Ula Koczkodaj
Director of Operations at Next Level Indoor Sports
With a rich playing history, from Lincoln University in NCAA Div. II in 2012 to Point Park University in the NAIA from 2013 to 2015 and contributing to MKS Olimpia Szczecin in the Polish 1st Division from 2006 to 2012. Transitioning to coaching, Ula’s experience includes roles with Hotspurs West in PA since 2018, Victory Express Soccer Club in PA from 2016 to 2019, and stints at The Linsly School in WV in 2018, Bethany College in WV from 2016 to 2018, and Youth Elite Soccer/Chicago Fire SITC from 2014 to 2016. Academically, she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sports Management from Point Park University in 2016 and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Bethany College in 2018.
Holding USSF “F,” “Grassroots 11v11, 9v9, 4v4,” and “D” Coaching Licenses, along with certifications in Youth Soccer Injury Recognition and SafeSport Training, she brings a comprehensive skill set to both playing and coaching.
How would you define a parent’s role within the youth sports environment?
From a coach’s perspective, parents play an extremely important role in youth sports. They are the ones that shape their kids into the most or the least coachable athletes. They are also the ones that either help their children fall in love with a sport or make them dislike it so much that they decide to drop out of it.
What are the benefits of being a positive youth sports parent?
The main benefit of being a positive sports parent is the attitude of your child that it encourages. Making mistakes is a part of the game and a great tool to learn. It also enables the child to make decisions on their own instead of being told what to do at any given time of the game. Some players lack creativity on the field simply because they had never been given the freedom to try things that are out of ordinary.
Tell us how your parents supported you in becoming a player/coach/teacher?
When I was a youth player, there were not very many opportunities for female soccer players in Poland. My mom had to drive me for hours just to get me to a training session. She was also a huge influence on my decision to move to the United States to pursue my dream of playing college soccer. I was given the opportunity and direction without pressure or fear, which – I believe – is the reason why I made it as far as I did.
What advice would you give any youth sports parents, with a talented son/daughter and ambition also drive to reach the highest level?
Advice to players:
Be the best teammate you can be – that should be the ultimate goal for every player. Soccer is a team sport and coaches prefer to work with athletes who care about one’s commitment to a group effort than those who put their individual achievements first. Lastly, watch as much soccer on TV as possible – there are lots of aspects of the game that can only be taught by observing the professionals play the sport on the highest level.
Advice to parents:
Coaches know that you love your kids and you want them to be the best players they can be, but – please – let us coach them. Let’s work as a team and help them develop instead of confusing them with different instructions coming from the bench and from the stands. On the collegiate level in the United States, kids are drastically less likely to get recruited if the parents in the stands seem too critical.
In your experience as a coach, how can uneducated and non-supporting parents, affect players short & long term?
Short Term – Bad decision-making frustration; fear of making a mistake
Long Term – Not wanting to pursue the sport any longer; tactical underdevelopment, and lack of creativity.
What advice would you give coaches/clubs regarding youth sports parents?
Parents want to and need to be “in the loop” when it comes to their kids’ progress and achievements. Monthly meetings are a great way of connecting with the parents; presenting plans for weeks to come; analyzing the accomplishments and goals, etc. In my coaching career, I have found it crucial to establish a positive relationship but also set boundaries when it comes to their involvement on and off the field.
What advice would you give youth sports parents for the car journey to and from youth sports practices and/or games?
Let the child decide if they want to talk about it or not. They know that they shouldn’t have made that pass and that they didn’t mark the right player on that corner kick – their coach had already told them. Let the kid process it on their own terms and let them know that you support them through it all. Keep it simple by telling them that you know that they did their best, that you enjoyed watching them play, and that you hope they had fun.
What types of behaviours/mannerisms/comments would you encourage parents to demonstrate? Pre-During and Post training/match.
I would encourage the parents to try to let their kids go and do what they love instead of putting unnecessary pressure on their results. It is all about their development as not only athletes but also independent human beings. Before a game, it should be a simple “have fun, listen to your coach, and do your best”. During a competition, the support should ideally consist of a positive demeanour and shouldn’t exceed a few words of encouragement when something isn’t going their way. Lastly, after the game, the goal is to let the child speak their mind but also assuring to disallow any disrespect towards the teammates, coaching staff or the officials. At the end of the day, it is just a game, and everyone makes mistakes. If we played well – great – but if not, let’s give it our best in training and try again next week!
Thank you to Ula for taking the time to complete the following interview questions.
