The Soccer Education Specialists Team Training Coaching Manual Experience Excellence in Sports Education A division of USA Sport Group © 2013 USA Sport Group. All Rights Reserved. This Publication may not be copied without written permission. CONTENTS PAGE Introduction 1 T Philosophy 2 Methodology 2 A Developing Positive Attitudes 3 Playing Age & Level Identification 4 B Components Of Soccer 5 Designing a Practice 7 L Developing a Practice 8 Key Points to a Successful Practice 9 E The Three Pillars 10 How Children Learn 11 Delivery & Presentation 13 O Teaching Styles 14 Coaching within a Small Sided Game 15 F Intervention 15 Communication Skills 17 Disciplinary Procedures 19 C Mentoring Club Coaches & Clients 21 O Coaching a Youth Soccer Team 22 Match Day Operations 24 N Laws Of The Game 27 Rules for All Ages 31 T Safety 32 Child Protection 33 E Basic First Aid & Emergency Procedures 34 Goal Post Safety 40 N Evaluating Players 42 End of Season Player Rankings 46 T Tryout Procedure 47 Tryout Grading Sheet 51 S Thresholds of Training 52 FootworX 59 United Soccer Academy, Inc. 1 Part of the USA Sport Group Family - Experience Excellence in Sports Education In an attempt to raise players overall knowledge and ability it is essential that there is a high level of consistency in our coaching. It is essential that we all I share and adhere to the same coaching philosophy to ensure that there is a high degree of consistency in the content and delivery of what is being coached. USA, Inc. has devised a coaching manual, inspired by our own coaching experiences and coaching bodies such as the English, Scottish and Welsh Football N Associations, United States Soccer Federation, National Soccer Coaches Association of America as well as many other resources. The coaching manual has been devised as a resource and guide for all USA, Inc. T staff. The following guidelines act as a framework within which you should plan your own coaching sessions dependent upon players age and ability. It is vitally important that we each have our own trademark and inject our own personal coaching style and individuality into our sessions. All coaches should plan their R sessions carefully allowing for any deviation in age and ability as well as differentiation between individual players. As an educator you are constantly having to evaluate both your players and your coaching. This is an ongoing process over the course of a training session, scrimmage, or game, as well as O weekly, monthly and seasonally. It may be necessary to adapt your own coaching according to the outcome of your evaluation. “the closer I look the more I see” D Do not be afraid to change any aspect of your coaching but at the same time do not be afraid to let your players make mistakes and challenge them outside of U their comfort level. As coaches we have an abundance of knowledge and the opportunity to educate and inspire individuals C The role of the coach as one which "enables the athlete to achieve levels of performance to a degree that may not have been possible if left to his/her own endeavors". Dyson speaking to the 19th session of the International Olympic T Academy, Greece 1979, widened the horizon when he said that "the wise coach develops not only the fullest physical potential in his charges, but also those capacities and habits of mind and body which will enrich and ennoble their later years". The role of the coach could be quite daunting since the above implies I what could be construed as quite awesome responsibility, especially for the part- time non-professional. We believe the role of the coach is to create the right conditions for learning to O happen and to find ways of motivating your players. The roles that you will find you undertake as a coach will be many and varied and you will find at some stage in your coaching career that you will be: instructor, assessor, friend, mentor, facilitator, demonstrator, advisor, supporter, fact finder, motivator, N counselor, organizer, planner and the fountain of all knowledge. © 2013 USA Sport Group. All Rights Reserved. This Publication may not be copied without written permission. United Soccer Academy, Inc. 2 Part of the USA Sport Group Family - Experience Excellence in Sports Education MISSION STATEMENT As the premier providers of soccer training on the east coast we will deliver diverse soccer programs, which are both inspirational and educational. These programs are age and ability appropriate and are founded on the principles of safety, learning and enjoyment. PHILOSOPHY The underpinning principles of our programs: Safety, Learning & Enjoyment The Five P’s: Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance Educate & inspire all players Player Development in the five components of soccer Maximum participation Structured and progressive learning Identify all potential partners and foster relationships between them Develop positive attitudes METHODOLOGY Progressions where appropriate through the five components of soccer: 1. Technical 2. Tactical 3. Physical 4. Psychological 5. Social When planning any coaching session there are various factors that need to be considered: Age Ability Encouragement of reflective coaching Structured activities, conditioned games Analysis of players Use of resources EDUCATION As coaches you are expected to draw knowledge from a variety of resources including: Coaching manual Colleagues Observation Relevant coaching bodies Online resource library & additional objective coaching literature © 2013 USA Sport Group. All Rights Reserved. This Publication may not be copied without written permission. United Soccer Academy, Inc. 3 Part of the USA Sport Group Family - Experience Excellence in Sports Education DEVELOPING POSITIVE ATTITUDES In order to develop positive attitudes players should be encouraged to: Observe the conventions of fair play, honest competition and good sporting behavior; Understand and cope with a variety of outcomes; including both success and limitations in performance; Be aware of the effects and consequences of their actions on others and the environment; and Appreciate the strengths and be aware of the weaknesses of both themselves and others in relation to different skills; Respect all participants of the game and demonstrate character beyond the sporting arena. I WANT TO PLAY! What I hear, I tune out: What I hear, see and feel sparks my interest What I hear, see feel and practice, I begin to experiment with: What I hear, see, feel, practice and experiment with I begin to acquire knowledge and skill This is fun. I want to play Not stand in lines! Listen to lectures! Or run laps! © 2013 USA Sport Group. All Rights Reserved. This Publication may not be copied without written permission. United Soccer Academy, Inc. 4 Part of the USA Sport Group Family - Experience Excellence in Sports Education PLAYING AGE & LEVEL IDENTIFICATION United Soccer Academy provide ‘innovative & progressive programs’ that are age and ability specific to the clients and players needs. As a coaching organization we need to be able to identify the needs of our players quickly in an attempt to deliver age and ability appropriate sessions. Below is a suggested outline of the American school structure and the programs available at each age. This is a very simple outline that enables us as coaches to identify a players age level and program options. School Grade Age Team Format USA, Inc. Program Pre School 3 * 3v3 Soccer Squirts Pre Kindergarten 4 * 3v3 Soccer Squirts Kindergarten 5 * 3v3 Soccer Squirts 1st Grade 6 * 4v4 Pre Academy / Recreation 2nd Grade 7 U8 4v4 Academy / Travel / Recreation 3rd Grade 8 U9 4v4 Travel / Recreation 4th Grade 9 U10 8v8 Travel / Recreation 5th Grade 10 U11 8v8 Travel / Recreation 6th Grade 11 U12 11v11 Travel / Recreation 7th Grade 12 U13 11v11 Travel / Recreation 8th Grade 13 U14 11v11 Travel / Recreation Freshman 14 U15 11v11 Travel / High School Sophomore 15 U16 11v11 Travel / High School Junior 16 U17 11v11 Travel / High School Senior 17 U18 11v11 Travel / High School Please note: Playing formats can vary depending upon league association, State, ability level & club discretion. © 2013 USA Sport Group. All Rights Reserved. This Publication may not be copied without written permission. United Soccer Academy, Inc. 5 Part of the USA Sport Group Family - Experience Excellence in Sports Education COMPONENTS OF SOCCER FIVE PILLARS TECHNICAL: fundamental skill TACTICAL: decision making PHYSICAL: fatigue PSYCHOLOGICAL: mental LIFESTYLE: social ECONOMICAL TRAINING Incorporating the following components of soccer (select as you wish). TECHNICAL Warm Up Maximum participation Highly engaging Fundamental (Individual) No / passive pressure from opposition Progressing towards execution at top speed Game Related Practice (1v1, 2v2 to 4v4) (Group) Tailored practice to expose learned technique Incrementally add game pressure Conditioned Game (Team) Execution at game speed Does not have to be 11 v 11 or even numbered exercise Functional Training Technical Functional training isolates one aspect of an individual's function within a team. The most common example of functional training is goalkeeper training. Technical-Tactical Training Isolation of a specific specialized skill, e.g. the service to the near post space Organized to elicit repeated trials during exercise Free Play All conditions and restrictions removed © 2013 USA Sport Group. All Rights Reserved. This Publication may not be copied without written permission. United Soccer Academy, Inc. 6 Part of the USA Sport Group Family - Experience Excellence in Sports Education TACTICAL Individual Tactics Player with ball vs. the pressurizing defender Impact of the individual dual Group Tactics Soccer game is a series of group tactical situations in the immediate area of the ball tied together by changes in the point of attack Groups can be numbered (i.e. 2 v 2, 3 v 2) or players combining in areas (i.e. the right wing, right midfield player and center striker) Group tactics taught in stages Possession Direction To two small goals To two small goals with counter To large goals Team Tactics To imprint a style of play To move throughout the parts of field PHYSICAL The desired level of fitness for the players you are coaching should be achieved through normal training sessions. Advanced conditioning should begin as the team improves or gets older. However, the elements that should be recognized are Anaerobic Capacity Aerobic Capacity Speed Strength Flexibility PSYCHOLOGICAL The application and implementation of technique, tactics, and fitness by an individual player and a team. Teams normally begin this type of training approaching the age of 14, however there are psychological factors at work with players of all ages. There are multiple techniques you can use as a coach to facilitate and promote learning. We must make a conscious effort to encourage the overall professional and moral development of our players helping them to improve mentally, socially and physically as people. LIFESTYLE Home & Social life Diet & Nutrition Drugs © 2013 USA Sport Group. All Rights Reserved. This Publication may not be copied without written permission. United Soccer Academy, Inc. 7 Part of the USA Sport Group Family - Experience Excellence in Sports Education DESIGNING A PRACTICE The design of a practice, gives you the coach the opportunity to place your own personal input into the development of your players. The design of the practice should follow careful consideration of the following issues: ENJOYMENT Players play for enjoyment. Try to incorporate elements into your design which are light hearted and fun but do not lose sight of the practice goals and objectives. INNOVATION Try to be innovative with the design. This may mean altering some of the practice or introducing a different way of scoring an activity or game. Do not be afraid to change any part of your coaching session. MAXIMUM ACTIVITY Try to avoid practices that involve young players having to stand and watch for long periods. Attempt to set up activities so that everyone is working. DIFFERENTIATION (EXTENSION & SUPPORT) It is possible to set up your practices so that it can challenge the more developed player (extension) and the least developed player (support) and both feel they have achieved success. COMPETITIONS Most children enjoy playing in competitive situations. Attempt to design your practice to incorporate this by setting lots of short term goals, such a show many points you can score or how many times you can perfect a certain technique in a limited amount of time. PART II: PLANNING AND ORGANIZING A PRACTICE When planning and organizing a practice, the following points should be considered: THEME Each practice should have specific goals and objectives. These will be short term which are linked into the long term plans of the season. In order to achieve these objectives, a single theme for the practice should be chosen. Encouraging an individual theme for a practice session aids the learning and understanding of all players. Despite the enthusiasm to coach all aspects of the game, coaches should concentrate solely on the theme of the practice. Age of the players should be considered when planning a practice. For proper guidelines, refer to “Thresholds of Training” and “Playing Age & Level Identification”. TIME The length of the time allocated for practice will influence the planning and design. See the suggested Individual session format guide. EQUIPMENT What equipment do you require to successfully coach in your practice? It is recommended that the coach have 8-10 balls, 20-25 cones, 10 pinnies and a basic first aid kit. FACILITY Several important factors should be taken into consideration such as whether you play indoors or out, the size of the field, the surface and the availability of goals. WEATHER Extremes of weather can cause you to adapt the design of your practice. ©© 22000123 UUnSiAte dS pSoorct cGerro Aucpa. dAellm Ryig, Ihntsc .R Aells Rerigvhedts. RTheisse Prvuebdli.c Tahtiiosn P muabylic naotito bne m caoyp ineodt wbieth cooupt iewdri twteitnh opuetr mwrisitsteionn p. ermission. United Soccer Academy, Inc. 8 Part of the USA Sport Group Family - Experience Excellence in Sports Education DEVELOPING A PRACTICE The development of a practice can contain several key components, all of which should be geared towards achieving the goals and objectives of your practice. It is noted that the session format below can/ and should be altered and changed based on the theme and the ability of the players. The guidelines are a framework and any deviation from it can be justified if learning is taking place: Warm-Up A series of activities, linked to the theme, to prepare the body (players) mentally and physically for the rest of practice. Coaches should utilize the use of soccer balls during the warm-up phase wherever possible. The warm-up is a good way to introduce the technical points related to the theme. Fundamental The fundamental section of the practice will continue to build upon the technical points that were introduced in the warm–up which are related to the theme of the practice. The coach should present these concepts using simple, logical coaching points. As progress is made, pressure can be added to allow techniques to be progressed into skills. All players need to experience success at this stage, however it is understood that the extent to that success will be different for each player. Game-Related Practice A technique becomes a skill when it is performed regularly under pressure. Pressure can be added by increasing/reducing both players involved and the playing area. An > or a < in time or space will result in a change in the intensity and pressure of the activity. Conditioned Game Conditioning a game allows a situation to occur while still encouraging concentration on a particular theme. Ask your self what do you want your players to do? What are you trying to achieve? Placing restrictions on players is artificial but can encourage the desired behavior. Free Play NO RESTRICTIONS; The final stage of a practice is unconditioned play, which allows the coach and the players to see how much has been learned. Players need this time to make as many decisions for themselves as possible. Allow at east 15-20 minutes free play in a 1.5 hour session. Evaluation Process This is a vital, but so often a neglected part of coaching. It involves such questions as: What went well and why? What did not go so well and why? What was achieved; and What is needed in the future The answers to these questions form the foundation of your planning for future coaching sessions and also a valuable resource as to feedback on your own coaching delivery techniques. © 2013 USA Sport Group. All Rights Reserved. This Publication may not be copied without written permission.