vegas.   

Why the Stars

            I chose to bring my team to the Claremont Stars for several reasons. The club is stable having been in existence since 1972 http://cstars.cornerkicksystems.com/page/show/28695 The coaching support and extra programs taught by Carlos Juarez, see his bio at: http://cstars.cornerkicksystems.com/page/show/28711.  Support from WPSL players (National team players), I have already coached a GU13, GU14 and GU15 team with the stars.