Kirkwood Soccer Club Player Development Philosophy

Kirkwood Soccer Club

Player Development Philosophy

Purpose Present ideas/ discussions for the

designing a player development philosophy for your club/ league

Understand the value of long term development versus short term

WHAT IS PLAYER DEVELOPMENT?

Player development demands that the player is central to alldecisions made regarding training and competition.Coaches need to consider how the issues of player development influence their philosophy of coaching. Decisions made about what is best for a young player have far reaching amplifications as the player grows older.

Does winning championships at ten years old translate into winning championships at twenty

years old?

WHAT IS PLAYER DEVELOPMENT?

Do you have REALISTIC expectations for your players?

Does your philosophy reflect their age as well as their physical and psychological maturity?

To understand player development, you must first have a coaching

philosophy

• What’s yours?

• Why are you hear?

• What do you hope to achieve?

Why Do Kids Participate? Competence

(Learning and Improving)

Affiliation (Being a part of a group)

Fitness (physical health and development)

FUN (Enjoying performance and relationships)

How Do Players Learn?

They receive information and process it in order of importance.(LISTEN)

They block out unnecessary cues – attend to the most important.(FOCUS)

They concentrate on the execution of decisions they have made.

(DECIDE)They initiate the execution of mechanics from that decision.

(DO IT)

Coaches should talk to players in a language that players will understand.

Why They Stop?

Lack of Playing Time (A) Overemphasis on Winning

(A) Other Activities are more

interesting/fun Lack of Fun (A) Coaching Behaviors (A) Dissatisfaction with

performance (A) Lack of Social Support (A)

“For some reason, adults – some who can’t even kick a ball – think it’s perfectly okay to scream at children while they’re playing soccer. How normal would it seem if a mother gave a six-year-old some crayons and a coloring book and started screaming? “Use the red crayon! Stay in the lines! Don’t use yellow!” You think that child would develop a passion for drawing? Most important, parents must realize that playing sports is a way for children to express themselves.”

Claudio Reyna, US World Cup Captain

Product vs. Process Learning

The Big Picture 1 in 330 go from high

school to college sports 1% (male) of High School

soccer players receive Division I scholarships

2% (female) of High School soccer players receive Division I scholarships

1 in 12,000 go from high school to pro

Not all of the children are there to win!

Losing is a part of living Lifelong Fans of the Game!

Psychology and Player Development

Know your audience of players Cognitive Development Motor Development Physical Development

Are today’s coaches empowering our players, or are they encouraging a coaching

dependency?Over-coaching is

when your players look at you for every move.

Under-coaching is when your players can’t find you.

Dr. Ron Quinn

Keys/ Questions

Development v. Results Player Qualities Flexibility- When you HAVE the ball

VERSUSWhen you DO NOT have the ball

“DEVELOPING THE YOUTH SOCCER PLAYER”

The stages for the soccer formation from 6 to 16 years of age

Bruno Redolfi Technical Director Scuola Calcio A.C. PERUGIA

One Example

A SOCCER SCHOOL SHOULD HAVE AN EFFICIENT INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM THAT INCLUDES:

• UNDERSTANDING OF PSYCO-MOTOR ABILITIES OF THE STUDENTS• UNDERSTANDING OF THE STUDENT’S CAPACITIES• TECHNICAL AND TACTICAL ASPECTS• OBJECTIVES THAT CAN BE ACHIEVED GRADUALLY• INTEGRATED MEANS AND METHODS THAT PERMIT A FLEXIBLE TRAINING SYSTEM global –inductive – deductive – analitical

ESSENTIAL ASPECTS OF TRAINING Adapt the base activity to cognitive and physiological capabilities of the students.

Always consider and stimulate the demands that come from the group in order to set up activities already established during planning stages.

Within the younger age groups of the soccer school propose situations that stimulate creativity and originality, motor results and/or personal technical-tactical results. Estimation of the quality may necessity corrections.

Proceed with continuous and progressive activities based on a scale that goes from the simple to complex, from the “known” to the “new”.

Guarantee a multilateral formation with motor skills base that are as wide as possible in relation to the age group to be considered.

Cosider the student the absolute protagonist of the activity.

2THE FIRST NECESSITY

MAXIMIZE THE INDIVIDUAL TECHNICAL DEVELOPMENT

IMPROVE THE TECHNICAL TO TEACH THE TACTICAL

IMPROVE THE INDIVIDUAL TO IMPROVE THE GROUP

TRAIN THE MOTOR CAPACITIES

TRAIN THE COORDINATIVE CAPACITIES (within the age group of 6-11 years of age)

TRAIN PHYSICAL CONDITIONING CAPACITIES (the physical characteristics, working specifically from 13-14 years of age)

FORMATION STAGES

This categorization should naturally be flexibe. Biological maturity should be taken into account when considering the players formative stages.

General Preparation from 6 to 10 y/o

Initial Specialization from 10 to 12 y/o

Specialization Finalized from 12 to 14 y/o

Sportive Perfection and Completion from 14 to 16 y/o

3TECHNICAL GUIDELINES

Technique satisfies the tactical objectives which vary because in a game of soccer situations are never identical. Techniques become an instrument available to the player to resolve flowing problems within the unfolding of the play. In soccer the technique is the achievement that will allow the solution of the situational-tactical objectives. A player should know: WHAT TO DO? – HOW TO DO IT?– WHERE AND WHEN TO DO IT? – WHY DO IT? ASSUMED FOR THE UNDERSTANDING OF THE TECHNIQUE

• Social environment: the child will accomplish better results if the surrounding social environment is

positively stimulating (family, friends, managers, instructors)

• Language: the relationship between the student and the instructor needs to be simple, punctual, and age appropriate for the child

• Feedback: internal and external (only he who is in a position to try the technical gesture can benefit from

the sensory information and feedback)

• External conditions: understanding of assigned tasks (motor) always starting from the simple with the adaptation to the learning level

• Initial motor-level: the motor-experience precedent experienced, favor the learning process (not to forget the hereditary factor)

• Motivation to learn: they succeed to learn gestures and movements, not only to understand but also if it

is motivated and disposed correctly

• Understanding of assigned tasks: the student has to be able to understand what has to be done, he needs to be able to do it right and no difficult tasks have to be proposed. This will help to complete the technical development

• Role of the instructor: fundamental. In order to render the student self-sufficient and independent

10DEFINITION OF “TECHNIQUE”

PICCOLI AMICI (6-8 YEARS OLD) DEVELOP THE NEEDS AND THE MODALITY OF MOVEMENT UTILIZING THE BALL AS A TOOL THE ACTIVITY SHOULD FOCUS EXCLUSIVELY ON COORDINATION AND BALANCE OF MOVEMENT PROCESS TO START SOCIALIZING IN WHICH THE EGOCENTRIC PUSH OF EACH CHILD IS STRONG PULCINI (8-10 YEARS OLD) ACTIVITY MORE SPECIFIC EXCERCISES WITH SPACES SUITABLE TO THE PHYSICAL AND TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF EACH STUDENT ALLOW EVERYONE TO HAVE NECESSARY COMPETITIVE EXPERIENCES FOR A PSYCHO-MOTOR GROWTH OPPORTUNITY THE COMPETITION REPRESENTS THE MEASURE OF THEIR OWN KNOWLEDGE AND BY THE TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE

POSSESSED KNOW HOW TO CONNECT WITH TEAMMATES AND OPPONENTS MAJOR DESIRE OF DIALOG AND COLLABORATION ESORDIENTI (10-12 YEARS OLD) THE ACTIVITY ALWAYS EVOLVES MORE TOWARDS TECHNIQUES THAT COME FROM THE AGONISTIC COMPETITION ENHANCE THE VALUE OF WHO POSSESS GOOD MOTOR POTENTIALITY GUARANTEE EVERYONE A FAIR TECHNICAL GROWTH INTERVENE ON THE ATHLETES THAT SHOW SLOW GROWTH (ESPECIALLY WITHIN THE PHYSICAL NATURE)

GIOVANISSIMI (12-14 YEARS OLD) FULL TECHNICAL-TACTICAL KNOWLEDGE SPECIFIC PHYSICAL PREPARATION (components neuromuscular and aerobic potentiality) This category is the so-called “pyramid point” where at the base there is the so-called “scuola calcio” project. This age group represents the accomplishment of the objectives and also the quality of the work carried out through out the previous years. ALLIEVI (14-16 YEARS OLD) SOCCER MATURITY SPORTIVE COMPILATION INDIVIDUALIZED TRAINING HIGHER APPLICATIONS

13SUBDIVISION OF THE DIDACTIC ACTIVITY

14

CATEGORY PARAMATERS

TECHNICAL TACTICAL PHYSICAL

PICCOLI AMICI6-8 years

65%

Perceptive 55% - Coordinative 10%

25%Situational 15% - Tactical game 10%

Games with tactical theme thru simple situations and modified plays

10%

Motor circuits coordinative-game to improve rapidity/speed

PULCINI8-10 years

55%


Technical physical/domination with activity with the opponent and timed pressure

35%

Situational 25% - Tactical game 10%

Tactical/cognitive domination within the application of technique

10%

Technical/coordinative circuits to improve neuromuscular aspects, velocity strength and reactivity

ESORDIENTI10-12 years

45%


Technical domination with a major physical activity with an opponent and timed

pressure

40%


Problem situations in superiority of situations of numeric inferiority. Better use of technical

instruments

15%

Specific 10% - Specials 5%

Exercise with and without the ball (neuromuscular components with easy

solicitations of the aerobics potentialities)

GIOVANISSIMI12-14 years

35%


Technical improvement, from the capacity to the ability in complex game situations

40%


Tactical improvement and introduction of game modules based on:

Individual technique – Tactic department – Team tactic

25%


Qualitative answers determined on the explosive strength with solicitation on

the aerobics quality

ALLIEVI14-16 years

15%Coordinative 15%

Use of better technical gestures based on

the tactical complex situation

45%


Increase of the tactical instruments. Individual tasks. Inactive schemes. Collective

movements

40%


Solicitations aerobics and anaerobic. Strength, high and low resistance

period. Maximum strength aspects

ANNUAL PERCENTAGE OF THE ACTIVITY BASED ON THE TECHNICAL-TACTICAL-PHYSICAL PARAMETERS

16

Physical10%

Technical-Coordinative

65%

Tactical25%

Physical Technical-Coordinative Tactical

U8

Subdivision within the inside of the parameter:

TACTICAL • Situation 15%

• Tactical Game 10%

TECNICHAL• Coordinative 10%

• Perceptive 55%

PHYSICAL 10%

ANNUAL DISRTIBUTION OF WORK LOADS

25

Physical10%

Technical-Coordinative

55%

Tactical 35%

Physical Technical-Coordinative Tactical

U10

Subdivision within the inside of the parameter:

TACTICAL• Situational 10%

• Tactical game 25%

TECHNICAL• Coordinative 30%

• Perceptive 25%

PHYSICAL 10%

ANNUAL DISTRIBUTION OF WORK LOADS

35

Physical15%

Technical45%

Tactical40%

Physical Technical Tactical

U12Subdivision within the inside of the

parameter: TACTICAL• Situational 20%

• Game tactics 20%

TECHNICAL• Coordination 15%

• Perceptual 30%

PHYSICAL 15%


45

Physical30%

Coordunative-Technical

30%

Tactical40%

Physical Coordunative-Technical Tactical

U14 Subdivision within the inside of the parameter:

TACTICAL • Situational 15%

• Tactical Game 25%

TECHNICAL• Coordinative 20%

• Perceptive 10%

PHYSICAL 30%


What is your Philosophy?

How do you Apply it?

U8-U10 PLANNER

DAYS/ WEEKS I II III IV V VI VII

Themes

1 1 v 1 Attacking X X

2 1 v 1 Defending X

3 2 v 1 Attacking X

4 2 v 1 Defending X X X

5 Possession X

6 3v2 Attacking X X

7 3v2 Defending

8 Core Moves X X X X X X

9 Passing Technique X X X X X

10 Receiving Air X X

11 Receiving- First Touch X X X

12 Receiving- Turning X X X

13 Striking /Finishing X X X

14 4 v 4 X X X X X

15 6 v 6 X X

What is your training Format per Age Groups?

U6-u9- Pool Training

U10-u12 Pool Training plus Team Training

U13 and above Team Training

“Pool Training” is where players are grouped amongst players of similar ability within their age group.

“Pool Training” creates a dynamic environment where social familiarity, competition with and against each other, and constant stimulation is tailored to the age-specific needs players.

How do you Outline Skills, ex.

CONTROLA. Dribbling to beat an opponentB. Dribbling to change direction

COORDINATIONC. JugglingD. Foowork

CIRCULATIONA. PossessionB. Penetration

CARDIOC. AnaerobicD. Aerobic

What is your Style of Play per Age Group? Ex.

KSC would like to develop an Attack-Oriented Style of play. The style of play is ultimately determined by the players you have available and of course your opposition.

However, WE would like to promote within the club a style that promotes going forward with a purpose to score.

System of Play U9-u10, 1-2-1-2 U11-u12, 1-3-1-3 U13-u15, 1-4-3-3

Develop the player first Optimize team development Be progressive from u9s to u18s- there must be a common

thread from age to age in order maintain a level of development.

Players must be able to play at least 2 positions, ie


The Principles of Play for KSC are as follows:

Look forward first with accuracy and purpose. Possession is the key to scoring. Defend up field. Use possession to probe the opposition for penetrating

opportunities. Utilize ball-oriented defense within a zonal system. Quick transitions: defense to offense, offense to defense.

The game of soccer can be broken down into two (2) basic concepts:

SPACE TIME When in possession of the ball, WE want to create more

space and time on the ball. When not in possession, WE want to deny space and time on

the ball for the opposition.


When in Possession: Create more space and time!

Look to score. Utilize combination plays to maintain possession. Player movement is crucial. Be creative.

Attacking principles for an attack-oriented style: Attack with Pace. Immediately after winning the ball, look forward

first.

Utilize possession to probe with quick accurate passing. Create 2 versus 1 situations, numbers up. Transition from defense to attack needs to be quick. Define player roles and objectives when in possession.

What are your Age Targets? ex.U13 U14 U15, U16 U17, U18

Ball competence Ball competence Technical Ball Speed

Technical Ball Speed

Receiving air balls into space, add fake/ feint

Receiving air balls into space

Functional games

Functional games

Serve balls over 20-25 yards, both

feet

Serve balls off the dribble

Serving balls over 35yds

Technical Composure

Strive for personal

excellence

Strive for advancement to

RED Team

Strive for higher levels

Strive for higher levels

Knowledge of structured

games, 6:4, 7:5

Introduction to structured games,

6:4

Functional games, 9:5

Functional games, 8:8

Introduction to Zonal Defending

Fundamentals of Defending- 1st,2nd,3rd

Understand System and

Positional Roles

Knowledge of Attacking and

Defending Scenarios

Introduction to Speed of Play

Introduction to Technical Speed

Recognizing Attacking and

Defending Scenarios

Knowledge of Transitional Play

Introduction to Pattern Play

Introduction to Passing Patterns

Knowledge of Pattern Play

Changing Rhythm of Game

Systems of Play

4-4-2 / 4-4-1

Comparison

Most Common Very adaptable, diamond mfd or

att/def mfd Two Blocks/ Lines of Defs + Mfds

Could be very defensive in Nature Need to address the Two Bocks in

terms of Transition Attack from MFD or Attack from

DEF

4-3-3/ 4-5-1

Comparison

4-3-3- a developmental system 4-5-1- a mature system Could be very Attack- Oriented Could be very Defense- Oriented

Open space to exploit Closed Space and Counter Attack Attack from Wide Areas Attack from Mfd

UNIFORM PHILOSOPHY All the teams must utilize the same formation and

the head coaches (coaching staff) will have a uniform philosophy, with the same objectives. This way, when players move to the next division they will be able to adjust and facilitate the work of the head coach at that level.

1-4-3-3 1-3-4-3 1-4-2-4Note All the head coaches will master all of the above

systems, and all systems will operate under the same principles

Specialization by Lines

The first step will be to unify ways to work with the same soccer concept. Regardless of who will be in charge of the task, the head coach of each team must master and be able to fulfill the mission

EXAMPLE 1-4-3-3 System

System of Play Develop the player first Optimize team development Be progressive from u9s to u18s- there

must be a common thread from age to age in order maintain a level of development.

Again, it is about the long term approach to Player Development.

1-4-3-3 SystemThe Principles of Play

for the KSC are as follows:

Look forward first with accuracy and purpose.

Possession is the key to scoring.

Defend up field. Use possession to

probe the opposition for penetrating opportunities.

Utilize ball-oriented defense within a zonal system.

Quick transitions: defense to offense, offense to defense.

1-4-3-3 System Player Characteristics Wingers- creative players in 1v1 scenarios

looking to attack and serve balls Center forward- stern player whom can hold

balls with back to goal Midfielders- high percentage possession players,

link between defenders and forwards

Wide Fullbacks- strong tacklers whom like to go forward into attack

Center Backs- strong ball winners, particularly with crosses

1-4-3-3 System Dominant SoccerEither Dominate by being defensively organized

(compact defensively) Probing possession to attack in counter scenariosOrDominate by playing attacking soccer (fluid wide

attacks)Defend within the opposing half (pressing high)

How to determine how to Dominate? Players- Quality versus Tendency? Conditions- Weather versus Purpose? Mentality- Do the players feel comfortable with

the plan? DO the players feel comfortable with their role and their peers’ role?

1-4-3-3 System

What does our defensive shape look like?

Center of field?

1-4-3-3 System

What does our defensive shape look like?

Wide areas of the field?

1-4-3-3 System

Ready to play attacking soccer OR defensive soccer!!!

Balance- Everyone must be on the same page. This takes time and cannot be accomplish simply on a chalk board.

Formation1-4-3-3 allows for dominant field position, either

across the forward line, center midfield, and/ or the back line.

Where do you want to dominate the game?How do you want to dominate the game?

1-4-3-3 System

Dominate across the Attacking Line

Play one wide winger higher than the other to force the opposition to deeper.

Dominate across the midfield

Play with an attacking point- permits one more attacker to go forward-

Play with a defending point- permits two more attackers to go forward

Dominate the Back Line

Play with 2 defensive cmfds- allows flexibility across the back

Play with 1 defensive cmfd and an attacking center back- allows for the mfds to attack in wide areas, flair out

1-4-3-3 System Lines of 1-4-3-3

SystemThere are about 6 lines

in the 1-4-3-3 System.With 6 lines of

formation, it permits more possible passing angles in attack. Defensively, the available space is limited for the opposition to attack. The distance between players is smaller, hence creating a compact unit across 6 lines.

1-4-3-3 SystemWhen in Possession:

Create more space and time!

Look to score. Utilize combination plays to maintain possession. Player movement is crucial. Be creative.

Attacking principles for an attack-oriented style:

Attack with Pace. Immediately after

winning the ball, look forward first.

When in Possession Utilize possession to probe with

quick accurate passing. Create 2 versus 1 situations,

numbers up. Transition from defense to attack

needs to be quick. Define player roles and objectives

when in possession.The lines of the system become more

Attack-Oriented.System may look like a 1-2-3-2-2-1

1-4-3-3 SystemWhen NOT in

Possession: Deny space and time for the opposition.

Pressure the ball. Apply cover and balance according to the goal, opposition, and the ball.

Defensive Principles in an attack-oriented style:

Transition from attacking to defending needs to be quick.

When NOT in Possession Pressurize opponent immediately. Defend up field. Deny space by keeping the field compact. Define the player roles and objectives when

defending. Defend in a 4-2-3-1 or 4-5-1- wingers drop to help

defend

Attacking Schemes Dominate Areas of the Field Attacking Wide Areas Probing/ Circulating the ball and players

1-4-3-3 System The key to the 1-4-3-3 System is the speed of

play, the speed by which you can circulate the ball and your players.

Look for 2v1 scenarios. Playing at speed requires the opposition to move in/out of position. Further, if possession is lost, the opposition will most likely be in a poor position to counter OR will be under pressure immediately in a 1v2.

Defending Schemes Basic Principles of Defending in a 1-4-3-3 Opposition Ball in Wide Areas Ball in Central Areas Where do we defend – up field versus middle 1/3

of the field? Where do we force the ball?

1-4-3-3 System

Training; Tactical Scenarios Positional Assignments- Right

defenders on the same team as Right forwards. Place those players together whom are playing together!!!

Emphasize creating 2v1 scenarios thru ball circulation

Documents

Kirkwood Soccer Club Player Development Philosophy