Curriculum Focus for Successful Recreation Player Development NY Red Bulls Youth Club Summit Red Bull Arena, Sunday, March 13, 2016 Rick Meana, NJYS Director of Coaching Education, Recreation and TOPSoccer Auke Wiersma, NJYS Coaching School Instructor, Former NCYSA Director of Recreation
Definition of Term Rec-re-a-tion:
Definition of Term cur ric u lum: Latin word which means "a race" or "the course of a race" (which in turn derives from the verb currere meaning "to run/to proceed")
Why should you have a curriculum? What do you want your players to act and look like? Are you prepared to explain to parents why you don t have a curriculum?
Lets move on to Club Soccer in the U.S. Most of our youth soccer clubs in the U.S.A. are not clubs in the developmental sense of the word. They are merely a collection of teams which happen to have the same name and, possibly, wear the same uniforms There is no connection between how the 9-year-old teams play the game and how the 10-year-olds play. Jeff Tipping, US Soccer National Staff & former NSCAA Director of Coaching Emeritus
Real Player Development Simply stated, there is a broad consensus among soccer educators in the U.S. that maintaining play with smaller sides (i.e. fewer than 11) at least through U11 is initial to producing skillful soccer players for three reasons:
3 reasons 1. Skill development requires repetition, 2. Skill development requires ageappropriate physical challenges, 3. Skill development requires ageappropriate mental challenges -Gary R. Allen, U.S. Soccer National Staff & Director, VYSA Joint Coaching Program
Our purpose Designing Club Structure Programs for player development Club Handbook
Develop the child, athlete and player Putting the child first at the youth level; every decision made by the club and the coach should be in the best interest of the individual players. Every club mission statement should reflect this philosophy.
Club Philosophy Why do we exist? What is our purpose? How do we justify our existence?
Sample 1: Recreation Philosophy To provide each player the opportunity to play soccer in a positive, supportive and rewarding environment that emphasizes enjoyment and skill development through equal participation regardless of ability.
Sample 2: Developmental Philosophy To provide each player the opportunity to play soccer in a positive, supportive and rewarding learning environment that emphasizes enjoyment and skill development at a level that fits his/her interests and ability.
Sample 3: Formula for Excellence Philosophy To provide each player the opportunity to play soccer in a positive, supportive and rewarding learning environment that emphasizes enjoyment and skill development at a level that fits his/her interests and ability and to create a challenging environment for the top players who aspire to reach their full potential.
Phases of Soccer Development Phase 1: U6; Body awareness, self-discovery, movement education; me and the ball Phase 2: U8; Cooperation, developing control of the ball; me and you with the ball Phase 3: U10; Learning how to problem solve and combine with teammates, developing an awareness of space; me and the 4 of us with the ball
Phases of Soccer Development Phase 4: U12; Learning how to combine with teammates to get past opponents; how to create and use space; me and the 5-6 of us with the ball Phase 5: U13-older; Learning to play against opponents.
Club Coaching Structure Club board and coaching committee Coaching organizational chart Linking the recreation and select programs Club Director of Coaching
Developing a club culture Volunteers, Coaches, Referees Recruitment Checking References/Selection Orientation - Continuous Education Mentoring Retention Ongoing Assessments
Issues of concern
Issues of concern Playing format Use of goalkeepers Role of club DOC or the Coaching Committee Parents role
Cradle to the grave recreation structure
Miscellaneous issues Small-sided games approach Players playing up Competitive results-oriented soccer at U10. Is it too soon? Team-oriented vs. club-oriented approach TOPSoccer, Soccer Start, etc
Here is an educational opportunity
And last but not least Educating and dealing with parents that is for another presentation
Thank You!