Player Development

By Patrick zoete Director of Coaching Wellington Soccer club Player Development

Leadership • Game Management • Tournament play • Club philosophy • Question and answers Agenda

US YOUTH Soccer : Sam Snow US SOCCER :Claudio Reyna Florida Youth Soccer: Mike Strickler Who is in charge of player development

Claudio Reyna Just published the new Curriculum for Us Soccer. Similar the Dutch and Spanish one Spent 1 year traveling observing . Below are most of the changes he wants to implement . Chain of Command Curriculum

It is not uncommon for young players in the United States to compete in over 100 games during the calendar year. Many adults believe that game play is more important than training. A top level professional soccer match lasts 90 minutes. The “active” time, when the ball is in live play, is approximately 70% of the game time. Each player is in direct contact with the ball for an average of just over two minutes(2.25 minutes). Quality versus Quantity Training versus Games

Too Many games in a short period of time. 3 or 4 games within 36 hours Too much pressure on winning. Tournament play

Tournament play versus Showcase . Too much emphasis on winning destroys the development.( players are afraid to make a mistake) Small sided games enhances the technical requirements from the players. Under -12 no result based competition.

Even for the very best players who rarely leave the field, the average time of possession is still less than 3 minutes per game; or <300 minutes per 100 game season. 300 minutes of ball possession can be achieved in approximately fourteen well-organized training sessions, which would take just over a month.

Assuming maximum game rosters and equal playing time, the table above shows that playing 100 games per season produces a maximum of around 180 minutes of ball possession. Even at the professional level, playing 100 games in a season would only raise that average to around 225 minutes.

Pressure to win games is causing youth soccer players to burn out and quit the sport, and This is hurting the development of all soccer players at these ages. 35% of players quit soccer by age 12, and 80% of those who played youth soccer are no longer playing by age 16! This burnout problem is inextricably linked to the pressure child athletes feel to win soccer games-a pressure placed on them by parents and coaches. BURN OUT FACTOR

Player development is central in the entire program. • Technical and tactical ability is the main focus throughout the whole club. • Individual player development in a team concept is what every coach adapts in the training sessions. • The particular talent and creativity of each player will be encouraged! • The individual ability of players is demonstrated in a game and team setting. • Every age group has a written curriculum that is specific to the development of the player. All teams will be trained by appropriately licensed, professional Club coaches to properly adapt the training program provided to them by the DOC. • The coach’s long term goal is to prepare the player to successfully recognize and solve the Challenges of the game on his or her own The coach will approach soccer with this in mind. THE WELLINGTON YOUTH PROGRAM MUST BE SYNONIMOUS WITH ATTRACTIVE, INSPIRED, INTELLIGENT AND DARING SOCCER Wellington soccer club vision and philosophy

Wellington Soccer club has an age appropriate curriculum in place. Practices must flow minimal standing around and all players must be involved, younger ages very little attention span. All practices need to end in a small scrimmage. Practices Curriculum

All our sessions are well thought out and prepared , so we do not waste time, The age apropriete curriculum allows the coaches to teach the right topic to each age group , u-9 should not learn about zonal defending or off side trap. Kids learn rapidly but at different stages of their lives. Quality and age apropriete training

All topics are based on technical ability. Ball control using both feet , passing , shooting. Very minimal tactical training 1v1 2 v 2 Topics for u-13 and below

It takes approximately 12 years to become a an expert at anything soccer is no exception!!!! Players need to have the time to develop. Players develop at different ages ……… Too much pressure will stop that development Becoming an expert

Goal keepers should never punt the ball and should stay attached to the game. Defenders needs to use their keeper and not just kick the ball out. Players are encouraged to dribble a player. Forwards need to shoot on goal. Forwards are encouraged that if they have one player to beat in front of goal they need to do so! Game management

- encourage your child - acknowledge the efforts being made (great run…. Good pass etc…) - be very proud of your child, if they have an important game and you cannot be there let them know before hand. - don’t let” DID YOU WIN?” be your first question, ask DID YOU HAVE FUN? WHAT DID YOU LEARN? - keep good contacts with your coach. - support your child wherever possible: play (not train!!!!) soccer with them at home, at the fields. Come and watch them play; make sure they have the proper gear. - encourage them to practice as much as possible with a ball (juggling, kicking against a wall, and pick up games with friends….) ON THEIR OWN WITHOUT INSTRUCTIONS –SCRIMMAGE GAMES. HOW CAN PARENTS HELP THEIR KIDS

- Do not coach from the sidelines the coach gives enough instructions. - Encourage all individual and team actions applaud GOOD PLAY. - Avoid negative remarks where players can hear you. - CONTROL YOURSELF leave referees other parents and players alone. - Players are often ashamed at the behavior of their parents Game TIME

A referee will not change his mind. When we start yelling at referee it just causes more animosity …. Distract players are now more focused on parents and referee instead of the game. A referee does not decide the game players do. REFEREES

Wellington pride

Player Development