This afternoon I took what I thought was an under 12 boys club team, for a session for the 20 year old TD to evaluate me as being useful for his region. The committee will make a decision to support a mate's and my soccer school.

I did an abnormally heavy technical session, qualitatively and quantitively, which took close to 50 minutes. I wanted to show the TD a range of exercises taken with the players in his team. Normally I would head into SSGs and game related drills after 30 minutes of specific technique work.

We did:

* Individual juggling.
* Juggling in pairs.

* Inside of the foot passing 100 times to another player from 3 metres away, both feet, non-kicking foot 90 degrees to the ball, with head over it.

Stationary techniques:
1. Inside of the foot left to right.
2. Brazilian inside sole of foot left to right.
3. Sole of foot pushed right out in front and back, right and left, left and right.
4. Brazilian step overs, stationary.
5. Reverse step overs stationary.

* Alternate sole of foot dribbling b/w two markers
* Single sole of foot backwards dribbling for 5 metres, then back on other foot.

* Dribbled for 10 metres and back using inside left and right foot.
* Body swerve 10 metres and back.
* The inside, outside with one foot dribbling the ball (Matthews Cut) at 45 degrees for 10 metres to a cone, returning with the other foot.
* Body swerve with passive defender moving towards them, alternating roles.
* Brazilian step overs, this time seeing how many they could do by kicking the ball then seeing how many they could do before they stopped.
* Then they did the Cruyff Cut/Turn with both feet between two markers 10 metres apart.


This was followed with a range of Christiano Ronaldo diagonal sole of the foot dribbling with one touch, then a succession of:
* Reverse step over (Ronaldo)
* Brazilian step over (Ronalddinho)
* Outside of the foot cut (Kleberson)
These three aforementioned Brazilian deception techniques were done dribbling 10 metres forwards and backwards. This was then followed by:
1. Dribbling around cones and
2. Dribbling around a passive defender.
These three techniques are frequently performed by Christiano Ronaldo. One can add the Rivelino elastic, but I'm hopeless at it. Ironically, the other soccer school coach's boys can both do it (keepers). A NTC player can too.

All the above techniques were demonstrated by me VERY SLOWLY, EMPHASISING KNVB FOCUS ON ACQUIRING TECHNIQUE WITH INITIAL SLOW MOVES. Then the kids did them.

I didn't have time for the standard cut, the Garrincha and the Emerson, three other of Christiano R's favourites.

I ran out of time for:
*The outside of the foot pass, KNVB method.
* Three pass and move techniques from UEFA , KNVB and Barcelona Academy drills.

* We then did a KNVB diagonal dribbling relay.
As soon as players had finished racing, they had to do a range of the five aforementioned stationary techniques. Any time players were waiting for a partner to carry out an exercise through cones etc, if stationary, they had to keep touching the ball. This was a lot of fun.


* Then we finished with two 4v4 KNVB games, one with two keepers. Both had different grid sizes to combine technique and fitness. One grid had a tiny goal on each line in a square. The other was a little bigger with two full sized goals in a grid about 20 metres by 25 metres.

I ensured that each quartet assumed a diamond shape (1-2-1) to enhance passing lanes, emphasising the KNVB width and depth. There was an onus on fun, but I set up three passing sequences before they could shoot. I also asked them to open passing lanes when they had possession and to close them down when without possession.


This session fitted into 1 hour 20 minutes. The kids had about three drinks breaks, but they were busy the whole time. I also brought kids out to the front and praised them if they were doing any particular technique well. I didn't ask anyone to count the number of touches, but I estimated there were over a 1000.
Dutch, French and German national federations recommend 2000 touches per week for developing players.






Edited by Decentric: 31/7/2012 11:52:13 PM

I think the regional TD was a little taken aback with how confident I was with his 20 players. Teaching helps!!

Some irony at the end of the session. The TD appeared undemonstrative with the session. It is easier to read 7 year olds!!!

Some parents and other coaches in the region, who were spectators, were a little more demonstrative though. They said it was great for the club to be running the programme. I said I offered it to them last year and they declined the soccer school. The parents couldn't believe it! They were absolutely astonished!!!!!
I said the premier league club had never observed any of my training sessions. Many of the club 's coaches and teams were observing the session last night.

Nearly every premier league club in this part of the state choose pragmatism, results and winning titles, over development every time. There is a massive drop out rate with 13-14 year olds. We want to attract the refugee players in this school who can't afford the registration fees.

One coach from a junior team, wants to bring the whole club (300 players) to wherever we set up the soccer school. Now we have a problem that my partner coach and I could have far too many players.

I wasn't sure whether I was coaching a club team or a representative team last night. I was told it was a boys under 12 representative development squad. This means they have been training in an elite squad in their region for 3-4 years.

Now with all the flack I've copped on a certain blog, and the sceptics about KNVB etc, I say without any equivocation that few of the boys I worked with today could juggle as well as 75% of the girls at the end of the season in the under 12 rep team I coached in the adjoining region. The girls under 12 team won the state championship.


The under 12 rep boys I coached last night, also had inferior first touches to the under 12 rep girls I coached. They couldn't do the inside short pass with both feet anywhere near as proficiently as the majority of the under 12 rep girls well either, with worse footwork. They were far less accurate with their inside of the foot passing too.

Nevertheless, the Under 12 boys were more athletic, superior headers and moved better. Moreover, some picked up the very advanced dribbling techniques quicker. They possibly had superior game sense too.

What this demonstrates is that the KNVB and Brazilian methodology I imparted to the girls under 12s rep team from the adjoining region, gave them a decided technical advantage over boys, supposedly elite, of the same age.

They may have touched the ball 25 000 times more in a season. One girl, from my school only took up football in March. By September at the state championships, she had superior technique in many facets of play, to most of the boys of the same age or older I coached last night. The boys had played for 4-5 years as well.

My daughter, an American college player, had the advantage of a lot of receiving/ passing of the ball from an early age 7-8. The 100 pass McEvoy exercise worked very well. The same with two of her female teammates in the junior teams I coached. They also represented the state. The coaches over there rate he technical ability highly. She just has to get a lot fitter.

Just simply doing 100 short passes, being on tip toe and first time passing the ball, has greatly assisted my daughter's play. She did a lot of work playing Piggy in the Middle with three players too. I didn't know what I was doing then as a coach. Thankfully I got some useful stuff from some books, including Denis Ford's and Nelson McEvoy's.




Our problem could be getting enough equipment and balls, plus other coaching supervisors, for our imminent soccer school. I told parents we are not affiliated to any clubs/regions. Also, instruction would be free. We could have enormous numbers once people see what we are offering.





Edited by Decentric: 14/4/2011 08:59:23 PM

the session sounds like it concentrated on the how, do you coach the when and where ?

I'm not sure what you mean?

Can you rephrase the question?

I think he's meaning it sounds like you're teaching them how to do different skills and techniques, but is wondering whether you also teach them when and where to use them in a match.
That's just what I think he's referring to, I haven't read your whole posts yet though sorry.

http://ckbsoccerequipment.com.au/index.php

Link to cheapest soccer equipment I know of. Friend used it had no problems.

You also need public liability.

http://www.jltsport.com.au/


Doing something different will always attract it detractors, so I'm guessing the Clubs haven't agreed to your program?

The onus is on clubs to provide the equipment and grounds. Thanks anyway, Arthur.

We believe all players deserve sound coaching - not just the elite.
In the Netherlands or Germany, suburban players get trained coaches. We are trying to replicate that. Most clubs care only about premierships. They all talk about youth/junior development, but are short on action.

Junior associations do things much better, but I don't want to just be in charge of 16 rep players for a season. If half give up, the time has been wasted.

I'm a non-entity. A name few know in football circles. It means nothing to most in the football community. My partner is much better known.

What clubs don't realise is that any person, with no profile, if they have done the right courses and use the right training methodology, can instruct. I have reasonable ball skills . I was an underage state squad player, but left the game early. Being a trained teacher helps too.

Demonstrating through deconstructing flashy ball techniques as to what top players do is what they don't believe until they see it.

Through 4v4 SSGs, the Dutch believe in heuristic teaching - discovering for oneself to a point. In 4v4s we make suggestions in terms of body shape, possession, defending, team shape, etc.



Edited by Decentric: 14/4/2011 09:00:48 PM

Congrats on getting it started and I hope it really takes off. The more kids that can get quality training has a flow on effect of quality players that are produced.

Best of luck.

Best of luck with this... my only reservation is that perhaps there is just a bit too much emphasis on fancy individual dribbling techniques- eg Matthews, Ronaldo, Garrincha, etc. (I thought you had to have one leg shorter than another to be able to do a Garrincha cut!)

I would simplify this a bit for 12 year olds.. concentrate on basic controlling of the ball (eg controlling a strongly hit pass straight at you, or a high bouncing ball, etc), basic passing, and movement and positioning on the pitch during a game.

If a player has a natural flair for attacking football, those extra tricks will come later...

Decentric
What is the average highest number your kids can individually juggle?

Good day Krones.

I don't have a specific team ATM. I can't answer that.

I think two person juggling simulates match conditions more.

The flashy stuff was done as I put on an exhibition for a number of sceptical local coaches and club officials to see what they thought of the session. Nobody believed the Brazilian moves could be instructed which Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Robinho, Kaka, Denilson and Christiano Ronaldo use. Hardly any local coaches focus on specific dribbling/deception moves.

I normally look at the inside of the feeet, standard Cut (I've only just learnt it), the body swerve and the inside and ouside of the foot diagonal dribbling with one foot, as basic deception techniques. I don't think too many others on the island have focused on learning the flashy Brazilian stuff. Kids like the idea of learning the Brazilian techiques, even though they need to master more basic ones first.


The passing and movement is being imparted through 4v4 SSGs and specific training exercises from KNVB, Dutch Soccer Schools, Barcelona Academy and UEFA Training Ground site.

100 reps of passing at three metres is good for receiving, footwork and passing technique.


Edited by Decentric: 14/4/2011 09:02:55 PM

Thanks.

Postscript to this is two premier league clubs are really keen.

Usually the only problems encountered are with clubs who just want ready made players to win titles, and, insecure coaches who feel a threat from someone doing something different with their players.

The soccer school was also inspired by another member of this forum. He did some great charity work in South Africa. He was altruistic enough to organise many pairs of boots for South African junior players from the townships.

In Tassie we have a number of refugees. They love football. Many of them don't play because they can't afford registrations. I'm organising the Migrant Centre to bus them to sessions we take with clubs.

The person concerned, you know who you are . Thanks for the idea mate. You did a fantastic job in South Africa. You've inspired a few of us to continue the theme down here.

Edited by Decentric: 31/3/2011 10:00:50 PM

=d> Your a champion mate, well bloody done! =d>

Can you start blogging your experiences? It would be a wonderful read, even if you just use thuis thread to post the updates.

Cheers again and I am very pleased both you and Arthur take the time to post to these forums.

Correct but this allows too many variables to count on.

Thanks mate.

Some don't agree with you on Gippo. It has been suggested I leave the forum, partly for plugging 442!

One problem that occurred with a couple of players who were good individual jugglers, is they juggled the ball too much in matches.

What they should have done is control the ball in as few touches as possible.

The reasons for starting a portable football school in Hobart.


1. There are a lot of teenagers dropping out of the game. Some think there isn't enough fun in their training regimes and are forced to split from friends. Junior clubs finish at under 12. Senior clubs start with under 13s. There is considerable drop off between the two.

2. Elite players gain most of the sound coaching in Tassie. We are doing the first two stages of the
KNVB four stage paradigm - 1) Technique/skill 2) 4v4 SSGs.

3. Junior footballers need senior role models. We have organised premier league players of both genders on a roster to attend sessions. Interesting that there seem to be many more good female role models than males!

4. There is not enough technique training in this state. Some coaches are still doing piles of running.

5. Some parents get lumbered with coaching their kids' teams with no previous knowledge of the game. They need demonstration models of coaching sessions. Football Federation Tasmania provides courses for Grass Roots and Junior Licences, but they involve weekend commitment and money. The parents also don't see coaching models in operation.

6. Migrants are often passionate about the game, but some can't afford registration fees. A few of us are providing an altruistic service. I've organised the Migrant Resource Centre to bus them to and from training grounds. Premier clubs or junior associations will provide the poles, bibs, cones and balls. We provide the coaching free of charge for the participants. Three senior clubs are interested. So is a junior club. So is one of the five state regional associations. We take the school to wherever they will provide equipment. I suggest they leaflet their local primary schools, who all have affiliated junior clubs.

7. If one coaches a club/rep team, one only has access to about 16-20 players over a season. This way we will have contact with many more players.

Another of the coaches has 35 years experience in the game. He has been a major junior administrator and coach. He has a FFA Senior Licence.

Another of the coaches has played for Egypt and AEK Athens. He has 30 years experience in the game. He has a FFA C Licence.

The idea is that the players will take skills/knowledge back to their clubs/teams/schoolyard.




Maybe some of you can suggest reasons why you stopped playing. It all helps us with a mental data base.









Edited by Decentric: 1/4/2011 11:02:57 PM

They will and do grow out of it (about 14-15yrs old) but their first touch will be incredible.



What they should have done is control the ball in as few touches as possible???

Depends on age (under 13 no as many touches as possible over 13 as few as it takes if it is the correct choice and play is at a fast tempo.
If they take many touches to slow play or wait for back up its ok with me.

If you are interested in creating evaluations for your youth players, here are some tips. Soccer Evaluations It might help keep them interested in learning more and will show that you care about their progression.

Not for plugging 442, but for your attitude towards other members when they don't agree with you. You are first to blame others, but unwilling to see fault in your own internet persona.

And I shall leave it at that. :) Have fun.

Krones, on another website I recommended a few books, Dutch Soccer Drills 1, 2 and 3, as recommended by KNVB coach Arie Schans.

With some of the passing exercises they are have complex instructions. I've found some disappointing. However, I've had success with these exercises for passing from these books.

Volume 1: Passing 10. I added dribbling for the last phase of the exercise.

Volume 2: Combination play 1, 5, 6 and 7.

Drill 2 looks interesting, but I haven't tried it yet.

Volume 3: Passing 2, 3 and 5.


For dribbling:

Volume 1: Has dribbling 1 and 5.

Both easy to instruct and kids love both games.


Volume 3: Has drill 106 and 109, dribbling games which kids seem to like too, combined with some passing.




There are a number of 4v4 games for kids too in Volume 3.
They basically comprise the main forms advocated by KNVB on 4v4 SSGs from drills 133 up to 139. This is the same as in my KNVB course book and the KNVB website.


if you or anybody else is interested I'll provide some links to the Barcelona Academy, and another site recommended to me recently by a US college coach. There are some great passing exercises and explicit technique instruction on these.



Edited by Decentric: 2/4/2011 04:25:08 PM

[quote=coachdree]If you are interested in creating evaluations for your youth players, here are some tips. Soccer Evaluations It might help keep them interested in learning more and will show that you care about their progression.[/quote



Field Player Evaluations
- Technical - Passing, Receiving, Dribbling, Shooting, 1v1 Defending
- Tactical - Pressuring, Balancing, Covering, Attacking with Ball, Attacking without Ball
- Physical - Attitude, Concentration, Effort
- Psychological - Fitness, Speed, Agility, Quickness

Goal Keepers Player Evaluations
- Technical - Body Positioning, Handling Diving, Breakaways, Distributing,
- Tactical - Organizing Dead Balls, Positioning, Determining Ball Flight, Distributing
- Physical - Attitude, Concentration, Effort
- Physical - Agility, Quickness


I'm assuming Physical and Psychological should be swapped?


It is interesting to see a specific evaluation of players set out like in this form. I could add more criteria.

yes thanks
As for some players holding the ball or holding up play, there is 2 young players i know that if you take the time to just watch them you quickly see the magic with which they attempt to manipulate the game.
Simplistic joy

http://www.uefa.com/trainingground/training/skills/video/videoid=903004.html?autoplay=true

This is a UEFA one for short passing, inside and outside of the foot. It was sent by a college coach from Washington State, where a family member is playing college soccer.

In the past I haven't been aware of the importance of the angle of the non-kicking foot for the inside of the foot pass.

In this state many rep coaches have told a family member not to pass with the outside of the foot. The player has been accurate with the right foot for years. The player has had bad advice. UEFA are teaching them at the same time.

It is important to teach technique through players starting slowly.

Edited by Decentric: 3/4/2011 12:32:01 AM

The Barcelona Academy exercises are no longer on the internet.

There were five exercises from Barcelona. I can remember them well and have used them successfully, but it may be hard to explain them on here. These sorts of techniques produce technically adept players.


One good Barca passing move is directional control.

In the following diagram;
& is a player,
+ is a a pole.
o is the ball

&+....................+&
o

The left of the diagram player % inside of the foot passes the ball with the inside of the right foot to the right side of the diagram to player &.


Each player ( & ) receives the ball (o) with their left foot, cuts it onto the right side of the pole (+) and passes it with the inside other right foot. The ball should never cross the midline. Put the pole (or cones) on a boundary line on the pitch if you can.

I tried to use cones with this model to show 442 members, but they wouldn't work on this forum.


To reverse the sequence get players to receive it with their right foot and cut it with same foot, then pass with the left foot.

A mate of mine, a FFA Senior Licence accredited coach with the soccer school, has suggested something similar for years. The difference is the Barca exercise gives it some structure.

For junior players start the sequence with poles only two metres apart, with players standing behind poles.

I was doing it with a three metre distance between us, with a senior premier league player on a pitch with long grass, to trial it. I can't recommend this highly enough. Players are learning to dribble with good body shape from their first touch. It is also the quintessential two touch receive and pass that considered integral in the modern game.

With the premier league player we extended the distance to four metres and passed the ball much harder, requiring a more difficult receive.
A harder passed ball was suggested by a forum member in response to the demonstration programme I devised

To start with do the exercise slowly, emphasising good technique, head over the ball and watching it when passing and receiving.

The aforementioned post demonstrates this with the UEFA inside and outside of the foot passing technique video.



Edited by Decentric: 3/4/2011 02:29:29 AM

To the astonishment of many reading this thread, there are some amazing sceptics in the Australian football milieu.

When in Australlia, KNVB coaches instructed local coaches to have players pass the ball harder, in order to create less opportunities to intercept the ball, if two players were in a straight line. Members of the following groups 1 and 2 thought this was extremely funny. In the last World Cup, one would have noticed exemplary practice of hard hit precision passes from Spain. The same if one watches Barcelona.

Here are three groups.

Group 1.
A predominantly Sydney based self-anointed football pseudo - inelligentsia exist. They consistenly deride KNVB methodology, and label it some sort of product analogous to Amway. They are essentially xenophobic.

They don't proffer any alternative methodology such as the Italian Coverciano, French Clarefontaine, or the new German high speed precision football, borrowed from the Dutch. They also share nothing with each other or anybody else about coaching. They exude a sneering cynicism about foreign coaching expertise in this country. They claim the local Aussie coaches are adequate, but don't suggest which methodology or curriculum they should use.
They denigrate anybody interested in football until after 2005 as new dawners, thus having no credibility. They communicate with each other through a sneering, hostile, blokey cynicism. They are often passionate football fans, but cynical and malcontented. They hate 442 forum. They are very opiniated about football, but have little theoretical knowledge to substantiate their views.

Group 2.
A few computer geeks, closer in age to Generation Y, have heard Group 1 proffer their cynical views often enough that they believe them. These guys are often well - educated. They have no role in coaching or clubs because they can't leave their beloved computers for long. Their favourite mode of social communication is through the internet. A number of them are passionate, but very cynical and malcontented football fans. They hate 442 forum. They are often opiniated about football, but with little theoretical or practical knowledge to substantiate their views.

Group 3. There are a plethora of coaches, often older, who ignore current edicts from TDs Baan and now Berger. They refuse to change. They coach kids/adults the same way they did in the past. The system has produced a plethora of strong, physical players with inadequate technique and low game intelligence. The best thing about these guys is they are giving up time for the betterment of the game.


Thankfully, groups 1 and 2 are very limited in number. Whenever coaches would try and share information on other forums, they would inundate the thread with snide and cynical comments about sharing coaching methodology. Thankfully, 442 have established the Performance Section.


Group 3 is a concern. There are still large numbers of coaches making players run without the ball in this state. This is probably replicated in other states too. There is a lot of knowledge and experience in this group. They are often well -intentioned, but are recalcitrant to positive change . Results based coaching often appeals to them a lot more than development coaching.

It would be great to have them working in roles as assistant coaches or co -coaches, supporting head coaches trained in European methodology. Their knowledge and expertise could be harnessed in a sound methodological framework.


Edited by Decentric: 3/4/2011 02:53:13 AM

Edited by Decentric: 4/4/2011 06:43:57 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FogGzrYVL3c&feature=related


This is a move seen fairly frequently by top players in Australia. I find it quite easy.

It is a useful precursor to the Brazilian Soccer Schools dribbling techniques labelled as the Ronaldo, the Ronaldinho and the Kleberson, which are much more difficult. The point in common is that they all start with the roll, or sideways/diagonal sole of the foot inside dribble, an essential component for Brazilian players.


I find the Rivelino Elastic more difficult again. I just can't do it very well at all, even after a lot of practice.

Edited by Decentric: 3/4/2011 02:30:24 AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVKgen5ZRBI&feature=related



This was a technique I learnt from Jo Peters, former Matildas' player, taking NTC players for a coaching session. I haven't felt comfortable with this technique as demonstrated by the coach in the video, although some state coaches found it easier than almost all other dribbling techniques when we observed Jo's session.

I can do the Cruyff Cut, a much more flamboyant technique, much more easily. The Cruyff Cut should be a lot harder than the standard Cut.

One way I learnt to do the standard Cut is to dribble slowly at a diagonal 45 degrees, then cut at about 90 degrees. It might not look too good when I do it, I haven't seen footage. I think the instructor looks funny, but the girls, particularly the taller one, look fine. I've seen Harry Kewell use this very effectively in the earlier part of his career.

Edited by Decentric: 14/4/2011 09:07:01 PM