Who's ready for spring....

Discussion in 'Coach' started by CoachP365, Apr 3, 2016.

  1. CoachP365

    CoachP365 Member+

    Money Grab FC
    Apr 26, 2012
    I was..mostly...still haven't had a full squad at practice...had 7 kids not coming today but that's ok,
    I carry 20, I can live with 2 subs....then I get the call.

    "We went to check out the snow on the field. We cleared the snow, saw the district didn't line,
    we can't get to the paint. Can we reschedule?"
     
  2. elessar78

    elessar78 Moderator
    Staff Member

    May 12, 2010
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    First practice tomorrw. Looking forward to it. I'm coaching a U11 boys team and my six-year old's team for the first time. Both teams couldn't be further from each other, in my mind. The boys are pretty good 1v1 players that have learned to play a pretty sharp-looking posession game in 6 months. Most of the girls are the very definition of beginners.

    The boys this week are refining their execution of pressure-cover-balance-compactness and the girls will be learning how to do tick-tocks, step-ons, inside/outside, sole-rolls, and close dribbling.

    :D
     
  3. amikavpar

    amikavpar Member

    Sep 19, 2009
    Enjoy the 6 year olds! Great fun. I found this great activity to start every practice. Instead of calling them "tick-tocks" etc I changed the name to relate to driving a car. For example:

    toe taps = rev your engines
    tick tocks = windshield wipers
    pullbacks = reverse
    thigh juggle (one time and catch) = over the bridge
    red light = stop
    green light = fast dribbling
    yellow light = slow dribbling

    There were more but it's been over 6 years. After a couple of weeks I would name one of the kids an assistant coach for the day and they would run the warmup. Did this until they were about 8, then it lost its luster for them. I still smile thinking about it, though.

    I'm just a spectator parent now, but my daughter played her first game this weekend. I didn't get to see it, but my wife said she got to play 53 of the 60 minutes (they only had 4 subs) and she had to ask to sit - she was exhausted. I think that amounts to 3 games worth of playing time last season. Her big complaint is the yellow uniform.
     
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  4. cleansheetbsc

    cleansheetbsc Member+

    Mar 17, 2004
    Club:
    --other--
    I did it with the ball as a dog. Teaching it to roll over, walking on a short leash, runaway dog etc.
     
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  5. cleansheetbsc

    cleansheetbsc Member+

    Mar 17, 2004
    Club:
    --other--
    Tonight was supposed to be the first night of team practice. 27 degrees and 3" of snow and its still coming down this morning.

    Hope we can get our four teams on the field for our joint practice on Wednesday. Moved tonight's practice to Friday. Either on grass or tennis courts. Will be completely used for team defense and shape.
     
  6. nicklaino

    nicklaino Member+

    Feb 14, 2012
    Brooklyn, NY
    Club:
    Manchester United FC
    Clean in league games for kids in our youth league you had to play in shorts if the temperature was above 32 degrees. So we did that even in practice for kids to get used to playing in colder weather.

    They never called off games once the game started except for lightening. So we practiced when it snowed or in the rain and practice against the wind. It was a little crazy back then.

    What we did do was let the players play with a turtle neck under the shirt to keep their chest warm.

    On adult game they played in really cold weather in shorts. They put bengay on their legs remember that crap.
     
  7. cleansheetbsc

    cleansheetbsc Member+

    Mar 17, 2004
    Club:
    --other--
    Since I posted, the temperature has dropped to 22 degrees and its still snowing. I won't let my players play in pants. One of my very few rules that shorts are required for games. Don't mind practice as long as they are tight around the ankles.

    The cold is never really the issue, except if it rains. That will break down skinny kids real quick. I will always practice in the cold. The problem is the 4" of snow on the field at the moment.

    A lot of players have taken to wearing running pants under their shorts these days.

    Bengay and turtlenecks are 30 years ago. Today you wear UnderArmor (their cold gear really is fantastic stuff) and embrocation on the legs (Cycling thing).

    As a side note, yesterday we had a couple inches of snow early in the morning that went away and 40 mph winds. EDP games around here were cancelled despite temperatures ending up in the mid 30's
     
  8. elessar78

    elessar78 Moderator
    Staff Member

    May 12, 2010
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    We're in the 30s and raining, sleeting right now. I moved practice indoors tonight.

    Any of your players wear 3/4 length UA Cold gear?

    [​IMG]
     
  9. nicklaino

    nicklaino Member+

    Feb 14, 2012
    Brooklyn, NY
    Club:
    Manchester United FC
    I liked playing in the snow. Not much dribbling just a lot of gliders. Short chipping to team mates.

    When we had games at met oval when it was a dirt field. Their was pool of water all over the field when it rained. So we played long ball and the ball will dive in the water and stop. Then you look at an opponent looking at you to see who will dig the ball out of the water.
     
  10. cleansheetbsc

    cleansheetbsc Member+

    Mar 17, 2004
    Club:
    --other--
    Nah, my players aren't hard core or old enough for that type of specialty gear. I get ski long underwear. Those look great, would be much better for cold refereeing assignments than pulling out my cycling knee warmers.
     
  11. rca2

    rca2 Member+

    Nov 25, 2005
    33 degrees and raining is the worst.

    @cleansheet You should rethink your policy. The bench and keepers absolutely need protection against cold and rain. It is a serious safety issue. 30's and raining is hypothermia weather.
     
  12. elessar78

    elessar78 Moderator
    Staff Member

    May 12, 2010
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    we used to have an army surplus store nearby and I got some military thermals (polypro?) a few years back. Great stuff, but kinda bulky for play.

    I really do like the under armour or under armour-type clothes.
     
  13. rca2

    rca2 Member+

    Nov 25, 2005
    #13 rca2, Apr 4, 2016
    Last edited: Apr 4, 2016
    I remember my adult rec team playing a late winter friendly match against a team that was about 3 levels above us. The field was absolutely horrible. Snow had melted in spots and then frozen in night time temperatures. Then during the day it melted again covering all the ice with water and creating mud and puddles. The field was actually more hindrance to the opponent than my team. They kept the ball in the air and had amazing control. (It is the many experiences like that one, that pisses me off that today's coaches think they are smart restricting U-Littles to passing the ball on the ground.) I remember at half time I changed from my cleats to my turf shoes because they had kangaroo skin uppers. (I had no traction on snow and ice with the cleats anyway and little control with the ordinary leather uppers, so I settled for less traction in the mud and better control of the ball. That is how bad the field was.) That was the last time I bought cheap cleats to save money.

    When will coaches realize that player development is not about teaching kids to play like adults. Fundamentals first.
     
  14. cleansheetbsc

    cleansheetbsc Member+

    Mar 17, 2004
    Club:
    --other--
    Really, drop it one more degree and give me snow every time.

    Pretty much under 50 and rain is awful and yes, it can be a safety issue. Rarely at that age do we play in such conditions. I will practice in it as we are moving the entire time, but games with stops and starts are different. Parents don't care when they can sit in their car. Make them have to sit on the sideline, now you get complaining.

    Now, you are jumping ahead and making assumptions.
    1. I only said you must play in shorts (yes, GK's are exceptions, but (a) GK will only play in goal half a game (in the field for an alternate half and (b) I usually convince GK's not to wear GK pants - hate those too - think they are more of a gimmick or training clothes. Should not be needed for a game)
    2. Games are played with unlimited subs, so players frequently are on the field and off.
    3. If raining, I always bring a pop up tent to cover the bench (coach can't get wet :) )
    4. If raining, I will tell the players to bring extra socks and layers that they can swap out for dry ones.
    5. They are also instructed to wear coats and blankets on the bench in order to get/stay warm when on the sideline.
     
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  15. stphnsn

    stphnsn Member+

    Jan 30, 2009
    i only have voluntary open field sessions with my middle school kids this spring. we started last week and will continue through the summer until early august when our season will begin. we had 10 boys show up last week. i'm hoping for more today.

    and you're right about cold and wet being miserable. it's bad for players but worse for coaches.
     
  16. elessar78

    elessar78 Moderator
    Staff Member

    May 12, 2010
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    I'm now prepared after multiple, miserable games have taught me my lesson. I keep a "cold and wet" bag in my trunk. Water proof pants, water proof jacket, thermal underwear (tops and bottoms), gloves, and water proof shoes. Last time I was in a torrential downpour I was dry.
     
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  17. elessar78

    elessar78 Moderator
    Staff Member

    May 12, 2010
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    Practice was ho hum last night. Mine got disrupted because we had 5 teams squeeze in onto two fields, so my spacing was all wrong because another coach just shoe horned his practice and carved up part of my field. He didn't even take a whole quarter, so it was like his practice area was jutting into mine.
     
  18. wrimle

    wrimle New Member

    Feb 19, 2016
    The girls turn 10 this year. Does that make them U10? We had the second outdoor practice of the year yesterday. We have had a lax attitude to discipline in the team, based on the idea that if the exercises are interesting focus will come.

    Interesting exercises help, of course. However a few of the girls have turned into small divas. They drop in and out of practice as they please. They talk when the coaches talk, or even ignore them sometimes.

    The social aspect is great. We have about 80% attendance to practices. The girls work really hard during matches. They practice soccer in the school yard. And they do join activities in practice once they are started.

    The inner motivation is there. They have taken ownership of their activity. But they are a hard bunch to coach.



    Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk
     
  19. elessar78

    elessar78 Moderator
    Staff Member

    May 12, 2010
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    My threshold is much lower than yours. It's one of our groundrules—no talking when I'm talking. And this group is very good about it. A few isolated cases, but nothing constant. But girls are different than boys.
     
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  20. cleansheetbsc

    cleansheetbsc Member+

    Mar 17, 2004
    Club:
    --other--
    We were the only team to practice last night. Snow still on the ground. We took over the tennis courts.

    Had available to me a hitting wall (kick wall?) and concrete floor. 40 degrees and cold wind. Despite telling parents, gloves, hats, pants, jackets, 2 show up in shorts, one kid without a jacket, half of them without gloves. Oh well, they all survived (I on the other hand, could not feel my fingers).

    Warm up on the kick wall.
    Worked on idividual defense, specifically really trying not sprint to the ball and facing an attacker square on
    Then moved to defending as a unit - from a back line perspective (next week using the back line as our base, using the midfielders and forward for full containment by a team)
    Finally, using the ball again, soccer tennis. It still amazes me how tense young players get when a ball is in the air, as opposed to being loose to control the ball.
     
  21. wrimle

    wrimle New Member

    Feb 19, 2016
    We are trying to turn it around. Not so easy now. I don't want to become unpleasant with them, but I do want them to listen.


    Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk
     
  22. rca2

    rca2 Member+

    Nov 25, 2005
    #22 rca2, Apr 7, 2016
    Last edited: Apr 7, 2016
    I cannot remember having a problem with getting the kids attention. My view is that players are not listening when a coach fails to get their attention. That is on the coach not the players. There are lots of tricks to quickly get a groups attention. When individuals are not listening, that is not a coaching failure. From school, kids already know they aren't suppose to talk when the teacher does. Since I am teaching how to play a game, they are motivated to hear what I have to say. In my view there are two types of talking I did. One was addressing the team and the other was talking to one or more players separately while training was ongoing. I expected the whole team to listen to me only when I was addressing the whole team. That time was a very brief part of practice. I certainly am not going to interrupt the session and waste time chastising a player who is not listening to me. And I don't repeat myself. That is an important message to send players. Not listening is its own punishment and having to deal with the subsequent lack of information teaches better than any negative comment from me.

    I never had such a player, but, if a player didn't want to learn how to play from me, I am not going to force them or waste any time for teaching the rest of the group.

    Generally I spent very little time addressing the team. When I did the players wanted to hear what I had to say. I gave no speeches, no tactical discussions, no analysis of the last match, and no instructions for the next match. My focus was on player development, not beating a particular opponent. I started training sessions with warmups when the first player showed up. No introductory remarks. The first exercise started at the scheduled start time regardless of the number of players. I think that action is an important message to send to players and parents. Before each exercise I introduced it and broke the team down into groups. If the exercise was new, then I described what they were to do. This would take 5-10 seconds. I allowed 1 minute for transitions between exercises. (The coach needs to be organized and focused to keep the kids engaged and prevent wasted time.) End of practice speech, was about 20 seconds. I always ended on time, because that action is another important message to send players and parents.

    The most I talked was during shadow play introducing an aspect of team tactics. I talked explaining the movements while having the players walk through the actual movements.

    Most of my talking was positive feedback while training was ongoing. I definitely did not want the players to stop the exercise and focus on me. Sometimes I would correct technique. When I didn't see the movements I wanted from a group, usually I would adjust the exercise and let the players chose their movement, rather than tell the players how to move differently. Often if only one player was having a problem, they would figure out what to do from watching the other players. So as long as 1 or 2 players in a group are setting an example, you only need to reinforce their example with positive comments and everyone else will come around.
     
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  23. elessar78

    elessar78 Moderator
    Staff Member

    May 12, 2010
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    You don't have to get nasty or raise your voice. In fact, calm and measured is how you want to be.

    Clearly set the rule and enforce the correction. Kids are little researchers and they will test the boundaries to see how far they are allowed to go. Not a bad thing. While playing we want them to test their limits.

    For me, when they were younger, and they talked I'd tell them to go sit apart from the group for, say 2 mins. Repeat as necessary. It won't happen overnight, but if you're consistent they'll fall in line in a few practices.

    Proactive Coaching recommends you teach attitude first. Teaching them skills becomes a secondary thing until they are in an ideal, teachable spirit. Think of it too as future training for them... what are they going to be like if they get on their high school or college team? They'll be a better teammate for it.
     
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  24. elessar78

    elessar78 Moderator
    Staff Member

    May 12, 2010
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    I get tense when the ball is in the air! haha.

    A big lofted ball in the air is the thing I'm least comfortable with for various reasons. Give me a driven ball, I can attack any day. But to sit and wait for ball to come down is nerve wracking.
     
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  25. elessar78

    elessar78 Moderator
    Staff Member

    May 12, 2010
    Club:
    Arsenal FC

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