HEADS UP!

August-September, 2011

E Coaching

Magazine

Contents

Notes From Your New Director of Coaching Education – Steve Franklin

Indiana National Youth License

Soccer Sideline Etiquette

Japan’s Women Have Come Farther Than Most

Our Game – Immersion v Submersion

Youth Activities: “Windows”, “Horseshoes” and “Wall Ball” for youth players

Higher Level Activities: Roy Hodgson – “Pressing and Screening”

TOPSoccer Symposium

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Notes From Your New Director of Coaching Education

I just wanted to pass along a few ramblings in my first attempt at creating a newsletter. Vince

Ganzberg provided a great tool for communicating to the coaches in Indiana, via the Heads Up

newsletter. My plan is to continue this process, while also adding a few of my own twists.

My take on the National Youth License – what a humbling, eye opening experience!! I

encourage coaches of all age groups to attend this course as soon as your schedule allows. After

coaching at the collegiate level for the past 30 years, higher level coaches tend to get tuned into a

“progression” style of coaching that is encouraged by US Soccer. What I found out was the beauty of

the “discovery learning” process of teaching the game. Too often we are puppeteers – asking and

then answering our own questions – and orchestrating the match, totally taking decision making

away from the player. Imagine if we had done that with Landon Donovan, Lionel Messi or a Mia

Hamm at an early age.

I plan on including articles through the course of my readings which I feel may be beneficial to

coaches of all levels. This newsletter includes 2 articles of interest: 1) Soccer Sideline Etiquette,

written by Michael Langlois and 2) Japan’s Women Have Come Farther Than Most By Tom Byer.

Both offer an interesting take on different dynamics within our game today.

I also plan to offer a couple training activities for the youth level player (6-12 year olds) as well

as a new offering to this newsletter – training activities for the 13-19 year olds which many of you

may coach. Feel free to pass these training exercises to your coaches in an effort to broaden their

treasure chest of activities when planning training sessions.

Finally – I am attempting to produce a year round calendar for the upcoming 2011-12 cycle of

coaching education (i.e. YM1, YM2, E, D licenses courses, as well as guest coaching clinics). Should

you have needs in your areas, please do not hesitate to inquire as to how I may better serve our

membership as your DOE.

National Youth License 2011

Indiana Soccer recently completed serving as the regional host site for the 2011 U.S.

Soccer National Youth License which took place at the Indiana Soccer office and Lawrence Park

fields. Vince Ganzberg, Jacob Daniel (Georgia Youth Soccer Association) and John Curtis

(Minnesota Youth Soccer Association) served as the course instructors/clinicians for the July 25-

29th course. Twenty-eight candidates from across the United States, as far away as Washington

and Vermont took part in the week long course.

Special thanks should be given to the area youth boys and girls soccer players from FC

Pride, NEYSL (recreation program for Lawrence-Geoff Gordon), St. Francis, and Westfield.

The National Youth License is designed to provide club directors of coaching, youth

coaches, physical education teachers, and soccer administrators with the knowledge to

successfully structure soccer environments for children aged 4-12.

The role of the coach as a facilitator is explored; the physical, mental and emotional needs

and capabilities of players from 4-12 are explored; the lessons from developmental psychology

are explored; and the art of teaching is explored. Candidates are videotaped for analysis during

live training sessions.

For those wishing to possibly take the National youth License course in the immediate

future, the remaining list of courses can be found at the US Youth Soccer website: National

Youth License Course offerings.

2011 Indianapolis NYL Candidates

Soccer Sideline Etiquette

Thoughts on how to make the game a more enjoyable experience

By Michael Langlois

As the youth soccer season unfolds, highly competitive all-star, select or „rep‟ squads are taking their game outdoors. This means, of course, that many of us – those who fall into that often-maligned “parent” category – who have been in hiding through much of the winter make an appearance.

Anyone who has spent any time in a local hockey rink knows things can get a little tense in the building, and my reference point is not simply what is happening on the ice. Off the ice, some parents are jawing – at each other, at players, at coaches, at game officials. The temperature is a little too high in the building, and some parents can be a little too tightly wound.

The soccer pitch, like its hockey rink counterpart, can bring out some of the worst instincts that we have. We all want our sons and daughters to play, to play hard, to play well and to have fun. We want them to be well-coached, play on a team that is competitive in its category and benefit in a host of ways from being involved in competitive athletics. Yet we, as parents, sometimes undercut how much fun our kids have, and how much they will actually benefit. This happens by and through our behavior, especially during games.

So here is a primer, a reminder, of little things that we can do on the sidelines this spring and summer to make this soccer season more pleasant for all concerned – most importantly, for the kids.

Some points to keep in mind while watching from the sidelines during the coming season:

Let the coach‟s coach. If you are telling your son or daughter – or any other player for that matter – to do something different from what the coach is telling them, you create distraction and confusion.

It is very unnerving for many young players to try and perform difficult tasks on the field on the spur of the moment when parents are yelling at them from the sidelines. Let the kids play. If they have been well coached, they should know what to do on the field. If they make a mistake, chances are they will learn from it.

Do not discuss the play of specific young players in front of other parents. How many times do you hear comments such as, “I don‟t know how that boy made this team….” or “she‟s just not fast enough…” Too many parents act as though their child is a „star,‟ and the problem is someone else‟s kid. Negative comments and attitudes are hurtful, totally unnecessary and kill parent harmony, which is often essential to youth team success.

Discourage such toxic behavior by listening patiently to any negative comments that might be made, then address issues in a positive way. Speak to the positive qualities of a player, family or coach.

Do your level best not to complain about your son or daughter‟s coaches to other parents. Once that starts, it is like a disease that spreads. Before you know it, parents are talking constantly in a negative way behind a coach‟s back. (As an aside, if you have what you truly feel is a legitimate beef with your child‟s coach – either regarding game strategy or playing time, arrange an appointment to meet privately, away from a soccer field.)

Make positive comments from the sideline. Be encouraging. Young athletes do not need to be reminded constantly about their perceived errors or mistakes. Their coaches will instruct them, either during the game or at halftime, and during practices. You can often see a young player make that extra effort when they hear encouraging words from the sideline about their hustle.

Avoid making any negative comments about players on the other team. This should be simple: we are talking about youngsters, not adults who are being paid to play professionally. I recall being at a rep baseball game some years ago, when a parent on one team loudly made comments about errors made by a particular young player on the other team. People on the other side of the diamond were stunned and angry. Besides being tasteless and classless, these kinds of comments can be hurtful to the young person involved and to their family as well

Try to keep interaction with parents on the other team as healthy and positive as possible. Who‟s kidding whom? You want your child‟s team to win. So do they. But that should not make us take leave of our senses, especially our common sense. Be courteous until it hurts; avoid the „tit for tat‟ syndrome.

Parents on the „other‟ team are not the enemy. Neither are the boys or girls on the other team. We should work to check any negative feelings at the door before we hit the pitch.

What is the easiest thing to do in the youth sports world? Criticize the referees. Oh, there are times when calls are missed, absolutely. And that can, unfortunately, directly affect the outcome of a contest. That said, by and large those who officiate at youth soccer games are hardly over-compensated, and put forth an honest – and often quite competent – effort. At worst, they at least try to be fair and objective.

On that note, outbursts from parents on the sideline made toward the referees only signal to our own children on the field that they can blame the refs for anything that goes wrong. Blaming others is not a formula for success in sports.

Yelling out comments such as “Good call, ref” or “Thanks ref” may only serve to alienate an official. The refs always believe they made the proper call, that‟s why they made it. Trying to show superficial support because the call went „your‟ way is simply annoying to the officials, and to anyone within earshot.

Walking up and down all game long along the sidelines, following the play, is unnerving to players and totally unnecessary, particularly so if you are trying to yell out instructions to various players, including your own son or daughter. It is likely embarrassing to the players involved and simply counterproductive. If you want to coach, obtain your coaching certification and apply for a job.

We all feel things and are apt to be tempted to say things in the „heat of the moment‟. But we don‟t excuse athletes for doing inappropriate things in the „heat of the moment‟ (there are penalties, suspensions, etc.), so we should apply similar standards to our own sideline behavior. Quickly check yourself and ask: “Will I be proud of what I am about to say or do when I reflect on it tomorrow?”

The parking lot is not the time to „fan the flames.‟ Whether it is a coach‟s decision, a referee‟s call, a comment that was made, let it go. Don‟t harass the coach, an official or a parent on the other team after the game is over. Go home, relax and unwind. Talk positively with your child. The ride home is sometimes as important as the game itself. Make that time a good memory for your son or daughter by discussing as many positives as you can about him/her, the coach, teammates, etc.

Michael Langlois, founder of Prospect Communications Inc, is the author of “How Well Do You Communicate?

A Guide to Better Communication with Players and Parents for Youth Soccer Coaches”. For more information,

visit http://www.beyondthegame.net.

Japan’s Women Have Come Farther Than Most

By TOM BYER

Nadeshiko Japan! A word unknown to the soccer world outside of Japan, Nadeshiko is the name used for the Japanese women‟s national team. It means beautiful flower.

Nadeshiko Japan made lots of noise by knocking off host Germany, 1-0, to reach the semifinals, and the team will make history if can beat Sweden on Wednesday and reach the final. You can‟t find many people inside Japan these days that are not following their beloved Nadeshiko, which is led by Homare Sawa, the team captain who is scored a hat trick against Mexico during the qualifying round. Sawa is perhaps the best known Japanese player, having played in five World Cups and three Olympics.

Japan‟s current team has been together since the Beijing Olympics, where it finished fourth. And while Japan has a long history in women‟s soccer, it has not enjoyed success like this summer‟s until recently. Japan formed its women‟s national league in 1989, which helped the national team qualify for the first World Cup in China in 1991, and it has qualified for every World Cup. Japan had only advanced out of the group stage once before this summer, when it lost to the United States, 4-0, in the quarterfinals.

In fact, Japan won only one game in its first three trips to the World Cup, but several years ago the Japanese Football Association decided to get more serious about women‟s soccer. The J.F.A.‟s Captain‟s Mission mandate set in motion a better network for identifying players, along with better coaching and the involvement of former national team players. Of note, all though more women coaches have become involved with the game, there is still only one in the country who holds the SQ License, which is the equivalent to the A License given out by U.S. Soccer. She is Midori Honda, who served as Japan‟s captain at the first World Cup and was the first woman to pass the difficult exam and receive the license. Honda is currently an assistant coach for Japan‟s under-20 team.

Still, not a lot of money or resources are put into the women‟s game. Compared with some of the world‟s powerhouse programs such as America or Germany, the difference is staggering. I have conducted thousands of soccer clinics for over 500,000 kids over the past 20 years and overall the number of girls playing the game has remained flat. So the pool from which to select players is still very small. However, the organization for identifying and the emphasis on training technical skills at a very young age has been the difference. So although the number of players has neither increased or decreased over the years, better resources and training methods have produced better results.

The woman have the same set up for national training centers as the men. There are 47 regions and each has a training center program. These are not facilities in the physical sense, rather the name of the program. They meet monthly to provide specialized training for select players, and that training culminates in a national camp in December that brings together the best 15-year-olds in the country.

Soccer is a year-round sport where players play 365 days a year, men or women. You cannot help but produce good, technically sound players if the content and emphasis is on technical skills.

This is what is happening in Japan.

Tom Byer, the former director of Coerver Coaching Asia, was born in the Bronx. He has lived in Japan for more than 25 years, where he is known as Tom-san, and has conducted more than 2,000 soccer events for more than 500,000 children. He also appears on a nationally televised, daily show for children.

Our Game – Immersion v Submersion

Today’s guest post is by our Tristan Tillette. Tillette serves as Director of Performance at Elite Sports in

Birmingham, AL and On-Line Training Director of AthleteFIT.com

The date is May 30th, 2011 and Barcelona is king of the futbol world. They “el rondo”ed Man U and Sir

Alex on their home turf. The Catalans have become rock stars on the world‟s stage of the world‟s game. Soccer

Ga Ga‟s if you will. Their style, flair, and creativity gives every second on the pitch a “what will they do next”

type of feel. While their talent and skill is to die for, their passion joy is to LIVE for! What makes Barca

BARCA isn‟t their skill and flash but their love for the game and a deep commitment to the club and each other.

Every player – from “the Flea” to the U9 keeper – is submerged in the culture of FC Barcelona.

That brings me to this point – What will it take for this unconditional love

for the game, for the club, and for each other to swim its way across the

Atlantic and infiltrate our soccer landscape?

The first step is that our players, coaches, and parents must commit themselves

to “the process.” The American youth sports model is based upon the theory of

competition before development. We assess results & improvement as more wins than losses as opposed to the

acquisition of physical and technical skills, developing comfort in certain tactical situations, and simply

achieving a greater love and understanding for the game. This process must begin with a submersion of our

young athletes into the game. They must learn, love, and play not because they are trying to win but because

they love to do so.

I view it as our duty as youth sports coaches, fitness practitioners, and parents to set-up

our kids to be successful and reap enjoyment from their on-field experiences. Our

model currently doesn‟t allow this. Our system of “early specialization is bad,” “don‟t

want our kids to do TOO much” but “„everyone gets a trophy” creates a paradox for

the children of today. We want them to enjoy the successes of commitment without

committing….to win without really competing…to master a skill without consistently

practicing? I must ask…WHAT ARE WE TEACHING OUR KIDS?

What I love most about sports is this – sometimes you win sometimes you lose, but all times the outcome is

specifically reflective of YOUR commitment. The field of play is one of the best avenues for today‟s youth to

learn basic skills such as hard work, determination, commitment, and perseverance which will prepare them for

the field of life. We must not allow our kids to succeed with simply “putting a toe in.” Whether it‟s arts, music,

academia, sport, or life, success is a direct reflection of an individual‟s submersion in their activity. We don‟t

learn to swim by simply putting a toe in to see how it feels. If our kids are to swim in the “deep waters” of

soccer today, then they must be neck deep in soccer…futbol…and play OUR way!

Windows Soccer Drills

TYPICAL WINDOWS DRILL:

The drills usually start with each of the players on the exterior with a ball. For example one would be a large circle (25 to 30 yards in diameter) with players on the outside of the circle with a ball and an equal number of players on the interior. Players outside would toss a ball to a player inside the circle who would head it back. The interior player would then move and look for another outside (of the circle) player to toss them a ball. These are continuous movement exercises. Most were similar where the player inside the circle had to perform some task (trap, pass, move, etc.) and then look for another outside person to pass to them. POSSIBLE TASKS:

Defensive Headers - clearing headers - up and away Attacking Headers - down at servers' feet Pass on ground from server - one touch back to server and then look for a different server. Do right foot

only for one minute and left foot only for one minute. Pass on ground from server - receiver makes first touch away from pressure and then finds another

open player (one without a ball" on the outside of the circle. Chest traps Inside of foot volley back to server - often used on throw-ins to drop ball back to thrower - You can have

the server use throw-in technique to serve the ball. That will require a larger circle. Volleys on laces back to server - use proper shooting technique.

************************************

“Horseshoes”

This game can be played against someone or you can play 2

against 2. Place two t-shirts anywhere from 10-20 yards away

depending on ability and whether or not balls will be passed on

the ground or in the air.

If playing against someone then a player passes the ball to their

partner who has one-touch to redirect the ball to stop or come as

close to the t-shirt as possible, like horseshoes. If playing with a

teammate then the ball is passed to a teammate that is across

from you.

After one player/team goes, the other player/team then takes

their turn. Whichever player/team has their ball closest to the

cone gets a point. The sequence is simply repeated with the

players now switching roles between receiver and passer. Play

for a certain amount of points or for time.

Variations:

Ball can be played on the ground. Rule: Can‟t stop the ball with bottom of foot on the t-shirt.

Ball can be thrown in the air to opposite player.

Ball can be chipped in the air to opposite player

*************************************

“Wall” Ball

This game can be played individually or with a friend. A ball and a wall are used. The object is to strike the

ball against a wall and then receive it with one touch and strike it back against the wall.

Variations:

1) Individually challenge yourself to receive the ball with a different body part every time.

2) With a partner, have a serving line. Ball must be served from behind the line and then received before by the

other player.

3) Play “3 lives”. Players have 3 chances (lives) to get the ball back within two touches. After the “third” life

start a new game.

4) Play 3 or more players and make it a knock out game. Have players take turns in sequential order.

Singles Doubles

Region II 2011 Symposium

TOPSoccer is a community-based training and team placement program for athletes with disabilities, organized by youth soccer association volunteers. The program is designed to bring the opportunity of learning and playing soccer to any players, age 8 and older, who have a mental or physical disability. Our goal is to enable the thousands of young athletes with disabilities to become valued and successful members of the US Soccer family. The Annual Region II Symposium is sure to have something of interest for coaches, administrators, and parents alike. In addition, the TOPSoccer Coaching Course will also be offered on Sunday, August 14. The course will be taught by Utah Youth Soccer Assistant Technical Director, Rick Flores. Rick is also the co-author of the TOPSoccer Certification Manual. A detailed symposium scheduled will be posted at www.soccerindiana.org by June 1. Contact Joy Carter for reservations at joy@soccerindiana.org or (800)347-4972.

August 12-14 Course Location:

Indiana Soccer State Office

5440 Herbert Lord Rd. Indpls., IN 46216

TOPSoccer Coaching Course With Rick Flores August 14

from 9am-2pm

$50 Registration Fee (Includes TOPSoccer Coaching Course)

Check-in 4:30 pm August 12

Register by June 17th Available Lodging:

Drury Inn 8180 North Shadeland Ave.

Indpls, IN 46205

(317)849-8900

Rooms listed under

Indiana Soccer

Region II TOPSoccer Symposium Registration Register by June 17, 2011. Fax completed form to Joy Carter 317-829-0555 or mail to: Indiana Soccer Attn: TOPSoccer 5440 Herbert Lord Rd.

Indpls., IN 46216

Name: _____________________________________________________________________________

Address:

____________________________________________________________________________

Saturday, August 13

Sunday, August 14 (TOPSoccer Certification Course)

Payment Method:

Enclosed

Mailed to: Indiana Soccer Attn: TOPSoccer 5440 Herbert Lord Rd. Indpls., IN 46216

Credit Card Information:

To pay with credit card over the phone please call 317-829-0560

Visa MasterCard

Cardholder Name: ___________________________________________Amount Charged: $50

Card Number______________________________________________Exp. Date_________________

Billing Address_____________________________________________________________________ Street City State Zip

Cardholder Signature: ________________________________________________________________

Street City State Zip

Phone:_____________________________ Email:_____________________

Dates

Attending: Friday, August 12