Both individual and small group development should happen in a fun and safe coaching environment with parents present to encourage their children (without coaching them) from the sideline.
My coaching philosophy
Young ages U6 – U10 (beginners)
The main focus is to develop individual technique so players feel comfortable with the ball at all times. This helps them make faster decisions during the game and develops young athletes into good players quickly.
Players need to have a solid understanding how to improve in a team environment and how sharing the ball is a must-have trait. Small group development allows them to see the importance of sharing the ball and when to do it. At this age, the coach can briefly mention spacing and positioning to young athletes so they understand the context of the game. Players can try playing positions they feel comfortable in, but also, they need to be taken out of their comfort zone to try playing different positions.
It’s crucial to offer a lot of playing time (scrimmages) during practice with small breaks (15 to 20 seconds). This helps:
- Give them the necessary “tips” for experiencing their newly learned skills
- Allows them to have more confidence to use those during the game
- Guarantees a fun, interactive soccer experience
The game at this stage should be about player development not about winning or losing.
Ages U11 – U14 (intermediate)
At this age, the focus is on continuing the individual technical development with more attention paid to details. Skills have a major importance in player development as well as the understanding of passing the ball. The development comes now within the team environment and the players work together for a common goal.
Tactical topics are introduced to players as well with some basic player positioning roles and responsibilities. Small group development is still present and it’s developing into medium number group development in both attacking and defending situations. Players transition from attack to defense or defense to attack, to see how fast they can execute it. Good teamwork and support is necessary. Players can play up to three positions on the field but mostly they give 100% of their full potential to one.
Scrimmages in practice are briefly stopped for coach’s advice (up to one minute) depending on the situation and resumed with a condition so players not only play but also think while doing it. At this age it’s not just about playing, it’s about teaching the correct decision in the game. Decision making becomes vital for athletes and this is what will make the difference in their future development as players and individuals.
Winning versus losing a game becomes important now but in my opinion is not only winning or losing, it is also about how to manage both a win and a loss.
Ages U15 – U17
This age is the age when young players go through a big transformation from skill development to perfecting their skills. The technical aspects blend with important tactical aspects of the game and also the understanding of different team formations. Roles and responsibilities should be fully learned and playing as a compact unit is mandatory for a full success.
Now it’s the time when “stars” start rising up from the team and have an important say in the team play. However, the team is still very important as a unit and should be the main focus for every player.
Starting with:
- small group play
- pattern play
- set pieces
- fast transition
- positional attack
- counter attack
- possession with a purpose
- changing playing formations during the game depending on the result
the players have to understand all these topics and react positively to the coach’s indications.
Practice becomes specialized depending on the player’s needs and working on details makes the difference between players and also the team’s quality. Everything in practice is based on team play and how players react in different game situations. Video analysis of own games and other teams games (mostly professional teams) is introduced and explained to athletes so they start trying to play as close as possible what they are visualizing.
Motivating the players to play a good game no matter what the score is going to help them cope with all game situations and learn how to play under pressure. Analysing the game and focusing on both negative and positive aspects becomes a valuable lesson for players development.
Winning is an important aspect now and victory comes after hard work in both practice and games.
Ages U18 and up
Technical aspects are being maintained, developed and mastered, tactic is perfected, and for better results, the players start having individual practice based on their needs, individual talks with their coaches about what their common goal would be, motivational practices, they even start practicing on their own for bringing their skills to perfection.
Every practice is based now on the tactic regarding for the next game, analyzing the team that they are playing against, focusing on different aspects of their game, analyzing their opponents strengths and weaknesses, and how should they take advantage of any situations that arise from the game.
Changing formations during play based on the team’s performance is very often and players should adapt very fast to the coach’s expectations. Every aspect of practice is being analysed to a professional level and players have to apply and perform to their best as the competition is demanding their professionalism. The coaches are now managing not only players with different characters but people with personal lives and needs and they also have to adapt and cope with any situation that arises.
Players play to win now and maintaining themselves to the highest level of professionalism possible as the game is treating you with respect only if you respect it back.
Remember! Everything should happen in a fair play environment, with respect for the officials.
May the best team win.