Fall 2009, Coaching Education Newsletter #7

In this week’s newsletter we address spatial awareness and passing options.   Spatial Awareness While watching high level soccer games, we sometimes notice a player looking over their shoulder before they receive the ball.  This player is trying to gain information to allow him/her to make a good decision in regards to playing the ball.  Checking [...]

Soccer Talk

Soccer Communication By John Dingle To focus on communication with soccer players; the coach must first have some understanding on why, who, where and when the soccer talk is needed.  Communication on the soccer field is often a sign of confidence; that is, if the player wants the ball or believes he/she reads the game [...]

Adventures in the Ocean

Week 5 Adventures in the Ocean  Greet the players and let them know that today’s adventure will take them into the ocean.  In the ocean they will have to swim like fish, work with a team of pirates, and avoid the crabs, lobsters, and sharks. 

Club Coaching Vocabulary

Club Coaching Vocabulary  Most youth clubs offer soccer to players age 4-19.  Once players reach the soccer age of U9, different levels of play are often offered.  Players move throughout each level throughout their soccer career as well as experience different coaches.  Playing for a different coach benefits the players as they are forced to [...]

Coaching Young Players in a Game

Coaching in a Game   Coaching during the league games is the most difficult challenge you will face.  Your expectation combined with parent and player expectations often conflict with the developmental approach that is needed for players to thrive and play in a risk free environment.  Many of the issues addressed in the Problems of [...]

Fall 2009, Coaching Education Newsletter #6

In this week’s newsletter we address the topics of developing your player’s ability to counter attack and attacking heading. Developing Your Player’s Ability to Counter Attack When observing youth, high school, and college games it is obvious the overwhelming majority of goals come out of transition.  Free kicks account for the next largest percentage of [...]

Adventures in the Desert

Week 4 Adventures in the Desert by John Dingle Greet the players and let them know that today’s adventure will take them to the Desert.  In the Desert there will challenges with cactus, exploring, avoiding a dangerous hawk and protecting your pet lizard. Ouch Cactus Touch Players move around the grid and attempt to touch [...]

A Development Approach- Excerpt From U8 Coaching Manual

Developmental Approach Develop Your Philosophy The U7 and U8 soccer players appear to be mature soccer players because some of these players have been involved in youth soccer for a few years.  These players are not mature soccer players and can not be treated as such.  A better approach is to treat the players close [...]

Educating Your Player’s Parents

Educating Your Player’s Parents Each coach will soon learn that parents play a far greater role in youth sports than in the past.  Think about the effort a school makes to inform parents on the curriculum and procedures of the school year.  Countless papers are signed, a back to school night is presented, and individual [...]

Adventures in the City

By John Dingle Week 3 Adventures in the City Greet the players and let them know that today’s adventure will take them to the city.  In the city they will have to drive cars through in traffic, obey all traffic signals, listen to the policeman and avoid the car thieves. Red Light/Green Light Players line [...]