|| COACHING

Written by Dr . Nicholas Skirka // Kingsborough Community College

INTRODUCTION

I enjoyed reading the Summer 2023 Soccer Journal and would like to chime in on the topic of coaching youth soccer . One author that captured my attention was Jessica Kamnikar , who posited that soccer creates an environment to develop not only players but people as well . The other author that captured my attention was Mike Lynch , who envisions soccer coaching as a profession like teaching . He feels that coaches are responsible for providing an environment that includes physical activity , teamwork , building character and having fun playing . My career has included being a player , coach , physical education teacher and athletic administrator . As a result , I would like to share my perspective on coaching youth soccer .

TECHNICAL SKILLS

The foundation of how to play any sport starts with learning the skills . Without the required skills , you can ’ t be creative and enjoy playing the game . Motivating the players has to be one of the primary goals for a coach to achieve . If the players are motivated and buy into the team concept , then the coach can just let them play . That ’ s when coaching / teaching becomes fun . The skills that need to be learned are ball juggling , passing , shooting , dribbling , proper tackling , ball control , trapping and goalkeeper skills . I specifically left out heading for the purpose of ensuring it is done safely . To learn the proper technique , I would start heading in practice at about 12 years old for boys and 14 years old for girls . This would be done by tossing a slightly deflated ball in practice to soften the impact on the head . The reason for teaching proper heading technique in practice is to try to prevent injuries when players head the ball in games .

TACTICAL SKILLS

Once players learn the skills of soccer , they can be applied in drills and small tactical games . The combination of using technical skills in small-sided games is necessary to learn how to play soccer . Playing small-sided games with proper progression is a good starting point to learning tactics . It would be appropriate to start with 4v4 plus goalies . This small-sided game has two defenders and two forwards — all the players play defense and offense . The takeaways of this tactical game are : the players are involved , there is no standing around , and you develop an effective support system to score goals and defend .

The next progression would be 6v6 with goalies . This small-sided game includes using a formation with defenders , midfielders and attacking players . The next progression would be 9v9 with goalies . This game teaches players to play on a larger field . The last progression would be to play 11v11 with goalies on a full field . When you combine technical skills with small-sided tactical games , the players will also improve physical and psychological conditioning . When implementing proper progression and sequencing in coaching / teaching youth soccer , make sure to be aware of player readiness for the activity , developmental abilities and physical / emotional capabilities .

PSYCHOLOGICAL COMPONENT

Regarding the psychological component of sports , players should display traits that include confidence , motivation , focus , discipline , responsibility and teamwork . As a player , some of the reasons I enjoyed playing soccer were being part of a group , the physical fitness and health benefits , and social development . One of the reasons I played soccer was because I enjoyed the challenges the game presented . When I won or lost a game , I always assessed the values learned from each situation , then moved on to the next game . As a youth coach , I also learned about parent expectations for their children in soccer . I learned to play “ fair ” players in at least half of the game — that would prepare them to fill in for the above-average or elite player when they did not show for a game . I also became aware that “ fair ” players felt psychological and / or physical pressure by halftime and needed to be substituted . I once had to substitute the most skilled player , who was overweight , because his face turned beet red by halftime . I explained to the father that I was concerned about his son ’ s physical health . The father said he was working with a nutritionist and understood my decision . Making substitutions in games can be an issue that needs to be handled properly .

PHYSICAL COMPONENT

Soccer is probably one of the most physically demanding sports . It requires cardiorespiratory fitness which includes aerobic and anaerobic fitness . Aerobic fitness means a player has the endurance to jog and run for the full 90 minutes in a game . Anaerobic fitness means how many sprints a player is able to perform in a 90- minute game . Soccer fitness requires developing both of these components . Aerobic fitness is tested with the “ Cooper Test ” developed by Dr . Kenneth Cooper . To be considered aerobically fit you need to complete two miles jogging , running or walking in 12 minutes . Anaerobically , players are required to sprint around 30-40 times in a game and train for speed , acceleration and agility . This fitness level is required of professional players ; youth players would not be required to reach this fitness level yet . Youth soccer players will have fun and a positive experience learning about these physical fitness components .

SUMMARY

As coaches of youth and club teams , we understand that some players will not attend a soccer academy or play college soccer . I say this to ease the expectations of parents who demand their children receive a college scholarship . As coaches , we must remember to be player-centered and develop soccer players , as people , to be good citizens in society . I attended a United Soccer Coaches ( at that time the NSCAA ) sport psychology clinic and a women ’ s coach asked the audience what she could do to convince a girl ( 15 years old ) to become a professional soccer player . I raised my hand and answered , “ Let her make the decision .” As coaches , we need to understand that life is diverse and young people have many career choices . As soccer coaches and teachers , we play a significant role in preparing our players for their future . n

12 | Soccer Journal