Coaches–you have completed our local coaching development session “Implementing a Culture of Training Efficiency”. If you need to review it, please go to the link below and click on the PowerPoint we covered in our session. In particular think about the “Cycle of Training Efficiency”–we evaluate matches to determine what we need to work on in training and whether our training has been successful addressing issues. This evaluation determines how we organize and implement subsequent training sessions.
Based on the last tournament please address the two questions in this discussion. Feel free to comment on the threads established by other coaches and provide recommendations for training. In particular, veteran coaches can you help our younger coaches with ways to address the deficit they found for their teams?
- What was the ONE most important thing your team needs to address in training. (Remember training efficiency means that while activities are structured to address the one most important need they also train multiple areas).
- How do you intend to structure your training to address the issue/need? In particular what training activities will you use with your team?
Columbus United Soccer Club – Coach Resources
We struggled with Transitioning from attacking to defending the most and also possession. And last but not least time management when the match was on the line .
So we went back to a drill called over the river . It covers possession and transition all in one . To make the best out of the little time we had that same drill transferred over to 4 4v2 rondos and sometimes into a 5v3 depending on if one set made a certain amount of passes in a certain amount of time to include time management and touches .
Try to focus on one thing to correct. Pick activities that incorporate several elements but key in on one/THE most important thing and then re-evaluate during subsequent matches. I know "the river" well--perfect to work on those things and rondos are great to work possession along with basic technique and defending.
I appreciate the deed back !! I’ll def try to focus on 1 main struggle per training along with basic skill !!
Wanted to check in with you Jake--you identified this need and had a good plan to correct/improve on it. Did your training plan work? Did the team improve their transition game?
Reluctance to use weak foot at key junctures in game / turn in to pressure
Training:
Structured weak foot drills during possession / scrimmage
1 touch strong foot - unlimited touches weak foot
Shots only with weak foot
Rewards for weak foot passes over 8-10 yards
Getting players at that age to use their non-dominate foot is a challenge! But, it needs to start somewhere so congrats on identifying it and working on it. In order to encourage success try to develop training activities that don't "require" them to use their non-dominate foot but rather either 1. rewards them (as you suggest above) for doing so or 2. that it is clear that using the non-dominate foot brings more success.
Wanted to check in and see if this technical aspect improved? Did the training scheme you put into place work?
As of now our biggest issues are first touches, possession, and balls in the air. We have been driving home that without a good first touch the rest of the game is difficult to play. Last night was our first practice since last tournament where we played indoor and touch has greatly improved for the mass majority of our players. Also with the rain we broke down videos on youtube to improve soccer IQ.
Watching soccer is a great tool when you can't train. The reality is that the majority of our players NEVER watch high level soccer. They, therefore, lack a model or goal of what they want to be as players. Very different than the average basketball or football player. Separate touch and possession. Touch is a strictly "technical" issue whereas possession is technical and tactical. A player can have a great touch and control of the ball but if the teammates are not tactically in a position to support possession it doesn't matter.
For touch I developed an exercise called "Daisy Wheel"--remind me and I will explain/demonstrate it for you.
It appears that the team is playing better. I have spoken with Layla on several occasions about the concerns and what needs to improve. Just focusing on what you mention above--did the training plan put into place work? Did the players improve in this area?