Coaching Soccer Weekly

Coaching Soccer Weekly

A Podcast that Shares Training Sessions, Interviews and Commentary from WORLD CLASS COACHING

Coaching Soccer Weekly is a podcast that gives you an in-depth look at the methods, strategies and techniques used by a youth soccer coach working full time with players of every age and skill level. This includes training plans, team management and planning ideas, the latest trends in soccer coaching and education, as well as approaches to deal with challenges.

The podcast also includes interviews with other soccer coaches and trainers that are on the cutting edge of modern soccer development.

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#133 How to Improve Technically and Tactically at Home

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The Central Regional Championships for the US Youth Futsal Nationals was in Kansas City last weekend. I had one team win and qualify for Nationals while the other had a tough weekend. They played some very good teams but didn't play as well has they have recently. I've said before that the only thing consistent about young teams is there inconsistency. I can point to the long holiday break and missing players for other sports commitments as reasons but these … [Read more...]

#132 New Grassroots Coaching Pathway

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Last weekend I had my first games back with my teams after the long holiday break. Because of the way the schedule worked out we didn't have a practice before our games. I knew we wouldn't be really sharp but I was surprised by just how rusty the players really were. You could tell that the players knew it and were frustrated by how they were playing. I tried to high my frustration because it wasn't that they weren't trying, they were just out of … [Read more...]

#131 A Coach’s New Years Resolution

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It was a great time for a break! I really enjoyed the time away from the field and the chance to spend time with family and friends. It was also a productive time as I was able to complete my spring league and tournament plan as well as the Technical Training curriculum for next season. As much as I've enjoyed the time off, I'm looking forward to getting back to working with my teams in training and games. This week’s question comes from Chris (a … [Read more...]

#130 Movement to Create Options

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I had a ton of Futsal games last week. As I've mentioned before, I've divided my teams up for the Futsal season to make sure they all get plenty of playing time. This is great for the players but it doubles the number of games I have on any given weekend. I love working with my players but 14 games on the weekend will really take a toll on you. This is the last week of training before the club takes a two-week holiday break. This allows the families and … [Read more...]

#129 Four Key Elements of an Effective Warm-Up

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The first full weekend of Futsal for my teams is always interesting because it's first time some of my players have been in a Futsal game. Some are surprised how much they enjoy the new experience while others aren't as sure. It's just too different than what they were used to with arena soccer. I think most coaches would agree that they'd like to start the season with an easier game so that they can really work on the new skills and tactics that they've … [Read more...]

#128 Futsal Techniques and Tactics

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My Thanksgiving holiday week was full of family, american football and too much food. It was a great break and chance to reset. I usually have my teams take the first week of Futsal off because that gives them a two-week break between the end of the outdoor season and our first Futsal game. This also gives me a chance to have more practice time with them before our first game. It also compresses our season so that we have fewer midseason breaks which … [Read more...]

#127 Building Technical Training Progressions

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Well, last weekend was the end of the outdoor season for the last of my teams. Just in time too because the weather has really made a turn to the colder side in the midwest. All of our training sessions from now on will be focused on the techniques and tactics of Futsal. It's almost like starting over with my teams since the skills of Futsal are so very different from many of the skills the players use outdoor. Some see this as a negative but I think they're … [Read more...]

#126 How to Remove Diving from Soccer

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My teams are making the transition to indoor Futsal training this week. Some of them still have an outdoor tournament this weekend but our club always moving inside on the first of November. I enjoy the change of pace and the focus on different skills and tactics. Some coaches focus on training Futsal in isolation but I look at how the game as an opportunity to better prepare my teams and players for a return to the outdoor game in the spring. This winter … [Read more...]

#125 Prepare their Mind to Train their Skills

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As I mentioned last week, my weekend was focused on refereeing as I renewed my outdoor and Futsal certifications. I was asked to do a presentation to the group from a coach's perspective. I tried to show how coaches, referees and players need to work together to create a positive experience for everyone. I let the referees know what coaches expect from referees. We want Professionalism, Effort, Knowledge and Consistency. I asked the referees what they want … [Read more...]

#124 Adding Passive Pressure to Technical Training

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Last week was our final weekend of league play which came just in time because the weather is due to get much colder this weekend. Since I don't have any games this weekend I scheduled my recertification courses for outdoor and Futsal refereeing. It's always interesting going into a room of referees as a local coach. There's an adversarial relationship between these two groups that can't be avoided. I think I'm pretty quiet when it comes to dealing with the … [Read more...]