Organization of a Training Session Ages 912

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Organization of a Training SessionAges
9-12
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Pre-Training Preparation- Little things make a
big difference

• Equipment
• Balls (one per player, appropriate sizes, proper
  inflation, bright colors for younger players)
• Vests to distinguish players/teams
• Cones to delineate confined areas (at least two
  different colors if possible)
• Medical Kit with synthetic ice packets
• Medical emergency information
• Extras Flags, coaching sticks, portable goals,
  nets, ball pump, extra shinguards
• Access to water

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Pre-Training Preparation- Little things make a
big difference

• Always arrive at each training session with a
  specific plan and have things set up before the
  players show. Oftentimes the planning and
  preparation of a session takes longer than the
  actual practice!
• Always dress properly (soccer gear, shirts tucked
  in, boots, etc.). This shows the players how you
  feel about coaching them.
• Coaches should wear a colored shirt which does
  not conflict with what the players are wearing
  (black).

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Training SessionsGeneral Comments

• In most cases, training should be as long as the
  game.
• Always choose a topic/theme to work on for each
  session and stick to it. The observations made in
  games will tell the coach what the team needs to
  work on in training.
• Exercises in training sessions should flow into
  one another to minimize down time.
• Teach from simple to complex. Make exercises
  initially easy and add difficulty as the session
  progresses.
• Training should be clear and realistic to the
  game. FUN!

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Training Variables

• Goals (multiple goals, size of goals, location of
  goals, line)
• Field (large, small, wide, narrow)
• Balls (balls with coach to control tempo, near
  counter goals, etc.)
• Players (numbers up/down, neutral players,
  players restricted to zones)
• Rules (touch restrictions, method of scoring,
  complete a task before going to goal)

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Technical Training Sessions for ages 9-12

• Dribbling- beating an opponent,
  shielding/possession, speed
• Striking the Ball- passing and shooting
• Receiving- ground and air
• Heading- use caution
• Tackling- block and poke

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Stages in a Technical Session

• Warm-up- preparation period/ learning
• Main Activities-
• fundamental and game related activities
• technical development w/ tactical implications
  addressed in small groups
• Game- playing the game with and without
  restrictions/conditions
• Warm-down

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Warm-up

• Warm-up (20 of training time)
• The purpose is to prepare players physically and
  mentally.
• Warm-up should be related to the topic of the
  session, but can include individual skill
  development such as Coerver Ball Method.
• Movement is the key to learning skills.

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Main Activities

• Fundamental and Game Related
• (50 of training time)
• Activities must be related to the game.
• Begin with no pressure and gradually add
  different types of pressure (defenders, reduced
  space, against the clock, etc.).

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Playing the Game

• Game (25 of training time)
• Should be as realistic as possible.
• Coach can relate training topic and coaching
  points to game.
• Use two full-size goals if possible.
• Lift restrictions as soon as possible (no more
  than 1/3 of the time).
• Do not be afraid to let the players play. Do
  teaching when necessary.
• Socratic Method of Teaching- ask the players to
  come up with solutions to solve problems on the
  field.
• Finish the session with the number of players
  used in a game (6 v 6 or 8 v 8)

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Warm-Down

• Warm-down (5 of training time)
• Stretch and allow players to cool down.
• Have fun exercises for warm down.
• Use this time to positively reinforce the efforts
  of the players and review main coaching points.
• GOAL- players should leave training
  wanting/begging to play more!

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Soccer Teaching Methods Common Faults- The
Scottish Football Association

• The coach boring the group with long-winded
  speeches
• The coach not in a neutral color
• The coach complicating the exercise by offering
  too much information and by elaborating on the
  chosen theme by involving too many phases of play
• Skills practices becoming endurance work
• The coach acting as a ball boy
• The coach failing to demonstrate

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Common Faults Cont.

• Lack of awareness of space required for a
  particular exercise- forgetting that lines and
  bodies limit the area
• The coach speaking in generalizations
• The coach offering a running commentary
• The coach trying to demonstrate something which
  he/she cannot do
• The coach failing to spot flaws in the practice
  and subsequently neglecting to make appropriate
  corrections
• Poor organization of the soccer balls
• The coach offering instructions while running

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Closing Points

• K.I.S.S. Principle
• Be organized- have a plan and execute
• Be flexible and adapt- prepare for unexpected
  changes to the routine- players, space, time,
  weather, field conditions, etc.
• Have FUN and enjoy your coaching!

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Questions? Contact

• Rob Herringer
• Kansas Youth Soccer Association State Director of
  Coaching
• coaching_at_ksysa.org
• 913-782-6434- Office