Developing a Philosophy-What is Player Development?

1. Activities for the player’s participation, which focus on the involvement with the ball to insure fun and enjoyment.
2. Players exposed to and playing different positions.
3. Activities designed to refine their technique.
4. Activities designed to introduce and increase the opportunities for tactical awareness.
5. De-emphasize winning and losing.

Role of the Coach

1. Set up conditions and environment for learning.
2. Players need to have fun and receive positive feedback.
3. Coach must be enthusiastic.
4. Practices should be conducted in the spirit of enjoyment and learning
5. Activities need to be geared towards achieving success.

The Four Main Areas of a Practice Session

1. Warm up
Enthusiastically set the tone for them. The warm up prepares the body and mind for upcoming activities. Ball gymnastics greatly enhance motor skills. (Coordination, balance, agility and flexibility). Young players need very little stretching, but it is a good habit for them to begin at an early age.

2. Individual Activities
Fun filled activities that emphasize technique development. Lots of ball contacts

3. Small Group Activities
Small sided games that are an extension of the individual activity. Groups are small to allow more touches with the ball.

4. Large Group Activities
An extension of the small group activity, this portion of the session is designed to familiarize the players with the varying aspects of the game. Kids want to play and have fun. After a brief explanation or demonstration, quickly get the players into the activity.

Components of Soccer
1. Technique
A. Activities must be geared toward the player’s mastery of the ball
B. Stages for testing technique
a. Fundamental
b. Match Related
c. Game Condition
2. Psychological
A. The continuing development of a positive attitude for all aspects of the game
B. We can demand higher repetitions, increased pressure of time and space. All activities done at match speed.
C. They are beginning to conceptualize the game.
3. Tactics
A. Player decisions
B. Freedom from the ball to make tactical decisions
C. Progression for teaching tactics
a. Individual
b. Small Group
c. Team
4. Fitness
A. All fitness should be done with the ball

Tactics- Principles of Defense
1. Immediate chase to regain possession
2. Delay-force the attacking team to slow down in order for the defense to organize(this task is for the first defender)
3. Depth-the quick organization of players behind the first defender(this is the task for the second defender)
4. Balance-the positioning of defenders relative to possible penetrating attackers away from the ball(third defender)
5. Concentration-The limiting of time and space through the collective defensive action

Tactics- Principles of Attack
1. Penetration (First attacker)
2. Depth (Second attacker)
3. Mobility (Third attacker)
4. Width
5. Finishing
Role of the first attacker- must achieve penetration based upon player’s technical capabilities by making the best tactical decision
Role of second attacker- must combine with the first attacker and gain penetration through bent runs, overlapping, wall passes and take overs.
Role of third attacker- attempts to unbalance the defending team by making runs to increase the attacking options