150 mm 166 mm 166 mm 150 mm S O C C e R S t R A PRAiSeS fOR ASHU SAxenA Let’S gO get’em tHe AUtHOR t e g i e S f O R “In The Vision of a Champion, the book I wrote with Gloria Averbuch Soccer – Strategies for Sustained Coaching Success is a unique book about Ashu Saxena has been coaching soccer since 1986 S to help the youth “navigate all the treacherous waters” of their sport, coaching soccer. In it, Ashu Saxena shares successful secrets for long-term player U and holds the NSCAA Master Coach Diploma. He S I referenced Ashu as someone to contact who had mastered it. I development, which is a current hot topic in the soccer world. This is a special t has received the USYSA National Girls Coach of the stand by that now as you explore and apply his vision and his time resource that combines credibility, experiences of a coach who has coached A Year Award as well as the USOC National Develop- i tested and practical ideas.” U9-U19 age groups, and comprehensive coverage of coaching soccer. n mental Coach of the Year Award. e d – Anson Dorrance, University of North Carolina The book raises the standards for coaching resources since it includes: C He has coached several teams to numerous suc- O cesses on a national level, emphasizing player at Chapel Hill Women’s Soccer Head Coach A C development, team culture, leadership, sportsman- • proven methods and techniques H ship, and excellence on and off the field. Players „Soccer is analogous to life. Our approach is determined by our • examples of a complete season of training sessions in in his programs are well-equipped to excel at next g knowledge, perspectives, beliefs, experiences, and insights — all of • explanations as to the “how’s” and “why’s” of selected exercises levels of competition, yet they learn valuable life S which add to the richness of the journey. I am confident this contri- • useful resources for coaches, players, and parents in a variety of areas on U skills such as remembering to give back to the game. C bution from Ashu, on the subject, will further add to the richness.“ and off the field C • credibility through anecdotes from coaches, players, and parents e Ashu mentors coaches and is passionate about improving player development S — Hank Leung, Executive Director of Coaching • objective results S and coaching education, whether by responding to questions from coaches, • direct access to someone who is “in the trenches” of the player development. writing articles, or teaching courses as an NSCAA Associate Staff Coach. For “It is very clear that successful coaching means creating a positive A additional information, visit his website at www.letsgogetem-ashus.com. S environment in which the players can get better. The environment H must be challenging, motivating and fun! That is how programs U develop players. When you prioritize the duties of a coach, X‘s and S A O‘s are way down the list. Creating the proper environment is at the x top of the list. Soccer – Strategies for Sustained Coaching Success e n is a road map to creating the right environment. I highly recommend A ISBN 978-1-84126-359-5 this to all coaches!” — Jay Martin, NSCAA Soccer Journal Editor & Ohio Wesleyan Men’s Soccer Head Coach $ 18.95 US/£ 14.95 www.m-m-sports.com www.m-m-sports.com 150 mm 166 mm 166 mm 150 mm S O C C e R S t R A PRAiSeS fOR ASHU SAxenA Let’S gO get’em tHe AUtHOR t e g i e S f O R “In The Vision of a Champion, the book I wrote with Gloria Averbuch Soccer – Strategies for Sustained Coaching Success is a unique book about Ashu Saxena has been coaching soccer since 1986 S to help the youth “navigate all the treacherous waters” of their sport, coaching soccer. In it, Ashu Saxena shares successful secrets for long-term player U and holds the NSCAA Master Coach Diploma. He S I referenced Ashu as someone to contact who had mastered it. I development, which is a current hot topic in the soccer world. This is a special t has received the USYSA National Girls Coach of the stand by that now as you explore and apply his vision and his time resource that combines credibility, experiences of a coach who has coached A Year Award as well as the USOC National Develop- i tested and practical ideas.” U9-U19 age groups, and comprehensive coverage of coaching soccer. n mental Coach of the Year Award. e d – Anson Dorrance, University of North Carolina The book raises the standards for coaching resources since it includes: C He has coached several teams to numerous suc- O cesses on a national level, emphasizing player at Chapel Hill Women’s Soccer Head Coach A C development, team culture, leadership, sportsman- • proven methods and techniques H ship, and excellence on and off the field. Players „Soccer is analogous to life. Our approach is determined by our • examples of a complete season of training sessions in in his programs are well-equipped to excel at next g knowledge, perspectives, beliefs, experiences, and insights — all of • explanations as to the “how’s” and “why’s” of selected exercises levels of competition, yet they learn valuable life S which add to the richness of the journey. I am confident this contri- • useful resources for coaches, players, and parents in a variety of areas on U skills such as remembering to give back to the game. C bution from Ashu, on the subject, will further add to the richness.“ and off the field C • credibility through anecdotes from coaches, players, and parents e Ashu mentors coaches and is passionate about improving player development S — Hank Leung, Executive Director of Coaching • objective results S and coaching education, whether by responding to questions from coaches, • direct access to someone who is “in the trenches” of the player development. writing articles, or teaching courses as an NSCAA Associate Staff Coach. For “It is very clear that successful coaching means creating a positive A additional information, visit his website at www.letsgogetem-ashus.com. S environment in which the players can get better. The environment H must be challenging, motivating and fun! That is how programs U develop players. When you prioritize the duties of a coach, X‘s and S A O‘s are way down the list. Creating the proper environment is at the x top of the list. Soccer – Strategies for Sustained Coaching Success e n is a road map to creating the right environment. I highly recommend A ISBN 978-1-84126-359-5 this to all coaches!” — Jay Martin, NSCAA Soccer Journal Editor & Ohio Wesleyan Men’s Soccer Head Coach $ 18.95 US/£ 14.95 www.m-m-sports.com www.m-m-sports.com Soccer Strategies for sustained coaching success DEDICATIONS For Neeta: my beautiful wife, you are the love of my life. LYL! For my family and friends: thank you for continuing to love and support me. For my closest coaching staff friends in soccer: Keith Wawrzyniak, Dave Banks, and Ryan Spencer, your long-term loyalty is much appreciated; we had an incredible run, didn’t we? For Anson Dorrance, Jay Martin, Gloria Averbuch, Tim Crothers, Jodi Helmer, Manuel Morschel, Thomas Stengel, and Jenn Grabenstetter: your belief, encouragement, and support throughout this writing process are much appreciated. For my long-time and still active additional coaching friends, you are among the truly elite in the country: Anson Dorrance, Jeff Tipping, Dave Lombardo, Hank Leung, Ken Krieger, Gene Mishalow; I have learned valuable lessons from your “doctorate courses.” For the hundreds of kind players and coaches whom I have had the good fortune of sharing positive experiences with on our soccer journeys: I know the memories and lessons will stay with us forever. For the many coaches whom I have yet to meet: the ones who share my desires to take the time to teach skills effectively, strive for excellence diligently, maintain passion for the game selflessly, compete honorably, and contribute positively to player development. For Electra, especially the Banks, Bartucca, Costantino, DeSimone, Gallivan, Grose, Lee, Smith, & Wawrzyniak families: many thanks and Let’s Go Get’em! Ashu Saxena Soccer Strategies for sustained coaching success Foreword by Anson Dorrance Meyer & Meyer Sport British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library Soccer – Strategies for Sustained Coaching Success Maidenhead: Meyer & Meyer Sport (UK) Ltd., 2012 ISBN: 978-1-84126-359-5 All rights reserved. Except for use in a review, no part of this publication maybe reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means now known or here- after invented without the prior written permission of the publisher. This book may not be lent, resold, hired out or otherwise disposed of by way of trade in any form, binding or cover other than that which is published, without the prior written consent of the publisher. © 2012 by Meyer & Meyer Sport (UK) Ltd. Auckland, Beirut, Budapest, Cairo, Cape Town, Dubai, Hägendorf, Indianapolis, Maidenhead, Singapore, Sydney, Tehran, Wien Member of the World Sport Publishers‘ Association (WSPA) www.w-s-p-a.org Printed by: B.O.S.S Druck und Medien GmbH ISBN: 978-1-84126-359-5 E-Mail: [email protected] www.m-m-sports.com Stockphoto/Fluid Illusion TABLE OF CONTENTS © Thinkstock/i Preface .......................................................................................................................................................................7 Foreword by Anson Dorrance...............................................................................................................................13 Chapter 1: Personal Statement, Team Mission Statement & Coaching Philosophy ...................................................15 Chapter 2: Creating a Team Culture for Player Development .........................................................................................26 Chapter 3: Leadership: Managing Success & Overcoming Adversity ............................................................................38 Chapter 4: Team Management: Players, Staff, Parents ....................................................................................................55 5 Soccer – Strategies for Sustained Coaching Success Chapter 5: The College Process ................................................................................................................................................84 Chapter 6: Player Development: Whose Responsibility? ................................................................................................107 Chapter 7: Developing a Year-Round Program .................................................................................................................120 Chapter 8: Coaching Methodology ......................................................................................................................................127 Chapter 9: Example of a Full Season of Training .............................................................................................................154 Chapter 10: Sustaining Excellence, Remaining Relevant & Giving Back to the Game .............................................213 Acknowledgements .............................................................................................................................................224 Appendix: Additional Resources for Coaches ...............................................................................................225 Credits ..................................................................................................................................................................261 6 PREFACE PREFACE “Each day is a little life.” – Arthur Schopenhauer “Welcome to America!” shouted the tall, thin, blond, pony-tailed, blue-eyed, smiling 10-year-old girl. She was the first player to greet me on the first team that I coached in Fairfax, Virginia. Being an American all my life, I was surprised at the welcome, yet I had to smile at her energy and enthusiasm. She and her teammates had heard that I would become their head coach in August of 1995. I had just moved there in July from Clifton Park, New York. Having coached youth and high school soccer there, I was interested in continuing my coaching career immediately. After a few phone calls and various offers from area clubs to take on teams, I was eventually introduced to Keith Wawrzyniak and Dave Banks, both parent coaches who were coaching and managing the Braddock Road Youth Club Electra Under 11 (U11) girls’ soccer team. Little did I know then, I would go on to coach that team through their U19 year and that numerous families from the team, including Keith and Dave, would be amongst my closest friends to this day. Keith, in his humorous way, poked fun at my Indian heritage and had told the girls I was Cherokee, Navajo or Sioux (I really do not remember). It did not occur to the girls that my parents are actually from India, the country in Asia. Thus, I was welcomed by the girl with the blond ponytail to a country I already knew and loved. Some years later, that same player (CJ), her teammates, Keith, Dave, and I would celebrate numerous accomplishments. We were the Virginia State Champions twice, a Region I Finalist, elite performers at top tournaments around the country, and we were a team that demonstrated long-term player development. Electra, as the team was simply known, went on to develop highly successful, accomplished players at the club, high school, ODP, collegiate, and even national levels. Given our team culture, it is no surprise that several of the girls were captains of their various teams and leaders in life off of the field, too. From modest beginnings as a player, CJ would go on to win a HS state championship, a collegiate national championship, and off the soccer field, she developed into a wonderfully graceful, compassionate person of tremendous strength. Many of us attended her and her teammates’ weddings, and she is just one example of many Electra alumnae you will get to meet throughout this book. Those players and their parents are among those who lend powerful credibility to the strategies for sustained soccer coaching success that I will offer in the pages that follow. Statement from a former soccer player (Cassandra “CJ” Grose): “On the field Ashu stands out because of his commitment to the development of each individual player and his contagious passion for the game. Off the field Ashu stands out as a man of character, challenging those around him to live a life of integrity, kindness and continual personal growth. As a player for Ashu I certainly developed my skills on the field as he encouraged me to never be comfortable at the level I was at, but to continue to develop into a player with the complete package of technical skills, mental toughness and a refined understanding of the game. In looking back though, what I value most about Ashu as a 7 Soccer – Strategies for Sustained Coaching Success coach were the life lessons I took away by “catching” his love for the game and learning about life in light of soccer. I still remember studying the flight patterns of geese as a team and discussing how it related to us on the field and in life. I have often thought back to and used those life lessons such as taking turns flying as the leader and flying in such a way that empowers the flight of those around me. I am forever grateful to Ashu that he took the time to coach us beyond just the details of the game.” — CJ Grose, BRYC Electra U11-U19 (Messiah College) Why this book was written Soccer — Strategies for Sustained Coaching Success is a clear, credible resource by an experienced soccer coach who shares proven player development methods for attaining long-term coaching success. The experiences in coaching ages U9 to U19 for several years have been valuable in both shaping soccer successes and creating positive team cultures. In addition, my interests in education, psychology, management, current events, philosophy, global issues, and sports in general have enhanced the overall coaching experience for those who I coach and work with. Given my long-term achievements, honors and credentials, along with having written articles and offered contributions to books, a growing audience became interested in what I do for teams on and off the field. In addition to BRYC Electra, there were highly successful stories that followed in BRYC Attack, BRYC Blue Thunder, and teams more recently in North Carolina (U16s, U15s, U12s). What is it that leads to enduring excellence in coaching? There is a lot more to it than inheriting talent and winning matches. Thus, curiosity from coaches first inspired me to share the wealth of experiences because if it helps coaches, then it ultimately benefits those who matter most in this game — the players. As I scanned the vast resources available to coaches in terms of books, periodicals, videos, DVDs, emails and various online materials, I realized that a lot of things appeared to be missing. I could not find a single resource that captured on and off-field insights, practical full-session plans for a whole season, the college process for youth (and high school) coaches, and various other important features from a coach- as-educator perspective. The topic of player development in soccer is critical at the moment, especially in America and the UK, and I feel a responsibility to contribute several valuable insights and help build a strong support system for all coaches interested in the topic. Thus, the attempt to raise the standards of resources in terms of connecting all coaching aspects is set – the key features of Soccer — Strategies for sustained coaching success include: • proven methods and techniques • an example of a complete season of training sessions • explanations as to the “how” and “why” of selected exercises • useful resources for coaches, players, and parents in a variety of areas on and off the field • anecdotes from coaches, players, and parents that demonstrate objective results • direct access to someone who is “in the trenches” of the coaching profession who focuses on player development Lastly, I also wrote Soccer — Strategies for sustained coaching success to honor the many terrific players, families and coaches who I have been fortunate to meet along this enjoyable journey. It is a beautiful 8