I won't have a full podcast for this week because I'm spending some down time with my family during the July 4th holiday weekend. I don't want to go a week without putting anything out there so here is a 1 v 1 exercise that we use toward the end of our 12-week Technical Training curriculum. I like this exercise because it incorporates passing, receiving, change of direction moves, 1 v 1 moves and shooting in a competitive environment that the players really … [Read more...]
#018 Creating a Technical Training Plan
We've had a number of coaches ask if we could create printable show notes. Earlier this week I started working on doing that. I've put together a template using the first episode and posted that to the site. Now that I’ve worked out the technical side I'll start adding them to each episode. I’ll also go back and add them to the previous episodes. So far I've completed five episodes going back to Episode 12 on the Transitional Possession Game. I'll get the … [Read more...]
#017 Formations and Adjustments
A few weeks ago I mentioned what a crazy time of year this is. The last tournaments of the year lead into State Cup and President’s Cup competitions. That’s immediately followed by tryouts. Now’s the time to look back and review. Last week I gave you an overview of our tryout process. This week I look at how I arrived at a formation and style of play for one of my teams as well as how it evolved and changed over the course of the year as well as how it might … [Read more...]
#016 How to Run Tryouts for More Than 2,000 Players
Each June we hold tryouts for our soccer club. Players can be moved up or down and new players join to replace those that choose to leave. It can be a disorganized nightmare or it can be a well orchestrated process where players are assigned to teams that will be the best place for their further development. I was going to discuss more about tactical analysis this week but last weekend we had tryouts for our soccer club. This is a process that no one really … [Read more...]
#015 Analyzing Your Team’s Performance
We had a request from a coach wanting to learn more about how to breakdown the game from the sideline so I arranged to talk with John Pascarella, Assistant Coach for Sporting KC. John has coached at every level of the game and knows what to look for whether he's watching games at the highest level or younger youth teams playing in local leagues. We discuss what to look for in your opponents as well as what to focus on with your own team. He shares his … [Read more...]
#014 Do Your Players Move Without the Ball?
This is a busy time for youth soccer clubs in the United States. Memorial Day weekend tournaments around the country last weekend lead in to State Cup this week in many states. Then tryouts for next year’s teams come right after that. This three weeks is kind of ‘The Storm before the Quiet’. The summer brings a much needed break but these few weeks are always crazy In this week’s episode I look at how to train your players to move without the ball. It’s … [Read more...]
CSW Extra 1 – Game to Improve Switching Play
I'm traveling with a team over Memorial Day weekend so there won't be a podcast this week but didn't want to leave you with nothing for this week so here's a game I used this week that my team really enjoyed. Bryan left a comment on the last episode asking if I could include dimensions on the diagrams. The dimensions of any exercise will vary depending on the age and ability level of your players but I'm going to include them from now on so that at least … [Read more...]
#013 Training Session for Creative Combination Play
Learning to be Creative I believe that we need to teach our players a variety of individual fakes and moves in order to spark their imagination and encourage their creativity. By learning a few moves they will see what is possible and this will give them a framework for their own creativity. The same can be done with creative combination play. If we teach the players a few basic movement patterns, and the keys to making them successful, then this will … [Read more...]
#012 Training Possession Play with Increasing Pressure
Thanks! We continue to receive a lot of positive feedback on the podcast. A ‘Five Star’ review on iTunes from ‘Flying Dave’ says, "I'm thoroughly enjoying this podcast. I find it hard to talk soccer coaching with other coaches. My wife is tired of me bouncing ideas off of her. I'm super pleased to hear about coaching from other coaches. thanks!" Thanks for the review and rating Dave! Another ‘Five Star’ review is from Arima 19 says, "Have … [Read more...]
#011 Four Favorite Fun Warm-Ups
In this Episode I look at the warm-up phase of your training session. This is what sets the tone for your entire session to follow. Having the warm-up relate to the session is important. But maybe more importantly it must engage your players and get them as ready psychologically and emotionally just as much as it does physically and technically. I know your team will enjoy these warm-up activities and you'll find that when you start your sessions the way I … [Read more...]