Just wondering about the pro and cons of training 2 or more teams together.

Are there situations were training larger group is more beneficial?
Dose working in the larger group make the members more competitive?
Can an "expert" coach cover more players effectively?

Has anyone had experience with this?

Politics](*,) ](*,) ](*,) ](*,) ](*,) ](*,) ](*,)

I've had a lot of experience with mixed groupings, but not necessarily two entire teams. Sometimes I'm doing this twice per week. I've had a nucleus of two teams, plus a lot of non-affiliated players.

As long as one has both coaches it is extremely beneficial to have two teams training together. If one looks up to the other team it really motivates them.

Worked as KNVB model.

1. Specific technique training for team weaknesses.
2. 4v4
3. 7v7
4. 11 v11

One can do a lot of structural work with defence v attack.

Most of the state split state league senior teams have reserves and seniors training together, but waste the sessions because they don't do structural work.




Edited by Decentric: 16/7/2012 08:40:40 AM

Edited by Decentric: 16/7/2012 09:06:28 AM

Looking at Arthur's post, I'm used to doing these joint sessions with other coaches with the best of intentions. They see every training session as a learning opportunity. That is to learn from other coaches.

In the last week I've learnt quite a lot from a coach who considered himself the worst coach going around one year ago. His team was at the bottom rung of the bottom league. I think he is one of the best coaches going around now. I didn't see him in action a year ago.

I've also picked a fault, and communicated it to him, with FFA's number three in the national hierarchy, just below Han Berger. His response was that every session should due seen as a learning opportunity and that he learnt from the suggestion to improve his session. Also, he considers that teachers have a massive advantage in coaching.

I've even learnt a good training ground exercise from a 9 year old player!

I've picked up a lot of useful stuff from other coaches on 442.

I've done little work on body shape from other courses/badges. I've picked up a lot of this stuff from other coaches on body shape with joint sessions. Other coaches have led sessions in this area.

One can also have one coach working with players who need specific, basic work, whilst other players need more advanced exercises.

It certainly motivates the players in a weaker team. They often look up to players in the stronger team.

I've found variations with attitudes in a stronger team. Some have been good role models, others have been a total distraction and lessened the intensity of training. I've actually booted out an entire elite team on a permanent basis from joint sessions a few months ago. All of them had technical weaknesses in different facets of the game, but too many weren't prepared to do the hard work to correct technical flaws.




Edited by Decentric: 16/7/2012 09:07:58 AM

Top setup Arthur, thats football utopia

My boys are very happy there, I enjoy watching them play and my wife enjoys helping in the canteen. My Daughter misses out but she did do last seasons summer program.

Having said that it's not for everyone, some have found it too intense, hard to deal with playing well but losing, prefered a more direct style or couldn't keep their mouths shut on the touch line, etc.

But it is definitely the best junior coaching I have seen. Actually I think "philiosophy" is a better word than coaching as it is more than just the coaching.

Thanks to Arthur and everyone for your comments. I am hoping to get this implimented in my local/comminuty club from next year starting from fresh with u6's. I do think to overcome the "politics" aspect, it best to start a squad setup from the very start.