Soccer Quotes

Soccer Quotes

Our top ten soccer quotes of all time. Here are ten of our favorites and why they resonate with our philosophy of coaching and training. Soccer players and coaches our so diverse in their character and personality; Some more philosophical than others and some more outspoken on sensitive topics. In the end, it’s the message we take from past soccer heroes and soccer gurus. To us they help us solidify our mission and philosophy of how the beautiful game should be developed and coached. Enjoy!

"I don't believe there is such a thing as a 'born' soccer player. Perhaps you are born with certain skills and talents, but quite frankly it seems impossible to me that one is actually born to be an ace soccer player." Pele

Pele is a true ambassador of the sport. We agree with Pele. Soccer players no matter how gifted they are at a young age need development. Exposure, passion, and love may be a gift from they’re environment but talent will be stumped without development.

 

Pele also said – “Every kid around the world who plays soccer wants to be Pele. I have a great responsibility to show them not just how to be like a soccer player, but how to be like a man.”

He has been a true gentleman to soccer and this quote exemplifies his personality and love for the game. We believe as coaches we need to be the best we can be not only in soccer technical skill but the way we carry ourselves as men. Character first soccer second! Every club academy/program needs to have a character development curriculum or program that is as structured as technical development.

 

“If you’re in the penalty area and don’t know what to do with the ball, put it in the net and we’ll discuss the options later.” Bob Paisley

This soccer quote talks to the developing player on intention and execution. Intention and execution should be almost simultaneous. No one moves the goal you know where it is trust your instinct and follow through 100%. Don’t doubt your decision just make one.

"Experience tells you what to do; confidence allows you to do it."-- Stan Smith

Experience is exposure and for developing players it’s all about time spent playing informally. My rule is for every competitive 15 minutes of play a child should play 30 minutes of informal play during the same week. So if a child plays 45 minutes of competitive soccer he/she should be exposed to no-pressure informal soccer for 90 minutes. Biggest mistake beginner coaches make is too many drills and not enough informal scrimmages. This is a great soccer quote.

"Failure happens all the time. It happens every day in practice. What makes you better is how you react to it."-- Mia Hamm

Mia Hamm has so many soccer quotes out there. This is my favorite and further stresses the need for more informal play for youth. Kids are resilient to taking risks on the field during competitive play. Practice (informal play) is the setting to take risks and grow soccer IQ. If this is not present in development kids will not reach full potential.


Classic Soccer Quotes 

"Tell me how you play and I will tell you who you are."-- Eduardo Galeano

I always ask my players how you played. I don’t want a minute by minute of what you did. I want to know how you played. The answer will tell you a lot about a player and their character. Soccer is so much more than just kicking a ball. Allowing kids to live through the game is a gift that is life giving. As coaches we sometimes rob this from them. If anything as a coach just let them live through the game. Allow them to be the coach and empower them by letting them just play. I had a coach that did not show up on the first practice. He was there just not on the field. He would observe to see what we would do. Would we leave, just wait or play soccer. In doing this he knew who the passionate ones were and who were the leaders and uncommitted.

"Never go for a 50-50 ball unless you're 80-20 sure of winning it."-- Ian Darke

This soccer quote is classic and repeat to your players at every practice. Your body follows what you think. If you are not sure or hesitant your body will make that reality. Confidence is something we as coaches need to develop. The body will always hesitate and will be prone to injury if the mind is lacking in confidence and assurance.

This is a small list of soccer quotes but hopefully this will motivate you to search a bit more about players and soccer coaches. They are amazing people and it is quite interesting to learn how their formation as a person is reflected in their playing style and how they carry themselves on and off the soccer field. 

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