I graduated from HS last year, and the indoor team we had was pretty solid. It was carried by 3-4 of the seniors (including myself), and made it to the semi-finals; which was pretty respectable as we weren't solid enough through and through to win the whole thing. Now, this year, the team is minus a coach, and also minus appx. 8 players from last year's team (combination of graduation, guys moving and long term injuries). Two other guys and me decided to repay the school by offering to coach the team. To make things blunt, the talent pool is very, very thin. We ran practices for a few weeks before the first game, and its obvious that we have to start from basics with this guys. I'm not exactly sure where to start. I know the game well, and have been trained by some good coaches at club and provincial level. However, any training techniques that I may know from those coaches are FAR BEYOND what these players are capable of. Basically, I have to treat them and train them as if they were 8 year olds first learning to play the game. What kind of things should I focus on, and how should I go about doing so? Let me say that the indoor league here is 5 v 5 with boards, and this particular facility is quite large, it is VERY exhausting. After our first game (a mauling), it is evident that these players need conditioning, refinement of their skills and the biggest thing, a semblance of a footballing IQ, ESPECIALLY defensively. Any suggestions from those more experienced will be greatly appreciated.
It is not uncommon that experienced players to run practices for their HS teams and not their coaches for what ever reason. "Basically, I have to treat them and train them as if they were 8 year olds first learning to play the game." That's the right way to do it and the first practice of the season for everyone. Take nothing for granted with players. Until they show you the skill thenyou know for sure what they can and can not do, Start with the push pass. Can they do it with either foot with one touch. Let them push pass to each other from 10 yards away. They should not have to move to do this. There feet are moving but they should not have to move to their left or right to get to a pass. Then have then take aired through ins from 10 yards away start low throw in to the feet they pass it back. Tehn go up the ladder until you see how they control higher balls to different parts of their bodies finishing with their heads and they pass them back to the thrower at the throwers feet including the head balls. Just like you were coaching little kids. Then dribbling everything done in our game except fks are done off the dribble. They have to be able to dribble and look up field at the same time. So ball is seen at the bottom of their vision while looking up and moving toward a target. So ball can;t be to close to the body and it can't be too far away either. Except when your running with the ball that is different from dribbling with the ball as you know. Use stations to work on skills. Who ever is weak on a particular skill goes in one station no more them 3 or 4 players in a station. With them put a player who is good at that skill to help them with that skill. There are their to help them not to be their boss their not in the army and not to waste time. A station for who ever is weak in a different skill with one player good in that skill. You can go in a station with them to see how they are doing and to help them and to push them to work harder to get that skill or if they are wasting time. Then visist another stattion. Etc. If you see they are lazy in a station go into that station and push them. Remember your not in the army either. You just want to help them with their game that's all. Good luck have fun. I tell this to all coaches you love the game wear that love on your sleeve so everyone watching can see it. Hopefully you can pass your love of the game to everyone you meet including players and the spectators at game because it is cantagious.
Here's my lesson plan for beginning to average players. Read posts 12 and 15 in that thread. http://www.grassrootscoaching.com/f...ilding-girls-team-league-blog-2.html#post3218
BigGuy made some great observations about what you can do immediately. But long term, two things I'd ask is: is there only one team in your program? And how long do you plan on coaching your alma mater? I don't know what it's like in Canada but at American high schools, there is usually a varsity (top level) team and a JV team below that. Many have middle/junior high school teams as well feeding them. If there are lower level teams in your program, you should do everything you can to get good coaches for those teams. And by that, I mean they have to be good 'fundamentals guys,' coaches who can break the game down simply to less experienced players. Don't just find someone who'd rather be with the older kids and is just biding his time. Find a coach(es) who is good at teaching the basics, has the patience to work with younger players and will emphasize skills over game results. If you have good fundamentals guys at the lower levels, then in the future, you won't have to teach 16 year olds how to make a push pass ever again. And even if you don't coach again, you'll be leaving a great gift for whomever follows you.
Hi Canadian Azzurri, or anyone else that knows young coaches between 18-23 years old. If you are interested in going after your education by taking coaching courses, in your case the Provincial B I think, and you need financial aid you can apply for scholarships to the Chris Nedelcovych Soccer Foundation, www.cnsfund.org. We are a registered 501-c-3 non-profit with the mission of helping young coaches and promoting "Youth Coaching Youth." CA, this includes the NSCAA and US Youth Soccer courses in the states. We can provide a full ride to these course for accepted candidates. Again, they have to be 18-23 years old. Go to the website for details and contact information. Good luck.