My first year coaching thread

[NawlinsFats]

You get alot of advise about tactics and systems on this thread. The addition of some higher quality players seems to have helped your side. My two cents would relate to chemistry within the side after these additions. The foundation of your team are the players that have been there all along. I think you play Fayetteville Academy soon? The advantage you will always have against better teams in your area, is the heart of the kids who are playing for the right reasons, not the skill of the players who are there for the wrong ones. The most important thing is to find the leaders of your team. They will help you more than anyone on this site. Come on Bulls!

[pething101]

Originally posted by NawlinsFats
You get alot of advise about tactics and systems on this thread. The addition of some higher quality players seems to have helped your side. My two cents would relate to chemistry within the side after these additions. The foundation of your team are the players that have been there all along. I think you play Fayetteville Academy soon? The advantage you will always have against better teams in your area, is the heart of the kids who are playing for the right reasons, not the skill of the players who are there for the wrong ones. The most important thing is to find the leaders of your team. They will help you more than anyone on this site. Come on Bulls!

Actually, we dont play the Academy this year. We want to since they are supposedly one of the best Independents in the state, but it wont happen.

[NawlinsFats]

My fault. I thought I read that on one of the Smith sites. My point is that you are competing against your comparible teams in the region. It is imperitive to know the level of play that you will encounter with these sides. You will be judged against those, not the premeire sides in the state. All things in moderation. Come on Bulls!!!

[pething101]

You might have been thinking Fayetteville Christian Academy. We had a match with them but it was called off. Not sure why.

[NawlinsFats]

panicfc; You've got to come better than "Mark Twain Pizza". Franky & Johnny's, Juan's Flying Burrito, or Jaque Imo's for starters. Love New Orleans, but love it in a dirty, special, fat way.
pething; I'm drunk and I love what you are doing for the BULLS!!! Hang in there.

[pething101]

One thing I need to do this weekend is come up with a list of team rules and procedures for my JV team. Also need to come up with a discipline plan for them as well.

Do most of ya'll have a written list of team rules, procedures and consequences? If so, what are some of the more common ones that work.

[SharkD]

Here's a great drill when/if you have enough guys. Didn't read the whole thread so I apologize if this has already been mentioned..

Split them up into 2 teams and place 4 goals (8 cones) in a diamond configuration. The goal here is to pass the ball between the cones (goal) for a point. You can't just shoot it through, but there must be a player from your team on the other side to recieve the pass. Bad pass, no point. The emphasis here is to always be in support or your teammate, and also to keep your head up. If your going to one goal and see to many defenders, turn and go to another one. When played hard it's great for teamwork and also for individual skills since there'll be alot of 1v1 or 2v1 stuff.

Hope it helps...

[boydreilly]

Originally posted by pething101
One thing I need to do this weekend is come up with a list of team rules and procedures for my JV team. Also need to come up with a discipline plan for them as well.

Do most of ya'll have a written list of team rules, procedures and consequences? If so, what are some of the more common ones that work.

I'm sure others will disagree with me, but I don't think there is much use for a list of written rules. Just tell them to use their best judgment and most everything will be alright.

I know the most common rule people will suggest is that if you miss or are late for a practice then you don't start. But, I don't blieve this rule should be set in stone. I'd rather have my players have their affairs in order (like class work, family matters, etc.) before coming to practice. And I don't want them to think they will be punished for what is a rightful excuse.

[SharkD]

When I played and then coached, one rule that we would have to prevent kids from pulling muscles etc.. shooting before they stretched was to "hang'em" if they shot on goal before practice. Sounds harsh but it worked. If anyone was caught shooting before team stretching, they'd hang on from the cross bar in the middle of the net. They could bring their knees up if necessary, but then everyone would line up at the 18 and shoot at him (after stretching of course!)
I'm not sure if that'd get you in trouble now or not.....but after your up their once, you won't do it again! :-)

[fernb8]

this is a really good forum and it is filled with very good advice and suggestions

pething- as a JV coach myself, I understand where you are coming from. Just to catch up a little.

the head coach conflict- went through the same thing, and although I did not agree with the head coach at the time I still stood by him and defended our principles and methods to both players and parents. The rough patch is over and I found that the head coach has not only become a great mentor but a trusted friend as well.

442 vs 352- from personal experience I think the players will be able to understand a 442 easier, especially if you employ a sweeper system, just dont let your midfield get to flat.

rules- I generally coach from 4 basic rules

safety- proper equipment, no jewerly (I saw a girl lose half an ear lobe going up for a header due to an ear ring), and water (hydration is key)

prepared- be on time, have all you gear on and ready to practice on time

respect- always respect your coaches and your teamates. Gassers, suicides, crunches, push ups will help and if they dont solve the problem make it a team punishment. I think most players will repsond if they have 12 pissed to keep them in line.

effort- practice does make permanent like someone said earlier and the best way to get better is apply what they learn with maximum effort.

[pething101]

Last two practices have been low on numbers, maybe 8 and 9 on Thurs and Frid.

Noticed that when we are missing a particular element of the team on a given day, that the team plays much much much better.

Interesting.

[negativetouch]

those couple of malcontent players or the coach?

[Chicago76]

Originally posted by SharkD
When I played and then coached, one rule that we would have to prevent kids from pulling muscles etc.. shooting before they stretched was to "hang'em" if they shot on goal before practice. Sounds harsh but it worked. If anyone was caught shooting before team stretching, they'd hang on from the cross bar in the middle of the net. They could bring their knees up if necessary, but then everyone would line up at the 18 and shoot at him (after stretching of course!)
I'm not sure if that'd get you in trouble now or not.....but after your up their once, you won't do it again! :-)

This brings back memories. My coaches did the same thing, except hanging from the crossbar. Actually, that was one of the things that got us into trouble. We had to, errrr, bend over and grab our ankles. The players then took turns from the PK spot. Getting hit in the ass with the ball wasn't so bad, it was the back of the leg that hurt like hell.


Coach,

My two cents for what it is (or isn't) worth.

Eliminate the distance running as much as possible. You don't have many players to work with and it sounds to me like you have your work cut out for you regarding the experience of the players. Running just takes away from time players could spend with a ball at their feet.

The things I would stress w/ less experienced players:

1-simple tactics. a 4-4-2 is as easy as any other formation. ball side and goal side positioning and simple marking is easy as well.

2-getting comfortable w/ the ball. Coerver drills work nicely here. Mixing up coerver drills with other things so that players are not spending more than 20 minutes at a time doing any one thing will accomplish two things:

a-they won't get bored or lose concentration
b-they will be in constant motion and will be getting into soccer condition without running mile after mile

3-the concept of space. checking to or away from a man. communication.

we always ran a drill that helped out in these areas. take two even sides (5-8 players a side works well. give them a field appropriate to the size of the sides. one third of the field touchline to touchline works well for 8 a side. give each player on a team a number. each team scores by first winning the ball and then stringing together a series of passes to go through the lineup in order. a coach can be used in this as a passive player to facilitate play as well.

example: player 3 wins the ball, passes to four five and so on until a pass is completed to player 3. this is a goal. the only way players will know where to pass is if the others communicate their position (through, square, support, etc) and players go to space. other players must free up space by moving away to give a teammate the opportunity to receive the ball. don't limit touches explicity, but if a player takes more than 5 or 6, a coach can be in play can actively defend the player as well. other players and the dribbler will recognize this and help should be given. if one team gets bogged down, allow them to use the coach as a "wild card". communicate and provide a player in trouble with help. pass the ball back to either the player you received the ball from or the next player in the order.

[JohnW]

Originally posted by pething101

Do most of ya'll have a written list of team rules, procedures and consequences? If so, what are some of the more common ones that work.

We actually have a team handbook with schedule, anticipated departure times, eligibility requirements, team history with former all conference and All Americans, player and coaches expectations, formations, set plays and a team covenant that players sign and return.

Obviously, all of those things would be overkill for a JV squad, but I think it is good to have things in writing. Putting it in writing holds you and the players accountable. In fact, that's why we include a section on what the players can expect from coaches.

The team covenant probably sounds a bit hokey, but it has helped with one specific problem: players who quit mid-season. The players get a copy in preseason (or during tryouts), then the day before cuts everyone hands it in.

Most of the things are just rehashed team expectations, but one specific thing is that barring a serious injury or unforeseen personal development (the true example [sans name] I use is a player whose parent became very ill and he felt he couldn't continue), the player will complete the season.

RE: missing practice. Our team rule is any unexcused absence means you're gone--no questions asked. Players have my phone and assistant (with voice mail). I also accept the word of our captains if an emergency arises.

No one starts if they miss practice the day before the game.

Part of our player expectations is (obviously) attendance at practice. That said, if a player has a good reason to miss practice, they can talk to me, and we'll work it out.

jgw

[JohnW]

Originally posted by SharkD
If anyone was caught shooting before team stretching, they'd hang on from the cross bar in the middle of the net. They could bring their knees up if necessary, but then everyone would line up at the 18 and shoot at him (after stretching of course!)


I assume this was a while ago, because you are inviting at minimum a very upset parent, if not a lawsuit--especially at the high school and JV level.

Try google search on the university and football coaching staff sued for using player as tackling dummy for missing a block.

Have player run, do star jumps, crunches, jump and touch cross bar, etc., but make sure you have a good umbrella liability policy if you decide to "hang 'em."

jgw

[Elroy]

Here are some things that have worked for me.
1. It is a good thing to have pure physical conditioning in every practice. I found that if I had a 2 1/2 hour practice window that an hour's conditioning and a 1 1/2 hour practice worked well. If you think about it, proper pre-practice warm up and cool down takes at least 30 minutes anyway. Under any circumstances, actual soccer should not last more than 90 minutes. That seems to be a mental limit.
2. If you do pure conditioning sessions, make them fun. Vary what you do and keep the atmosphere positive. Conditioning sessions are a good time to develop team espirit. Junk that damn Cooper test.
3. If you want to correct a player during a match, do it as quickly as possible. If you need more than a few words, then sub him out, talk to him, and put him right back in to give him a chance to make the correction while it's fresh in his mind. Tell the player that's subbing that they're only going to be in a few minutes and make certain that they get their regular shift. Thank them for their help when they come back out. This is much more effective than screaming across the field. If you don't have unlimited substitution, you can call the player over to the line and effectively play short handed on those occasions when you require more than a few words of correction.
4. Teach the game. Ask a lot of questions at practice to ensure players understand. Teach principles and situations to develop players who can think for themselves. Remember that there is more than one way to play the game and thus it is usually better to adapt your system of play to your players than to try to force your players into a system.
5. I always had a bench coach whose job was to talk about the match to players who were out. If I had corrections or concepts that I wanted explained a bench coach allowed me to do this without me losing the flow of the match. If you are the assistant, this would be a good job for you to take on. Some of the best teaching opportunities arise during a match.
6. Keep things simple. Don't try to do everything at once. Remember that you are in this for the long haul and build accordingly. There is a temptation to want to do everything as quickly as possible b/c of limited time. You're better off to get team understanding of a few important points than to dilute that understanding by saying too much. Post match comments should be brief and on point. Elaborate and discuss at the next practice.

That's all for now.

[Elroy]

One more thing. When I developed game plans, we always had a " what if " list. I would sit down and discuss situations that required team wide adjustments and alow the players to help devise solutions. That way if our opponents tried something unusual, we could adjust w/o panic.

[soccernutter]

p - I'm wondering, what do the other players think about these guys who are skipping practice? And are these guys really flakin off, or is there a more legit reason (as a possibility was hinted at in a previous post)?

[Benedict XVI]

nothing exposes one's ignorance of soccer like actually having to coach and manage a real team.

[pething101]

Originally posted by Vicar
nothing exposes one's ignorance of soccer like actually having to coach and manage a real team.

This gets my vote as post of the thread.