From Paul Shaw, Virginia Youth Soccer Coaching Education Director -
These individuals have fun playing their sport; they embrace their environment and they have exceptional technique. Not only tactically tuned in but always thinking outside the box when solving problems. We have all seen this player and secretly asked ourselves, “How did she get out of that mess with the ball?” In order to develop more of these types of players, we need to look within our own environment.
Technique, technique, technique! This is the backbone of the creative player. Technique is essential and all players should spend time on technique. When was the last time you heard a top level pro say, “My first touch is good enough?” Players must have quality technique if they are to be creative. It is silly to think of a soccer player being deceptive before they pass but in the end, never maintaining possession. For example: you fake to pass the ball to the left but really pass the ball to the right. Your fake to the left is worthless if you miss the player you are passing to on your right.
How much time do you spend in your own environment? Are your technical demands applicable to the game? A recreational player will get more enjoyment out of the game if he or she has a cleaner first touch. A travel player will blossom if he or she is able to run at and beat defenders 1 v. 1. As a coach, it is OUR responsibility to plan practices accordingly. Our players’ enjoyment of our sport will grow as their technique gets better. Guaranteed!
Now, we must apply our technique to the game and the problems that are presented. The best way to bring out those free thinking qualities is within small-sided games (2 v.2; 3v.3; 4v.4 etc.). Touches on the ball are increased; the time to make decisions lessened and the opportunities to learn multiplied. Yes, we eventually have to get the game into the right size and space for your age group. However, time in the small-sided game allows for more repetition of those learning scenarios and allows for players to adlib without punishment. What about your role in all this? Are you going to step in and show them every solution? Are you going to coach every error? I would challenge you to step back and watch. Some of the solutions may be creative, even devious and possibly very entertaining.
These individuals have fun playing their sport; they embrace their environment and they have exceptional technique. Not only tactically tuned in but always thinking outside the box when solving problems. We have all seen this player and secretly asked ourselves, “How did she get out of that mess with the ball?” In order to develop more of these types of players, we need to look within our own environment.
Technique, technique, technique! This is the backbone of the creative player. Technique is essential and all players should spend time on technique. When was the last time you heard a top level pro say, “My first touch is good enough?” Players must have quality technique if they are to be creative. It is silly to think of a soccer player being deceptive before they pass but in the end, never maintaining possession. For example: you fake to pass the ball to the left but really pass the ball to the right. Your fake to the left is worthless if you miss the player you are passing to on your right.
How much time do you spend in your own environment? Are your technical demands applicable to the game? A recreational player will get more enjoyment out of the game if he or she has a cleaner first touch. A travel player will blossom if he or she is able to run at and beat defenders 1 v. 1. As a coach, it is OUR responsibility to plan practices accordingly. Our players’ enjoyment of our sport will grow as their technique gets better. Guaranteed!
Now, we must apply our technique to the game and the problems that are presented. The best way to bring out those free thinking qualities is within small-sided games (2 v.2; 3v.3; 4v.4 etc.). Touches on the ball are increased; the time to make decisions lessened and the opportunities to learn multiplied. Yes, we eventually have to get the game into the right size and space for your age group. However, time in the small-sided game allows for more repetition of those learning scenarios and allows for players to adlib without punishment. What about your role in all this? Are you going to step in and show them every solution? Are you going to coach every error? I would challenge you to step back and watch. Some of the solutions may be creative, even devious and possibly very entertaining.