How the Athlete Triangle Builds Better Players and People.
At our recent Coach Engagement Night, we re-centered around our mission:
“The mission of Dallas Surf Soccer Club is to follow the Surf tradition of creating a Best of the Best soccer environment for all players, parents and coaches in the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex.”
Our mission only works when everyone is rowing the boat in the same direction. Parents are not spectators in this journey. You are part of the triangle, and when all three sides of the athlete triangle (player, coach, and parent) stay connected, players thrive.
Our club values (S.U.R.F. = Standards, Unity, Respect, Fearless) go beyond training sessions. They shape how we act and interact every day. You should see them in:
-
Sideline behavior during games (parents and coaches)
-
Conversations on the car ride home
-
Parents and coaches committing to their own growth in soccer knowledge and long-term athlete development
-
The way we work together as one community
When all three sides of the athlete triangle — player, coach, and parent — are connected through these values, players thrive.
🔺 Understanding the Athlete Triangle
We view player development as a collaborative journey. While coaches guide the process and players experience it firsthand, parents arguably influence it more than anyone else. That’s why the relationship between player, coach, and parent is critcial for long-term growth.
🔍 Why It Matters
Research consistently backs this up. Self-Determination Theory, a leading framework in youth development, shows that athletes thrive when they feel:
- Competence (they feel capable)
- Autonomy (they have ownership in their journey)
- Relatedness (they feel connected to those around them)
“Athletes thrive when the adults around them are connected and aligned — not pulling in different directions.”
– Deci & Ryan, Self-Determination Theory
📈 The Benefits of Alignment
When parents and coaches work in sync, players feel supported on every side. This alignment builds:
-
Motivation — players stay excited to train, compete, and improve
-
Clarity — consistent messages make learning and decision-making easier
-
Resilience — athletes gain confidence to handle pressure and setbacks
-
Belonging — a stronger bond with the game, teammates, and club culture
💡 How We’re Bringing It to Life
At our recent Coach Engagement Night, every coach received a task: More on this task can be found in the newsletter section – coach engagement night.
We asked each coach to work with their players and parents to define 3 core principles their team will live by this season. Chosen from our pinciples discussed in our coach engagement night.
These principles must be:
• Actionable — things we can actually do
• Visible — seen in our behavior, not just our words
• Repeatable — reinforced in training, games, and team meetings
By involving players and parents from the start, we’re creating immediate alignment. It’s one way we’re strengthening the triangle from Day one.
Photos👇🏻 are from teams who have already completed this task…
“Player development doesn’t happen in a vacuum — it’s shaped by the environment around them. Let’s shape that environment together.”
Want to learn more about how to support your child’s journey?
Check out our newsletter each month for new insights, and simple ways to stay connected.
