Keys to Positive Soccer Coaching (Part 2)
Karl Dewazien
Emeritus State Director of Coaching, California Youth Soccer Assoc., Author & Creator of the FUNdamental SOCCER Player Development Methodology.
From my pre-pandemic observations of youth soccer coaches both in practice and clinic situations; I pinpointed some of the common coaching errors made in Part 1 such as: Poor Coaching Position; Drill and Rote Based; Fan Coaching; Coaching the Game and not the Players. Here are more of my observations and some simple guidelines that should be used post-pandemic:
Cosmetic coaching… Setting up situations that make the players happy may look good, but is anyone learning anything? Many sessions are cute, filled with candy ideas, but lack substance, and directions. There has to be a purpose and a method to help youngsters improve.
Progress not related to the players… This is where the coach is so organized that he becomes a slave to his preparation plans. He should be sensitive to his players and their progress.
Not seeing the key playing errors...Overlooking or misinterpreting mistakes. Practice, study, and experience will help solve this problem area.
Poor organization... This is often due to a lack of thought and preparation for the session. For example:
? Lack of continuity to the session. Every session must have a beginning, a middle, and an end.
? No targets. This is particularly true of defenders who have just gained a possession and don’t do anything positive with the ball. As in a real game, they have to score.
? Poor starting service. If the service is poor, the practice just dissolves. This is particularly true whenever you are teaching heading or volleying. A quality service will lead to successful skills and team play.
? Be disciplined. Focus on just two or three points. Think of television advertising and a rabbit selling the same message over and over again. Coaching is just the same!
SOME SIMPLE GUIDELINES
? Prepare your sessions - Have a theme and know the key to coaching points within it. Create games to highlight these points.
? Become the Energizer bunny - Repeat a couple of messages over and over again. Repetition makes for permanency – good skills and habits via the shortest short.
? Equipment – Have your player’s set-up the field beforehand: Cones, corner flags, pennies, balls. It’s a great time-saver.
? Project your personality – make the players see that you enjoy the experience. Enthusiasm is contagious.
? Consider the conditions – sun, wind, playing surface.
? Keep a record of your session.
? Evaluate each session.
? Consider using the FUNdamental SOCCER – Practice Flow
By Graham Ramsay, Emeritus Director of Training, Maryland Youth Soccer Assoc. You can reach Graham Ramsay at: [email protected]
Koach Karl’s Notes:
Thank You! Coach Graham Ramsay for sharing your insights with FUNdamental SOCCER!
I am hoping that others will join this discussion and am positive that sharing of insights/suggestions like Coach Ramsay’s will help some coaches improve …Priceless..!
Finally, I pray that everyone will Stay Healthy and Safe!
Your FUNdamental, Koach Karl (Karl Dewazien)
- Emeritus State DoC of California Youth Soccer Assoc. 1979-2012
- Author - FUNdamental SOCCER Books Series
- Producer - ‘FUNdamental SOCCER -Practice’ DVD.
- Clinician at: www.fundamentalsoccer.com
Facilitator, Mediator, Project Manager, Organizational Specialist, Author & Award-Winning Innovator
4 年So for locations where field space is at a premium, how do coaches manage their time when the field rental must include set up time? Do you adjust the arrival time of your players? Or do you risk the wrath of the local parks department (or the team training ahead of you on the same field) by arriving early to set up?