designing a practice plan

1. Designing A Practice Plan Time management Age-appropriate activities Player development

3. Small – Sided Games “ In simplified, modified games, players learn to be aware and to improvise, to concentrate and to recognize the situation. Skills are important , but the value of skill is to be able to use them efficiently in a fraction of a second. Practices should be one quarter skill training and three quarters applying those skills in endless situations.” --- Rinus Michels – Former Dutch National Team Coach and the FIFA Coach of the Century

4. 1 vs 1 The basis of play – with and without ball Develop the ability, confidence and composure to keep the ball while under pressure – lot of ball touches To be able to beat your immediate opponent with dribbling skills To practice and master movements to be able to get past your opponent

5. 2 vs 2 The use of a teammate to combine with to beat opponents The choice of how and when to use the teammate The development of passing and receiving skills The opportunity for the give and go pass The decision to dribble, use a move, or pass to a teammate

6. 4 vs 4 Elements of Soccer The minimum # of players needed for all the principles of play Penetration – width – depth – support Free movement develops mobility Ball, goals, rectangular playing field, boundary lines, teammates, opponents, space, pressure, rules and direction of play

7. Player Development The progress and development of the young player is dependent upon good coaching. Coaching is first and foremost creating situations where players develop skills and insight into the game. The development of the soccer brain is paramount to the total development of the player. It is necessary that players practice in a stimulating, challenging and game-related environment.

8. Age - Appropriate Just exactly what can a 6 year old do What is he capable of doing Motor skills Learning capacity Attention span Interests – relate soccer to their interest “ Star Wars ” -- “ Cowboys and Indians “

9. Organization Have all the necessary equipment needed Set up practice area ahead of time Have a ball for every player Have a definite practice plan Get volunteer helpers Reduce the player – coach ratio Avoid the whole group thing Work in small groups where everyone is busy

10. 4 Elements of a Practice Game A recognizable objective – aim, purpose The rules of the game The equipment needed to be able to play the game (ball, goals, markers, vests) A play-oriented approach ……… …….. small – sided games

11. Perfect Practice Makes Perfect Habits can be good or bad If not corrected, bad habits will linger You can get good at being bad Create an environment where good habits are encouraged Proper demonstration of technique Repetitions of doing it the right way Correct mistakes as they occur See it – do it right -- repeat it – over and over

12. Circuit Model A model for the organization of a practice session – players play in groups Provides more variation Players have more ball contacts Each segment only lasts 10-20 minutes Young players are better in small groups Repetition of same drills provides for learning

13. Circuit Model -- 2 The soccer drills must be exciting Start with drills/games that are easy for the players to understand and perform Adjust and replace drills/games as you go A game of tag (dribble tag, passing tag) Some form of a possession game Some form of going to goal / goal shooting Small sided game with goals

14. Advantages of the Circuit Model The session is geared to the world of the young players Players have lots of ball contacts The duration of each activity is short Young players work better together in small groups rather than one large group The coach can focus better on the group Repetition provides for better learning

15. Coaching -- Questions a coach should ask of himself – First --- is the drill running smoothly Second --- are the objectives being met Third ----- are the players learning / having fun Are the drills age-appropriate What changes would improve the drill Is the organizational setup working Are the players taking ownership of the drill

16. Small – Sided Games Think of 3 moments 1 -- give just enough directions to get the game going 2 -- what are the big mistakes – can they solve the soccer problem 3 -- fine tune, introduce changes

17. Role of the Coach Up to age 11, learn the technical skills Apply the technical skills to the actual game situations Develop technique and insight through small – sided games and game activities

18. Role of the Coach From age 12 to 18, develop the tactical aspects of the game Vision, awareness, working together, and communication Playing with a purpose (win), recognize situations and make decisions on the field

19. Suggested Youth Practice Plan Coordination – agility running Ball Touches Possession – Positional games Go To Goal games -- 1v1 up to 4 v 4 Keep away with goals -- throw, catch --- add soccer skills as you go -----

20. Coordination – Agility Running Use big hoops Figure 8 running Slalom, zig zag Body swerve / footwork

23. Ball Touch Top of ball from behind ball Top of ball from the side Side to side with pullbacks and turns Ball roll from side to side Ball roll forward and back Stop, turn, go Ball juggle Individual moves (scissor, step-over) Dribbling

24. Passing Drills 3 players – 2 balls -- Outside players have a ball -- middle player works 3 players – 1 ball play short, short, long follow pass to next position

32. Go To Goal Games 1 v 1 2 v 2 4 v 4 Goals with keepers Small goals w/o keepers Line soccer 2 zone games Target and neutral players -- bumper players

33. Keep Away with Goals Start with throw and catch ( this will help them learn to spread out ) Add soccer skills Must pass or shoot or head to score Throw and soccer-receive ball Pass ball and catch with hands Throw and head to teammate

34. Summary Points Establish a practice routine Repeat activities until mastery Fewer activities result in better performance Start with fun activities that involve everyone Create competitions whenever possible Go to goal activities are very important Create a fun, safe atmosphere – (slanty line) Always end with something fun / competitive