U13 boys - Good old fashioned hard work

You might hear people say time without the ball is time wasted.  I disagree. Sometimes it's good to put the balls away for a while and just run.

We've had some fairly weak efforts the last few weeks, in terms of physical work rate and desire to "run yourself tired".  This week we have no game, so Coach Paul and I had a nice session with a lot of running.

Coach Paul has good ideas in this department and we ran several different drills to keep the kids moving. Fitness and physical literacy were the orders of the day.  And we both know that the kids do enjoy a nice workout on occasion.

There are plenty of drills that involve ball work and fitness, but the kids need to learn to train and build their aerobic system the old fashioned way.  We had our pre-season fitness sessions, but we like to revisit the issue when we have a break.  Now that they are 13 and well into puberty,their bodies will respond better to endurance work.

We have two more sessions before our next game.  The next session will involve balls and some running then the third will aim specifically for our game.

No technique. No tactics. Period.

Why do we treat the teaching of a sport different from everything else?  Is it that important for a U11 soccer game to be a mini version of Barcelona v Juventus?

In Grade 1, mathematics starts at the very basic level.  One building block at a time, our students eventually, through patience and practice, work their way up to Calculus and Functions in Grade 12.  Workers in the trades are put through a long and thorough apprenticeship programs.  So why do we want to see a formal competitive game at age 6 and expect quality?

In addition to my U13 and U17 boys, I've had the pleasure of running sessions for 5 different teams over the past 2 weeks, ages 9-15, male and female.  Hard working kids who love to play, but technique was in need of work all around.  Not a criticism, just an observation.  All these teams have coaches who work hard and set up busy programs, but they, like all of us, have players who don't play soccer on their own or with their friends.

For those looking to have more players crack the upper echelon the truth is simple: our technique is not good enough.  Kids need more time with one-ball/player, more time playing free soccer to become more creative and less emphasis on formal competition at too young an age.  We also have the wonderful job of playing catch-up for the time on the ball they are NOT getting at the playground.

We can't expect players to effectively combine with 2-3-4 teammates on the field if they can't confidently pass or receive a ball.  We can't expect them to work through a tough situation if they were never given free, un-coached time to play among themselves.

When technique becomes less of a pre-occupation,  the player has more freedom to make decisions in a game situation.  He can pick the right option because he is confident he can execute. An artist who can competently execute many techniques with their brush can paint anything.  You can draw this parallel with any profession.

As a country, at the younger ages, we need to stop coaching the team and start coaching the players.  Most young players do not have the confidence and technique to execute team tactics.  They're not ready.

Remember.  No technique, no tactics.

P.S.  This applies to every sport.

Are your players ready to compete?

Are technique and skill enough to make a player effective during a game?  Why do some players struggle during competition after demonstrating their competence during training?

If I had an answer to this question I would be the most sought after coach on the planet. 

Technical preparation has to be the foundation of everything that makes the competent athlete.   Technical proficiency means you spend your precious time on the ball making decisions instead of worrying about your ability to execute.

 The Olympics are great because it always bring on numerous conversations about non-physical preparations and why people crack.

There are several, equally important, facets to our athletes that need to be in tune for success in a game.  Long term success brings on a whole new list of issues.  We will deal with game success here.

Physical

• Has the player had proper sleep?
• Are they tired?  Were they swimming/biking/hiking during the day?
• Are they hydrated?
• Are they partially sun stroked (during summer)?
• Did they have dinner?  Was it appropriate?  Rushed?
• Are their injuries being properly managed?
• Is there fitness level suitable for what is required during the match?

Mental

• Did they get a good warm-up before the game?
• Do they know their job?  Can they execute their job? Do they UNDERSTAND their job?  Have they had a chance to rehearse or discuss what expected?
• Is your team working as a unit in activities leading up to the game?

Emotional/Social

• Does the player like/respect/trust his their coach?
• Were they late?  Did that cause stress for them?  For you?
• Did they forget some equipment and upset while waiting for it to arrive?
• What about what happened before arriving to the field.  Was there an argument at home?  Did they have a bad day at school/camp? Family stresses?
• Do they get along with their teammates?  Is there a bullying problem among your team?  Is anything going on “on-line” that you need to know about?
• Do they want to play?  Why are they playing?
• Are they playing at the appropriate level?

Environment

• What are the expectations? Do they match the level of the players?
• What is the tone/emotional level of the coaches and parents?

These questions not only apply to every age group and level, but the answers have different implications for each age group.  Social/emotional considerations for a 16 year-old will be much different than a 10 year-old player.  And in the younger age groups a child born in January 5 may not have the same characteristics as a child born December 27.  Both of these players are a week away from being in a different age group.

Some people will discount these points as being too analytical and kids should just "suck-it-up" and play.  The funny thing is a parent might tell their son’s teacher there is a problem at home, but not their coach.   And a coach will check a player’s injured knee or ankle, but rarely check on the organ that is between their ears.

U13 - We finally tried to stay calm with the ball.

I was very proud of my U13 boys team last night.  Under unbelievable pressure they were still working to solve problems and establish a passing game.

We have struggled to play possession soccer because we have been panicking under pressure.  Rather than trying and failing, we've been avoiding the issue.  Last night  I saw a crack in their collective stubbornness last night.

Playing possession draws more players into the game, builds everybody's confidence, helps us develop each player and is MORE FUN.  Successfully solving problems is a tremendous buzz for everybody involved.   Panicking and smashing balls for 80 minutes is not enjoyable at all.

Right from the opening whistle they were trying to string passes together.  Passes were being intercepted or misplayed or way off target.  As each minute passed we were connecting more passes and making progress.

Let's be clear, we were not going to beat this team last night, and didn't.  But it was a great opportunity to force the issue.

The message was clear.  Possession soccer, first and foremost, regardless of the score.  Figure out a solution to the problem of playing a stronger team.  Panic kicks were not acceptable and failing was OK as long as you tried again.

By the 25th minute we were crossing half on a regular basis and by the early part of the second half the game was still in reach and a full back-and-forth affair. 

The first step to becoming more competitive with the ball was fighting to keep it.  There was a lot of shielding and a lot of our boys drew fouls while forcing the other team to fight to get it.

We still have a lot of work to do but last night was the first time we rally tried to stay calm and establish some form of possession.  This weekend we have 3 games and that will be the message again.  Luckily we have another crack at the same team we played last night.

U17 - who is ready for the last 5 minutes?

I have always believed you learn most about a player during the last 5 minutes of a 1 goal game.  Are you the type of player your teammates want on the field?

Our next session we will be spending 30 minutes on simulated situations to better prepare the boys for that very situation.  Both down or up a goal.  Last night we were up 2-1 and letting our opposition run freely as they were trying to tie the game.  We escaped with the three points, but it's the third such situation in the past 3 weeks where the end-of-game grit was nonexistent.

In two of those games we escaped with three points.  In one of them (cup game) we allowed a goal  at the very end and lost the game in penalty kicks.

The boys have been doing so many good and exciting things on the field.  If we could add this end-of-game insight into their tool box it would make them all the more competent for their next soccer experience.

When you are leading by a goal you have to defend and work on the assumption that the other team is very eager to score.  Physically, mentally and emotionally, the opposition is pouring out all of their desire and willing to walk off the field drained in search of the equalizer.  They are anticipating the celebration and have nothing to lose at that point.  Are you ready to contend with that as the defending team?

How about when you are down by a goal?  Smarter possession?  More daring players who want to make an impact?  Are some players being too selfish and want to do all the work?  Are your players level headed enough to not get frustrated and work to win the ball back and relaunch their comeback attempt?  Are your players to anxious and exposing you to an easy counter attack too early in the come back attempt?

What role does fitness play?  Are the right players on the field?  Have tactical adjustments been made for the situation?

There are a multitude of tactical discussions to have, but I feel you need the right people on the field to do that job.  As a player, the last 5-10 minutes of a close game are so exciting.  I feel the mental and emotional condition of the players are the bigger factors in succeeding.

At U15-U18, emotions and discipline are all over the map. Co-operation is sometimes hit and miss and you don't want to be criticizing or over-coaching players during those moments.