Athletic Soccer Club Ajax...have completed training session available to each coach, these training sessions will have everything that the coach needs but may be tailored in any way

Athletic Soccer Club Ajax

Coaches Development

Curriculum

Respect yourself, your opponent and the Game! Page 2

Table of Contents

Page #

Chapter 1 Coach(es) Development Curriculum 3

APPENDIX Coach Evaluation 14


Chapter 1

Coach(es) Development Curriculum


Introduction:

Coach John Wooden has been quoted thousands upon thousands of times but perhaps Coach

Wooden’s most humble and most influential quote is: “In the eyes of most observes my title is

“Coach” Wooden, but this is not what I would list first on my resume or business card. From my

earliest years I have viewed my primary job as one of educating others: I am a teacher.” We

must view ourselves in this manner; teacher-coach, we are teaching the beautiful game to the

youth of this nation and as a teacher we have a responsibility to ensure we are doing right by our

players. Just as teachers demand their students to continue learning outside the walls of school,

we demand our players to continue learning outside our training sessions. As a teacher-coach, if

we demand our players to continue learning, we must also continue learning to ensure training,

teaching and learning does not become stagnant. Thus, ASC Ajax will require each coach to

obtain a certain number of Coaching Education hours per year, certain Coaching Licenses per

stage and a certain number of assessments per year. We will emulate to our players what it

means to be proper students of the game.

ASC AJAX COACHING DEVELOPMENT DIAGRAM

Development

Stages: Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 Stage 4 Stage 5

Age Groups: U4-U6 U7-U9 U10-U12 U13-U15 U16-U18

Coaching Hours

Per Year: 50-75 75-125 150-250 150-300 150-350

Training Sessions

Per Week: 1 1-2 2 2-3 3-4

Length of

Training Session: 30-45 minutes 60-75 minutes 75-90 minutes 90-120 minutes 90-120 minutes

Players Per Team: 6 10-12 13-15 18-22 18-22

Coach Education

Hours Per Year:

20 30 40 40 40

Coaching

Assessments One per Season 2-3 per Season 3-4 per Season 3-4 per Season 3-4 per Season

Coaching License

Level:

USSF Youth

Certificate or

NSCAA Level 1

USSF E or

NSCAA Level 2-3

USSF National D

or NSCAA Level

4-6

USSF National D

or NSCAA

National Diploma

USSF National C

or NSCAA

Advanced

National Diploma

or Higher


Stage 1 and 2 Coaching

Expectations for a Stage 1 and 2 Coach:

Stage 1 & 2 coaches are coaches that coach the age groups 4-9 years of ages. These coaches will

more than likely have less experience with the game of soccer and be volunteers because they

want to be involved with their child’s sports experience. Stage 1 and 2 coaches are required to

attend club sponsored coaches training sessions once per month for the first 6 months as a coach

in ASC Ajax. The Technical Director of Coaching will observe at least one training session per

month for the first season. The Technical Director of Coaching will discuss the observations with

the coach, good, bad and indifferent, immediately following the training session and assist the

coach with any correction that may be required. Stage 1 and 2 coaches will need to demonstrate

their understanding of the following aspects of ASC Ajax’s coaching philosophy:

Developing a training plan with the four major components; (1) technical warm-up (2)

technical small sided activity (3) tactical (principles of play) expanded small sided

activity and (4) the final game that incorporates the technical and tactical (principles of

play) aspects of the practice.

Be able to define and implement the three aspects of ASC Ajax’s coaching philosophy;

(1) sequential (2) compound and (3) specific training; as these are a key component to the

players’ individual development as well as the team’s collective development.

Be able to define and implement ASC Ajax’s “Four Corner Model” of training; (1)

technical (2) tactical (3) physically and psychological as this will be an expectation for

training to assist players and teams to perform at that maximal best.

The technical components that Stage 1 and 2 coaches must be able to properly demonstrate and

teach for outfield players are as follows:

“Skill Model” that the club has adopted (deceptive move, actual skill and explosive

movement).

Dribbling with all parts of foot (inside, outside, laces and sole)

Two deceptive skills: shoulder fake and fake strike.

Example skills: step-over turns, Maradona turns, Cryuff turns, inside hook, outside chop,

pull back turn, v-cut outside push, single scissors with opposite foot push or same foot

drag , Mathews, pull roll behind, foundation, toe touches, triangle, inside and outside roll

ups and over’s, base move, Redondo.

Juggling; foot and thighs to include ways to pick ball off ground with feet, i.e. pull roll

up.

Ball striking with the inside and instep of the foot

Jockeying and tackling (poke and block tackle) during individual defending


The technical components that the Stage 1 and 2 coaches must be able to properly

demonstrate and teach for goalkeepers are as follows:

Four basic technical ball collection methods; (1) collect ball off ground (2) basket catch

(3) “W” or contour catch (high and to the side) and (4) front smother

Two basic tactical movements (1) angle arc and (2) ball line

Two individual dynamic movements (1) drop step and (2) shuffle

Methods of distribution (1) punting (2) baseball/overhead throw, (3) bowling and (4) goal

kicks

The tactical components (principles of play) that Stage 1 and 2 coaches should be able to clearly

define will purely be based off the actual stage and ability (soccer age) in which that coach is

coaching. The coach should intimately know their players and team and their overall ability in

order to best implement the proper level of tactical (principles of play) instruction.

The “Five Stage Player Development Curriculum” will assist the coach with understanding the

requirements of each specific stage and what level of tactical (principles of play) instruction

should be taught. The “Coaching Handbook” should primarily be used for the technical

development of the individual player and how they are implemented into the team environment.

How ASC Ajax will Assist the Stage 1 and 2 Coach:

ASC Ajax will assist the Stage 1 and 2 coaches in developing a complete understanding of and

ability to perform the following:

How to develop and execute a successful training plan

How to successfully incorporate ASC Ajax’s three aspects of the coaching philosophy;

sequential, compounding and specific training into training sessions

How to successfully incorporate the ASC Ajax’s “Four Corner Model”; technically,

tactically (principles of play), physically and psychologically

How to successfully demonstrate and teach the three parts of the “Skill Model”;

deceptive move, actual skill and explosive movement

How to successfully demonstrate and teach the proper techniques of ball striking with the

inside and instep of foot

How to successfully demonstrate and teach the proper basic goalkeeping collection

methods, tactical movements, dynamic movements and distribution methods

As previously stated ASC Ajax will hold monthly training sessions for all coaches; these training

sessions will be 2-4 hours in duration. The aforementioned topics will be discussed and

demonstrated in depth so that each coach has a clear understanding of their expectation. A youth

team will be provided and each coach will be assigned 4-5 player that they will be coaching


during the training session (except for the topics of developing and executing a practice plan, the

three aspects of ASC Ajax’s coaching philosophy and the ASC Ajax Four Corner Model; those

will be given and executed by the coaches only). As was also stated earlier, the first 6 months as

an ASC Ajax coach you will be required to attend the monthly training sessions.

The Technical Director of Coaching will observe training session and provide immediate

feedback and instruction. The Technical Director of Coaching and coach will determine a

specific plan of action that best suits the needs of the coach in moving forwards in order to obtain

and maintain success. ASC Ajax will have a “Coaches Repository”; the Coaches Repository will

have completed training session available to each coach, these training sessions will have

everything that the coach needs but may be tailored in any way to meet the specific requirements

of that practice. ASC Ajax will also have various links for training ideas and activities that will

also be available within the “Coaches Repository”. ASC Ajax will have a YouTube Channel that

has every technical component of the game (skill, ball striking, goalkeeper technique, individual

defending, etc.) broken down step-by-step so that the coach can have a visual aid when teaching

technique to their players. The coach can visit the channel or new skill ideas that they may want

to incorporate into their training sessions if the team is ready for advancement or for the use of

“homework” given to their players to better increase ball control.

Licenses and Certifications of a Stage 1 and 2 Coach:

ASC Ajax will require that each Stage 1 and 2 coach obtain, at minimum, a USSF Youth

Certificate, USSF E or NSCAA Level 1-3 Diploma and at least one coach per team obtain an

NSCAA Goalkeeping Level 1 Diploma within the first year as a coach in the club. ASC Ajax

will partner with USSF and NSCAA and schedule courses for the Club coaches, at minimum,

twice per year in addition to the Club sponsored coaches training sessions. These courses will be

for the coach’s benefit and will assist them in their own development which in turn will assist

with the overall development of the Club.

Stage 3 and 4 Coaching

Expectations for a Stage 3 and 4 Coach:

Stage 3 and 4 coaches are coaches that coach the age groups of 10-15 years of age. This coach

will typically have 5-10 years of coaching experience. Stage 3 and 4 coaches will be required to

attend club sponsored coaches training sessions, at minimum, once every three months. The

Technical Director of Coaching will observe training sessions, at minimum, once per month. The

Technical Director of Coaching will discuss the observations with the coach, good, bad and


indifferent, immediately following the training session and assist the coach with any correction

that may be required. Stage 3 and 4 coaches will need to demonstrate their understanding of the

following aspects of ASC Ajax’s coaching philosophy:

Successfully utilize the training plan and progress the training plan and coordinate the

four components of the practice plan (technical warm-up, technical small sided activity,

tactical (principles of play) expanded small sided activity and the final game).

Successfully incorporate and establish the three aspects of ASC Ajax’s coaching

philosophy (sequential, compound and specific training)

Successfully incorporate and establish ASC Ajax’s “Four Corner Model” (technical,

tactical, physical and psychological).

Stage 3 and 4 coaches should be able to clearly demonstrate and teach all technical components

for outfield players that the Stage 1 and 2 coaches can with the addition of a few more complex

technical and tactical (principles of play) components as follows:

Third and final deceptive move; hip swivel

Ball striking with the outside of the foot

Example skills: double scissors with push or drag, elastico, reverse elastico, cap and half

Cruyff Maradona turn, Brazilian toe touches, double pull roll behinds

Start combining skills to make sequences more complex; i.e. fake strike v-cut outside

push with scissors and step-over or shoulder fake scissors and elastico

Juggling: introduce the head and start teaching tricks (around the world, foot to thigh to

shoulder to head to shoulder to thigh to foot, etc.) new pick up skills, i.e. rainbow or roll

over pop up

Stage 3 and 4 coaches should be able to clearly demonstrate and teach all technical components

for goalkeepers that Stage 1 and 2 coaches can with the addition of a few more complex

technical and tactical (principles of play) components as follows:

Tipping, Punching and Boxing

Tactical movements: approach for flank play/corner kicks, breakaway and 50/50 balls

Individual dynamic movements: power step (vertical and horizontal)

Methods of distribution (1) drop kick, (2) sling throw and (3) back pass

The tactical (principles of play) components that Stage 3 and 4 coaches should be able to clearly

define will purely be based off the actual stage and ability (soccer age) in which that coach is

coaching. The coach should intimately know their players and team and their overall ability in

order to best implement the proper level of tactical (principles of play) instruction.


requirements of each specific stage and what level of tactical instruction should be taught. The


“Coaching Handbook” should primarily be used for the technical development of the individual

player and how they are implemented into the team environment.

How ASC Ajax will Assist the Stage 3 and 4 Coach:

ASC Ajax will assist the Stage 3 and 4 coaches in continuing to develop as a coach and their

understanding of the game. ASC Ajax will accomplish this in the following:

How to successfully progress the practice plan from warm-up to the final game

How to successfully establish ASC Ajax’s three aspects of the coaching philosophy;

sequential, compounding and specific training into training sessions

How to successfully establish the ASC Ajax’s “Four Corner Model”; technically,

tactically, physically and psychologically

How to successfully demand and expect the three parts of the “Skill Model”; deceptive

move, actual skill and explosive movement and advance the player to combining skills

How to successfully demand and expect the proper techniques of ball striking with the

inside, instep and outside of foot and advance the player to striking the ball second and

third time

How to successfully demand and expect the proper basic goalkeeping collection methods,

tactical movements, dynamic movements and distribution methods as well as progress the

goalkeeper with advanced skills

How to instill the Club’s attacking and defending style of play. Attacking style of play; a

combination of possession and total football. Defending style of play; extreme high

pressure

As previously stated ASC Ajax will hold monthly training sessions for all coaches; the training






will be given and executed by the coaches only). As was also stated earlier, as an intermediate

coach you will be required to attend the monthly training session at least every three months.


feedback and instruction. At this time the Technical Director of Coaching and coach will

determine a specific plan of action that best suits the needs of the coach in moving forwards in

order to obtain and maintain success. ASC Ajax will have a “Coaches Repository”; the Coaches

Repository will have completed training session available to each coach, these training sessions

will have everything that the coach needs but may be tailored in any way to meet the specific


requirements of that training session. ASC Ajax will also have various links for training ideas

and activities that will also be available within the “Coaches Repository”. ASC Ajax will also

have a YouTube Channel that has every technical component of the game (skill, ball striking,

goalkeeper technique, individual defending, etc.) broken down step-by-step so that the coach can

have a visual aid when teaching technique to their players. The coach can visit the Channel for

new skill ideas that they may want to incorporate into their training sessions if the team is ready

for advancement or for the use of “homework” given to their players to better increase ball

control.

Licenses and Certifications of a Stage 3 and 4 Coach:

ASC Ajax will require that each Stage 3 and 4 coach obtain, at minimum, a USSF National D or

NSCAA National Diploma and at least one coach per team obtain an NSCAA Goalkeeping

Level 2 Diploma. ASC Ajax will partner with USSF and NSCAA and schedule courses for the

Club coaches, at minimum, twice per year in addition to the Club sponsored coaches training

sessions. These courses will be for the coach’s benefit and will assist them in their own

development which in turn will assist with the overall development of the Club.

Stage 5 Coaching

Expectations for a Stage 5 Coach:

The Stage 5 coaches are coaches that coach the age groups of 16-18 years of age. Stage 5

coaches will more than likely have10 plus years of coaching experience. Stage 5 coaches will be

required to attend club sponsored coaches training sessions, at minimum, once every three

months. The Technical Director of Coaching will observe training sessions, at minimum, once

per month. The Technical Director of Coaching will discuss the observations with the coach,

good, bad and indifferent, immediately following the training session and assist the coach with

any correction that may be required. Stage 5 coaches will need to demonstrate their

understanding of the following aspects of ASC Ajax’s coaching philosophy:

Successfully determine the areas of need for the team and progress and coordinate a

training plan with the four components (technical warm-up, technical small sided

activity, tactical (principles of play) expanded small sided activity and the final game).

Successfully establish and expound the three aspects of ASC Ajax’s coaching philosophy

(sequential, compound and specific training)

Successfully establish and expound the ASC Ajax’s “Four Corner Model” (technical,

tactical, physical and psychological).


Successfully establish the Club’s Attacking and Defending Styles of Play

Stage 5 coaches should be able to clearly demonstrate and teach all technical components for

outfield players of the previous Stages with the addition of a few more complex technical

components and tactical (principles of play) as follows:

Multiple deceptive skills

Ball striking with each foot

Example Skills: double step over, double pull roll behinds, pull inside/pull outside/pull

roll behind, Redondo spin, Maradona pull turns, partner pull, roll and pass

Continue combining skills with more complexity; i.e. hip swivel step over with fake

strike v-cut outside push with Maradona pull turn

Juggling: incorporate head, thigh, chest and foot and continue to teach tricks (catch on

back of neck) new pick up skills, i.e. slam on ground or roll up calf

Stage 5 coaches should be able to clearly demonstrate and teach all technical and tactical

(principles of play) components for goalkeepers of the previous Stages with the addition of a few

more complex technical and tactical (principles of play) components as follows:

When to catch and when to tip, punch or box

Tactical movements: setting wall for free kicks, setting defense for corner kicks (in

swinger vs. out swinger) and setting defense for breakaways or numbers down situations

Individual dynamic movements: when and how to use all three from previous coaching

steps

Methods of distribution (1) back pass (when to use feet vs. hands) and (2) first time

clearing

The tactical (principles of play) components that Stage 5 coaches should be able to clearly define

will purely be based off the actual stage and ability (soccer age) in which that coach is coaching.

The coach should intimately know their players and team and their overall ability in order to best

implement the proper level of tactical (principles of play) instruction.


requirements of each specific stage and what level of tactical instruction should be taught. The

“Coaching Handbook” should primarily be used for the technical development of the individual

player and how they are implemented into the team environment.

How ASC Ajax will Assist a Stage 5 Coach:

ASC Ajax will assist Stage 5 coaches in continuing to develop as a coach and their

understanding of the game. ASC Ajax will accomplish this in the following:


How to link the teams developmental needs and progress the training plan from warm-up

to the final game

How to expound ASC Ajax’s three aspects of the coaching philosophy; sequential,

compounding and specific training into training sessions

How to expound ASC Ajax’s “Four Corner Model”; technically, tactically, physically

and psychologically

How to expound the three parts of the “Skill Model”; deceptive move, actual skill and

explosive movement and advance the player to combining skills

How to expound the proper techniques of ball striking with the inside, instep and outside

of foot and advance the player to striking the ball first time

How to successfully expound the proper basic goalkeeping collection methods, tactical

movements, dynamic movements and distribution methods as well as progress the

goalkeeper with advanced technical and tactical skills

As previously stated ASC Ajax will hold monthly training sessions for all coaches; the training






will be given and executed by the coaches only). As was also stated earlier, as an intermediate

coach you will be required to attend the monthly training session at least every three months.


feedback and instruction. At this time the Technical Director of Coaching and coach will

determine a specific plan of action that best suits the needs of the coach in moving forwards in

order to obtain and maintain success. ASC Ajax will have a “Coaches Repository”; the Coaches

Repository will have completed training session available to each coach, these training sessions

will have everything that the coach needs but may be tailored in any way to meet the specific

requirements of that training session. ASC Ajax will also have various links for training ideas

and activities that will also be available within the “Coaches Repository”. ASC Ajax will also

have a YouTube Channel that has every technical component of the game (skill, ball striking,

goalkeeper technique, individual defending, etc.) broken down step-by-step so that the coach can

have a visual aid when teaching technique to their players. The coach can visit the Channel for

new skill ideas that they may want to incorporate into their training sessions if the team is ready

for advancement or for the use of “homework” given to their players to better increase ball

control.


Licenses and Certifications of a Stage 5 Coach:

ASC Ajax will require that each Stage 5 coach obtain, at minimum, a USSF National C or

NSCAA Advanced National Diploma or higher and at least one coach per team obtain an

NSCAA Goalkeeping Level 3 Diploma or higher. ASC Ajax will partner with USSF and

NSCAA and schedule courses for the Club coaches, at minimum, twice per year in addition to

the Club sponsored coaches training sessions. These courses will be for the coach’s benefit and

will assist them in their own development which in turn will assist with the overall development

of the Club.


Coach’s Evaluation Sheet

ASC COACH EVALUATION

Development Stage Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 Stage 4 Stage 5

Biological Age 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

When evaluating the coach you will use a scale of 0-5; 0 = does not understand technique; 1 = limited

understanding of technique; 2 = basic understanding of technique and can perform with assistance; 3 =

understanding of technique and can perform with limited assistance; 4 = can explain and demonstrate

technique without assistance and 5 = mastery of technique

DRIBBLING TECHNIQUE

Inside Chop/Outside

Hook

Adv. Turn (i.e. Cruyff)

Dibbling Basic (inside /

outside)

Running with Ball

(laces)

Feints and Fakes

Escaping and Beating

an Opponent

PASSING TECHNIQUE

Ground (5-10 yards)

Ground (10-20 yards)

Ground (25 + yards)

Ground (driven)

Lofted Pass (chip)

Lofted Pass (long)

Bent Pass (inside)

Bent Pass (outside)


Crossing

RECEIVING TECHNIQUE

Inside of Foot

Outside of Foot

Sole of Foot

Thigh

Chest

Heading (defensive and

attacking)

BALL STRIKING (SHOOTING)

Inside of Foot

Outside of Foot

Instep

Half Volley

Full Volley

1v1 with Goalkeeper

PHYSICAL TECHNIQUE

Body Weight Exercises

Core Strength &

Flexibility

Dynamic Warm-UP

MENTALITY

Positive Demeanor

Constructive

Teach-ability

Knowledge &

Understanding


Behavior

ATTACKING PRICIPLES OF PLAY (ROLES)

Individual 1v1

Paired Attack (2v2)

Group Attack (4v4)

Team Attack

Support with and

without Ball

Attacking from Wide

Play

Transition Play

Finishing

Positional Play

DEFENSIVE PRINCIPLES OF PLAY (ROLES)

Individual 1v1 –

Pressure

Defending in Pairs

(2v2) - Pressure/Cover

Group Defending (4v4)

-

Pressure/Cover/Balance

Team Defending –

Compactness

Marking

Recovery

Counter Attack -

Transition

Positional Play

GOALKEEPING


Catching Techniques

Diving

Distribution

Advanced Technique -

punch, tipping, etc.

Positioning and

Footwork

SET PLAYS

Throw-In

Free Kick -

Direct/Indirect

Goal Kick

Corner Kick

Penalties

Restarts

UNDERSTANDING OF GAME

Proper Equipment

Field Dimension, Goal

Sizes & Ball Sizes

Fair Play

Sportsmanship

Rules - Offside,

Advantage,

Gamesmanship, etc.

Documents

Athletic Soccer Club Ajax...have completed training session available to each coach, these training sessions will have everything that the coach needs but may be tailored in any way