http://www.topdrawersoccer.com/club-soccer/club-soccer-archives/nid-19810/New-Coaching-Curriculum-Highlights-Player-Dev


http://www.ussoccer.com/News/Coaching-Education/2011/04/Curriculum-Presented-at-Nike-Internaional-Headquarters.aspx

read it a few day ago and think its a start. Still a little too much empasis on the physical aspect of training at too early of an age and a little mechanical for my taste.

Seems like the guide has the basics that all club coaches should teach possess the ball, play technically, move to space, show field awareness, have a good first touch, etc. Best training is small box with alot of players keeping possession and playing quickly. I like the guide where it talks about playing it out of the back through midfield versus over the top run and gun. Our players need to take their time and be patient building an attack versus go forward as fast as possible every time they get the ball. Saw alot of that style at Dallas Cup.

We've always practiced that, start with the fullbacks and go up, fun to watch when it works. There is an occasional long ball or at least long pass when they see someone, but it's fairly rare.

I do notice a lot of what would be called longball in EPL games, which leads me to wonder what exactly longball or possession really is? The teams obviously work the ball around and then send it -so, I can see both claims being valid when describing it.

I've seen younger and younger teams doing this which is a good sign (the better teams primarily, only a few, but it's there...kind of....

Read it. Learn it. Live it...

Principles of play

For the coach, for the player and for the team Team:


1. All players attack and all players defend: All players must be involved in the game
as a unit.
2. Numerical advantage: Soccer is a game of numbers where we try to create a numerical
advantage in attack and avoid being in a numerical disadvantage in defense.
3. Flow of the ball: The ball should flow from inside (of the space) to outside
and outside to inside. Balls out wide are more secure and the ball in the middle
increases the options of play.
4. Triangle principle and passing options: The player in possession of the ball
must receive constant support and have at least two passing options.
5. Speed of play: Quick movement of the ball creates 2v1 situations.
6. Movement off the ball: Find the best available space to create passing options
for the player in possession of the ball.
7. Pressure as a unit: Organized pressure forces the opponents to commit errors.
8. Transition: Improve transition by reducing the number of passes needed to arrive
at the target area or the opponent’s goal.
9. Direction of the game: The game flows in two directions. Keep the essence
of the game in the majority of your practices.
10. Take initiative during the game: Team breakdowns will occur. The team must be capable
of adapting to new situations and imposing its own style of play during the game.