My first year coaching thread

[boydreilly]

Originally posted by pething101


Our first scrimage is on Thursday. We have had one full week of practice so I am not expecting too much from the preseason games.

Already have pointed them in the direction of FSW and of MLS.

I think we have some creative flair but we lack a lot in the basics. They can do some nifty stuff with the ball but cannot pass or trap too well.

Since trapping and passing are their big problems I would suggest you do some monkey in the middle. Start 4 versus 1. Make sure they understand 2-touch (trap/pass). They don't need to look where they pass, just simple square passes. Then move them to 3 versus 1, so they can learn to cover spaces. Again, they need to master the trap and quick pass. If they aren't getting 10 passes together then there is a problem. If they master that, go to 1 touch.

This drill teaches them the importance of a good trap and the need to deliver a ball in a decisive manner. Good luck.

[boydreilly]

Thought of another drill that works on trapping and passing and also gets them in good soccer shape.

Do 4 versus 4 in, about, a 10 yard box. No goal. They just pass to each other. They have to run a lot (believe me, it is very tiring.) The ball has to stay in the box. I usually make it more interesting by counting 10 consecutive passes as a goal. They should be doing 2 touch on this. That is hard at first, so maybe start with 3. Eventually they should be able to do 1 touch.

This drill helps in developing trapping, passing, physical shape, off the ball movement and field vision.

[Alberto]

pething, I know we talked about it previously, but do take the F license USSF coaches course. I would also advise you to take the E and D courses too since you are dealing with high school aged players and you and your players will benefit from a more sophisticated understanding of the game. Get the school to foot the bill for the registration particularly for the D course.

Also, if there are any local coaching clinics attend them. There's the pro woman's team in your state. I'm sure they offer coaching clinics.

If there are any good club teams at the U15-U19 level and find out if you can watch or monitor a practice. You can learn a lot about good coaching by watching one. to find a good local club team in that age group contact the North Carolina Youth Soccer Association. Better yet ask for permission to monitor an ODP team practice. There the level of coaching is much higher and is monitored both at a state and at a regional level. Hope this helps.

[pething101]

Originally posted by boydreilly


Since trapping and passing are their big problems I would suggest you do some monkey in the middle. Start 4 versus 1. Make sure they understand 2-touch (trap/pass). They don't need to look where they pass, just simple square passes. Then move them to 3 versus 1, so they can learn to cover spaces. Again, they need to master the trap and quick pass. If they aren't getting 10 passes together then there is a problem. If they master that, go to 1 touch.


I tried the 3v1 drill. They did ok with it. But I dont think we strung more than 6 passes together at any one time. Will add another and try the 4v1, instead.

[pething101]

Originally posted by Alberto
pething, I know we talked about it previously, but do take the F license USSF coaches course. I would also advise you to take the E and D courses too since you are dealing with high school aged players and you and your players will benefit from a more sophisticated understanding of the game. Get the school to foot the bill for the registration particularly for the D course.


I was hoping to do this over the summer but the money just was not in the bank to afford it. Will definitly get it out of the way as soon as I can. Looking forward to learning a lot from them.

[Elizabeth]

Originally posted by pething101
Well, a little info would be a good.

First year coach at an inner city school in Fayetteville. I am the asst coach for the varsity and if we have enough kids I will coach the jv team.

Played soccer all through school up until graduation. Never very good but dependable as a defender. Of course, I last played in 1989 so that makes it tough.

Never taken any courses in coaching soccer, so any tips one can offer would be greatly appreciated.

Guess that is a good start.

I started an inner city program. It was taken to a higher level by our city, tied into an after school program sponsored by Arnold Schwertnenager. (whatever)

there is great talent where you are and you must see it. Let them play. Get small sided games going after mini rules lessons. Ever day out...add a lesson if they understood the previous. Little things. I bet you see them pick the ball up a lot:)

Offsied is the last thing you worry about...let them play. If there are enough kids for 3v3 or 4v4 or 5v5...do that. Skip the goalie. Scoring is big or they lose interest. Keep the field small. Use cones...very small.

It's a blast...you ar lucky to begin there. If I knew what ages you had...I could help further. i had the whole spectrum who had never played so it was divided by size at first....then developed after. Just make sure they have fun. Thank you for doing this for youth soccer.


Sorry, just read it's high school level. Still new to the game...and I believe strongly in small sided practice to get lots of touches. Have them dribble with the ball using the outsides of their feet...BOTH feet. Around cones...and if your email address is listed, I'll send you some books.

Older kids need more structure than younger...but it's still important that they have fun...scrimmaging is the best way...and if they are dedicated (you can always tell by personality) tell them to run on their own and they won't lose the ball so much in scrimmages! Just a start if you haven't done much. Believe me...tons of talent in the inner city with more competition in football and basketball than we see in the burbs. Good Luck!

[panicfc]

I would recommend possession games as well, but reward for stringing five passes in a row.

When they master five passes, then you have to get points based on the number of passes they can string together - over five.

Example: West Ham strings 7 straight passes to start off, so Roma has to string 8 passes in order to get 8 points. First team to 20 gets to drink water first or does less push ups or crunches.

My experience is the boys need strength, High school soccer is a man's game, and strength is manditory. Push-ups are about all you can do at this point.

[Coryattheplex]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Alberto
[B]

Syd all things considered fitness is a very important component of soccer. I agree skills are the most important, but these are no longer children they are young men playing varsity sports in high school were the commitment is much greater than they have previously experienced. They are not 9-12 years of age, they are 14-18 years old. At this point results do matter. Certainly the most important thing is to improve player performance, but we would be lying to say results don't matter at the varsity level.

Sorry guy, your philosophy is something I agree with, because the kids do need fitness, but the method is all wrong...when do soccer players ever take the field in a game and run two miles, in a circular pattern, for a set time. Players need to train under game conditions to get any GAME benefits. The idea of short sided, large area games like the three v three on a fourty yard long field are perfect.....the kids run their nuts off, and learn how to play together all at once. a coach can step in at any time to teach a lesson, and competition drives them to work thenmselves to death. In short, look for as many creative game related situations as you can, I would suggest checking out the Training Ground page on UEFA.com, and look at for the Practice Routines section.

[Coryattheplex]

Originally posted by panicfc
I would recommend possession games as well, but reward for stringing five passes in a row.

When they master five passes, then you have to get points based on the number of passes they can string together - over five.

Example: West Ham strings 7 straight passes to start off, so Roma has to string 8 passes in order to get 8 points. First team to 20 gets to drink water first or does less push ups or crunches.

My experience is the boys need strength, High school soccer is a man's game, and strength is manditory. Push-ups are about all you can do at this point.

[Coryattheplex]

Originally posted by panicfc
I would recommend possession games as well, but reward for stringing five passes in a row.

When they master five passes, then you have to get points based on the number of passes they can string together - over five.

Example: West Ham strings 7 straight passes to start off, so Roma has to string 8 passes in order to get 8 points. First team to 20 gets to drink water first or does less push ups or crunches.

My experience is the boys need strength, High school soccer is a man's game, and strength is manditory. Push-ups are about all you can do at this point.

Are you kidding me? I have my kids on a year round weight lifting regimen that provides not only strength, but also injury prevention. They hit all the core lifts, Parralel Squats, Dead Lifts, Bench Press, ect, and they are not a bunch of slow witted football players masquerading as Soccer team guys.....they love the explosive edge it gives them, and the fact that they stay relatively free of injury. My starting stopper is 5',7" and 175lb's, he'll run your ass over, and you'll feel it!

[panicfc]

Originally posted by Coryattheplex


Are you kidding me? I have my kids on a year round weight lifting regimen that provides not only strength, but also injury prevention. They hit all the core lifts, Parralel Squats, Dead Lifts, Bench Press, ect, and they are not a bunch of slow witted football players masquerading as Soccer team guys.....they love the explosive edge it gives them, and the fact that they stay relatively free of injury. My starting stopper is 5',7" and 175lb's, he'll run your ass over, and you'll feel it!

Do you start this two weeks before the season with a bunch of new players?

With an exisiting team - you are 100% correct, but there isn't time to make it happen with a group of kids that have just been thrown together.

[panicfc]

Originally posted by Coryattheplex


Did you agree with my post?

[MarioKempes]

pething101, you are to be commended for your good work. Thanks for contributing to the soccer world, even if it is in Fayettenam. ;-)

Get the Coerver New Era Series. It is wonderful.
Have a look at Dennis Mueller's 7 minute drill at:

http://www.ucs.mun.ca/~dgraham/daily_drill.html

Small sided games, e.g. 4v4, 6v4, 3v3, 5v5 are the best way to develop good players.

[Richie]

"Are you kidding me? I have my kids on a year round weight lifting regimen that provides not only strength, but also injury prevention. They hit all the core lifts, Parralel Squats, Dead Lifts, Bench Press, ect, and they are not a bunch of slow witted football players masquerading as Soccer team guys.....they love the explosive edge it gives them, and the fact that they stay relatively free of injury. My starting stopper is 5',7" and 175lb's, he'll run your ass over, and you'll feel it!"

Are you using machines or free weights? Do they have supervision when they are using weights or do you leave them on their own? I would like to know a typical weeks weight lifting regiment as in what body parts are worked on each day. Plus is their any change once the season starts or do they still have time for wt work when you start practice?

Also what do you have your players do for general quickness?

I am from the old school I use player to player resistence, medicine ball work, running with the ball and hurdles during down time. When practices starts it is mostly work with the ball, and running with the ball.


Richie

[sydtheeagle]

Originally posted by Alberto


Syd all things considered fitness is a very important component of soccer. I agree skills are the most important, but these are no longer children they are young men playing varsity sports in high school were the commitment is much greater than they have previously experienced. They are not 9-12 years of age, they are 14-18 years old. At this point results do matter. Certainly the most important thing is to improve player performance, but we would be lying to say results don't matter at the varsity level.



Look, first let me say that I am not looking for a slanging match but I so think that what you are writing is totally, totally wrong.

I heard a fascinating interview with Alvin Martin (ex- West Ham and England) the other day, talking about his own son who, at seventeen or so, has just signed professional forms. He made two points:

1. Before the age of sixteen results are totally and utterly unimportant. and,

2. He told a wonderful story about Ron Greenwood, the great (and vastly under-rated) West Ham and England manager. When Alvin was around fifteen, he was playing for West Ham's kids side. Now for those who don't know the player, he was a big, burly, stop 'em in their tracks centre half.

In one particular game Martin, who was physically advanced anyway, was stopping every opposition move in its tracks. Every ball that came through the middle, he'd deal with with consumate ease. After about thirty minutes an opposing winger whipped in a teasing cross and Alvin, rising above the opposing centre forward, headed the ball to safety.

In the background, he heard Greenwood screaming at him and at half time he asked him what the problem was. Ron's response: "When that cross comes in, next time take it down on your chest, dribble around the centre forward, and pass it into the middle to one of your own team. You're here to learn to play football, and nothing else."

Great football teams (Brazil) learn to develop skills when they're kids. Winning and organisation are for adults. Who the hell cares whether fifteen year olds are winning trophies or matches? There's plenty of time for competition later in life.

[pething101]

Well, today is Tuesday.

The Head Coach should be back from his trip so I won't be leading the team. It will be interesting to see the differences in how we conduct the practice.

Weather should actually be better. Forecast is for about 89 degrees with a good chance of Thunderstorms in the afternoon. May not sound better, but we have been practicing in 95 plus degree weather, so it is an improvment.

[pething101]

Originally posted by MarioKempes
pething101, you are to be commended for your good work. Thanks for contributing to the soccer world, even if it is in Fayettenam. ;-)

Get the Coerver New Era Series. It is wonderful.


It is going to be a good learning experience. Where can you order these videos?

Gotta love Fayettenam... we should be competative as long as we dont have to play the big boys up in your next of the woods.

[johnh00]

Don't know if you are training the keepers(always seems to be the asst. coach's jobs), but here (http://finesoccer.com/keepers.htm) is an archive from a newsletter for goalkeeper coaches. You might want to sign up for the newsletter itself, on the same site, but there is plenty in the archive to work with.

Lee

[Richie]

"Syd all things considered fitness is a very important component of soccer.'

Want to comment on fitness in soccer. It is not the same now as it was in the youth game years ago.

Old clubs just had one field that the senior team used years ago. Then they still had one field when youth teams were introduced. That field was a regulation size field. Youth teams of every age played on the mens field. Coaches trained youth players much more in fitness then then now.

Also years ago in youth travel as in the mens game the best 11 played, and the rest got 5 or ten miuntes of play. That I never agreed with.

They did it even though even then Under 19 and under were unlimited substitutions. They were preparing youth players for the mens game.

Now you have smaller fields, unlimited substitutions. Small sided play helps with conditioning because the players needs to think and to dribble more. Dribbling is better for fitness then just running without the ball.

However this small sided play and unlimited substitution does not prepare a players fitness when they move out of the unlimited substitution stage.

Then I can tell you as a coach who does adult teams conditioning is a very important part of training. You can substitute up to three players in a game. I don't want to make substitutions in a game period because you never know what can happen in a match. Cards and injuries are unknow factors. So I especially don't want to sub for tired players?

I only make subs to improve the team. I don't consider subbing a starter if he is tired for a fresh player as improving the team. A starter is a starter for a lot of reasons. One reason is his fitness it has to be, and the other reason is his overal game is better then any sub I have. I want my starter to be able to do something in the 90 minute that can help us win. That's better then a sub that has fresh legs but is not capable of doing something that can win a game even if he is fresh.

How many tired players can you sub for in the mens game 10? No, can't do that so three right? Then I have 7 tired players still on the field? Then you get an injury or a booking and your playing short with 6 or 5 tired players.

So fitness is important. Being able to push oneself mentaly even if your tired is a good character trait for a player who wants to be a starter.

Oh yeah, tired players also stop thinking when they are tired.

So fitness is very important.

Richie

[Turk from Pigs Eye]

Regarding conditioning, in my "C" license training I asked our instructor, Ian Barker, who played pro in England and was coaching a college women's team at the time, about it. He said conditioning in practice should start at the JV level in high school. Prior to that they should just work with the ball. Most high school teams will work on conditioning, I believe.