Last weekend was another tournament weekend. It was local and it was nice to play a tournament close to home especially because the forecast was for rain all weekend. I had three teams in the tournament which may seem like a lot but it was manageable because it was spread out over three days. Friday was perfect, it was a great evening to play. The rain didn't start until overnight. Saturday morning was stormy. The earliest games were canceled and … [Read more...]
CSW Extra 8 – Rondo Session Show Notes
I wasn't able to schedule a time to talk with Scott Moody of SoccerFIT about their new soccer conditioning app this week. I decided I would spend my time putting the show notes together for last weeks show on directional rondos. So go back to episode 152 and you'll find a link to those notes. Nothing fancy here; I just put diagrams of the activities into my outline of the show. Hopefully they paint the picture of the activities well enough. With next … [Read more...]
#109 Four Favorite Possession Games
I continuing to enjoy my summer break from the field. The summer doesn't start for me until the team meetings are completed and that happened last weekend. I'm using the extra free time to work on the Fall Technical Training Curriculum for our U8 through U12 teams. Talked about that back in episode 18 Creating a Technical Training Plan. If you want to know why we do this and how it's put together you can listen to that episode. I’ve been interested in … [Read more...]
CSW Extra 6 – CogiTraining
This week I've been in Florida observing a camp being put on by Michel Bruyninckx, the developer of CogiTraining. The CogiTraining Method is based on research regarding cognitive neurology, neuropsychology, neurobiology, kinesiology, posturology, neuro pedagogics and didactics. The main goal is to understand how the brain is organized and to find out how human performance can be improved. The method includes that use of the SenseBall to improve the player's … [Read more...]
CSW Extra 5 – Double Rondo
There won't be a podcast for the next two weeks because I'll be spending some vacation time with my family and working on updates to our WORLD CLASS COACHING Training Center. There are some exciting changes coming that I all of our members will benefit from. Last week I interviewed Wayne Harrison. We discussed the common thread that goes through all game formats from 4 v 4 to 11 v 11. He has some very interesting methods that you should consider using with … [Read more...]
#043 Great Shooting Activities for the Winter Months
Lots going on this week at WORLD CLASS COACHING. We sent out a survey to all of our members so that we can send them exactly what they’re looking for in terms of coaching information. In exchange for the 60 seconds it takes to fill out the survey we gave them our latest eBook, ‘Modern Soccer Drills’ for free. If you’re a member you should have received an email about the survey and free eBook. If you’re not a member, you can become one and receive another … [Read more...]
CSW Extra 3 – All In One Exercise
I won't have a full podcast for this week because of the Thanksgiving Holiday here in the US. I planned to share one of my favorite exercises but I forgot that I included it in the Fourth of July episode earlier this year. If you missed that, here it is again. 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 enjoy. The first player … [Read more...]
#035 11 Different Diamond Drill Variations
At the end of each season the coaches in our club complete evaluations on the players in their team. The evaluations focus on the four key areas of player development: technical, tactical, physical and psychological. We make comments in each area about the strengths and weaknesses of the player and give them feedback on their progress. We use a website called ZoomReports.com to complete evaluations for more than 60 teams in our club. The online format allows … [Read more...]
#034 Getting More Out of Your Finishing Exercises
I like to end every training session with a shooting exercise of some kind. Sometimes it's related to the topic of the session and sometimes it's not. The important factors for me is that it's realistic and competitive. Early in the season the exercises tend to be more on isolated shooting technique. As the season progresses and the players demonstrate an understanding of the key principles of shooting then I start to make the exercises more … [Read more...]
#022 Developing Vision and Awareness
Training sessions have started in our area and it’s great to get back on the field with the players again. The summer provides a welcome break but I enjoy working with kids and watching them develop so I’m always excited to start a new year. I have a range of age groups that I’m working with again this year. The youngest are our U8 Pre Academy boys and the oldest is a U16 girls team. In between I have U10 and U12 girls teams. I enjoy coaching teams that play … [Read more...]
