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.

#016 How to Run Tryouts for More Than 2,000 Players

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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

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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?

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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...]

#010 Training Session to Break Lines of Pressure

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Thanks for joining me for episode 10 of the podcast. Last week I asked for feedback and suggestions. I received a number of good responses. One of them is focused on how to use ‘Free Play’ Tim asks, "How do you set up free play?  Whenever you allow your players free play, how involved are you? I image you handle substitutions and try to ensure equal playing time, but is that where you stop? Do you do anything in regards to formations, positions, or any … [Read more...]

#009 1 v 1 Training for Every Situation

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In this episode I show you six practice environments that I use for 1v1 training. They focus on each of the key 1v1 situations that players will face in the game. Each of them gives you an opportunity to train both the attacker and defenders. They all allow the players to be very creative and free to try new skills. 1v1 situations are such an important part of the game that coaches at every level should be spending at least some of their valuable training … [Read more...]

#008 The Triangle Training Method

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As I mentioned last week our latest set of books was released this week called, Smedley’s Soccer Drills Volume 1 – 4. Many of you took advantage of the free eBook that was offered. If you did then you also received an email about release of the four volume set. If you didn't then you can find that link on the show notes of Episode 7. The books include more than 600 drills that cover every technical and tactical topic you can imagine. There’s a lifetime of … [Read more...]