| One might think this information is for the "little kids" | | | | strictly limit competitive matches and focus on the |
| or "inexperienced coaches", but I hope to drive home | | | | player's overall development. It is pretty widely |
| a point that all will learn from, soccer technical training | | | | accepted that once a player hits the age of 16, it is |
| often ends too early. | | | | hard to return and teach the skills. |
| Let me start by going to the "top" so I don't lose | | | | There are two key factors in developing youth |
| many of you that think technical training doesn't | | | | players. |
| apply to advanced players. I will start with two | | | | First, is a love for the game. Street soccer, pick up |
| examples, one with a professional player and the | | | | games and non-adult structured soccer games help |
| second a college bound player. | | | | kids be creative and develop a love for the game. |
| It goes all the way to the top. | | | | This environment unfortunately no longer exists in |
| Last year, while working on Blast The Ball and | | | | the US. We have to keep in mind that ending all |
| SoccerU, I was fortunate enough to spend time | | | | "work sessions" with fun small sided games is critical |
| working with several professional players from all | | | | to kids walking away from all practices thinking, "I |
| over the world. I will use Mac as an example. Mac is | | | | want to come back next week." |
| now a professional player with the MLS. I spent a | | | | This also applies to older players. Just because a |
| couple of afternoons with him and we covered | | | | player is "advanced" you have to remember that |
| several topics, mainly striking and kicking a soccer ball. | | | | they really are still just a "kid at heart". 17 year olds |
| Mac played in college, went to the USL and now is | | | | love to "play" and have fun too. |
| playing in the MLS. I read a recent interview with him | | | | Second, is constantly returning to repetitive exposure |
| and it was a breath of fresh air. He was humble and | | | | of all the core skills. Instead of running laps and |
| grateful for his opportunities. When asked about his | | | | conditioning for 20 minutes to begin our practices, we |
| transition from the USL to the MLS he stated that | | | | should have players touching the ball with basic skills. |
| play at the USL level was more physical and the MLS | | | | Dribbling, passing, moves, chesting, heading and all the |
| was more technical. He was thrilled to be around | | | | skills they actually use in a game. |
| great teachers and coaches that could work with him | | | | I can't tell you the number of advancing soccer |
| to refine many of his skills. | | | | players I see that struggle to perform basic moves |
| My point? There are many creative, aggressive and | | | | such as pull backs, cuts and feints. They learned |
| physical soccer players, but when you take a look at | | | | them a long time ago, but never practice them. Start |
| the very best in the world, you will see very refined | | | | EVERY practice the same way. Core movement drills, |
| technical skills combined with all their other attributes. | | | | repeating the basic and essential ball control skills. End |
| Only those that continually refine, develop and learn | | | | every practice the same way; fun, small sided games |
| technical skills continue to progress. | | | | where the coach is not controlling every move. |
| The high school and college soccer player. | | | | Our teachers (coaches) are often not players. |
| This past year I worked with many college players | | | | One critical point to training young soccer players is |
| and older high school players. Many of the college | | | | first making sure the "teacher" understands how to |
| players played at Division 1 schools and some even | | | | teach. When you combine recreational soccer in with |
| had a stint with some pro teams. They were mixed | | | | the academy programs the number of coaches that |
| of male and female players. One of the high school | | | | never really played competitive soccer is very high. |
| players I worked with for over 30 hours had a great | | | | Some of our surveys had the number at 70%. (Dad |
| comment about the technical training we covered. "If | | | | got involved because his son decided to play and the |
| I had this training 4 years ago, I would be going to a | | | | club or program needed "volunteers".) However, I will |
| different (better) school right now." Amazingly this kid | | | | tell you that some of the best youth coaches I have |
| was a fantastic player; fast, tall, great creativity, top | | | | met were not "great players." |
| goal scorer, and more. However, he was humble | | | | They became great coaches because they focused |
| enough to realize that he has so much more to learn | | | | on youth development and core technical training. |
| or at least refine. | | | | Their focus was on "what is best for my players" |
| The same applied to many of the college players. | | | | and not "how do I become winning and successful |
| When taken through some of the technical skills | | | | coach". It is critical that coaches not only learn how |
| many admitted that they never received a "true" | | | | to be a better coach, but also how to teach each |
| technical training session on many skills, even the | | | | individual technical skill the RIGHT way. Forget about |
| basics. They simply had to figure it out on their own. | | | | the "winning" and focus on the "development". |
| Once I showed them the true form and took them | | | | Understand the difference between Immediate and |
| back to the basic steps and learning, they all had the | | | | Residual training. |
| same reaction. "I wish I had this training years ago." | | | | Immediate training includes things that we can control |
| Unfortunately once we get to the higher competitive | | | | rather quickly but often do not last a long time. For |
| levels players are focused on conditioning, physical | | | | example, at any time a soccer player can get in |
| play and tactical work. Failing to constantly return to | | | | condition. Working out for about 4 - 6 weeks will get |
| basic core technical training is a problem that many | | | | us into playing shape. However, once that stops or |
| upper level players have to deal with. | | | | the season ends, the conditioning level goes away |
| Technical training should be the core of youth soccer | | | | and we have to return to build it back up. |
| development. | | | | Technical skills however, are slowly built and refined |
| Unfortunately, especially in the US, we start "playing | | | | over several years. Once they are learned, they will |
| for the team" or trying to "achieve results" too early. | | | | continue to stay with us. |
| Nothing like the coach of a 10 year old team pacing | | | | A great quote from former U.S. Men's National Team |
| on the sidelines screaming at his players that they | | | | captain Claudio Reyna, "It's possible at any time |
| "stink and are playing like a bunch of losers". (Yes, an | | | | during a player's career to get into top physical shape |
| actual quote I heard last year.) This coach had one | | | | or to try to win every game! But you can't teach |
| problem. He wanted to win like we all do, but he | | | | skills to an old player. Youth coaches should keep in |
| placed that trait of human nature above the needs | | | | mind that individual skills need to be nurtured at an |
| of his players. | | | | early age. Players who haven't mastered the |
| These kids desperately needed general ball handling, | | | | fundamental skills become frustrated because the |
| dribbling and passing skills work, but you just know | | | | game gets too difficult for them as they move into |
| that the coach was spending all the practice time on | | | | higher levels." |
| conditioning, set plays and tactical work. I guess his | | | | The golden years of soccer development only |
| next intended step was to coach with the "premiere | | | | happen once. This is why the SoccerU training series |
| leagues". | | | | was developed. Focus these years on development |
| Understanding that we are developing "future | | | | and make sure your player(s) are being trained for |
| competitors" is the first step in youth development. | | | | the long term with skills, not conditioned for the short |
| The best training development clubs in the world | | | | term to win. |