Development: The Journey, Not the Destination

Development is a complex and subjective concept, shaped by individual experiences and perspectives. While its meaning may vary from person to person, it is broadly defined as “a process of gradual growth and change over time, encompassing the physical, mental, or emotional advancement of an individual.”

In simpler terms, development takes time. It requires failure. It’s a gradual process that demands repetition and often involves periods of regression. When we focus on the development of young players, it becomes even more intricate than many might expect. Beyond skill acquisition, development involves an individual’s capacity to explore new ideas, experiment with different concepts, play various positions, and understand multiple forms of instruction—whether direct, indirect, situational, contextual, or circumstantial. All of these elements contribute to change and growth. For the youngest players, development is closely tied to habit formation. Even the basics, like learning how to practice and how to be coached, are new experiences.

The Role of Regression in Development

Development often involves setbacks and periods of regression. The process is not linear. Players may progress, plateau, and even move backward at times before advancing again. This natural ebb and flow is part of the development journey.

When considering what development means for young players, it’s clear that it’s more complicated than simply acquiring skills. It requires the capacity to adapt to new ideas, experiment with different concepts, and learn how to process various forms of instruction. For younger players, development often happens simultaneously with habit formation—such as learning how to practice effectively and how to interact with coaches.

The Goal: Development with Winning as a Byproduct

So, what is it that we truly want? The answer is clear: development, with winning as a constant byproduct. This represents the ideal outcome for any athlete or team.

As challenging as this balance may seem, there is a middle ground where both winning and development can progress simultaneously. The key to achieving this balance lies in clearly defined playing standards and long-term goals. Initially, the focus may be on the technical aspects of play, with tactical elements gradually layered on as players develop their fundamental skills.

Rarely do players achieve both technical proficiency and tactical success without time, repetition, and trial and error in game-like situations. Another crucial factor is the quality of coaching and the overall playing environment—everything from the level of competition to instructional methods and coaching philosophy. Players must be given the freedom to learn, with opportunities to succeed or improve during games.

The Role of Skill Acquisition

Bringing skill acquisition back into focus—since it happens alongside habit formation—the learning process will look different for every player. Some players will adapt quickly to the steady influx of new demands, while others may struggle. This is where a player’s experience is heavily shaped by their coach.

Coaches who emphasize effort over outcome can have a profound impact on their players. Research shows that focusing on effort helps foster a growth mindset, encourages learning and risk-taking, builds resilience, and promotes persistence and patience. It also significantly reduces performance-related pressure and anxiety. Ultimately, players who focus on effort are more likely to succeed in the long run.

The Importance of the Coaching Environment

Consider the sporting environment for players under the age of ten—this is a critical stage in development. At this age, athletes transition quickly from simply being introduced to sport to becoming fully immersed in it. When young players are subjected to fear-based, punitive coaching methods, they begin to associate the sport with punishment. They feel as if they are being penalized simply for trying to play the game, or for not living up to the coach’s expectations.

This brings us to a key point: development is not the same as winning.

There’s a subtle play on words here, but these two concepts are fundamentally different. Development is process-oriented, whereas winning is outcome-based.

The Reality of Winning vs. Development

Everyone wants to win. That’s a given. Winning is part of what makes competition meaningful and holds inherent value. It’s the metric by which players, teams, and coaches are often evaluated. However, there is a time and place for winning to take precedence—and it usually comes much later in the developmental journey, at higher levels of competition, than most people realize.

The harsh reality is that development is often not synonymous with winning—in fact, it often requires losing. Research from both U.S. Soccer and the “Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Dropout Rates in Youth Soccer” reports that the annual dropout rate for youth soccer players (ages 10–19) is approximately 24%. Beyond this high attrition rate, another consequence of underdeveloped players is that they often become serial losers.

Players raised in win-at-all-costs environments struggle to process loss in a constructive way. When winning is prioritized above all else, players miss out on valuable learning experiences. Instead of viewing loss as an opportunity for growth, they perceive it as failure—an outcome that can stunt their development.

This mindset fosters a culture of blame and insecurity. Players conditioned to seek external validation often mirror their coaches’ behavior, shifting blame onto teammates in the same way their coaches may blame them. This toxic cycle is deeply ingrained in youth sports, and many players, coaches, and parents may recognize themselves in this pattern.

The Long-Term Effects of a Win-At-All-Costs Culture

As players age and face higher stakes in both sports and academics, patterns of failure become more pronounced. A defining trait of a “serial loser” is the tendency to experience repeated setbacks, even when success is within reach. In the early stages of development, winning and losing are often viewed in binary terms—one is good, the other is bad. Young players may lack the maturity to recognize the positive aspects of their performance, even in the face of a loss.

This environment breeds fear-driven athletes—those who pass off responsibility rather than take the initiative, who struggle to differentiate between their own talent and the natural fluctuations in performance. Even those with significant skill can become conditioned to underperform in crucial moments, trapped in a cycle of self-doubt and hesitation.

How to Foster True Development

So, how can we ensure development wins?

Coaches and parents must recognize that the game no longer belongs to them—it belongs to the players. This doesn’t mean stepping back entirely or abandoning involvement. Instead, it requires a refined approach, one that aligns success criteria with the age and developmental level of the players involved.

A key concept here is coaching the future player in the present. This means providing players with the experiences, opportunities, and skills they’ll need at the next level. For example, in a 7v7 format, the build-out line exists for a reason. If eight-year-olds are forced to clear the ball instead of building confidence with it at their feet, they fall behind their peers who are being given the chance to develop decision-making skills under pressure.

Development: Learning to Win the Right Way

Now, imagine a team conditioned to play long balls, relying on lucky bounces or opponent mistakes to create scoring opportunities. While this might work in the short term, what happens when the game evolves? When heading is allowed, the offside rule is enforced, and the build-out line is removed, this team will struggle. They’ll have difficulty maintaining possession, while their opponents—who have been encouraged to play under pressure—will be more comfortable, more confident, and less fearful of mistakes.

Ultimately, development isn’t just about learning how to play —it’s about learning how to win the right way. Remember, there’s a difference between winning a game and winning at the game.

Citation: Møllerløkken, Nina & Lorås, Håvard & Pedersen, Arve. (2015). A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Dropout Rates in Youth Soccer. Perceptual and Motor Skills. 121. 913-922. 10.2466/10.PMS.121c23x0.