Training Sessions

If training sessions are not planned, they will turn out to be haphazard at best. Consequently, the players will also be haphazard in their playing habits. Long, detailed, written plans are not necessary; however, jotting down main ideas, and taking some time and thought to plan the session will greatly enhance the experience for everyone. A well-planned practice which moves quickly from one activity to the other adds to the satisfaction of the players, commands respect and improves performance. Plus, focused, enthused players are seldom injured and almost never present discipline problems.

Planning a successful session takes skill, a skill which is developed with time. Each time out on the training field should be a learning experience, both for the coaches and players.

Training sessions have three parts:

The Warm-Up; Should stimulate and prepare the players for the more intensely physical part of the session. It involves activities of low intensity, high repetition, fun and generates enthusiasum. Stretching should also be interspersed throughout the warm-up for all players. In the perfect world, the warm-up should be related to the main activities of the session.

Main Activities; Lays the emphasis on the technical or tactical development of the players through the use of small-sided games. Some of the basic principles to follow are: Progress from the simple to the more complex, Progress from the easy to the difficult, Gradually increase the physical and mental demands.

Concluding Activity; At the end of each session, the players should be given the opportunity to play the game with big goals, with even-numbered sides. This will enable them to practice the ideas they have learned during the session. Here the players will gain invaluable experience using their skills in live, game-like conditions with minimum interference from the coach. Here, the game is fun and the natural competetiveness of the environment serves as the motivation.

The game is the best teacher; let them play!

As I stated in my first post, I will be recommending literature and media that is extremely helpful to coaches and players alike. My top reference is this book by Mirsad Hasic
The Ultimate Guide to Soccer Positions!
Many coaches will learn about the newest positions, so they will be able to more easily transition into some more modern formations that may fit their team better. The Ultimate Guide To Soccer Positions shows how critical each and every position is to the game of soccer.

Soccer Coaches Resource

Without in any way claiming to give you everything you'll ever need to be a coach, this blog aims to provide you with some basic tools that we know you're going to need before very long. Things like information on how to become a certified coach, samples of the various forms you'll need to give out to your playeres, safety and first-aid tips, some hints on activities, and also information on things like coaching books and materials. As a youth coach, the first thing to teach your newest players is the rules and basic concepts of the game. If you are dealing with a whole team made up of brand-new players, you will want to dedicate the opening practice to learning the basic rules. With very young players (Under-6), you will want to avoid lecturing to them whenever possible. At this age, kids retain more by doing then by listening, and their attention spans are so short, it can hinder more than help to try to lecture to them for any period of time. Just ask any kindergarten teacher.

The only "rules" you need to worry about at Under-6 are the following:

*No hands (do not utilize a GK at this point)
*No pushing, tripping, or pulling clothing
*Use your feet to kick the ball and move it towards a goal

At the start of any drill involving goals, be sure to emphasize whose goal is whose to each team. Kids tend to get excited and will try to score in ANY goal.