Hi All,
League games start this week!
1. Volunteer
If you coach U14 or older, please ask your players to volunteer
and forward the registration link to them.
2. VUSC/NSC Keeper training - three remaining Sundays 5/4,
5/11 and 5/18 at the
3. VAA Ref meeting and clinic - for any players or adults interested in ref'ing VAA community soccer games. Mandatory meeting 5/12 7P-9P at Hayes. Ref Clinic
either 5/14 or 5/15 (choose one) 6P-8P at Hayes. MSRA certification is
not needed, but certified refs get paid more. This is a great opportunity
for players to improve their knowledge of the game, gain leadership skills, and
make money!
4. Coach training opportunities.
Wed 5/7 6P-8P
Wed 5/28 6P-8P
Also, please remember that player training,
such as the Sunday keeper training or any camps, are
excellent coach learning opportunities as well!
5. The first VUSC/VAA Coaches "coffee talk" was
held on Sat 4/12. We had a fair turnout with 27 coaches registered.
A few of those didn't show, but we added a few at the door. Those who attended got and excellent and entertaining session on
Economical Training, Formations, and Principles of Attack and Defense.
We then had a live training session in the gym. Add to that the great
coffee and donuts and a good time was had by all. I can't encourage you
enough to attend these kinds of opportunities. We are considering
bringing in some even bigger programs next year but we need to know that people
will attend.
6. Reminder - VAA Adult Soccer League (over 35)
VAA has an adult recreational soccer league. If you'd like
to be on the mailing list for that league, please email Trevor Childs, trevnjan@charter.net.
Here is an informational email that came out recently:
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Hi All. With the warmer weather starting to show up it got me thinking about
our Friday soccer evenings.
VAA will be enforcing the sign-up policy this year. We have been very slack in
not signing up and making the small $20 payment in past years. This fee covers
the whole year, and the funds go toward improving community soccer for the kids
in our area. We will still allow new players to come along for one week free of
charge to see if our game is what they are looking for. After that "NO PAY
NO PLAY" . To sign-up please follow this
link for the VAA adult soccer registration page;
http://www.valleyathletic.org
If you know of other players that may be interested or players that have come
previously and are not on this email list, please let them know.
I'll send out another email next month with the start date.
Thanks for your continued support.
Trevor Childs
Director, VAA adult soccer.
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7. Video of the month - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v
8. Cool soccer link of the month - http://www.soccerwatch4u.com/
9. Article of the month:
Game Day Coaching
The weekend contest should be viewed
as an extension of the weekday training sessions
By Pat McCarry
Director of Professional Development
U.K. Elite Soccer
The weekend soccer game at the youth level should be viewed as the second or
third coaching session of the week, not as an independent entity It is a
wonderful opportunity to observe how effective our training sessions have been
up to that point, specifically those that have been delivered in the previous
week. For example, if we have been working on passing and movement in training
but see no evidence of it during the game then we know that we need to
reinforce and supplement our work in this area. Thus our primary consideration
is continual development.
With long-term development in mind, the coach should produce a flexible,
season-long plan that ensures sharply focused timing sessions and continuity
between sessions, Each practice should build on the
previous ones — reinforcing what has already been covered, and the game should
be an integral pan of that "coaching unit" (i.e. keeping possession).
There is a temptation to coach everything on game day However,
if the coach does not remain focused on this key unit, why should the players?
If the players do not focus on the key unit, how can we assess learning?
Unfortunately within the frenzied excitement of game day it is all too easy to
be caught up in the thrill of winning. The coach sometimes Feels judged on
his/her record of wins and losses and this can undoubtedly affect their
approach towards the game. This often manifests itself in a risk- free
"kick the ball hard and chase" philosophy which may be supported by
an unknowledgeable parent audience. Worse still, one may see the hysterical
berating of young children which so often accompanies a results-driven
approach. Of course, this strategy may win games in the short term but it will
surely hinder the longer term development and enjoyment of the players.
Game day is an exciting experience for everyone concerned, but it first and
foremost is about the children. Parents should have a simple but important role
to play: they should constantly encourage and cheer for their team. Their role
is to support, not coach, the players. This should be made clear from the start
of the season; otherwise the children are exposed to too much conflicting,
subjective and varied instruction.
THE WARMUP
On game day the players should arrive at a set time period before kickoff so
that they can prepare physically and mentally for the game. The coach should
find a suitable area — preferably Free of distractions
-- and have the players perform some activities with a ball before they stretch
a little. At the youth level it is not necessary to spend a great deal of time
stretching, but a basic routine will educate the players in good habits.
Some teams like to have a set warm-up structure that includes some passing and
shooting, while others prefer to tailor their warmup
to the theme of the week, which may be defending, passing, shooting etc. Either
way the routine should increase in intensity as game time gets closer. During
this time the coach also should take the opportunity to talk to individuals as
necessary with respect to their role for that game.
PREGAME INSTRUCTION
Before the game begins it is important to take five
minutes to deliver clear, simple pre-game instructions.
During this time the players are notified of the starting lineup and are given
three key points as to what the team will attempt to do. Any more than this
will overload the young players. They also should be told to go out and really
enjoy the game and to do their best for their team.
COACHING THE GAME
The first 10 minutes of the game should be used to
observe as much as possible. Let the children play and get into the flow of the
game. If you are over-coaching and too involved at this point, you will not be
objective in your observation. Points to consider during this observation:
• Are the players attempting to carry our your instructions with relation to
the theme of the week?
• Are they maintaining their basic shape as a team as they move up and down the
field?
At a more advanced level you also would be looking at your opponent's
formation, style of play strengths and weaknesses. However, at this age the
main factors for winning are typically not tactical but more linked to
athleticism (speed and strength), basic skills and technique. With this in mind
if a match-up between two players clearly is biased in the opposition's favor,
you may consider a positional change. A player often develops quickly when playing
against someone who is slightly stronger, but loses confidence against someone
clearly superior.
The temptation for most youth coaches is to over-coach during the game and give
the players too much information to assimilate. They simply are too involved.
This is particularly the case when the player in possession of the ball is
being coached. The coach should never address this player or be making their
decisions for them (though it can be tempting!). For instance, there is no
educational value in shouting "Pass! Pass to a player dribbling up the
field. If he or she passes after our dictate, what does that tell us about the
learning process? We will be more effective by speaking calmly and concisely to
players who are not immediately involved in the play or after they have just
made a play. It also can be good practice to instruct players when the ball is
out of bounds. In this way they are listening to you and understanding you
rather than making every single play based on your demands.
Throughout the game it is essential that the coach remain positive with the
players despite any frustrations. The children are at a sensitive age and seek
the approval of adults. Negative, discouraging comments will adversely affect
their level of enjoyment. This is not appropriate. Neither is it appropriate
for the coach to direct negative comments toward the officials. The referee has
a tough enough job without being criticized by the coach. Coaches should try to
respect all decisions of referees with a sense of calm detachment, which will
then be followed by the players.
The coach is without doubt a role model for the children whether he/she likes
it or not. The choice is whether to be a positive or negative role model. Whichever way the children will begin to emulate the coach's
behavior.
HALFTIME INSTRUCTION game may give the player an opportunity to develop his/her
all-round
At halftime it is important to give the players a couple of minutes to take a
drink, rest and compose themselves before speaking to them. Your instructions
can be a combination of what the team is doing well and what the team should
look to improve upon. At this point you also may choose to address some of the
opponent's strengths and weaknesses — with a view to encouraging
problem-solving. Again, he careful not to overload the
players. Individual coaching can take place immediately before the
players enter the field for the second half. Send the players out with a
positive, motivational statement, not an ultimatum. Remember, they should he
playing for fun and development.
SUBSTITUTING PLAYERS
At this age the players all should be receiving playing time and also should at
some point during the season have opportunities to start the game. This ensures
that the weaker players have the necessary time to develop and retain a healthy
degree of confidence. When substituting players, ensure that those going into
the game have been warmed up and spoken to regarding their role and how it
relates to the team's objectives.
Those coming out also should be spoken to regarding their performance. This is best done after they have taken a drink and have com
posed themselves. Begin with a positive statement, give them feedback as to
what they may have done better, then end with an
encouraging comment. This form of communication has been termed the
"feedback sandwich." It is designed to improve the player while
keeping self- esteem and confidence intact.
When considering a substitution policy, it should be remembered that it takes
time to adjust to a position. Playing two positions during a
game. However, to place the player in more than two positions during one
game can be very confusing at this age, or indeed at any age.
THE ROLE OF THE BENCH
There is a temptation at this age for the players to completely "switch
off" when they are not involved in the game. This behavior can range from
complete disinterest in the game to acti'ities that are distracting to coaches and players alike. The children
should be encouraged to take a drink after being substituted and then stand
together on the sideline, near enough to the coach that he/she can speak to
them about the game. Their role should be twofold: first to take an active
interest in the game and second to cheer for their teammates. The coach could
even give them a specific area to focus on, e.g. what is the highest number of
consecutive passes that our team makes before losing possession?
Active observation will develop the children's understanding of the game and
also will foster team spirit. If this is implemented, their rest time will be
well spent.
POST-GAME COMMENTS
After the players have shaken hands with the opposition, sit them down and
allow them to compose themselves and take a drink. Take this opportunity to
address the successes and weaknesses of the game, especially relating to the
theme of the week. Most of all send the players away with some positive
comments and a smile on their faces. Enjoyment is paramount.
CONCLUSION
The most effective youth coaches:
Do Not...
Become negative
Command players without explanation
Substitute without thought or reason
"Pigeon hole' players
Berate officials or players
Look to blame anyone
Let frustrations show
Coach players in possession
Presume players know how they performed
Measure achievement solely by results
Do...
Remain positive
Guide players
Have a substitution policy
Vary positions
Respect opponents
Speak to substituted players
Coach players without the ball
Keep things in perspective
Enjoy themselves
Accept decisions calmly for events on the field
It is essential that we understand that in soccer, particularly, the game is
the best teacher. Vie, the coaches and trainers, are facilitators whose main
work is predominantly done in practice and certainly be fore the game begins.
The perfect team performance that we strive for will rarely occur, so let's be
realistic and celebrate the smaller successes as they unfold, regardless of the
final result.
NSCAA Soccer journal September/October 2007
Have a great month! Don't forget the coaching resources at http://www.bjb.org/soccer
Barry