11/7/10
Long Park #2A
1:00 p.m.
We faced a tough VSA team this Sunday. They jumped on us early in the game, but we put in a few good goals of our own as well. I liked that we did not simply roll over, but clawed our way back and put them under pressure as well. I want to thank the parents and players for a great first season. I appreciate all the players' hard work and individual work to improve their skills. I look forward to seeing them progress and continue into their U9 Spring season.
Also, I want to give a special thanks to all the families for the very generous wedding gift. It will go a long way towards making our new "home" (as of next week!) more comfortable!
Coach Ryan
Monday, November 8, 2010
Sunday, October 24, 2010
U9 Alexandria Strikers Red vs. U9 SYC United Blue
10/24/10
Minnie Howard HS
1:30 p.m.
I thought that we came out a big sluggish in the first half but put in a better effort in the second half. For the greater part of the game, we did not appear to have a spark. We didn't seem to connect with each other on the field or show the willingness to really take defenders on in the offense end. I did not mind so much that we were not on our game today, but I was not pleased with our attitude towards our team defending. In many instances, I witnessed opponents get by our players and we did not want to track back and win the ball. Many times we would gave up and simply hoped the next person would stop the ball. We need to have the mentality that once we lose the ball, we instantly go into defensive mode. We'll be working on our transitions from offense to defense and vice versa this week.
Ryan
Sunday, October 17, 2010
U9 Alexandria Strikers Red vs. U9 Stafford Revolution
10/17
Smith Lake Park
1:30 p.m.
We played a hard fought game today against a Stafford team with some speed and athleticism. We experienced some lulls, which they capitalized on for goals. However, we were able to work the ball and display some good finishing of our own in the second half. In the first half, I think we crowded the ball and the ball handler a bit too much. We got sucked out of positions and as one player on the sideline noticed, it looked like a "beehive". Good observations! In the second half, the game opened up a bit more so we had more space to play and get more meaningful combinations together. We worked on various moves and understanding when and when not to pass the ball when in possession. We showed glimpses of understanding, and I encourage the kids to think about what we worked on during practice and evaluate the team/individual game performance in terms of how successful we were in applying practice skills and concepts.
Coach Ryan
Smith Lake Park
1:30 p.m.
We played a hard fought game today against a Stafford team with some speed and athleticism. We experienced some lulls, which they capitalized on for goals. However, we were able to work the ball and display some good finishing of our own in the second half. In the first half, I think we crowded the ball and the ball handler a bit too much. We got sucked out of positions and as one player on the sideline noticed, it looked like a "beehive". Good observations! In the second half, the game opened up a bit more so we had more space to play and get more meaningful combinations together. We worked on various moves and understanding when and when not to pass the ball when in possession. We showed glimpses of understanding, and I encourage the kids to think about what we worked on during practice and evaluate the team/individual game performance in terms of how successful we were in applying practice skills and concepts.
Coach Ryan
Sunday, October 3, 2010
U9 Alexandria Strikers Red vs. U9 SYA Cardinals White
10/3/10
SYA Complex
1:30 p.m.
Today, we put together a good effort against which a team we found room to move the ball. Unfortunately, a lull in the second half saw us lose concentration and give up a few goals. I think are continuing to show improvement and are learning to play as a team. Improvement from game to game will not be a linear process due to the quality of opposition, field conditions, etc.; however, I do see continuous strides by players to make good decisions on the field and not revert to simply kicking the ball up the field. I'm proud that the players are trying to play good soccer; it will help them greatly in the long run. As the learn to adjust to making good passes and try to play out of pressure, there certainly will be mistakes. However, I applaud these attempts as signs of personal player development since they tried to use their teammates. I hope they continue to coalesce as a group and start to move the ball even better around the field.
Coach Ryan
SYA Complex
1:30 p.m.
Today, we put together a good effort against which a team we found room to move the ball. Unfortunately, a lull in the second half saw us lose concentration and give up a few goals. I think are continuing to show improvement and are learning to play as a team. Improvement from game to game will not be a linear process due to the quality of opposition, field conditions, etc.; however, I do see continuous strides by players to make good decisions on the field and not revert to simply kicking the ball up the field. I'm proud that the players are trying to play good soccer; it will help them greatly in the long run. As the learn to adjust to making good passes and try to play out of pressure, there certainly will be mistakes. However, I applaud these attempts as signs of personal player development since they tried to use their teammates. I hope they continue to coalesce as a group and start to move the ball even better around the field.
Coach Ryan
Sunday, September 26, 2010
U9 Alexandria Red vs. U9 FASA Hotspur Elite
Minnie Howard HS
9/26/10
1:30 p.m.
The boys put in a solid effort against a physically and technically-strong Fredricksburg team today. Before the game, I emphasized the need to keep our spacing and positions in order to play better as a team. Also, I encouraged the players to challenge themselves to make meaningful and purposeful decisions and actions the field. I saw instances in which we put together 1-2 passing combinations; however, we will continue to work on understanding how to transition from offense to defense and how that impacts our positioning on the field. When we have the ball, it is important for our wide players to stretch the field horizontally while our forward does so vertically. Spreading out creates gaps in the opposition's defenses and gives the ball handler more viable passing options and space to make a play. On the flip side, we must contract to close space when the other team has the ball. This accordion-type transition from offensive and defensive positioning will always be present and something to work on. The better we become at making these transitions quickly, the more effective our passing and combinations will be.
9/26/10
1:30 p.m.
The boys put in a solid effort against a physically and technically-strong Fredricksburg team today. Before the game, I emphasized the need to keep our spacing and positions in order to play better as a team. Also, I encouraged the players to challenge themselves to make meaningful and purposeful decisions and actions the field. I saw instances in which we put together 1-2 passing combinations; however, we will continue to work on understanding how to transition from offense to defense and how that impacts our positioning on the field. When we have the ball, it is important for our wide players to stretch the field horizontally while our forward does so vertically. Spreading out creates gaps in the opposition's defenses and gives the ball handler more viable passing options and space to make a play. On the flip side, we must contract to close space when the other team has the ball. This accordion-type transition from offensive and defensive positioning will always be present and something to work on. The better we become at making these transitions quickly, the more effective our passing and combinations will be.
Coach Ryan
Sunday, September 19, 2010
U9 Alexandria Strikers Red vs. U9 LMVS Patriots White
Lee District Park
9/19
1:30 p.m.
The Strikers Red played a hard fought match today. I was very happy with their performance as the players were able to put together some good combinations on the field and showed better field awareness. Before the game, I reminded the players that we were working on having a purpose with our decisions on the field. In the first half, the team passed the ball around nicely and got a great goal from a cross across from the left side and a very good finish. I think the boys are already demonstrating good progress from their first game. They showed greater awareness of their positions on the field and how to position themselves to support their teammates with the ball. Overall, as I mentioned after the game to the boys, I was proud of their effort, and I think they should feel happy about their performance.
Coach Ryan
9/19
1:30 p.m.
The Strikers Red played a hard fought match today. I was very happy with their performance as the players were able to put together some good combinations on the field and showed better field awareness. Before the game, I reminded the players that we were working on having a purpose with our decisions on the field. In the first half, the team passed the ball around nicely and got a great goal from a cross across from the left side and a very good finish. I think the boys are already demonstrating good progress from their first game. They showed greater awareness of their positions on the field and how to position themselves to support their teammates with the ball. Overall, as I mentioned after the game to the boys, I was proud of their effort, and I think they should feel happy about their performance.
Coach Ryan
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Coaching Philosophy and Expectations for the Season
Now that we’ve started our season, I would like to review my coaching philosophy and my expectations for the season regarding games and practices so parents and players understand the goals towards which we are working.
The United States Soccer Federation’s (USSF) stated best practices, the Dutch view of player development, and my own personal playing experience shape my coaching philosophy. I believe that during practices and games, players should be allowed to experiment and receive as many touches on the ball as possible. At this age, and even through U12, players are first working on mastering the ball and then understanding their movements and decisions in the relation to their teammates. From U9-U12, players are considered people of action rather than thought. They are at a point in their development in which they have an the ability to make great strides in their motor skills and learn new movements with the ball, but do not fully grasp why they make certain decisions on the field. Therefore, it is important to emphasis individual mastery of the ball and basic tactics (decisions and movements related to themselves and or at most two of their teammates and one or two of their opponents) so we can play to their strengths and capabilities.
Practices
During practice, it is my responsibility to act as guide or facilitator; the game itself is the best teacher. For individual skills, players learn best by imitating rather than thinking through their movements. Once it becomes a fluid movement through a great deal of repetition during formal practice and at home, players will feel more confident using their skills at game-speed. Additionally, I need to put them in an environment with a great deal of repetition so they are able to develop an understanding of how to handle various soccer situations. This is best accomplished by taking the 7v7 game format and breaking it down into more player-friendly 4v4 games. These 4v4 games retain all the elements of real soccer, but allow more touches for individual players and more decision-making. Soccer is a free-flowing game with no set plays; each moment in soccer does not have set solution. Therefore, making mistakes and learning from them and picking opportune moments on my part to inject comments to make them think about their play is crucial. Most of all, I try to make the games fun, developmentally-appropriate, and instructional. This is a time where they need to have fun and feel in safe, positive environment to take risks.
My Expectations During Practice
I’m fully aware that practice offers an outlet for players after a long day of academic work. Therefore, I try to include games that are fun, get them moving, and are instructional at the same time. However, I also expect a certain degree of responsibility on their part. I think it is vitally important that players bring a soccer ball to every practice. They should come to practice ready to work hard and have fun. We only have a short time each week to improve (on a side note, players should try to work with the ball at home too!) so I need their attention to instructions for our practice activities and prompt arrival when I call them in from water breaks. They should not be talking when I’m talking or bouncing or kicking balls. It is also important they take the activities seriously so they can develop and not hinder the development of others on their team. If they come motivated to learn and improve, they will surely get better. However, if players do insist on disrupting practices and goofing off too much, I will ask them to sit out of activities or run.
Games
To put it concisely, the games are for the kids. It is their time to play, have fun, and make their parents proud. Also, winning is NOT important at this age group (or even important through U12 in my opinion). It IS about the individual players taking what they are working on in practice and seeing if they can successfully use their individual skills and teamwork in games.
Paents, do not expect soccer game to even remotely resemble what you’ve watched from the World Cup this past summer. Players will find it almost impossible to hold positions and work successfully with their teammates. In fact, USSF believes that there should not be an emphasis on positions through U10 and to encourage the players to “find the game”. Players will inevitably make mistakes during games and be disappointed with losses, but we should all take a long-term view and use them as teachable moments. Also, players will play many different positions. It is important for their development and understanding of the game. This approach will certainly result in short-term losses for our team, but in the long run, it will help them develop into more well-rounded players.
Hopefully, my own playing experience will put this into perspective. I don’t have a clue as to how many games we won when I was U9. In fact, winning did not become important until I started seeing college scouts at U14-U15 tournaments. The only thing I remember from my young playing years are my coaches who also instilled confidence, encouraged me to emulate the pros, and how excited I would get about each weekly soccer game. After each Sunday game, I would clean my cleats and put mink oil on them to make sure they were in perfect shape for the next game. I loved the game, and still love the game, because my coaches gave me enough space and guidance to develop and were never overly critical.
My Game Expectations
I expect every player to come ready to play. That starts with warm-ups. Players should be at game 30 minutes prior to the game start time. When players arrive, they should come to the bench (if there is one)/my coaching chair and line up their backpacks in order next to it. They should not begin shooting at the goal, but instead find a partner and begin passing and moving with the ball. During warm-ups, I’ll see who is ready to play and who is not mentally prepared to make decisions for starting lineups. During the game, I expect players to sit on the bench or sit next to me watching the game. They can learn just as much be watching the game as they can from playing it. They should watch out for what correct or incorrect decisions were made on the field, and think about what they can do when put in those situations. Players should not ask when they are going in or request to be put in certain positions. If they do so after an initial warning, it will take longer for them to go in the game. If players insult another teammate or opponent during the game, their playing time will be decreased. At halftime and/or the end of the game, players should run off the field, grab their water, and come see me for our talk. At the end of the game, players should line up to high-five the other team. After that, they should all go thank the referee. This all will be communicated to the players and reiterated throughout the season.
Parents, please stick to general encouraging remarks. No directions should be communicated. As a player, I can tell you that they don’t really hear what you are saying, and if they do, you are grabbing their attention while the game is passing them by.
Again, this is my coaching philosophy and expectations for the season. It is not at all meant to address anyone or group of kids, but instead to give perspective as to what we are working towards. I look forward to the season, and working with this great group of boys!
Coach Ryan
The United States Soccer Federation’s (USSF) stated best practices, the Dutch view of player development, and my own personal playing experience shape my coaching philosophy. I believe that during practices and games, players should be allowed to experiment and receive as many touches on the ball as possible. At this age, and even through U12, players are first working on mastering the ball and then understanding their movements and decisions in the relation to their teammates. From U9-U12, players are considered people of action rather than thought. They are at a point in their development in which they have an the ability to make great strides in their motor skills and learn new movements with the ball, but do not fully grasp why they make certain decisions on the field. Therefore, it is important to emphasis individual mastery of the ball and basic tactics (decisions and movements related to themselves and or at most two of their teammates and one or two of their opponents) so we can play to their strengths and capabilities.
Practices
During practice, it is my responsibility to act as guide or facilitator; the game itself is the best teacher. For individual skills, players learn best by imitating rather than thinking through their movements. Once it becomes a fluid movement through a great deal of repetition during formal practice and at home, players will feel more confident using their skills at game-speed. Additionally, I need to put them in an environment with a great deal of repetition so they are able to develop an understanding of how to handle various soccer situations. This is best accomplished by taking the 7v7 game format and breaking it down into more player-friendly 4v4 games. These 4v4 games retain all the elements of real soccer, but allow more touches for individual players and more decision-making. Soccer is a free-flowing game with no set plays; each moment in soccer does not have set solution. Therefore, making mistakes and learning from them and picking opportune moments on my part to inject comments to make them think about their play is crucial. Most of all, I try to make the games fun, developmentally-appropriate, and instructional. This is a time where they need to have fun and feel in safe, positive environment to take risks.
My Expectations During Practice
I’m fully aware that practice offers an outlet for players after a long day of academic work. Therefore, I try to include games that are fun, get them moving, and are instructional at the same time. However, I also expect a certain degree of responsibility on their part. I think it is vitally important that players bring a soccer ball to every practice. They should come to practice ready to work hard and have fun. We only have a short time each week to improve (on a side note, players should try to work with the ball at home too!) so I need their attention to instructions for our practice activities and prompt arrival when I call them in from water breaks. They should not be talking when I’m talking or bouncing or kicking balls. It is also important they take the activities seriously so they can develop and not hinder the development of others on their team. If they come motivated to learn and improve, they will surely get better. However, if players do insist on disrupting practices and goofing off too much, I will ask them to sit out of activities or run.
Games
To put it concisely, the games are for the kids. It is their time to play, have fun, and make their parents proud. Also, winning is NOT important at this age group (or even important through U12 in my opinion). It IS about the individual players taking what they are working on in practice and seeing if they can successfully use their individual skills and teamwork in games.
Paents, do not expect soccer game to even remotely resemble what you’ve watched from the World Cup this past summer. Players will find it almost impossible to hold positions and work successfully with their teammates. In fact, USSF believes that there should not be an emphasis on positions through U10 and to encourage the players to “find the game”. Players will inevitably make mistakes during games and be disappointed with losses, but we should all take a long-term view and use them as teachable moments. Also, players will play many different positions. It is important for their development and understanding of the game. This approach will certainly result in short-term losses for our team, but in the long run, it will help them develop into more well-rounded players.
Hopefully, my own playing experience will put this into perspective. I don’t have a clue as to how many games we won when I was U9. In fact, winning did not become important until I started seeing college scouts at U14-U15 tournaments. The only thing I remember from my young playing years are my coaches who also instilled confidence, encouraged me to emulate the pros, and how excited I would get about each weekly soccer game. After each Sunday game, I would clean my cleats and put mink oil on them to make sure they were in perfect shape for the next game. I loved the game, and still love the game, because my coaches gave me enough space and guidance to develop and were never overly critical.
My Game Expectations
I expect every player to come ready to play. That starts with warm-ups. Players should be at game 30 minutes prior to the game start time. When players arrive, they should come to the bench (if there is one)/my coaching chair and line up their backpacks in order next to it. They should not begin shooting at the goal, but instead find a partner and begin passing and moving with the ball. During warm-ups, I’ll see who is ready to play and who is not mentally prepared to make decisions for starting lineups. During the game, I expect players to sit on the bench or sit next to me watching the game. They can learn just as much be watching the game as they can from playing it. They should watch out for what correct or incorrect decisions were made on the field, and think about what they can do when put in those situations. Players should not ask when they are going in or request to be put in certain positions. If they do so after an initial warning, it will take longer for them to go in the game. If players insult another teammate or opponent during the game, their playing time will be decreased. At halftime and/or the end of the game, players should run off the field, grab their water, and come see me for our talk. At the end of the game, players should line up to high-five the other team. After that, they should all go thank the referee. This all will be communicated to the players and reiterated throughout the season.
Parents, please stick to general encouraging remarks. No directions should be communicated. As a player, I can tell you that they don’t really hear what you are saying, and if they do, you are grabbing their attention while the game is passing them by.
Again, this is my coaching philosophy and expectations for the season. It is not at all meant to address anyone or group of kids, but instead to give perspective as to what we are working towards. I look forward to the season, and working with this great group of boys!
Coach Ryan
Saturday, September 11, 2010
U9 Alexandria Strikers Red vs. U9 BRYC Elite
Ben Brenman Park
9/11/10
9:00 a.m.
Today, we faced off against a quality Braddock Road squad, but we came out strong and played aggressively on both ends of the field. Each player stepped in various positions throughout the game and played well, even if it was unfamiliar to them. It is important for the players to learn many different positions, so that was an encouraging sign. One aspect that we will need to work on is making meaningful decisions with the ball using individual skill and/or working with our teammates. However, this is a season-long goal, which will develop over time. Developmentally, most players are still mastering the ball, and an even smaller percentage are beginning to develop an understanding of how their play impacts their teammates. Therefore, I encourage to the kids to not get disappointed with losses or overly confident with wins from week to week; it is all about each individual improving both their skills and decision-making through practices and learning from mistakes. As I told the players today, I only got better and learned how to handle different situations by not feeling scared to make mistakes so I could learn how to improve the next time. See everyone tomorrow!
9/11/10
9:00 a.m.
Today, we faced off against a quality Braddock Road squad, but we came out strong and played aggressively on both ends of the field. Each player stepped in various positions throughout the game and played well, even if it was unfamiliar to them. It is important for the players to learn many different positions, so that was an encouraging sign. One aspect that we will need to work on is making meaningful decisions with the ball using individual skill and/or working with our teammates. However, this is a season-long goal, which will develop over time. Developmentally, most players are still mastering the ball, and an even smaller percentage are beginning to develop an understanding of how their play impacts their teammates. Therefore, I encourage to the kids to not get disappointed with losses or overly confident with wins from week to week; it is all about each individual improving both their skills and decision-making through practices and learning from mistakes. As I told the players today, I only got better and learned how to handle different situations by not feeling scared to make mistakes so I could learn how to improve the next time. See everyone tomorrow!
Saturday, August 28, 2010
8/28/10 Scrimmage Post-Game Comments
Strikers Parents and Players,
Thanks to those who came out to the scrimmage vs. Arlington today! We were able to get in some good games against quality teams. I want to give you some of my thoughts about the scrimmage in perspective to our season. First, I want to commend the players for their hard work today. On each field, players were focused on the game and demonstrated a competitive spirit. That was certainly an encouraging sign to see early on in the season.
I believe today's scrimmages showed where we should focus our attention. It was the first time any of the players had played a competitive match with one another, which led to confusion on the field. As they play more matches and practice together, players will develop a better understanding for one another. Playing as a cohesive unit, making meaningful combinations with teammates, and developing individual technical skills will be reoccurring themes in our season and practices. Overall, I think today offers a good starting point from which to build.
For those interested/who attend practices, we will work on these objectives and themes in a systematic manner during training as follows:
- Warm-Up
I believe integrating as much ball work into the warm-up gets players mentally ready for the practice session while building necessary technical skills. In many cases, the warm-up will have a technical focus (passing, dribbling, receiving, etc.) which will be maintained throughout the session.
- Small-Sided Games
You will notice many small-sided games (2v2, 3v3, 4v4) following the warm-up. I tend to manipulate the variables and rules of these games based on our team needs. These small-sided games allow for all players to have many repetitions in game-like situations. Most of the games will be 4v4 games as they contain all the elements of a real, full-sided game while giving each player more responsibility, involvement, and touches on the ball.
- Full-sided Games
Towards the end of practice, players will participate in full-sided games, in which they can gain experience with positions and carrying over their knowledge/themes from the small-sided games.
- Homework
At the end of practice, I may give the players some technical skills to work on at home. The aim is for them to see if they can get better each week with their footwork.
At the end of my posts, I like to leave a soccer video. The video below is of an Argentina goal in the 2006 World Cup. It was probably the best goal of tournament because of the great passing, build up of the attack, and the spectacular finish. Enjoy!
Thanks to those who came out to the scrimmage vs. Arlington today! We were able to get in some good games against quality teams. I want to give you some of my thoughts about the scrimmage in perspective to our season. First, I want to commend the players for their hard work today. On each field, players were focused on the game and demonstrated a competitive spirit. That was certainly an encouraging sign to see early on in the season.
I believe today's scrimmages showed where we should focus our attention. It was the first time any of the players had played a competitive match with one another, which led to confusion on the field. As they play more matches and practice together, players will develop a better understanding for one another. Playing as a cohesive unit, making meaningful combinations with teammates, and developing individual technical skills will be reoccurring themes in our season and practices. Overall, I think today offers a good starting point from which to build.
For those interested/who attend practices, we will work on these objectives and themes in a systematic manner during training as follows:
- Warm-Up
I believe integrating as much ball work into the warm-up gets players mentally ready for the practice session while building necessary technical skills. In many cases, the warm-up will have a technical focus (passing, dribbling, receiving, etc.) which will be maintained throughout the session.
- Small-Sided Games
You will notice many small-sided games (2v2, 3v3, 4v4) following the warm-up. I tend to manipulate the variables and rules of these games based on our team needs. These small-sided games allow for all players to have many repetitions in game-like situations. Most of the games will be 4v4 games as they contain all the elements of a real, full-sided game while giving each player more responsibility, involvement, and touches on the ball.
- Full-sided Games
Towards the end of practice, players will participate in full-sided games, in which they can gain experience with positions and carrying over their knowledge/themes from the small-sided games.
- Homework
At the end of practice, I may give the players some technical skills to work on at home. The aim is for them to see if they can get better each week with their footwork.
At the end of my posts, I like to leave a soccer video. The video below is of an Argentina goal in the 2006 World Cup. It was probably the best goal of tournament because of the great passing, build up of the attack, and the spectacular finish. Enjoy!
Monday, June 28, 2010
Introduction
My Coaching Philosophy
I think it is crucial for parents to understand my approach to coaching. I believe that at the U9 level, the main priority is to develop the players' technical abilities. At typical weekly practices we emphasize technical skills (dribbling, passing, trapping, etc.) throughout the warm-up and into the session. The reasoning behind this approach is that players must master the basic skills before they can attempt to learn and execute more advanced soccer concepts. I cannot introduce advanced concepts (nor do I think it would be very productive) until the players are comfortable enough with the ball to take that next step.
The process of evaluating what needs to be worked on comes from the games. The games give me an indication if kids are advancing with their skills. Again, the emphasis is not so much on positional play, making the right supporting runs, etc. Its more about: "Did the player control the ball effectively?", "Is this player controlling ball and finding open teammates with both dribbling and passing?" It cannot be emphasized enough that the players have just taken a huge leap from rec soccer (where they were the star of their team) to travel soccer (where they may not be the best player anymore). They are being forced to play and think faster than they have ever before.
Practices
In developing practice plans, I observe what the team is struggling with in games and create practice plans that address the team's weak areas. In addition to technical training, I concentrate on playing small-sided games to simulate match conditions while maximizing each players' contact with the ball. I set parameters to the practice games that focus on our practice theme. If I see a player make a poor decision, I will stop play and ask what may have been a better decision. I don't yell at them or simply give them the answer; I think its better to make them think and make the connection themselves. For example, we consistently work on getting in good positions to receive passes (and get out of the herd mentality!). If I see players start to migrate back to the bad habit of chasing the ball, I may "freeze" the play and ask the group if they have good spacing between one another. Instantly, they recognize they are clumped together and make adjustments. Hopefully, this gives parents a better idea of how I run practices
My Coaching Style During Games
My coaching demeanor during games is reflective of my personality. I will never be the coach yelling across the field to correct a minor detail. In fact, I think its vitally important to stay as calm and composed as possible on the sidelines. I know my body language and comments affect their mentality on the field. I believe that excessive yelling during the game will condition the team to expect explicit direction for all circumstances. Soccer is a fluid game, and each situation will be different. During games, I observe whether the players are taking the themes from the previous week's practices and implementing them in the game. I can understand that parents believe I should provide more instruction from the sidelines, but it is a fine line for me to walk. There are some bad habits from rec soccer that need to be eliminated (for example, defenders staying too far back and "just" defending or simply booting the ball down the field), and I constantly address those habits. However, mistakes such as making a questionable soccer decision on the field, should be addressed in private and not publicly cited. Most of all, I want them to express their own creativity and have fun!
I think it is crucial for parents to understand my approach to coaching. I believe that at the U9 level, the main priority is to develop the players' technical abilities. At typical weekly practices we emphasize technical skills (dribbling, passing, trapping, etc.) throughout the warm-up and into the session. The reasoning behind this approach is that players must master the basic skills before they can attempt to learn and execute more advanced soccer concepts. I cannot introduce advanced concepts (nor do I think it would be very productive) until the players are comfortable enough with the ball to take that next step.
The process of evaluating what needs to be worked on comes from the games. The games give me an indication if kids are advancing with their skills. Again, the emphasis is not so much on positional play, making the right supporting runs, etc. Its more about: "Did the player control the ball effectively?", "Is this player controlling ball and finding open teammates with both dribbling and passing?" It cannot be emphasized enough that the players have just taken a huge leap from rec soccer (where they were the star of their team) to travel soccer (where they may not be the best player anymore). They are being forced to play and think faster than they have ever before.
Practices
In developing practice plans, I observe what the team is struggling with in games and create practice plans that address the team's weak areas. In addition to technical training, I concentrate on playing small-sided games to simulate match conditions while maximizing each players' contact with the ball. I set parameters to the practice games that focus on our practice theme. If I see a player make a poor decision, I will stop play and ask what may have been a better decision. I don't yell at them or simply give them the answer; I think its better to make them think and make the connection themselves. For example, we consistently work on getting in good positions to receive passes (and get out of the herd mentality!). If I see players start to migrate back to the bad habit of chasing the ball, I may "freeze" the play and ask the group if they have good spacing between one another. Instantly, they recognize they are clumped together and make adjustments. Hopefully, this gives parents a better idea of how I run practices
My Coaching Style During Games
My coaching demeanor during games is reflective of my personality. I will never be the coach yelling across the field to correct a minor detail. In fact, I think its vitally important to stay as calm and composed as possible on the sidelines. I know my body language and comments affect their mentality on the field. I believe that excessive yelling during the game will condition the team to expect explicit direction for all circumstances. Soccer is a fluid game, and each situation will be different. During games, I observe whether the players are taking the themes from the previous week's practices and implementing them in the game. I can understand that parents believe I should provide more instruction from the sidelines, but it is a fine line for me to walk. There are some bad habits from rec soccer that need to be eliminated (for example, defenders staying too far back and "just" defending or simply booting the ball down the field), and I constantly address those habits. However, mistakes such as making a questionable soccer decision on the field, should be addressed in private and not publicly cited. Most of all, I want them to express their own creativity and have fun!
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