NSCAA Convention Philadelphia 2014 - Log On › Media › Default › NewsArticle...Peter Mellor, National Technical Director, United Soccer Leagues 18. Rene Meulensteen's Moves &

January 2014

NSCAA Convention

Philadelphia 2014

Tony McCallum

FA Senior Regional Coach Development Manager

Philadelphia, PA, USA

NSCAA Convention 2014

study visit to the NSCAA Coaches Convention which was held in Philadelphia to observe,

record and report on some of the latest developments in coaching from across the world.

The group, from various levels of the game in England, attended the Convention and

benefitted from a personalised programme that included meetings with NSCAA and US

Youth Soccer as well as interviews with some of the leading practitioners at the event.

The opportunity allowed the coaches to recognise developments in coaching practice and

how this links to the FA coaching pathway and can supplement coach development in

England

The study group members have compiled a number of reports from the trip which will be

published in a series of articles that will be shared and published through the FA Licensed

The full report

which follows gives an insight into the different areas that the group observed during their

visit and the key messages that can be taken and applied into coaching practice.

Coach Biographies

Tony McCallum FA Senior Regional Coach Development Manager

• Tony presently works in the field of coach education and coach development. His role at

the FA is in support of coaches working across the FA Coach Education programmes

supporting coaches from entry level, through the FA Youth coaching strand and onto

FA/UEFA A Licence.

• He is the Senior Regional Coach Development Manager for the South, which includes

London, the South East and South West and has been in this role for the past 7 years.

• Tony previously attended the NSCAA Convention in Philadelphia in 2010 to observe the

varying array of content delivered in the support of coach development.

Coach Biographies

Shaun Hemmings London - FA Level 2, FAYA Module 1,2,3

Shaun holds the FA Level Two qualifications in both the Outfield and Goalkeeping strands as well as

currently undertaking his FAYA Mod 3. Shaun is currently in his sixth year of coaching, working primarily

within the Foundation Phase as a grassroots development coach in West London after experiences in

Italy and the Czech Republic. Shaun's attendance at the convention was primarily aimed at further

enhancing his knowledge of different sporting cultures/coaching styles.

Sinead McSharry Women's Assistant Coach Hamilton College, New York

• Sinead McSharry College Women's Soccer

Program after serving as the Recruiting Director at Husson University. Sinead is originally from

London, she studied Sport Science at Greenwich University and has

Exercise and Sport Studies at Smith College in the United States. She holds her UEFA B Licence, FA

Goalkeeping Level 2, NSCAA Goalkeeping Level 1 and has coached at various youth clubs including

Manchester United, Western United Pioneers, Seacoast United Blackbear and Odyssey Sport NY.

Prior to her move to the USA she was Head of Girls PE at Hayes School, coached for Millwall FC in

the Centre of Excellence & played for Millwall FC in the FA League.

Coach Biographies

Gary Bye - FA Licensed Safeguarding Tutor and FA/UEFA B Football Coach

• Currently studying BSc Coaching Science & qualified FA Level 3 (UEFA B) Coach and Mod 1, 2 and 3

FA Youth Award. Fifteen years of football coaching has involved work with children & young people

from diverse backgrounds in football both here & abroad. Throughout that time has successfully

coached teams from U6 to U18 grassroots boys & girls, along with successful male & female adult

teams.

As a FA Licensed Safeguarding Tutor , Gary, regularly delivers Life skills & Safeguarding sessions to

scholars in Professional Academies at Elite level, grassroots players & best practice for those adults

responsible for the welfare & safeguarding children whilst participating in all aspects of football &

sport.

Ceri Bowley Youth Development Phase Coach - Swansea City FC (FA/UEFA B - FAYA Mod 1/2/3)

• Ceri is currently studying a PhD at Cardiff Metropolitan University and has experience as a youth

coach from grassroots through to professional academy level, where he holds the position of Youth

Development Phase coach at Swansea City FC. Ceri is also part of the FA Club Mentor programme

.

Coach Biographies

Myles Bethell - Norwich City Community Sports Foundation FA Level 2 Licensed Coach

• Completed the FA Level 1 & 2 qualifications and now looking to progress to UEFA B License. Currently

working as a part-time coach with Norwich City Football Club Community Sports Foundation "working

in the community" programme for 4-6 year olds.

Myles is also a qualified Civil Engineer having secured an Engineering Degree whilst attending

Loughborough University where he also coached the local U12 Team.

Tom Wells - Southampton FC Saints Foundation Coach - FA Level 2, FAYA Module 1,2, GK Level 1

• Tom is in his second year at Southampton Solent University studying BSc (Hons) Sport Coaching. He

has been coaching since he was 17 when he started volunteering at his local multi sport clubs, he has

been balancing his studies and coaching youth players at with various coaching companies and

organisations in the UK and in the USA. Tom was recently accepted into the FA Tesco Skills Mentoring

Programme; a partnership between Southampton Solent University and the FA and he currently

coaches with Solent U18's as their goalkeeper coach.

Conference Topics

1. DFT - Dynamic and Functional Technique - Phases and Progression (Pg 12)

Romeo Jozak, Technical Director, Croatian Football Federation

2. An Overview of the Bayern's Youth Development (Pg 18)

Sebastian Dremmler, U16 Head Coach and Coach Educator, Bayern Munich

3. Creativity in the Final Third, Playing With a Number 10 (Pg 31)

Geoff Pike, National Coach Educator & Jamie Robinson, National Coach Educator, The Football Association

4. Elite Player Development Strategy in Scotland: The 2020 Vision (Pg 36)

Mark Wotte, Performance Director Scottish FA, Former U19 and U21 KNVB National Teams Coach,

Michael Oliver, Chief Scout, Scottish FA

5. Footwork and Positioning to Deal with the Modern Football: The Myth of Narrowing the Angle (Pg 42)

Paul Barron, Goalkeeper Coach, Nottingham Forest

Conference Topics

6. Offensive and Defensive Transitions - Key Moments in the Game (Pg 49)

Miguel Cardoso, Shakhtar Donetsk U21 Head Coach, Technical Coordinator of Professional Academy

7. Team Building Creating a Defensive Pattern (Pg 56)

Miguel Cardoso, Shahktar Donetsk U21 Head Coach Academy Technical Coordinator.

8. Team Defending: A Progressive Method to Implement Defensive Principles (Pg 60)

Jason Pendleton, Head Boys and Girls Coach Blue Valley Southwest High.

9. The Lifetime Development of a Goalkeeper (Pg 64)

Jennifer Pfeiffer, Illinois Youth Soccer Association

10. Gain Competitive Advantage by Mobilizing Strong Team Culture (Pg 72)

Donna Fishter, Leadership Coach & Team Architect (Donna Fishter Consulting LLC);

Amanda Cromwell, Head Coach UCLA;

Special Guest Michelle Akers, Former USWNT, FIFA Player of the Century.

Conference Topics

11. Coaching Opportunities New York Red Bulls (Pg 80)

(Pg 85)

Andy Coutts, Director of Education for Minnesota Youth Soccer

Peter Rivard, Director of Coaching for Woodbury Soccer Club, Minnesota

13. Midfield Play (Pg 91)

Dick Bate, Cardiff City FC, Former Elite Coaching Manager, The FA

14. Team Management for Coaches (Pg 98)

Jerry

15 Pg 104)

Lynn Kachmarik & Clark Power National Outreach Director for Play Like a Champion Today,

Educational Initiatives, University of Notre Dame

Conference Topics

16. Fluminense FC- Building your Youth Academy and Developing Players (Pg 109)

Marcelo Teixeira, Executive Football Manager, Fluminense Football Club

17. Age (Pg 120)

Peter Mellor, National Technical Director, United Soccer Leagues

18. Rene Meulensteen's Moves & Skills: "The Pathway to Developing Creative and Confident Players (Pg 132)

Erwin van Elst, UEFA B-license, USSF B-license, Meulensteen International Instructor, North America

Meulensteen Academy Director of Coach and Player Development

19. Player Development Strategies at U10 and Younger (Pg 144)

Ric Granrud, Patrick Johnston & Michael Rabasca NSCAA Club Standards Consultants

20. Study Group Summary (Pg 154)

Tony McCallum, FA Senior Regional Coach Development Manager (South)

DFT - Dynamic and Functional Technique - Phases and Progression

Romeo Jozak, Technical Director,

Croatian Football Federation

Introduction:

• A scientific and analytical approach is what Romeo Jozak, Technical Director to the

Croatian Football Federation, passionately believes is the best way to approach and

maximise player development.

• Since taking his role as Technical Director, he has utilised three key methods to drive his

approach to building players subconscious reactions through genetics, past experience,

proper repetition

automisation

match-play and free up thought processing for creative and complex decisions or

scenarios.



three specific session progressions focused on:

• Isolate effectively technique training given a game based reference (e.g. positional

approach and position taking);

• Passive passive defenders are added to shadow and drive the session to the desired

scenario solutions (e.g. player movement off the defenders or body positions to open up field

of vision);

• Active live game-play situations where the previously established solution patterns should

achieve the desired outcome around active defending.

• The purpose of the session was to build on previously established individual techniques, such

as body position and receiving techniques, into phases of play to suit the attacking process

and the transitional phases of play.



Key Learning Points:

• The importance of giving players a high incidence of proper repetition and levels of

experiences to establish better technique and build in subconscious decisions to free

up thought processing enabling creative play and reactions to complex decisions and

situations;

• The progression of session type from Isolated...to Passive...to Active in order to build

players up from their individual technique, thus isolating weaknesses (e.g. weak foot,

incorrect body position etc) by focussing on keeping the right body position and choice

of technique to increase a players field of vision and available options;

• The importance of linking sessions, even Isolated or technique sessions to game-play

situations and scenarios to develop better decision making






• A coaching style to encourage players and develop them in stages both individually

and as a unit.

• These learning points can be linked effectively to the method and style of coaching

more traditional to the English game, whilst also understanding the requirement to

plan an effective training scheme to progress sessions through from Isolated to Active

An Overview of the Bayern's Youth Development

Sebastian Dremmler,

U16 Head Coach and Coach Educator, Bayern Munich

• Bayern Munich have managed to steal the title of the most revered club in Europe from Barcelona in the last couple of years with a consistent display of fluidity and power which saw them clinch the Treble of Bundesliga, German D.F.B Cup and UEFA Champions League in the 2012-2013 season.

• With the arrival of Pep Guardiola, the club has arguably progressed to a higher level with

a run of over 50 competitive games unbeaten this season. Part of what has made the current Bayern model so attractive is that just over half of the first team squad are home-grown players, with the spine of the Club being cemented through the development of Phillip Lahm, Bastian Schweinsteiger & Thomas Muller, whilst Tony Kroos, David Alaba & Holger Badstuber have also become vital members of the first team squad following development through the youth setup.

• It was no surprise therefore to see a significant turnout of coaches attending the Lecture

presented by Bayern U16 Head Coach & Coach Educator Sebastian Dremmler, in an attempt to understand what attributes can be used to help create a predominantly home-grown team capable of becoming World Club Champions.



• It is well known that at the start of the twenty-first century German Football was in a state of transition after a run of disappointing results at France 1998 and the European Championships of Euro 2000. German football was in need of a makeover, with the transformation clear over the last fourteen years as the German National Team has reached at least the Semi-Finals of every Major International Tournament since 2006 with club teams also achieving a high level of success.

• Bayern Munich can claim to have done their part in facilitating this growth in performance, as over 50 players have come through the Bayern youth system to forge a playing career within the top two Bundesliga leagues since the turn of the century. This however could only have been achieved with the partnership between Bundesliga clubs and the German Football Association (Deutscher Fussball-Bund, or D.F.B) who decided that new implementations were needed at youth development level.

• The consistent success of both Bayern and the National Team can in recent years can only be seen as testament to the work done within the talent identification programmes introduced to German Youth Football in 2003.



•

highlighted during his presentation the club are currently in the process of finding a new training facility due to the undersized training ground at the Säbener Strasse sight, with only five pitches (three grass, two synthetic) available to accommodate all of the Bayern

• Adjacent to the Academy Head Office however is the Apartment House, where Schweinsteiger, Owen Hargreaves and Sammy Kuffour all learnt their foot-balling trade alongside their education. This apartment block provides accommodation for academy players who live too far away to commute for each training session, therefore eleven qualified tutors are available to help the players with their educational needs.

• This aspect of youth development provides a key factor in the advancement of not

• The Bayern Academy system also looks to replicate many of the aspects visible within

the education system, with coaches remaining in their respective age bracket year on



• The formation of a school program in 2007 in association with the Academy system has allowed Bayern to further strengthen links with the local educational authorities, meaning that young athletes are provided with the opportunity to train alongside their academic studies, often before and after lessons.

• Whilst this provides opportunities to spot further talented players, this close association is also due to what many German clubs, not just Bayern, feel is a moral obligation to

• This moral obligation has been seen across many areas of the club as Bayern places a strong focus on their scouts (Under 8 through to Under 13) searching within the Bavarian area in conjunction with the D.V.B talent development programmes, where technical skills and tactical knowledge are developed between the ages of 8-14 to local players.

• This is then supplemented within the Club Academy as the club looks to endorse a Freedom to Fail philosophy, with players developing at a steady pace alongside their physical and intellectual development. An interesting note is that, where possible, Bayern look to play their academy teams a year up until they reach U17 level. The focus here is to challenge players to get better against possibly bigger, stronger opponents.



• Sebastian was asked by one of the coaches in the audience how the club had adapted to the change of management within the First Team, with Pep Guardiola replacing Jupp Heyneckes at the end of the 2012-2013 season. Sebastian responded by saying that although there will inevitably be subtle changes within the higher echelons of the club. It

• There was one notable point raised in relation to how the change of management had affected the mind-

-19 age bracket was thus:

Eight Defenders, 14 Midfielders, No Strikers!!! Spanish Flair & Versatility combined with German Efficiency The results thus far seem to suggest that this has been a devastating combination.



Key Application • The German System has developed an incredible camaraderie between not just

education and football, but also between the Academy Clubs within Bundesliga 1.

• Do we as English Coaches still place too much emphasis on our young footballers to put their heart and soul into the game in pursuit of the Holy Grail - to the detriment of their education?

• Are our grassroots players ready for life after football? For even those who experience a playing career in professional football it is widely acknowledged that professional players (even accounting for advancements in fitness and technology) will retire at some point between the ages of 35-45. Where can our players go from there?

• Do

• "We believe it is not good for a nine-year-old to play [regularly] for a professional football club because it changes the reasons why he plays football," says Sebastian Neuf, a member of the football school's management at Freiburg F.C



Key Application • A further indication of this attitude is the view of Bayern in relation to releasing players to

other clubs another club. Naturally the question was asked as to whether this a concern to Bayern - offering talented youngsters for other clubs to develop and obtain the benefits. Sebastian answered with a view that seems to reflect the general consensus of those in Germany. It is all about developing the player, for one day that player could represent the national team.

• The German system has acknowledged a move towards players who are more technically sound rather than those who are simply physically stronger than others at a young age. They also highlight the importance of giving players time to make mistakes and learn from them.

• Do we as English Coaches still place too much emphasis on Lombardian Attributes? Despite the move towards aspects highlighted within the Future Game there is still evidence that grassroots teams look towards what I call Playground Football, where the biggest and strongest are picked within teams to ensure short-term success by simply using their physical attributes to bully smaller children out of games.



Key Application • German Football, along with many other European Football Nations, places a huge

emphasis on the coaches within the youth academy being qualified and educated to a high standard (It was highlighted following the 2010 World Cup that Germany has over

• A huge part of coaching education comes from experience coaching in the field, whilst

other education can be obtained from studying sport through Higher Education. • This is believed to have aided the development of German Coaching.

• But do we as a nation still fall into the notion of simply believing that because a person

played the game professionally; they are automatically going to be a better coach then someone who has extensive experience coaching but no professional experience of playing the game?





Summary • The German Football Association felt they had hit rock bottom in Euro 2000 - with

arguably the toughest moment of that campaign being their first competitive defeat to England since the 1966 World Cup Final.

• They took huge steps which required an element of RISK in their hope of creating a plethora of home grown talent from which to pick a national squad. Fourteen years later however there are many who believe that the German National Team has a strong chance of becoming the first European Nation to Win a World Cup on South American soil.

• As highlighted above a huge factor in this has been the unification of German Youth Football towards one common goal. For the Good of the National Team!!!

Year No. Of German Players in First Team Bayern Munich Squad

2010 4

2012 5

2013 4

2014 10

Bayern Munich Youth Academy – Weekly Training

Requirements Age Group Sessions Per

Week

Players Per

Squad

Match

Conditions Under 8 – Under

11

3 11 7v7

Under 12 3 14 9v9

Under 13 – Under

15

4 18 11v11

Under 16 – Under

19

6 22 11v11

Bayern Munich Academy - Player Development

Age Group Key Principles 9-11 Years The ‘Basics’

Co-ordination

Fun

Small Sided Games (1v1, 4v4)

12-16 Years Basics and Match Technique

Understanding Defensive & Offensive

Traits

Position Games (9v9, 11v11)

Maintaining a sense of Fun

16-19 Years Learning Under Pressure – adapting

these skills to a competitive

environment

Age Group Leagues Competing U8 – U11 City-League (Munich)

U12’s U13’s Bavaria League

U13 Private Games and

Tournaments

Staff Positions within the Bayern

Munich Youth Academy Sports Director Head of Scouting

Co-Ordinator (Under 15

to Under 19)

Co-Ordinator (Under 9

to Under 14)

School Director School Programmer

Head of Junior

Development

Key

Player Movement

Ball Movement

Part-Match Environment 5v5 with four wing players/wing backs (2 per team) in

possession, then look to explode and offer support.

Technical Points Two Feet Try never to KILL the ball!! Always keep it moving where possible (An Aggressive First Touch). In own half of the pitch maximise space. In the opponents half imagination!!! Visual Cues where possible

Creativity in the Final Third With a Number

Geoff Pike, National Coach Educator,

The Football Association Jamie Robinson, National Coach Educator,

The Football Association

Introduction:

• Geoff Pike and Jamie Robinson progressed into coaching following successful careers as

players within the English leagues. Following various coaching roles, both Geoff and Jamie

now hold Coach Educator positions within the FA.

• The session conducted by Geoff and Jamie illustrated a possession based approach playing

through the thirds; quality passing and intelligent movement and support off the ball;

penetrative, incisive and varied attacking play; speed in transition phases; allied to a tactical,

controlled approach to defending the preferred style of play established by the FA.

Creativity in the Final Third - Playing With a Number 10

Geoff Pike, National Coach Educator, The Football Association

Jamie Robinson, National Coach Educator, The Football Association

The session was based on three stages:

• Unopposed coaching patterns and movements;

• Opposed varying the constraints (numbers, space, etc) to establish decision making and

problem solving based on the coached philosophies (patterns and movements) ;

• Live live game-play situations where the previously established solution patterns should

achieve the desired outcome around a game situation.

• The primary purpose of the session was to introduce the principles of playing through a

number 10, introducing suggested movements and patterns to offer solutions to likely game

situations. In addition, the session touched on raising player awareness and decision making,

key attributes of a number 10.








• As well as taking the ideas and principles of the session away, the main learning points

focus on coaching style and methods paramount to achieving the desired outcomes

defined by the FA Philosophies.

• Players learn most through success. However, it is worth remembering that players can

develop and learn at a higher level through limiting this success (e.g. 4v2 coaching the 2

to retain possession).

• Chaos can be used to breed learning and success, as it introduces higher levels of

awareness and decision making in order to succeed.

• The importance of creating a conducive environment to learning and ensuring

everything ties back into the game and game situations.

• Setting realistic expectations for the level of players available, and tailoring goals and

objectives to suit individual needs.

Elite Player Development Strategy in Scotland: The 2020 Vision

Mark Wotte, Performance Director

Scottish FA, Former U19 and U21 KNVB National Teams Coach


• Mark Wotte, former Head-Coach at Ismaily SC, Academy Director and

Head-Coach at Southampton Football Club, Technical Director of

Feyenoord and current Performance Director for the Scottish FA,

delivered an insightful lecture on Elite Player Development Strategy in

is looking very bright. Behind it all Mark is working around the 10,000

hours of football for young talented players to become elite, a

professional player using a performance strategy to increase the

standard of coaching to produce the next home grown talents to come

out of Scottish football.


Mark Wotte, Performance Director Scottish FA,

Former U19 and U21 KNVB National Teams Coach


• At the core of this development is the National youth team pyramid:

National Team

U21

18xU19

24xU18

36xU17 + Development Squads



48xU14 + Futures Squads

2 Regional Squads

7 Performance Schools

32 Scottish FA 20/20 Centres

Grassroots Football





• early achievements have been the 7 performance schools, which coach around 3000 players

Attitude Athlete Accountability Ability and

Awareness. They use PIMS which is short for Performance Information Monitoring System; this has

is that they are 100% free for the players and they are cost effective for the Scottish FA. Whilst at the

regional squads and are coached specifically by coaches not ex professional players. Mark has

increased the number players playing U14 and U15 football but the staff too including, sport scientists

and sport psychologist. The aim increase high standards of Scottish football. National youth teams

have been playing against better countries such as Germany and Holland, rather than teams like

Cyprus. Wotte has seen first hand

U19 teams qualifying for more elite rounds in competitions. This could be down to the style of play he

has introduced switching to a 4-3-3 formations which he says is and players have had

.






Mark Wotte, Performance Director Scottish FA, Former U19 and U21 KNVB National Teams Coach


• The introduction of the Club Academy System or CAS has seen clubs rated on a 1 to 6 star rating on

the basis of planning, facilities, qualified coaches, support systems etc. This creates more

transparency between club and country, improved audit process, more value for money and players

have more contact time with their club, where they can develop.

• Interestingly Mark talked about finding players in the rest of the U.K. that are eligible to play for

Scotland, players who might have mums, dads or even grandparents who are Scottish, to come and

play for Scotland. This can only increase the talent pool for Scottish football.

• Lastly Mark compared their vision to other set ups of national teams in Europe, such as Holland, where

they have teams from as young as U6 all the way up to U21, however with the new performance

pyramid Wotte is focussing on what he calls the

• Ball possession by the opponent

Transition to ball possession

Ball possession of ourselves

Transition to ball possession

Footwork and Positioning to Deal with the Modern Football:

The Myth of Narrowing the Angle


• Paul Barron has coached at some of the most prestigious clubs in English

football such as Aston Villa, Middlesbrough and Newcastle United after retiring

from professional football where he played for teams including Reading Stoke

extremely well, even though he was suffering a few injuries from a cycling

accident prior to the convention. His field session was focusing on the myth of

narrowing the angle, footwork and positioning to deal with modern football.




• Paul started with a quick ten minute warm-up using four goalkeepers, who worked

in pairs. They were using 1 touch passes over a distance of 8-12 yards and working

in boxes of around 3x4 yards. As the warm up progressed the goalkeepers stared to

use different types of distribution from their feet, volleys, half-volleys and more

powerful ground passes. This increased the physicality of the warm-up to prepare

for the loading of the main practices. With use of the FA Four Corner model, this

also focussed on the techniques basic handling, cup and w whilst practicing

passing and receiving in tight spaces, which is tactically relevant to how

goalkeepers play. What I liked was that is mentally challenging, working in a small

area and made the goalkeepers manage their mistakes by improving their set

position and body shape to receive the different distribution. Furthermore, this

competitions between the pairs which Paul Progressed onto. For example, the pair

who could make 10 clean passes and saves first was the winners.




• Paul progressed onto the main part of his session where he used all 4 goalkeepers

again working in pairs again. Paul described the use of a triangle for this exercise,

where there was a point in the middle of the 6 yard line and the two remaining

points being the two goal posts. For shots on the angle the goalkeeper would move

along the side being advanced slightly by a couple of yards. This created what Paul

called with a server around 12-15 yards away. You can see how

this flowed nicely from the warm-up. Servers started with volleys and progressed to

ground striking allowing the goalkeeper to practice a range of saves, w, cup, mid

range, scoop, collapse and low diving saves. After 1-2 sets the goalkeepers then

switched sides into the next set using quick footwork. Paul focussed on having the

goalkeepers set for the next shot, by having a good set position, leaning forwards

not backwards and having their hands set as well. The exercise was intense realistic

and really made the goalkeepers concentrate to keep calm and controlled.




• Key Points:

• A quote that stuck with me from the session was

. Pauls used this when a goalkeeper made a mistake. I think this allowed the

goalkeeper to remember what he did incorrectly which allowed to him to learn from

that mistake, it is something you could use when coaching your goalkeepers in your

next training sessions.

•

corner of the field or 3g pitch, where space is limited. You can train multiple

goalkeepers or work 1 on 1.

• As its game related, your 4v4 conditioned games can encompass this, strikers are

only allowed to shoot on the angle, and therefore the ball must be played wide




Offensive and Defensive Transitions Key Moments in the Game

Miguel Cardoso,

Shakhtar Donetsk U21 Head Coach, Technical Coordinator of Professional

Academy

Introduction:

•

Porto in Portugal. Following this appointment he subsequently developed more towards the

role of a fitness coach, most notably with SC Braga. Whilst at SC Braga, and also at Deportivo

La Coruna and Academica Coimbra, he worked as Assistant Coach before taking up his

current role as Head Coach and Academy Technical Coordinator at Shahktar Donetsk in 2013.

•

the two transitional phases being the most critical to success:

• Offensive play;

• Defensive play;

• Transition offence to defence;

• Transition defence to offence.

Offensive and Defensive Transitions - Key Moments in the Game

Miguel Cardoso, Shakhtar Donetsk U21 Head Coach,

Technical Coordinator of Professional Academy

• Miguel believes strongly in a four step game model (tactics, method, principles and set pieces)

but emphasises that are the basis and platform for development given that game

scenarios are unknown so all decisions need to be based on set principles. In relation to

e.g. to shorten space, high press in pairs etc.

• Miguel uses a small sided game situation to introduce these principles to the players as well as

coaching techniques and tactics based on the principles.

•

retention and transitional control from defence to offence.








• The importance of making quick decisions to benefit the potential overloads in the

transitional phase of defence to offence, and to recover in the transitional phase of

offence to defence.

• The importance of having an established playing philosophy and making the

outputs of coaching sessions match these philosophies.

• Encouraging the high pressing of the ball if it is lost, based on the principle of the

best moment to recover the ball is immediately after it is lost.





• In the transition phase from defence to offence, play the ball forward if possible, if

not look to switch the play to the opposite corridor. If neither option is available then

keep possession by playing it back.

• In the transition phase from offence to defence, pressure the ball thus reducing the

opportunity for play to get out (e.g. nearest player presses the ball with the team

shape covering to defend and press zonally).

Team Building Creating a Defensive Pattern

Miguel Cardoso, Shahktar Donetsk U21 Head Coach

Academy Technical Coordinator.

Introduction

• coaching style is to utilise small sided game situations to unlock and instil

behaviours into individuals and the team unit to be utilised in a full game situation.

zonal press system for the team unit. To establish

this, he breaks down the positional and support play in a small sided game situation, with

the numbers altering to suit the positional and technical requirements to defend (e.g.

either win the ball back or close it out to safety). Once the most productive or beneficial

action is instilled in the individual player, Miguel then develops and increases the activity

by introducing further players to create pairs and onwards into the bigger defensive unit.

• Miguel develops sessions from (i) instructive and isolated (i.e. coaching the movement

without having active or live play); through (ii) passive movement (using controlled

attacking play/movement to coach the defensive response); to (iii) active live play

requiring individual and unit decisions based on the established principles, building

these from a small unit into a full team unit.








• The importance of having a positive playing philosophy and making coaching sessions

output match these philosophies.

• Establishing individual technical and positional requirements through small sided games,

before increasing into a larger defensive unit.

• Offering a defensive out-ball if they regain possession, which buys into your philosophies

(e.g. long diagonal for a point, ball retention for a point etc).

• Using the progression of sessions to engrain desired principles so that unknown game

scenarios and decisions will be based on those principles.

Team Defending: A Progressive Method to Implement

Defensive Principles


Introduction:

• Jason Pendleton has been a high school soccer coach for 18 years holding his current

position as Head Boys and Girls Coach Blue Valley Southwest High since 2010. During

his coaching career he has been recognised with a number of prestigious awards

including the NSCAA Kansas State Coach of the Year and NSCAA Midwest Regional

Coach of the Year.

• Jason progressed open sessions which related to individual aspects of play designed

to establish desired movements and techniques before progressing these into the

bigger picture of a team unit and active match play.

•

on these patterns and facilitating their transfer into the wider full game scenario.

Team Defending:

A Progressive Method to Implement Defensive Principles


Team Defending:

A Progressive Method to Implement Defensive Principles



• The importance of correct body and player positioning individually and as a larger

unit.

• The importance of communication and how this can lead to making the most of

transition phases.

• Using sessions to create smaller pictures or patterns from the game which players

can use to recognise and solve complex situations in a full game situation.

• These can transfer into the English game by ensuring the planning of session and

player progression to develop smaller patterns of productive play. This will then

become natural activity and easily transferred into the full game scenario allowing

players to solve the scenarios and problems encountered in the desired and most

productive manner.

The Lifetime Development of a Goalkeeper

Jennifer Pfeiffer, Illinois Youth Soccer

Association

Introduction

• Jennifer Pfeiffer discussed youth goalkeeping and covered all areas of development:

technical, tactical, physical and psychological. Looking at the path of goalkeepers in the

current scope of soccer from the professional level back to the youth level and how we

develop them with current trends and coaching philosophies.

• What is the view from a youth goalkeeper?

• How do we build sessions with the goalkeepers and what traits will make them successful

beyond the youth?

Professional development for you and them

• Coaches who is the best in the world? In your country? How about in your region? In the

other goalkeepers are developing. If you find a good goalkeeper locally go and watch

them train. Analyze the best!



• Key Learning Points

• Best practices:

• 1. Goalkeepers are field player first with support position and ability to use their feet.

They will get scored on by a pass back and you must be willing to accept it as a coach to

learn build to the bigger game. Last World Cup the GKs touched the ball with their feet 7x

more than their hands 7:1

• 2. Teach the GK basic saves around their body with low balls, mid-range, then high

balls. Every catch they should be able to name and use as reference for games. Only dive

or get on the ground when their feet cannot get them there to make the save.

• 3. High balls are a later development aspect so be patient on the high balls. The GK has

to identify the shot, drop step to get behind the ball, time the jump to catch at highest

point, catch the ball in the air, and land on their feet. Lots of decision making first before

catching the ball - high coordination, then range of learning to catch vs. tip vs. parry. Plus

they have to make a decision to be brave to come out in a crowd of players. It is a large

amount of information to process for the younger players and newer goalkeepers.




• Physical:

• If you cant find an age appropriate goal to use for training/games have the goalkeeper

focus of the saves in and around the body. Technique of basic shapes is important.

• PREVENT INJURIES. High level of shoulder injuries when goalkeepers reach the college

level. Overuse mostly have them cross-train, perhaps in another sport in the off-season.

Eric Cressey has a good shoulder prevention program www.ericcressey.com. Outside of

hips, concussions and fingers are other common injuries.

•

a whole session on diving. Know good work to rest ratios, or best yet, try your own



http://www.ericcressey.com/


• Tactical:

• 1. Staying on the ball line at all times and the connection to your backline. You can go

outside of your goal box and penalty box to stay connected to your team and it is

expected on the big fields to move up, down, right, and left. The space between your

defense and your goal is yours to own and control.

• 2. Accountable for distribution after the save. How to distribute, different options,

when it is on, and how to organize to build out of the back instead of players running

away from you. Which foot to aim, how to spin the ball, etc.

• 3. Simple communication and organization to be taught early. Call for the ball coming

at you. Name to organize: Jen ball, Julie 27, step to 18,

etc. Understand what the backline shape looks like and who is shooting on

you. Immediate pressure to the ball and organizing players in front of you will create less

shots and make your job easy to stay on your feet.



U7 U8-U10 U10-U12 U13-U15

Introduction Dynamic Stance Positional Play Positional Play

ball is toy Set Position Angle Arc Soccer player balance Ball line concept Positioning for flank identify flank attacks

spacial awareness Vertical position early cross

fun 3rd of Field 2-goal situation

confidence 3-goal situation

Basic Handling Basic Handling Basic Handling

basket catch side contour collapse diving

contour catch high contour extension diving

scoop collapse diving point blank saves

deal with crosses communication

breakaway reading the game

thrown/kicked service-all heights breakaway advanced tactics

thrown or punt services Distribution Distribution Distribution

Bowling drop kicks improving for consistent playing back pass sling throw spins

volley from hands push/baseball throw

goal kick

NSCAA and US Youth Soccer Curriculum


• Final point:

• Learning aides. Have them keep a logbook (where did we lose the ball? Who took the

shot? Where did it score?), watch video of themselves (Camera never lies!), evaluations

and support of family, friends, team and coach.

• Stay positive and have a sense of humour as a GK coach.

for the future who enjoys the position mentally as a challenge. Get less shots each game,

stay on your feet more often, and continuous connection to your team as a support

player in last line of defence and first attacker to score.



Gain Competitive Advantage by Mobilizing Strong Team Culture

Donna Fishter, Leadership Coach & Team Architect (Donna Fishter Consulting LLC)

Amanda Cromwell, Head Coach UCLA; Special Guest Michelle Akers, Former USWNT, FIFA Player of the Century.

Introduction:

• Building a strong team culture based on a leadership programme where every player has

the opportunity for personal success, is vital to creating successful teams as this fuels

overall performance.

• As a coach at Elite level she believes that three key groups of people need to be involved

in the development of Team Culture namely The Coach, Individual Players & the Team

and then goes on to define their roles in creating a strong team culture.

• A strong team culture is underpinned by three key fundamentals:

• Leadership

• Team Philosophy

• People


Donna Fishter, Leadership Coach & Team Architect (Donna Fishter Consulting LLC) Amanda Cromwell, Head Coach UCLA; Special Guest

Michelle Akers, Former USWNT, FIFA Player of the Century.

• Coach selects the players for the team based on individual behaviours and performance

driven by the overall need to create a winning team. However, players need to feel valued

and wanted whilst clearly understanding their personal roles in the team. Players need ti

have a say in how the team should run.

• Leadership Key aspects to consider

• Leaders need to inspire - Leaders need to have Followers

• The Coach should identify and create Leaders who raise standards

• The Coach should set high standards for players to achieve/aspire

• Players must take responsibility for their own behaviour

• Create a culture of healthy competition between players




• Leaders shape the culture under the influence of The Coach

• Team Philosophy What are the core values and vision of the team? In essence the DNA

of the team that defines a clear Team Identity. This should not be confused with rules or

outcome goals.

• People Factor Very important to identify the right people to be part of the team.

• Pat Summit (Tennessee Basketball Coach)

• Know the past and present experience of individuals

•

• In bringing all the above factors together the coach needs to create a favourable player

environment by developing personal and professional relationships with their players. In

order to do this all the presenters were unanimous in advocating the coach should be

HUMAN!




Practical Ideas for Coaches to create optimal environments

• Train your Leaders so that the influence continues when The Coach is not present

• Memorise Team Philosophy by publicising it and linking tasks/agenda/routines

• Be creative but intentional in routines that underpin the team culture

• Reward positive behaviours praise either in private or public

• Always be available

• Walk & Talk with a different player each day learn to value what the player values

• Gain information about individual players and refer to it in future conversations

• Appropriate physical touch in coaching (Berkley 2010)







Practical Ideas for Coaches to create optimal environments

• Creating extraordinary moments for reference soccer or social

• Recognise gender and culture differences use positive reinforcement and behaviour

•

performance. Once they have obtained information from the players, Coaches should

analyse and combine it with their own reflection and information to build the team

philosophy.

Coaching Opportunities

New York Red Bulls

Coaching Opportunities New York Red Bulls

Head of Coach Recruitment Marguerite Ferrell

• Major League Soccer club NYRB have redesigned and established their player

development and coaching infrastructure to a more European / UK style hierarchal

pyramid structure.

The top of the pyramid being the professional 1st team, fed by a 2nd tier Academy

system, with player development from 3rd tier Regional Development Schools and player

identification through a 4th tier training program delivered in the local communities.

• The ethos behind this is to engage with the local community and raise the profile not

only of The Club but of soccer as a sport in the USA.

• The Club ethos seeks to develop coaches who in turn develop better players.

Coaching Opportunities New York Red Bulls

Head of Coach Recruitment Marguerite Ferrell

• The key differences:

• Coaches are treated as equals with an openness to share best practice from the Training

Program Coaches right up to 1st team.

•

• Coaches are encouraged to work across age groups and ability levels

• Club has a funding program for professional development and Coach qualification

•

recruitment process in USA with any certainty of a job and Visa regimes are restricted but

not impossible.

1st Team

Academy

Regional Development School

Training Programs

Andy Coutts, Director of Education for Minnesota

Youth Soccer Peter Rivard,

Director of Coaching for Woodbury Soccer Club, Minnesota

Introduction:

•

Dame University and delivered to Parents and Coaches of players signing for school and

club teams in Minnesota. A two and a half hour workshop underpinned by academic

research and referencing designed to improve player experience and optimal

performance by addressing Coach and Parent behaviour in a soccer environment.

• All attendees receive a certificate on completion and some Clubs are now insisting on

their Coaches attending before being appointed.



Key content:

• Adult behaviour was identified as being an issue in player development and match official

retention in youth soccer. Research was undertaken with youth participants and the

programme designed based on both the results and existing sports research.

•

the impact that negative adult behaviour can have on children and young people. For

achievement goal theory and motivation of young players, both intrinsic and extrinsic,

goal setting, reflective practice boundary setting and conflict management.

• Competence, Care, Choice all three are

developed over a period of time by each player within a nurturing environment created

by coaches and parents





Key content:

•

group tasks throughout the delivery.

• Both tutors argue that whilst governing bodies can deal with disciplinary offences by

-offending behaviour as the focus is purely on

the negative e.g. what NOT to do.

•

Athlete

sport and away from the sport environment.



• The key learning points in relation to the English game sit somewhere between our

Safeguarding Children in Football syllabus and the Respect programme.

• The strengths lie in the interaction and challenging adults to reflect on the impact of their

behaviour based on academic research and then offer practical advice for improving the

environment for youth players to participate in.

• Further research is currently being assessed to prove the theory that the programme

improves optimal performance.

Midfield Play

Dick Bate Cardiff City FC

Former Elite Coaching Manager, The FA

Key points from the delivery of the session:

• A session consisting of a warm up, two technical progression practices and finishing with

a game play practice designed to develop midfield players.

• After the warm up phase all practices were opposed.

• Working in The Four Corners:

• Technical/Tactical

• Psychological

• Physical

• Social

Midfield Play

Dick Bate

Cardiff City FC, Former Elite Coaching Manager, The FA


• Technical/Tactical

• Movement off the ball into space

• 1st Adjustment of body to receive is key to speed

• Player to control ball with back foot and improvise pass with front foot e.g. outside of foot

or toe to maintain momentum of play

• Adjust flight trajectory of ball by adding spin to assist player receiving the pass

• Can receiver play off 1 or 2 touches

Midfield Play

Dick Bate



• Psychological

• Encourage players to accept the ball

• Encourage receiving players to accept pressure from defenders and then destroy

pressure by making the right decision e.g. pass or dribble in 1v1 or 2v1 situations.

• Encourage players to know when they are going to get the ball anticipate or risk?

• Encourage players to know when the ball has been played

Midfield Play

Dick Bate



• Physical

• Player movement is key to retaining possession

• Encourage players to experiment with moves e.g. step away or feints before receiving the

ball

• Encourage awareness, players looking around their immediate area and moving into

space to receive

• Social

•

e.g. coned bases are covered at all times

• Communication encouraged during the practice

• Vary the roles that each player undertakes during the session

Midfield Play

Dick Bate


• A simply set up series of practices but the quality of the overall session was in the attention to detail of information given to the players.

• Interestingly, all practices apart from

the warm up were opposed and the session flowed with very little intervention from the coach, ensuring maximum playing time throughout but still addressing the development needs of both individuals and the team.

Midfield Play

Dick Bate


Team Management for Coaches

Santa Clara U23

Introduction

•

soccer consultancy called Elevate Soccer Solutions.

• Key points from the delivery of the session:

• Management is more important than some aspects of coaching

• Sometimes it is not the training aspects that need changing, it maybe something else off

the field that needs developing.

• Managers and Coaches need to develop a holistic approach.


Introduction

• Core Values

• As a Manager be yourself! Define your style and philosophy. Identify core values and

reinforce them.

• Preserve the core but stimulate progress, e.g. through Education, Innovation, Community

Service and Diversity.

• Commit to excellence in all aspects.

• Personal responsibility respect and embrace opportunities for growth and success.

• Working with players

• Goal setting SMART Action Plan for both team and individuals

• Build the plans around periodization daily/week/phase/season/year/career/life


Introduction

• Encourage personal reflection

• Develop technical, tactical, mental and physical attributes alongside life skills

•

• Pre- Season

• Incorporate team building activities away from soccer

• Designate phases through the season/year to maintain focus and performance

• Team

• Teaching key life skills is important

• Leadership harness and develop each player as an individual

• Develop Team Spirit on a neutral site domain



Summary

• Stay on task and control the controllable to best advantage

• Many aspects of this lecture are starting to or have been introduced into the English way

of running English football teams at all levels. Whether this is formally in the mantra of

the Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP) in the professional game, or content delivered

in the FA Coaching Certificates or new FA Youth Award modules to Grassroots coaches.

• The emphasis of this session identified the influence a manager should exert on the

overall team set up but never excluding fresh ideas and innovation that develops the

players and team both on and off the field.

Coaching that Lasts a Lifetime

Lynn Kachmarik & Clark Power National

Outreach Director for Play Like a Champion Today, Educational Initiatives,

University of Notre Dame

Link Report 1 - Parents and Coach Together Presentation

Introduction:

•

Kachmarik and Clark Power who asked questions about topical subjects to stimulate

debate centred around psychological development of players at all levels.

• Key content:

• Motivation of young players is key

• Do sports foster character?

• Coaches need to adopt skills and strategies in player development

• Competitive attitude virtues related to achievement such as effort and courage

Lynn Kachmarik & Clark Power National Outreach Director for Play Like a Champion Today, Educational Initiatives, University of Notre Dame


Introduction:

• Identify courage and praise the player for showing it

• Soccer values deliver values for life

• Causes for concern in soccer programmes

• Parent and coach touchline behaviour can have a detrimental effect on player

performance and has become an issue in maintaining participation levels.

• Soccer coaches experience pressure from key stakeholder to produce winning

programmes in High Schools, Colleges and Clubs.

• Lack of direction and supervision for Directors of Coaching




Introduction:

• Coaching has a recognised problem with child abuse and recruitment, limited

background checks.

• Limited education for parents

• Mandatory training does not change behaviour

• A strong approach to moral development was needed to create a better learning

environment for players focussing on the integrity of the sport, sportsmanship, fair play.

character.

Fluminense FC- Building your Youth Academy and Developing Players,


Introduction

• Brazil will be in the spotlight this summer as la jogo bonito (the beautiful game)

converges on the country for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Of course this is not the first time

that Brazilian football will be subjected to worldwide observation; as the culture

-time greats

such as Pele, Luis Ronaldo and Zico have played in the famous yellow shirts. So how do

you look to create the next Denilson, Thiago Silva, Carlos Alberto? Marco Teixera -

Executive Football Manager at Fluminense F.C - was on hand to offer some insights.

• One of the first points highlighted by Teixera was the impact of the arrival of the New Club

President Peter Siemsen in 2011 which led to new funding for youth development. This

has allowed Fluminense to further develop their academy, leading to some fine statistics,

with currently 60% of first team players having come through the Academy system (The

target was 30%). There are currently 300 Academy players (half of these are based

at the Vale das Laranjeiras Training center - where they are provided with education, food

and health care.



Introduction

• For many clubs in Brazil the reality is that they are often forced to sell their best young

players. In the last three years 10 Fluminense players have been sold to clubs in Europe,

China and the U.S.A. Ricardo however explained that the club simply embraces this

aspect and has used this to shape the clubs development plan for its players:

• Recruit

• Development

• Expose

• Perform

• Transfer



Introduction

• Alongside

Eastern side of Rio, which include:

• Technique

• Ability

• Raw Talent

• Speed

• Intelligence

• Attitude

• Family Background

• Behaviour

• This is then supplemented by the Academy Methodology



Academy Methodology

• Technical

• Tactical

• Psychological

• Physiological

• Lifestyle

• The fifth point is arguably the most crucial point, as Fluminense looks to ensure that their

athletes are provided with the understanding and knowledge to become not simply

exceptional football players, but also members of society. For of course even in Brazil, the

sad reality is that many will not be plying their trade in professional football.

• The club, as highlighted earlier, looks to try and ensure a high number of their Academy

players reach the first team. To ensure that the club never stands still though; the club

often looks to change the coach with the First Team every 2-3 years.



• An interesting area of Academy development is the provision of Futsal with young

players, with Under 7 through to Under 17 encouraged to participate in the abridged

version of the game, with smaller sided games & more individual touches on the ball seen

as the primary way of increasing and developing technique within a confined playing

training.

• Once players have progressed to the later stages of the Academy (contracts start at the

age of 16 and Fluminense currently has 100 players registered to the club) Fluminense

looks to provide their players with an insight into the pressures associated with being a

professional footballer, both on and off the pitch. This early understanding is then

supplemented at Under 20 Level, where the Academy players often train with the First

Team Squad.



• reputation as a strong development club is shown in its numerous

partnerships with other clubs which has also allowed the development of 50 Football

Schools (or Guerreirinhos) throughout Brazil as well as branching out into Mexico and

Chile, providing the club with an opportunity to scout potential talent across Central &

South America.



Key Application

• The focus of education alongside Football is one that many nations feel is an essential

aspect of a balanced lifestyle for young athletes.

• The Fluminense system replicates much of that suggested within the Future Game, with

the idea of small sided games and multiple touches on the ball being a viable way of

creating stronger muscle memory related to football. Do we as coaches still maximise

opportunities for children to develop this muscle memory though, or are we still

advocates of the quick fix principle using bigger, stronger players as the baseline for

success. Could a move towards Futsal traits be one of the answers?

• Do we take enough care over the mentality of our players as they progress through

adolescence? An example of this in the English game has been the change of attitudes

towards youth players performing tasks such as cleaning the boots of senior players. This

used to be seen as a suitable form of initiation for young players but with the removal of

player power?



• Fluminense place huge emphasis on the development of good social attributes within

their players and earning their trade. Do our young players have these same priorities?

Do they exhibit the traits that we would like to see from ourselves?

• Do we as youth development clubs and coaches have the right priorities? As Ricardo

highlighted Fluminense, despite being in the top professional league in Brazil and

challenging for trophies the Academy focus is to develop their home grown talent in

the hope of these home-grown players either joining the first team or moving to another

club. With the influx of money currently in the English game this philosophy, particularly

towards the upper age groups within Academies, runs the risk of becoming too result-

focused instead of attending to the continuous development of our domestic athletes,

even as they approach adulthood.





Summary

• Fluminense F.C is based in Rio; the heart of Brazilian Football and where the World Cup

Final will be played later this year in the iconic Maracana Stadium. Brazilian football has

been revered throughout the History of International Football (a prime example of this

being the view of the 1982 World Cup squad despite failing to win the competition). Part

of what has made the Samba Football Brand has been the freedom for Brazilian youth

players to express themselves through Samba skills. Could this be the key to the England

national team returning to the pinnacle of World Football. The Freedom to Express.

Peter Mellor, National Technical Director,

United Soccer Leagues

• 13 is an awkward age in the life of young athlete. By this point both boys and girls will

have started to exhibit signs of adolescence. From physical changes in the body through

to the emotional mannerisms and behaviours that are notorious with puberty. At this

time when very little is certain in their lives it is crucial for young athletes to have

something they can enjoy, something that is whole, safe and familiar. Is football or sport

in general the answer to those issues? Peter Mellor, the National Technical Director for

United Soccer Leagues, offered us a glimpse into what he feels are the key aspects to

ensuring the healthy progression of an athlete, both in body and in mind.

• Peter started by providing a rather dispiriting statistic; In that 70% of American athletes

drop out of sport altogether by the time they reach the age of 13. This is not simply

unique to America however, as in England there is a significant drop out between the ages

of 14-17. Considering those physiological, psychological and even social changes that we

for the long term physical, and potentially mental health of American society.

Pivotal Age


• Peter used the example of a young female athlete that took part in football for seven

years and quit at the age of 14. One of the main reasons she highlighted for her removal

from the game was the fact that she did not enjoy the game as much as she used to. She

felt a fear of failure, the coaching was too serious and the time commitments required

would not line up with her schedule. These traits and issues are not new however.

Research by Ewing & Seefeldt (1992) suggested that reasons for dropout were inherently

associated with the level of fun associated with the game. So how can American coaches

ensure that their athlete(s) continues along the conveyor belt towards the elite stages of

the game? Peter started by outlining some other traditional aspects of the American

youth system which have cited as possible reasons for drop-out:


Traditional aspects of American Youth Athletes dropping out of sport

• Psychological burn out (the pressure of winning, training constantly, living, breathing the game).

• Siblings (Possibly performed to a high level; the pressure that comes with living up to that)

• Winning is Development (Lombardian Attributes)

• Online Ratings (Statistics in American Sport is widely noted, therefore adding to intense pressure

to succeed).

• Cost (Set alongside the cost of an education, which goes first? Sport or Education?).

• Competitive Teams too Early (Pressure to win introduced at a young age).

• Coach with limited Experience (Unable to provide the support needed at this crucial age).

Pivotal Age


Peter then moved towards some suggestions that he feels could benefit the long-term

development of athletes not just recreationally, but from an elite basis also

• Could these characteristics be the way to a more sustainable talent pool?

• Club Curriculum & Philosophy having an outline and purpose to what, when and why

you are coaching.

• Fun or serious Fun!! (Can we maximise opportunities for athletes to enjoy the game?).

• Emphasis on technical development if not, why not? How does this fit in with the club

curriculum and philosophy?

• Appropriate travel distances for matches maximising opportunities for children to play

without impacting their other activities.

• Restricted number of competitive tournaments a year? Limiting the pressure to perform.

Pivotal Age


• Train to Game Ratio for children under 12 years Are children provided with the

opportunity to develop away from the match environment where there is inevitably

going to be more pressure on them to perform.

• Train to Game Ratio for children over 12 years are we eliminating the risk of overtraining

and physiological burnout as the body begins to change and adapt?

• Educating the Parents and communicating key points from the Club Philosophy (e.g.

pressure from the side-lines, respect for officials).

• Allowing players to compete in other sports maximising physiological development

during the key growth periods.

Pivotal Age


• Freedom to Fail players given the opportunity to risk! Make mistakes and learn from

them.

• Freedom of Position not shoe-horning players into traditional positions (e.g. big and

strong equals central defence or goalkeeper).

• Playing with Friends (Players being given time to interact with those who have the most

social impact in their lives).

• Cost - are we as coaches and

managers able to provide the most cost-efficient way for children to play the game.

Pivotal Age


Key Application

•

a club curriculum? A baseline with which to reassure parents of how, when and why you

coach their children the way you do.

• Freedom to Fail As children hit adolescence they undergo physiological changes which

they are still adjusting to. This often includes a growth spurt which naturally affects their

control of a ball. Do we as coaches allow for this physiological development when

assessing performance in training?

• ? Is this through your own

Pivotal Age


Key Application

• Playing with Friends the adolescence stage is seen as the point at which an athlete can

sink or swim in their development towards the elite stage, but do we allow our athletes

the opportunity to socialise? The opportunity to let go (of all the pressures that come

with sport) for a few hours of the day with some of the most influential people in their

lives can be crucial to ensuring that when a child turns up to training, they turn up eager to

play instead of resenting the lack of opportunity to see their friends and possibly skipping

training as a consequence.

• Continuous Professional Development Are you as a coach constantly educating

yourself in areas that you are not yet versed? There is the chance that at some point in

your career you may well be dealing with athletes in this crucial age bracket. Can you

ensure you provide the optimum support and have the right answers for the questions

that will be asked?

Pivotal Age


Summary

• Sport is a wonderful outlet for many children who are experiencing possibly the toughest

period of their lives. The need to create a social identity, the physiological changes, the

psychological and hormonal imbalances all account for an increasingly turbulent period

in their lives where they do not always feel adequate; they lose that sense of being

special that is often so apparent in childhood.

• Sport is often that opportunity to let go of all the stresses and strains and simply interact

with other athletes/friends in a fun-filled environment that promotes healthy living.

When sport loses its fun elements however then these values are gone, incentives are

eliminated and children have to find some other way of letting loose. This could easily be

through drugs, alcohol or crime - all of which can easily create long-term harmful effects

on the lives of those affected.

Pivotal Age


Summary

• Of course if you are a young footballer looking to reach the highest echelons of the game

then there will always be pressures associated with every pass, every slide tackle and

every penalty kick. A strong mental attitude is the crucial element in this instance but can

we as coaches ensure the promotion of a healthy mind through demonstrating good

attributes and support for our young athletes. For if a young athlete can maintain a strong

mental attitude during one of the most unstable periods in their lives, then surely they

give themselves the best chance of succeeding on the field.

Pivotal Age


Rene Meulensteen's Moves & Skills: The Pathway to Developing Creative and

Confident Players

Erwin van Elst, UEFA B-license, USSF B-license,

Meulensteen International Instructor, North America Meulensteen Academy

Director of Coach and Player Development

Introduction •

Cup the target over the last few years (particularly in European Football) has been how to replicate the technical proficiency and capabilities that the players within these leagues and national teams have shown over the last six years.

• Part of the reason for this interest is due to the high number of home-grown talent currently operating within La Liga and the Bundesliga 1.

• What does it take though to produce a group of players who can not only control the ball, but also maintain possession when a passing option is not available and opponents are closing you down? Erwin Van Elst, Academy Director of Coach and Player Development at the Meulensteen Academy and associate of former Manchester United coach and Fulham Manager Rene Meulensteen, provides the insight of the organisation.

Rene Meulensteen's Moves & Skills:

The Pathway to Developing Creative and Confident Players

Erwin van Elst, UEFA B-license, USSF B-license, Meulensteen International Instructor, North America Meulensteen Academy Director of Coach and

Player Development

•

suggesting that it

• Legends such as Johan Cruyff & Diego Maradona are obvious examples but it was also

1982 that entranced the world so much so that despite not winning the World Cup; these teams are held in almost as high esteem as those that have lifted the famous trophy.

• The youth of today is not as equipped to properly make the difference on the pitch and the Meulensteen Academy looks to provide children with the opportunity to understand the power of technique in a positive, exciting way. This is exemplified by their own adaptation of the Four Corner Principle.




Player Development

• learning by exploration. So much so that in every session children are provided with 20-30 minutes where they simply look to understand the football.

• The Academy views this as crucial in developing and enhancing the muscle memory in young children, allowing them to one day become the BOSS OF THE BALL!!

• But of course it is not simply the case of teaching children the skill. It is also crucial to provide an understanding of when to use those skills within the game environment.

• One of the key initiatives towards developing this in America has been the implementation of the United States Technical Championship, which will be taking place in America for the first time in 2014.




Player Development

The Purpose of the United States Technical Championship So why bring the Technical Championship to America? - Erwin explained that it was a way of counter-acting the traditional values of American sporting society that it is felt are not applicable to successful, technical football. Outcome Based + Team Orientated + Tactically Complex = Technically Insufficient

In essence, the U.S.A lack players who can win the key 1v1 battles that can define a game of football.




Player Development

• The Dutch youth tackle fundamental skills and many believe this is a key ingredient to their success in developing young talent. If the American system can look to add technical efficiency to their inherent will to win could this be the step towards

• Two simple ingredients to this technical recipe were to create an age appropriate philosophy alongside encouraging creativity.

• The traditional blueprint of 10,000 hours is not applicable in this instance. It is simply a case of creating an environment where they want to come back and explore further.

•

• ENCOURAGE THE WILL, COMPLEMENT THE SKILL THERE ARE NO SHORT CUTS TO TECHNIQUE TRAINING!!!




Player Development

• Finally Erwin provided us with an insight into the format of the technical championship and how the above principles are incorporated into creating BOSSES OF THE BALL!!! The format follows a general principle of Three Hours training, incorporating the following components:

• Control of the ball when receiving at an angle.

• Control of the ball when receiving from the side of the body.

• Control of the ball when receiving from behind the body

• Control of the ball when receiving from in front of the body.

Following this three hour window the players are then placed into small sided games ranging from 1v1 up to 4v4. Where the principle and goal is quite simple:




Player Development

Key Application • The Freedom to Fail to develop top-quality skills requires failure in order to learn

from our mistakes and adapt our technique to achieve the desired outcome. Can coaches ensure they provide the right teaching environment to maximise this freedom. Our immediate reaction post-risk. Do we encourage? Or do we criticise? Do we applaud the effort? Or do we drop our head into our hands and growl to the heavens.

• Linked to this of course - is the art of Teaching Failure to our athletes. Accepting

simply progress to the next stage of continuation. A child that becomes frustrated upon failure and then subsequently receives no support from their coach is potentially going to feel they have let themselves down, possibly even the coach and their parents also. This of course can then lead to disillusionment from the game.




Player Development

• Being the Boss of the Ball this requires an all-round understanding of receiving

priorities as highlighted by the format of the technical championship. Can our players understand the requirements to receiving the ball from different heights and different angles, can our players use their imagination and ingenuity to control a ball that is not in the primary position for receiving (e.g. using the outside of the foot or even the heel)?




Player Development




Player Development

Summary The importance of technical efficiency has been highlighted over the last six years with the consistent performances of Spain and Germany in International Tournaments, alongside the fact that the Two Biggest players in World Football at this moment Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have mastered the art of technical skill so efficiently that performing step-overs is as simple to them as taking a penalty kick. Of course all coaches would wish to create and develop players that can demonstrate this level of adroitness. The key with skills as coaches is to encourage a long-term principle. It takes time to become the BOSS OF THE BALL!!! But for those who are encouraged to continue experimenting, to persist with their examination of this spherical object that will at most weight approx. 450grams, they have the potential to become MASTERS OF THE GAME!!

Meulensteen Four Corner Model

Physical

Speed Agility

Co-ordination

Tactical

Awareness

Understanding

Mental

Personality

Attitude Winning Mentality

Technical

Basic Skills

(Moves, Turns, Tricks)

Key Principles of Meulensteen Training & Technical Championship

Purpose Challenge Encourage Play

Repetition Enjoy & Learn Quality Intensity

Fun!!!!!

Player Development Strategies at U10 and Younger

Ric Granryd, Patrick Johnston

& Michael Rabasca N.S.C.A.A Club Standards Consultants

The Premier League has become the most publicised professional league in the world; with matches broadcast in over 200 countries worldwide. A

the league registered as English. To compare this with other countries: In Spain, approx. 60% of players competing in La Liga are home-grown. In the Bundesliga, 50% of all players competing weekly are German Nationals. Players are beginning to get involved with the game at younger and younger ages, and research suggests that the window of opportunity for children to maximise their fundamental knowledge of the game comes between the ages of 5-11. So what can we do to help our young athletes advance their knowledge and potential? In one of the lectures of the N.S.C.A.A conference in Philadelphia; N.S.C.A.A Standards Consultants Ric Granyrd, Patrick Johnston & Michael Rabera were on hand to provide some thoughts.

Player Development Strategies at U10 and Younger Ric Granryd, Patrick Johnston & Michael Rabasca

N.S.C.A.A Club Standards Consultants

A Good Club Format and Game Principles Ric Granyrd Ric started off by highlighting the move towards small sided games allowing for greater touches of the ball. The practicality of this being that the school selection system in American does not look to pick players until U11, in accordance with the transfer through middle school and junior high school, this leaves a fair amount of time for experimentation.

second suggestion was to ensure that when parents and children first arrive at your club, the philosophy of the club was clear to see and the organisation of the club was as transparent as possible. Examples of this included Administration = Club Handbook Available for parents and coaches to obtain, providing

key indicators of the clubs targets and trajectory. Training = Club Curriculum Also available to parents; a curriculum allowing parents to

understand the key principles of training. The key here is to ensure that parents are aware of the attributes targeted for players ahead of the team selection at U11. These include: Technical Proficiency Tactical Awareness Enjoyment Desire to Improve



The Educational Content, creating a classroom environment Patrick Johnson Patrick Johnston then stepped in to provide an explanation as to how all the above aspects

The curriculum structure should allow for a relay of information and an overlap in content (during sessions) to aid retention of information. One

nd title. Patrick was particularly interested in the attitudes of the two teams pre-match whilst waiting in the tunnel. The Brazilian players were enthusiastic, interactive and energetic. The Germans were unyielding and steadfast in their focus ahead of the biggest game in their lives. Which attitude would you prefer to have?? Of course, the classroom environment at school is not quite as popular an area as the football (or soccer) field. Patrick therefore highlights the pivotal points relating to teaching techniques. The traditional classroom environment is seen as children sitting at their desks staring at the teacher as they lecture for hours on end and the children begin to lose focus.



To avoid the football pitch becoming a similar environment Patrick emphasises the importance of trying to AVOID Lines and Lectures methodical. Of was inevitably going to be addressed. To which Patrick highlighted quite an interesting rationale: To win a game of youth football, all you need is a good goalkeeper and a good striker. (With children known to constantly bunch around the ball in the interests of ego-centrism. This is certainly a fair suggestion). The target however is to create players with good technical ability who instead of simply

intricately move the ball between the thirds to create goal-scoring opportunities for all players. The view of the Coaches was that children should always be given an opportunity to just play. Provided with the opportunity to experiment and enjoy the game for what it is FUN! An example of a good blueprint for this format was the Matrix Soccer Academy founded by Charlie Jackson, former coach at Blackburn, Manchester United & currently associated with Manchester City.



Education for All Michael Rabasca To conclude the presentation Michael Rabasca stepped in to talk the coaches through the importance of using all the previously highlighted attributes as the key for universal education between parents, players and coaches. A key area was the suggestion of providing a pressure free environment.

• Collaborative scheduling with parents to ensure optimum playing opportunities for their

children.

• No -

• Appropriate Side-line Management both from coaches and parents.

• No player and match statistics means this is a highly effective way of eliminating the FEAR of FAILURE).



Examples of Game Principles in the American Youth System Under 6 Under 7 Under 8 Under 9/10

3v3/4v4 4v4 6v6/7v7 8v8/9v9

No GK NO GK GK Allowed GK Allowed

30 mins (adaptable) 40 mins 40 mins 40 mins

From here Michael provided an example of some of the rules he likes to introduce within both training and matches to allow players opportunities to develop lower-body muscle memory within the game: • The Halfway Line Rule on Goal-Kicks opposing teams retreat to the half-way line,

allowing teams to attempt playing out from the back without the threat of immediate pressure from opponents.

• No Direct Free Kicks encouraging the use of movement, ball retention and scanning

from players. • No Goalkeeper (NO HANDS) or to facilitate the use of a goalkeeper a box rule, giving

the keeper freedom to observe the pitch and look to play the ball by feet or by hand.

Finally Michael highlighted the key educational rules that have been introduced for coaches looking to be involved in youth football. Academy Directors would have to achieve the U.S.S.F (United States Soccer Federation) National Youth License whilst Coaches must hold a minimum of the Module One Youth U6/U8 Certificate (The American Equivalent of the FA Youth Award).



Key Application • Does your club have a Handbook or Curriculum that is easily accessible for players,

parents and coaches? It may sound obvious but in grassroots football particularly the crux of ensuring the faith of parents within your coaching is often the presence of a clear philosophy and principles behind your sessions. Ensuring that your young players have the opportunity to develop at a suitable and methodical pace.

• The Classroom Environment a huge part of this comes down to Behavioural

Management but the key question is Do you as a Coach allow your players the opportunity to lose focus? It is very easy to lecture about football for long periods, but it is the general consensus that young children can only hold focus for a period of 30 seconds to 1 minute. Are your sessions and your interventions appropriate, fluent and fleeting?

• Players before Matches although the example provided by Patrick was relevant to the highest echelons of the game it is worth applying to the grassroots game. • Are your players enthusiastic before (and after) playing matches? Whilst it is

generally acknowledged that children often forget about results shortly after the final whistle performance in matches is often seen as a social parameter (particularly with children)in the school playground.

• Are we as coaches doing all we can to ensure our players enjoy the game (regardless of result), establishing continued endearment with the sport and guaranteeing that these players will pursue with the game throughout adolescence and into adulthood.





Summary

Spain and Germany have in the last decade set a very high standard in European Football of producing efficient home grown talent which has seen the two nations become contenders for the major international trophies. These development through not just the player development, but also the coaching development and education. German football revamped its strategies in the early 21st century and started to reap the rewards as early as 2006. Many would suggest that the current Spanish model was originally sparked by the work of Dutch Legend Johan Cruyff Over the last six years the Spanish model has become revered throughout World Football but it always needed a starting point. Can English Football find its starting point? As we look to find our way back to the top table of International Football.

NSCAA Convention 2014 Study Visit Summary

Tony McCallum

FA Senior Regional Coach Development Manager



• The convention yet again provided a wide array of workshops, seminars and practical

sessions which were delivered to support the NSCAA membership and the wider

coaching workforce in the game not only in the US but across the world.

• The event provided the study group with an opportunity to observe a number of sessions

and bring away some key messages that could be considered and incorporated into

coaching practice.

•

friendships and new relationships being strengthened and created.

• The size and scale of the operation to host in excess of 8,000 coaches over 4 days

presents a logistical challenge but all those who attended seemed to be able to access

relevant content to support their development.

• The presenters delivered their respective sessions with knowledge and understanding of

their topic but posing the one simple question to those attending how will you use it?



• A pleasing observation from the convention was that a number of the messages that the

FA highlight with regards to the areas of coach education, player development, football

development and safeguarding were recognised and referred to by other organisations

and practioners indicating that although the game maybe played and organised in

different parts of the world , the same things occur and need to be addressed how to

manage and support the development of the game its workforce-its players-its

• The content that the study group have compiled are personal observations and

reflections of the events that they attended; as practicing coaches looking to develop a

greater understanding they will no doubt utilise the findings and the experience and

continue to develop themselves on their coaching journey.

• For further details and information with regards the NSCAA and the 2014 Convention

visit www.nscaa.com

http://www.nscaa.com/



Thanks to the following people who made the study visit opportunity a reality;

• Ian Barker - NSCAA Director of Coaching Education

• Roy Gordon NSCAA Convention Committee Chair

• Monique Bowman NSCAA Communications Coordinator

• Jamie Houchen Head of FA Learning

• Lisa Hollis

TheFA.com

Documents

NSCAA Convention Philadelphia 2014 - Log On › Media › Default › NewsArticle...Peter Mellor, National Technical Director, United Soccer Leagues 18. Rene Meulensteen's Moves &