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It was great to get back to training with my kids this week. I’ve missed being on the field with them. Everyday this week I’ve enjoyed taking a break from preparing for the rec season and running training sessions.
The first session of the week for all of my teams used the Play – Practice – Play methodology. The second session involved some technical training mixed in with the game related activities.
The kids really seemed to enjoy the sessions and it’s set a great tone for the beginning of the year.
In this Episode
Today were going to do something a little different. I hope your enjoy it and find it interesting.
I really appreciate Ricardo reaching out and suggesting that we talk. I always enjoy talking with other coaches. He had some great questions and I think we had a great exchange of ideas. Let me know if this is something you’d like to hear more of in the future. I’ve considered doing a roundtable with a number of coaches so that’s something I might try as well.
Future Episodes
I don’t have a particular topic in mind for next week. If you have something that you’d like to hear about feel free to let me know and it might end up being next week’s show.
Just finished listening. Great episode, I loved hearing someone pick your brain with questions I’ve asked myself.
Love the podcasts. A listener from the beginning.
This episode’s format is worth repeating.
My concern re play/practice/play is that those players who are naturally aggressive or who are “born” with a strong kick will dominate.
The “late bloomers” who can be COACHED to develop a powerful ball strike(& other skills) by using proper technique & who will later embrace aggressive, physical play & develop a love for the game may fall so far behind that they drop out before they develop into solid players. Where is retention then?
I learned many things from you. One of the best was World Cup or Wembley BEFORE practice started. From that time on they were always early & having fun. Is that not a variant of play/practice/play?
Thanks for the technical drills AND the wisdom through the years.
“Catch them doing something right.”
Thanks Robin.
There’s room for instruction in Play-Practice-Play. That’s why I link the expanded ‘Intervention’ phase in the Australian ‘GiG’ model.
Retention comes from increasing the player’s enjoyment of the training session which keeps them coming back.
I’m glad you’ve found the ideas I share on the podcast useful.
Thanks for listening!
I am grateful for the time you put into the podcast. It has been a big help to me. I can always relate. This episode even more so. Ricardo had a couple of thoughts that I share so it was a very interesting listen. Please use the format again.
I am interested in your tips for explaining training games to youth teams. I use a magnetic board and keep the explanation short. There are times where the kids are still confused about what we are doing and why. They are frustrated and I get frustrated. We lose valuable practice time. Do you give handouts with pictures? Are there other tricks?
Thank you!
Thank John, I’m glad you enjoy the podcast and find it useful.
A certain amount of uncertainty is natural when a group is doing an activity for the first time. It sounds like you are doing the right things by keeping the instructions short and using visual aids. If they don’t get it right away I ask questions that will help them understand what the activity requires.
Being confused and then figuring it out is learning so don’t worry too much if they don’t get it right away.
Tom
Tom – Do you think scrimmaging has its place in u12 soccer training? I’m not talking about small sided games or possession based games i’m talking full field scrimmages where the coach will occasionally stop play and instruct. My daughters team does this during every practice for the final 20 minutes or so and i dont see the value.
Eric,
As with any activity, how effective it is depends on how it’s used. The Play – Practice – Play method finishes with a game as close to fullsided as possible. However if that means that four or five players are sitting on the sideline then that would be less effective and it would make more sense to play 6v6 or 7v7 so that all of the players can be involved.
Stopping the game to instruct every once in a while is fine but coaching during the flow of play is more effective.