Too much in-game direction?

My daughter is in u9 travel. She’s a GK (although she is a good defender and will reluctantly play striker if asked). She pours her heart into the position and is the only one on her team who wants to play GK and the only one with her own equipment. I coached her team last year with another parent and we let the kids self-direct game play. We never told them where to pass or when to shoot during the game. That was all done pregame or at half time. Club trainers did it during training sessions (parents only coach games, club trainers are certified coaches). This season 2 other parents are coaching. When my daughter makes a save and the kids retreat to the build out line, or if it’s a goal kick, they immediately start shouting at her where to pass it or kick it. Am I crazy to have it bother me that they aren’t letting her make the decision herself and make mistakes? Both last years coach and I were keepers so we both respected that she had to learn herself. Neither coach this year has even stood between the sticks as a GK. My daughter isn’t thrilled that she is being shouted at where to pass it when she only has 6 seconds. She isn’t scanning like she did last year and her roll out has become sloppy because she’s so rushed. Am I wrong in feeling this goes against the way youth soccer should be coached?

TL;DR

U9 keeper getting told by coaches where to pass or roll the ball out every time she’s in possession. Should they back off?

Top replies, most upvoted first

• (+7) You're 100% right but laying it on a little thick that your 8 year old isnt scanning anymore and is upset shes not being coached properly. Same with that the coaches have never stood between the sticks. What does that even mean? You should step up and coach next season. Why didnt you this year?
• (+3) My U11 son’s coach doesn’t say anything (or very little) during the games and it drives me (and other parents) nuts. I feel there are game specific scenarios that were likely not covered in practice where the team needs guidance from their coach. My U9 son’s coach seems like he’s joysticking the kids. Telling them where to dribble or pass. For younger I don’t see the issue with helping more as they need some repetition to learn but I’m hoping he dials it back as the season progresses. My point is either approach you’re going to have a variety of opinions on less is more or the coach isn’t...
• (+3) It is best to not treat players as is they are on the otherside of a joystick. Some direction is ok...like, "what do we do when we are being pressed high?", or "where is the space", or when they do something right yell "love it", "great idea". Your current coaches should take some courses. I did not like the level of coaching my daughter was getting, so I joined the staff next season and we convinced the parents to have the trainer at all practices and games to get consistency
• (+3) I praise coaches with your mentality. I always tell parents that a game is like a test in school and practice is like class/homework. In a test you have zero help, it's your chance to apply everything youve learned and make mistakes you will learn from. I know people get excited and want the best for the kids, but, like you said, if you don't let them make the decisions, how will they learn. You have every right to be upset and I would maybe talk to the other parents about this, at the very least, to not give directions to your child. It's not fair to the children that parents actions I hibit...
• (+2) I’m curious what kind of “travel” team has parents coaching? Are you meaning from the sidelines? If that’s the case, they need to shit up and let the coach do the coaching. If you are paying for a “travel team” and it’s parents coaching the games then ask for a refund because thats the equivalence of a rec league. You need one voice leading them on the field and no extra voices from the sidelines, if parents are the ones being charged with coaching then I’d look for a better environment. Also, youth GKs need specialized training to be successful, learn the proper foundations and correct way...
• (+2) I'm very against that sort of specific in game coaching. Once they hear and process, the situation has changed.
• (+2) At the age level it it’s important to learn not just technical skills but game awareness and decision making. You don’t coach that in-game. Oftentimes it just overloads a kid at that age and doesn’t let them learn from their mistakes. That’s a coach wanting to win not teach.
• (+1) 8 seconds not 6, and they aren’t calling that at this age. However, speak to coach about it. I think it’s a reasonable request to explain it’s something you are working on with her and ask for his support