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 Byte Size Coaching can give coaches the tools they need to succeed.
The Byte Size Coaching program has been set up by the SYSA to offer coaches of teams at all ages and levels of play access to hundreds of printable soccer drills and practice plans. While this program is a tremendous support tool for coaches, coaches should still look into further developing their coaching and teaching skills through the Community Coach Certification Program as well as SYSA Coaching Seminars put on by SYSA Technical Director, Dave Irvine.
Did you know that…Over 60% of the children playing soccer in North America are under the age of 12. Paradoxically, over 75% of the coaches in North America coach this age group. How come? Small-sided programs are the basis of house league play and have one coach and an assistant or co-coach with squads of 6 - 8 players (as opposed to 11-a-side with squads of 14 plus players). As well, there is a high turnover of coaches in the younger age group.
We believe that between the Coaching Clinics and Seminars run through the Pegasus Development Academy and access to Byte Size Coaching as a supplemental tool, the SYSA will begin to reduce that by making the coaching of soccer a more rewarding and fun experience for the coach as well as the player.
It is important to note that there is a lot of difference between reading and looking at a practice plan and actually executing one on the field. Coaches should take time to plan for all of the factors that may effect your practice, such as:
Number of players at the practice (also be ready for more or less!)
- Time available for practice
- Space available for practice
- Equipment needed available
- Weather conditions (if applicable)
Repetition of the fundamental skills of the game is essential. While some players may complain about repetition (“Why do we have to do this again?!”), it has been proven that repetition is the key to mastery.
Feel free to explore practice plans of older and younger age groups to build your base of ideas. Even professional teams still perform some of the practices found in the U7 plans because they are simple and provide a change of pace from the more complicated activities. This keeps the training environment in a state of constant change and that in turn, keeps players tuned in.
When using these practice plans don’t be afraid of inserting your own ideas to make the games and activities more fun, more difficult, or simpler depending on the progress of your players. Use your imagination, be creative, design your own games or practice using these plans as a foundation.
Beware of any exercises that keep players in lines or waiting for their turn. If you have an assistant coach or two, get a couple of practice areas going at the same. Try to make sure you use every minute of your practice time to the maximum.
These plans cover all aspects of the fundamentals of the game and should provide you with a good base of ideas to work from. They should help you in your preparation for your team’s practices and consequently play a positive role in your team’s preparation for games. However, hopefully this program goes even farther than that and facilitates the development of your own ideas and training methods.
It has been my pleasure to work with Tony Waiters to establish this customized program for all SYSA team coaches.
Please feel free to contact me by e-mail for your user name and password to gain immediate access to this site.
I wish you the best with your coaching in the 2006/2007 season!
Yours in Soccer,
Dave Irvine
SYSA Technical Director
Email David Irvine
Learn to play... play to learn!
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