AYSO National Coaching Program

Maximizing Coaching Moments with Young Players

Workshop Objectives

• Review a systematic approach to train players

• Discuss Free Play and understand how it benefits coaches and players

• Discuss coaching moments methods

Our Goal: Help players learn more

rapidly and efficiently

Teaching/Coaching Techniques

There are required STEPS that a coach must follow in order to be an effective teacher/coach…

10 Step Teaching Technique

STEPS 1-5

1. State the tactical objective of what you are trying to accomplish

2. Demonstrate the skill, activity or game3. Involve new players - let the players try it4. Get all remaining players involved5. Analyze level of play and skills being used by players…

STEPS 6-10

6. Evaluate level of effort, commitment to training.7. Are the training groups balanced?8. Circulate and correct (use assistant coaches to

supervise play and keep the organization going)9. Make corrections as needed using Positive

Instruction and Encouragement (PIE)10. Communicate individual instructions, using concepts

of psychological motivation (remember, they are kids - don’t embarrass them)…

10 Step Teaching Technique

Considerations for Games and Activities

• Age and skill appropriate• A reason to play (tactical objective)• A person or team who finishes first

(competition)• Manageable groups (number of groups)• Restrictions (grids, touch, time)• Consequences• Work to establish a match-type situation• Coaching points and corrections• Re-evaluation• Able to transfer training to the game…• Make it FUN

Teaching Solutions to Match Problems• Use games/activities to create match conditions

– Requires organization to repeatedly execute a specific skill and/or tactic

• Teach by using the concept of Build Up– Go from the simple to the complex– Think static to achieve technical ability and move

to dynamic as quickly as possible– Communicate in a language appropriate for the

age group– Use coaching moments to correct or validate

performance

• Make the players think (mental activation)

Evaluating Players

• Why do we evaluate players?– Assess abilities and knowledge– Assess what they have learned– To make adjustments to our training plans

• How can we create an opportunity to evaluate our players’ abilities to execute a certain skill or task?

Use FREE PLAY to observe

What is FREE PLAY?

Condition where individuals play withminimal restrictions on time or space

• Players are given general directions on time or space• Players are given general directions on what they should

attempt to accomplish and then left on their own• Players should play hard and stop when rest is warranted• Free play allows players to develop natural abilities in…..

a relaxed, coach-free environment

Benefits of Free Play

• Avoids wasting time organizing lines, capturing wandering players, etc.

• Gives players freedom and encourages creativity

• Allows learning through mistakes• During free play, players avoid others, seek

open space, and become more aware of the action around them

• The kids have FUN!

A coach’s observational powers will increase as they are forced to isolate action in a group

When to Use Free Play

• Pre-Warm Up– Prepare players for the technical warm-up– Set the tone for the training session

• As an activity or scrimmage– Gives the coach an opportunity to assess

LET THEM PLAY……so you can observe what they have

learned

• In order to Succeed:

– Create a Quality Plan that includes:

• Training focus, 10 Steps, Free Play, & Match

play

– Plan for Fun and have FUN!

– Communicate with the parents

• Expectations, Goals, Strategy, etc…

Preparation and Implementation

Coaching Moment Methods

• What do we mean?– Opportunities during training to teach or validate our

players’ performance

• Four Methods– Forced Stoppage– Natural Stoppage– Flow– Individual Reference

The 4 Methods

• Forced Stoppage– Freeze play---Get In---Make your point---Get Out– Most intrusive as it breaks the flow of play

• Natural Stoppage– Use break in play to teach while player reset– As in forced stoppages get in and get out

• Flow– Talking as the game is playing; Avoid constant commentary

• Individual Reference– Pull player aside to make observations

Avoid Lengthy Speeches

Keep Instructions Simple

Summary

If a coach understands how to teach using:

• The ten (10) step Teaching Technique• Free Play• Coaching Moment Methods• FUN, Quality, and Communication

Coaches, Players and the Game WIN!

Maximizing Coaching Moments with Young Players

Any questions?

Thank You!...