Lakeville Soccer Club Travel Program Coaching Guidelines

Transcription

1 Lakeville Soccer Club Travel Program Coaching Guidelines Last Updated: October 4, 2016

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION LAKEVILLE SOCCER CLUB MISSION STATEMENT PLAYER SAFETY/RISK MANAGEMENT Coaches Legal Duties Coach Background Check Concussion Training Two Adults at All Times First Aid Emergency Contact Information Weather Guidelines TEAM MANAGEMENT Preseason Meeting Tournaments Uniforms Guest Players Field Assignment and Field Closures PLAYER DEVELOPMENT TRAINING Resources Format and Duration Priorities Heading Principles of Play Season Planning PLAYER DEVELOPMENT MATCH DAY Pre-Match, Halftime and Post-Match Playing Time Match Management Respect for Referees COACH DEVELOPMENT Coaching Licensure Coach Development and Observation Coaches Code of Ethics

3 INTRODUCTION The US Youth Soccer Player Development Model is the main resource used to create the Lakeville Soccer Club Travel Program Coaching Manual. The purpose of this manual is to prepare coaches to create a safe and nurturing environment which allows each player the opportunity to develop as soccer players. Longterm development, rather than short-term success, is the focus of US Youth Soccer and Lakeville Soccer Club. US Youth Soccer outlines 10 objectives in the development of a soccer player: 1. Develop the child s appreciation of the game. 2. Keep winning and losing in proper perspective. 3. Be sensitive to each player s development needs. 4. Educate the players to the technical, tactical, physical and psychological (four components of soccer) demands of the game for their level of play. 5. Implement rules and equipment modifications according to the players age group. 6. Allow players to experience all positions. 7. Players need to have fun and receive positive feedback. 8. Training should be conducted in the spirit of enjoyment and learning. 9. Provide the appropriate number of training sessions and matches according to the player s stage of development. 10. Strive to help each player reach their full potential and be prepared to move to the next stage of development. For more information on US Youth Soccer, please visit the website at LAKEVILLE SOCCER CLUB MISSION STATEMENT To offer and provide the choice of a full range of soccer experiences for its players at all skill levels and youth age groups including TOTS, Recreational and Regular Travel and Select Travel levels play. To teach fundamental skills, instill confidence and build a love for the game of soccer in youth players while continuing to develop those players to their highest potential through skills development, excellent coaching and superior training in a positive environment. To focus on both player and coach development through a structured program that provides players, parents and coaches the most positive experience possible. To provide an environment of competition and excellence which fields the best possible teams and consistently produces the highest level of competitive players - admired for their skills and respected for their sportsmanship.

4 PLAYER SAFETY/RISK MANAGEMENT Coaches Legal Duties (Successful Coaching by Rainer Martens) 1. Properly plan the activity. Teach the skills of the sport in the correct progression. Consider each athlete s developmental level and current physical condition. 2. Provide proper instruction. Make sure that athletes are in proper condition to participate. Teach athletes the rules and the correct skills and strategies of the sport. Provide competent and responsible assistants. If you have coaching assistants, make sure that they are knowledgeable in the skills and strategies of the sport and act in a mature and responsible manner. 3. Warn of inherent risks. Provide parents and athletes with both oral and written statements of the inherent health risks associated with playing soccer. Also warn athletes about potentially harmful conditions, such as playing conditions, dangerous or faulty equipment, and the like. 4. Provide a safe physical environment. Monitor current environmental conditions (i.e., windchill, temperature, humidity, and severe weather warnings). Periodically inspect the playing areas. Remove all hazards. Prevent improper or unsupervised use of facilities. 5. Provide adequate and proper equipment. Make sure athletes are using equipment (i.e. shin guards) that provides the maximum amount of protection against injury. Inspect equipment (i.e. goals are staked into the ground) regularly. 6. Match your athletes appropriately. Match the athletes according to size, physical maturity, skill level, and experience. Do not pit physically immature or novice athletes against those who are in top condition and are highly skilled. 7. Evaluate athletes for injury or incapacity. Withhold an athlete from practice and competition if the athlete is unable to compete without pain or loss of function (e.g., inability to walk, run, jump, throw, and so on without restriction). 8. Supervise the activity closely. Do not allow athletes to practice difficult or potentially dangerous skills without proper supervision. Forbid horseplay, such as wrestling around. Do not allow athletes to use sports facilities without supervision. 9. Provide appropriate emergency assistance. Learn sport first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and AED administration. The law assumes that you, as a coach, are responsible for providing first aid care for any injury or illness suffered by an athlete under your supervision.

5 Coach Background Check Each coach must complete the annual Background Check. Please visit the Club website and click the Coaches tab for more information. Click on the link and follow the directions. Concussion Training Each coach must complete the Concussion Training for Coaches this is a 30 minute online presentations that must be completed every 3 years. At the conclusion of the online presentation, you will be able to print a certificate. It is recommended that you save the certificate as a pdf and keep it in your files. Please visit the Club website and click the Coach tab for a link to the presentation. Two Adults at All Times There should be a minimum of two adults at every team event (training, matches, meetings, etc.) and coaches should never be alone with a child (their own child excluded). This policy is in place to protect the children and the adults. First Aid All coaches should have a First-Aid Kit with them at all times and it is highly recommended that coaches become certified in First Aid/CPR/AED. For more information regarding First-Aid Kits and certification courses, please visit the Red Cross website. Additionally, coaches should identify if any team parents are nurses or doctors which can be helpful in a medical situation. In an emergency, coaches should call 911. Emergency Contact Information Coaches should carry a list of emergency contact information (i.e. phone numbers) for each player and be aware of medical issues (i.e. allergies). This will make it easier to contact parents more efficiently and properly handle any emergencies. Weather Guidelines Coaches must always be aware of potential weather issues (lightning, extreme cold/heat, etc.) and avoid putting players in dangerous situations. Please be aware of the MYSA Weather Policy (posted on the Lakeville Soccer Club website) and visit the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for more information regarding weather concerns. Additionally, a weather radio/lightning detector can be a valuable tool downloading the weather app, Weather Bug, is another good option to help keep an eye on the weather.

6 TEAM MANAGEMENT Preseason Meeting As soon as you have your team roster, you should plan on holding a parent meeting. You can find a meeting location (i.e. library) or plan on holding it at the field prior to a scheduled training session. Topics to cover may include: Introduction (i.e. coaching experience and license) What you expect from the players (i.e. work hard and have a positive attitude) What you expect from the parents (i.e. let the coaches do the coaching and be supportive) Communication policy (i.e. 24-hour rule) Methods of communicating team information Practice Schedule Match and Tournament Schedule Team Manager Role Attendance policy Playing time policy Tournaments (Avoid Tournamentitis ) It is recommended that teams play a maximum of one tournament per month during the season. A few things that should be taken into consideration when determining a tournament schedule (US Youth Soccer Player Development Model): When a team plans to play in a tournament, it must ask: who, when, where and why. With so many tournament matches in two or three days, players go into survival mode and play in low gear Mental and physical exhaustion leads to poor play, typified by kick-n-run soccer These factors may also contribute to injuries as players who make slow decisions get into tight situations leading to bad tackles, unnecessary fouls, poor tactical positioning, and etcetera. We [55 US Youth Soccer State Association technical directors] believe that excessive play at competitive tournaments is detrimental to individual growth and development and can reduce long-term motivation. Multiple matches being played on one day and one weekend have a negative effect on the quality experience and development of the individual player. Uniforms Teams should wear red uniforms at home and white uniforms when away. Players should always bring both uniforms in case of a conflict. It is also important to be aware of the MYSA rule regarding uniforms: d In the case that the color of uniforms conflicts (as determined by the referee), the home team must change to an alternate color. Guest Players There are instances when a team may need to utilize a guest player due to a variety of reasons (i.e. numerous injuries). Coaches should communicate directly with one another and work together in these

7 situations to help all Lakeville Soccer Club teams be successful. Guest players should be given appropriate playing time so that their experience is positive. Field Assignment and Field Closures Prior to each season, teams will be assigned training times/nights and locations. Occasionally the City of Lakeville will close fields due to unsafe/poor conditions and this will be posted on the Lakeville Soccer Club website. Even if the City of Lakeville does not close the fields, coaches are expected to inspect fields prior to playing to determine if the field conditions are safe for the players. PLAYER DEVELOPMENT TRAINING Lakeville Soccer Club Player Development guidelines are based upon the US Youth Soccer Player Development Model. This document should be consulted when developing individual training sessions and year-long plans. Resources There are several good resources available for coaches to help them develop appropriate training sessions. The OneDrive can be accessed via the Lakeville Soccer Club website and includes hundreds of age-appropriate activities. Additional resources can be found on the following sites: Minnesota Youth Soccer Association (MYSA) (Coaches/Managers tab Resources) State coaching licensure; lesson plans; monthly e-newsletters United States Youth Soccer Association (USYSA) (Coaches tab Resource Center) Lesson plans and articles; monthly newsletters National Soccer Coaches Association of America Webinars; educational opportunities; monthly newsletters United State Soccer (More tab Coaching Education) Coaching licensure; coaching resources Format and Duration Training sessions should follow the progressive format (warmup, small-sided activity, expanded smallsided activity and a game) which is taught in the MYSA E Course. Each training session should end with a scrimmage/small-sided game which allows the players the opportunity to apply what was learned in the training session to the actual game.

8 The duration and training:match ratio should be as follows: Age Duration Training:Match Ratio U9-U minutes 2:1 U minutes 2 or 3:1 U13-U minutes 3:1 U15-U minutes 3 or 4:1 U minutes 4 or 5:1 Priorities Concepts which apply to all age-groups No laps, no lines and no lectures get them playing and keep them moving. Warm-ups should involve using the soccer ball and allowing players to get maximum touches in a game-like activity. The FIFA 11+ injury prevention program should be used at the U13 and older age-groups. The game is the best teacher and coaches should use game-like activities which replicate moments within the game. The word hustle is so often misused that it has come to mean mindless running, merely for the sake of running. Soccer players need to learn when to run and when to not run. Players must also learn about the timing of runs, when to start and stop. Training session should include activities where there are outcomes. U9-U10 The Learning to Train Stage Build the player before the team Practice individual skills within individual and small group activities Use fun skill building activities with some teaching of technique Introduction of basic combination plays (i.e. wall pass) Lace the principles-of-play into activities (execution will be inconsistent) Two training sessions per month should be devoted to goalkeeping (all players should participate as a goalkeeper) U11-U12 For the Love of the Game Continue establishing a solid base of technique Emphasis on individual attacking and defending Develop individual skills under the pressure of time, space and opponent(s) While passing has become a more natural part of the game, the dribbling personality must still be encouraged to express that skill When attacking, players should work on keeping possession of the ball but should also be taught that possession play is a means to penetrating to the opponent s goal and not an end in itself Develop an understanding of the roles that players have in the attack penetration, support and mobility Demonstrate the defending roles of players pressure, cover and balance At a minimum, devote two training sessions per month to goalkeeper training

9 U13-U14 Committing Expose the players to various game situations including functional training Continue to refine technique and emphasize the tactical use of those techniques. Passing must be done consistently while on the run. Teach players that they are not to let the ball bounce take the ball out of the air Encourage players to shield the ball from defenders as well as take on opponents 1v1 using feints, spin turns and moves to beat an opponent. In the attacking third, encourage risk taking to persuade players to take on opponents, especially in a 1v1 situation and when in the opponents penalty area. Individually, when on the attack, emphasize keeping possession by not always rushing forward, especially when the opponents have good defensive shape. Group play will now be from pairs to fours. In these groups players need to be coached to perform combinations such as wall passes, takeovers, double passes and overlaps. When defending as an individual, players need to be taught how to apply proper pressure in front of or from behind the 1st attacker. They should also have a better idea of when and where to defend high or low pressure once the ball is lost. That assessment is influenced by the number of teammates and opponents around the ball, where the ball is on the field and the distance and angle of the ball to goal. Players should begin to understand and be held accountable for decisions they make on the field and how it affects their game and team. Goalkeeping becomes a much more specialized position and demands more quality training U15-U16 The Fervid Phase Technique training should be leading to artistry with the ball. A season long objective for this age group is to increase their technical speed and tactical speed (decision making). With the growing muscular power of the U-16 player, striking balls accurately over distance while under pressure should emerge in their game. In these group games the attackers should keep possession with a purpose by using width, depth and quick support using combination play, such as wall passes, takeovers, overlaps, double passes and 3rd attacker runs. Block defending as a group, in any part of the field, becomes a part of the U-16 team game. Tactically, this age group should be exposed to team tactics, but more importantly is the reinforcement of individual tactics and an emphasis on group tactics. Field players still need to have more than one role on the field and should not be confined to playing just a flank role or a central role for the team There needs to be a balance in their training between a specific role in the team and continued general development. Set plays are an integral part of the game now. However, training on set plays should be addressed within the flow of training on a regular basis. As a goalkeeper, specialized training should be a regular feature of their development

10 U17+ Fulfillment in the Final Stage Much of the training with the U-17+ age group will continue the refinement of skills and tactics previously learned with an emphasis on developing positional and team play. The objective of this training is improved consistency and speed of play. Creating opportunities on the attack relies greatly on mobility by off-the-ball attackers, movement with a purpose. Incorporate mental skills training into training sessions. One in three training sessions must be devoted to defensive aspects of the game. Having a group of attacking players who can operate at high speed, under intense pressure and in increasingly smaller spaces will be a key to success. Players should have a complete understanding of the principles of play. Functional play by position within two or more formations should be learned. The rehearsal and execution of set plays is vital to successful play. As a goalkeeper, specialized training should be a regular feature of their development. Heading Player safety is extremely important when working on heading. Here are the most recent heading guidelines: Age Number of Sessions U9-U11 No heading should be done in training; modified laws prohibit heading in matches U12-U14 No more than headers per player, per week U15+ No limitation Principles of Play Since soccer is a player centered sport, players should learn to make decisions on their own and not rely on coaches to direct them. Players should be taught to recognize the visual cues within the game (i.e. amount of pressure on the ball) which leads them to making a proper decision. Principles of Attack Penetration Support Mobility (Unbalance) Length & Width Improvisation Principles of Defending Pressure Cover Balance Compactness Confrontation

11 Season Planning There must be a proper balance between the number of matches played, training sessions per season and time off each season (US Youth Soccer Player Development Model). Planning concepts Periodization peak at championship time Short-term and long-term development goals Rhythm of training Tournaments must be few and far between (discretion is necessary when deciding when and why the team participates in a tournament) Avoid over training or under training Avoid burnout, both mental and physical Avoid overuse and chronic injuries It is important to consider the concept of recovery when planning your team schedule. Players need to recovery physically (prevent injuries) and mentally (prevent burnout). PLAYER DEVELOPMENT MATCH DAY Pre-Match, Halftime and Post-Match Prior to the start of each match, a coach should ensure that field conditions and equipment are safe. A proper age-appropriate warmup should be conducted to prepare the players for competition. Also, match-day is not the time to teach players something new. The coach should be sure to ask the players for their thoughts at halftime. When the players are asked for their input from the first half of the match, they are often able to identify tactical challenges on the field and what corrections are needed. It has been observed that when coaches alone direct the needed corrections, the players don t seem to pay much attention because they are not engaged in the communication process. Coaching points must be kept to a minimum (2 or 3 points) and include those things which are familiar to the players and can be applied in the second-half. Post-Match comments should also be kept to a minimum and should be positive. After a game, players have other things on their mind and are not truly interested in listening to a lengthy speech. It may be more appropriate to wait until the next training session to cover any important lessons learned from the match. This is particularly true after a difficult loss when emotions may affect communication. Playing Time The coaches are responsible for the development of all players assigned to the team. Coaches must make every effort for equal playing time over the course of the season for players participating in the Regular Travel program. Exceptions to this include, but are not limited to, attendance and discipline issues.

12 Select Travel players playing time is solely based on the skill of the player, their versatility in position play, the course of the game and the assessment of the coach. Playing time may not be equal. Match Management Communicating to players during the run-of-play should be kept to a minimum and should be positive in nature. Since soccer is a player centered sport, a coach should never speak to a player in possession of the ball. System and Style of Play A coach should ensure that players understand the system and the function of each position within it. Players should be encouraged to play creative/thoughtful soccer rather than rely upon a safetyfirst, direct style-of-play (i.e. boot and chase). All players should look to contribute to every attacking play, even when their role is as the supporting last defender. All players should recover to help defend after losing possession of the ball. Substitutions Substitutions should be made to ensure players receive proper playing time, to make tactical adjustments and to handle injury/fatigue concerns. Coaches should keep the number of substitutions to a minimum to keep the game flowing and allow players to get a feel for the game. Additionally, consider that every time the game is stopped for a substitution, match time is lost. Positions It is the responsibility of the coach to teach players the difference between positions and positioning. Understanding their positioning relative to the location of the ball, amount of pressure on the ball, location of teammates, location of opponents, etc. is more important than getting players to stand in the right spot. The proper teaching of the principles-of-play will allow for this to occur. U9-U10 ALL players should play ALL positions, including GK U11-U12 ALL players should play ALL field positions; any interested player should be allowed to play the GK position U13-U14 players should play 2 or 3 positions; each team will likely have 1 or 2 GKs U15+ players will likely have a primary position, but should be moved to other positions to continue their overall development; each team will likely have 1 or 2 GKs Respect for Referees Coaches should treat the referee with respect at all times and never question a call during the game. If you have a question, you can calmly ask for an explanation at halftime or after a game. Please remember that the referee decisions are final and this is not a time for a debate. Much like coaches, referees are doing the best they can to provide the opportunity for young players to play soccer. Referees will not yell at coaches for making a poor substitution or tactical adjustment. Coaches should not yell at referees if they make a mistake.

13 COACH DEVELOPMENT Coaching Licensure Lakeville Soccer Club will reimburse all Head Coaches for completing the US Soccer F License, MYSA Youth Module and MYSA Technical Certificate. Lakeville Soccer Club will reimburse U11+ Head Coaches who earn the US Soccer E License and/or the NSCAA 7v7/9v9 Certificate. Lakeville Soccer Club will reimburse U13+ Head Coaches who earn the US Soccer D License (preapproval is required from the Director of Coaching) and/or the NSCAA 11v11 Certificate. The Club recommends the following education plan for coaches: Age Licensure U9-U10 US Soccer F License; MYSA Youth Module; MYSA Technical Certificate; NSCAA 7v7/9v9 Certificate U11-U12 US Soccer E License; NSCAA 7v7/9v9 Certificate U13+ US Soccer D License; NSCAA 11v11 Certificate Select coaches should plan on earning a minimum of a US Soccer C License. Coach Development and Observations All coaches are encouraged to attend the numerous coaching education opportunities offered throughout the year. Additionally, the Club has provided an extensive number of training activities and lesson plans on the website. All Select Coaches will have a minimum of two formal observations per year and all non-select coaches will have one formal observation per year. Continuing education (i.e. attending Club coaching sessions) and training/match observations will be used when determining future coaching assignments. Coaches Code of Ethics The MYSA Youth Council adopted the following Coaches Code of Ethics on February 10, The MYSA owes tremendous gratitude to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America for allowing us to use their template for a code of ethics that they compiled after several years of deliberation. 1. Soccer is the player's game. The paramount concern of coaches is the holistic development, welfare, enjoyment and safety of their players. 2. Coaches bear responsibility for teaching players to strive for success while playing fairly, observing the laws of the game and the highest levels of sportsmanship.

14 3. Coaches shall treat officials with respect and dignity, and shall teach their players to do the same. 4. Our opponents are worthy of being treated with respect. Coaches will model such respect for opponents and expect their players to do likewise. 5. In both victory and defeat, the behavior of the coach shall model grace, dignity and composure. 6. Coaches shall adhere to the highest standards and the regulations of the institutions they represent: clubs, schools, sponsoring organizations and sports governing bodies. 7. Coaches shall model inclusive behavior, actively supporting cultural diversity while opposing all types of discrimination, including but not limited to, racism and sexism, at all levels of the game. 8. Coaches are responsible for taking an active role in education about, and prevention and treatment of drug, alcohol and tobacco abuse; both in their lives and in the lives of their players. 9. Coaches shall refrain from all manner of personal abuse and harassment of others, whether verbal, physical, emotional or sexual, and shall oppose such abuse and harassment at all levels of the game. 10. Coaches shall respect the declared affiliations of all players. 11. Coaches shall seek to honor those who uphold the highest standards and principles of soccer and shall use appropriate protocol to oppose and eliminate all behavior that brings disrepute to the sport - violence, abuse, dishonesty, disrespect and violations of the laws of the game and rules governing competition.