January 2016Issue 30

Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Coaching Newsletter

THE EVOLVING GAMEHappy New Year - 2016 is going to be different!!!

Hope you all are rested and ready for the new challenges that lie ahead of us this year; from field sizes, small-sided games, the move to birth years, to a new format for coaching licenses. It should be interesting to say the least! As we try to keep up with the social media side of our sport, we are implementing some new features on twitter. I hope you can check it out, give us feedback and please share AWAY! With programs like Back to the board, Mike’s Thoughts, Coach Q&A, Throwback Thursday, Exercise of the week & Games to Watch, we hope your twitter account will aid your coaching education as you kill time at the office!Follow us @EPaCoachingED

The U.S. Soccer Digital Coaching Center (DCC), is a state-of-the art online educational platform. The DCC allows coaches to create a personal profile, register for courses, communicate with technical staff, take part in online courses, create session plans with an online graphics tool, access an archive of U.S. Soccer training sessions and much more.

DIGITAL COACHING CENTER (DCC)

As you prepare for your Spring Season, we encourage you to register with US Soccer’s Digital Coaching Center. It’s a free service that allows you to register for coaching courses, explore educational content and access previous

licenses. Basically, the DCC is the one-stop shop for all things coaching education.And if weather forecasts come to fruition, you will be spending a lot of time indoors in the coming days and weeks. It’s the perfect time to start an account.

Build your Profile add to your footprint…

Gary StephensonEastern

Pennsylvania Youth Soccer

Assistant Technical Director

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Game Watcher

COACHING EDUCATION HONOR ROLL

December, 2015Coaching Licenses Awarded

E License Rose Tree Red Lion

• M Aronson • S Blaisse • B Childs • B Coleman • G Donaghy • J Donnelly • P Dzien • C Gessler

• J Kyle • S Mengine • D Schweitzer • A Shah • G Siter • J Winters • S Ocampo • R Lantzy • A Dussault

U.S. NATIONAL TEAM GERMAN BUNDESLIGA ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE LA LIGA

Jan. 23, 2:00PM PTUSWNT v Ireland

Jan. 23, 12:30PMB Dortmund v

Mönchengladbach

Jan. 31, 9:30AMVFL Wolfsburg v FC Koln

Jan. 23, 10:00AMMan. Utd v Southampton

Jan. 24, 11:00AMArsenal v Chelsea

Jan. 24, 10:00AMDeportivo v Valencia

Jan. 30, 10:00AMBarca v Atletico Madrid

UPCOMING COACHING COURSES

For more information, details and registration, please visit EPYSA.org

National E LicenseUNIONWayne

29-31 January 2016

National D License Part 1UNIONWayne

29-31 January 2016

National E LicensePenn Legacy

Lancaster11,12 & 19 March 2016

National D License Part 1&2Penn Legacy

Lancaster11,12 & 19 March 2016

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MEET THE COACH When was your first introduction to soccer?A perfect storm in 1976...First, a friend's dad asked my older brother and I if we were interested in playing soccer.  Like most Americans at the time, we really didn't know much about the sport except for Pele playing in New York.  That Fall, I was part of the inaugural season for the Plymouth Soccer Club.  Then, in December, the NCAA finals were held at Penn's Franklin Field.  We saw the University of San Francisco beat Indiana.  We were truly mesmerized at the skill of the USF players.  We had never seen soccer played like that.  And then we found something on PBS worth watching as an 8 year old- "Soccer Made in Germany" with Toby Charles.  Off I went...What other positions related to soccer did you hold previous to becoming CEO of Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer?  I started as a high school coach at Radnor with the legendary Sam Holt, followed by years as a college assistant; Miami (OH), Villanova, Widener, St. Joe's.  I was a an ODP staff coach here and in Ohio and a coaching education instructor both in Eastern PA and in Texas.  I had head coaching offers, but  my career aspirations were on the business side.  My first experience in soccer specifically was working for another giant of the game, Richard Groff,  with the inaugural Chiquita Cup international women's tournament in 1994.  It was the first of its kind in America.  I was later tapped by Richard, now Commissioner of for the American Professional Soccer League,  to be the Director of Operations.  At the time, pre-MLS, The A-League was the top professional league in the US and Canada.  I was also General Manager of the Chicago Power of the NPSL (indoors), headed marketing and ticket sales for the Philadelphia Kixx during the first few seasons. Eventually, I headed to Texas and US Youth Soccer's national staff to head the marketing department.  In between soccer jobs, I worked in operations and

marketing with a few division I athletic departments.  I've always worked in the sports industry and every business experience I've had helps to build for the next. How has your previous position with US Youth Soccer impacted your decision making and responsibilities in Eastern Pennsylvania?Having a macro view of the sport and the industry, I think, has helped us broaden our thinking at the state level.  Throughout youth soccer and like organizations, there's a great deal of parochial  thinking, understandably so.  For me, coming back from the national level,  I felt it crucial to our development to be active in our relationships outside of our borders and outside of the office walls.  We are part of something larger (US Soccer and US Youth Soccer) and so are our members.  Our members need to know that too.   I felt EPYSA was parochial.  It's part of why we re-branded- we are Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer, and there's no mistake about what we do or where we're from.  That "name change" has very simply opened other doors in the business community and local and national government.   We have worked to become part of the community and not just a faceless, acronym "governing body."  In addition, governance and constituent service played a large part in how we operated as a national staff and within the US Soccer community... service, support and advocacy.  One of the great takeaways for me from the national experience is that we are a youth organization that specializes in soccer- we can't just be a soccer organization.  What does that mean to not " just be a soccer organization?"There are legal issues, social issues, medical issues, educational issues, etc.... that effect our daily lives and soccer is but a part of that.  We need to be cognizant of other factors influencing the lives of our children and society in general.  In my opinion, our jobs are not to develop future professional or college players.  Our job is to guide the development of children through the sport of soccer.  We spent a great deal of time on programming and education.  We want, actually demand, safe environments for children and the adults supervising them.  Its why we've been proactive on medical issues.  Its why we're developing higher standards in risk management, prior to the new state laws.  Its why we focus on coaching education and sideline behavior.  Furthermore, its why we provide college scholarships and support the Good Citizenship award.  We have spent a lot of time talking about "player development"  in recent years, but we need to focus on

child development and personal development as well.  What do you see as the major obstacles facing youth soccer in the United States?The obvious is the professionalization of youth sport, and we in soccer were one of the first to go this direction   Players and coaches have been commoditized.   The value of sport is more determined by the dollar amount associated, not by the experiences gained.  We can now assign a dollar value to a players worth or a coaches success.  The core values of sport are too often secondary to accomplishments.  Much of the growth in the last 25 years was organic, now it's very planned and over structured.  Less can be more and I think we need to step back and reexamine a number of things.    I mentioned parochial thinking in a negative sense earlier, but we still need a parochial approach in certain areas.  Strong community programs are a must to  continue to attract young families to the sport.  The intramural/recreational lifeblood of youth soccer is being challenged by the entrepreneurism of larger clubs and private enterprise.   I don't think I'm being too dramatic, but our youngest children need to find a love for playing first.  It must be fun. That doesn’t require much more than a ball some friends and they can teach themselves.  Young players can be "trained" at later stages, not the beginning ones.   In many instances we have over-organized, over-priced and over-complicated  the sport.  We have already begun to lose children to other activities at too young an age because some coach told them they weren't good enough, or they needed to commit only to soccer.  It's unfortunate to say the least.

Chris Branscome, CEO Eastern PA Youth Soccer

MEET THE COACH Chris Branscome, CEO Eastern PA Youth SoccerAs a volunteer coach with an A License, who has coached both of  your daughters’ teams at various ages, what advice would you provide to new coaches?Being coach and dad is big responsibility.  It's not easy.  You really can't take either hat off.  It’s a careful navigation and I thank my wife for steering me many times.  I spent 20 years coaching other people's children before I coached my own.  I enjoyed the early years, but as they grew older it became more challenging.  My kids didn't care or understand my role the soccer world until recently, so it didn't matter what or who I know.  Ultimately being their dad is more important than being their coach and there is a time to join the other parents in the stands.  I may have been a year too late on my oldest daughter.   As far as the other children and their parents on those teams, there's a fine line as well. The kids are friends neighbors and classmates.  I know that my philosophy on development did not generate many championships or wins when they were younger, but I believe the families had positive experiences and I hope, stay fans of the game and play at some level for as long as they choose to. I also believe strongly in coaching education.  New coaches need to know that education is important, but don't

impose your resume on people.  The license certificate hangs on the wall, not around your neck at training.  Your actions on the field will show the players who you are and what you're about.  I'm fortunate to work alongside many great soccer minds, I pick their brain to lean more every chance I get.  I received my A license in 1993, but I never stopped learning.Do you have other aspirations in the future besides youth soccer?There are things I'd still like to accomplish that are part of the soccer community as a whole.  There projects out there that I believe would be beneficial to all levels of soccer and sports in general, but would also be beneficial to eastern Pennsylvania.  I do have experiences and interests outside of soccer and who knows where that could lead someday.  Soccer has been both my vocation and avocation, there are days when the two don't jibe.   I love Bill Shankly's famous quote "Football is not a matter of life or death...it's more important than that."   But I think he could have left the last part off.  Are there any individuals who have had a major impact on your life?I've had great mentors and role models.  Richard Groff for over 20 years.. Don Di Julia and Jim Brown, my bosses in the athletic department at St. Joseph's

University; Sam Holt who gave me my first coaching job at Radnor HS; Don Brady, who suggested me to Charlotte Moran, who recommended me to Shelly Chamberlain; Rick Tompkins who Recommended me to Jim Cosgrove at US Youth Soccer who allowed me to talk to EPYSA President Bob McDade.  Honestly, my daughters have influenced me more than they currently know.  My views on youth sport (and many other things)changed significantly upon becoming a parent.

@EPaCoachingEd

U12-U13 By M Barr & G Stephenson, Technical StaffReceiving and Turning to Penetrate

TRAINING AREA 5v5 or 6v6 depending on numbers, with 2 servers, 30x40 grid, and three small goals (two cones) on each end line. Goal is scored by dribbling through the two cones or a passing through the cones on the ground. Play 2-2-1 (4,5,6,8,9)with one team and a 3-2 (5,6,8,10,9) with the other, if ball goes off touch line play throw ins. If a goal is scored for either team play begins from the server for the team who was not in possession. Rotate positions.

Coaching Points:Positioning in order to receive ball, supporting runs and proper execution of receiving and turning.

EXPANDED SMALL-SIDED ACTIVITY

GAME

TRAINING AREA Two groups of 6 outside players in a circle with 4 balls. A. Three players in the center without a ball, players in center run to receive the ball from a player on the outside and receive with the inside of the foot shoulder on and play the ball to a player who does not have a ball. After making the pass with the inside of the foot, he checks to another player. After three minutes rotate. B.Same as A but players receive with the outside of the foot with a feint in the opposite direction of the foot they are receiving.C. Same as B but player allows the ball to run through their legs after feinting in one direction before passing.

Coaching Points: Smooth turn one motion, body position when receiving the ball, examine feinting, clean pass with inside of the foot to target.

SMALL-SIDED ACTIVITY

TRAINING AREA 8v7 half field going to large goal for the attacking team, two counter goals at midfield for the defending team. Attacking team plays a 2-3-3 (4,5,6,8,10,7,9,11) and defending team plays a 1-4-2 (1,2,4,3,5,10,9) with a keeper. Play throw-ins when ball is off touchline, play from server at midfield if a goal is scored.

Coaching Points:players always in a position to turn and penetrate, awareness to possess rather than turn and penetrate, awareness of position of defenders other than the defender on the ball

9v9 20 minute games between all regions.

Teams play a 1-3-2-3 (1, 2, 3, 4/5, 6, 10, 7, 9, 11)

Recognizing poor supporting position relative to the ball, position of the player’s body when receiving the ball, relationship between lines in turning and penetrating, communication between player passing and the player receiving.

Awareness of space behind the player receiving the ball, examining the decision to turn to the left or right, receiving with the inside or outside of the foot, creating space between the defender and the ball, receiving and determining to penetrate with a pass or dribble, supporting the ball after the pass, safety factor in determining turning in all thirds of the field, examining causes of technical break down in receiving and turning.Please note: All teams will be following the same progression of Warm Up to Expanded Activity. One team will be rotating through the Technical Speed Performance Station.

TECHNICAL WARM-UP

U14 & U15 By M Barr & G Stephenson, Technical StaffBuilding up from Wide Positions

TRAINING AREA Working from the defensive third through the middle third utilizing width30x40 grid, 7v5 (#’s 1, 2, 4, 5, 3, 6, 8) v (#’s 9, 7, 11, 10, 8), two small goals wide at touch lines and a full size goal. Play begins with keeper. Ball goes off touch line, end line or goal play begins with keeper.

Coaching Points:#’s 2 and 3 utilizing width and getting forward, changing the point of attack, playing through the #’s 4, 5, 6, or 8, balance and security in the back when attacking wide, movement and decision making of players with and without the ball in getting wide.

EXPANDED SMALL-SIDED ACTIVITY

GAME

TRAINING AREA Pattern Play 30x40 grid 10 players (3 servers on end line each with a ball to begin with #’s 2, 3, 4/5, 6, 7, 9, and 11) ball served wide to #2 and server becomes #2, #2 plays to #4/5 and follows pass, #4/5 to 3 and follows pass, #3 to #6 and follows pass, #6 plays passes to #7 and follows pass, # 7 plays ball to #9 and follows pass, #9 to #11 and #9 follows pass. #11 dribbles to the server position at speed and play begins again.

Coaching Points: First touch of receiving players, decision making, movement of central players on attack, transition play from inside defenders to attacking flank players when the ball is lost, movement from touch lines to touch lines through one pass or through middle or end lines.

SMALL-SIDED ACTIVITY

TRAINING AREA 9V8 (1, 4, 5, 2, 3, 6, 10, 7, 11) v (1, 9, 7, 11, 10, 8, 6, 4/5)

Half to 3/4 field, full goals, AR’s, play throw ins.

Coaching Points:First touch to penetrate or possess, creating space off over-laps of flank players #’s 2 and # 3, diagonal runs of #’s 7 and 11 to create space for #’s 2 and # 3, Changing point of attack through #’s 6 and #10, Crosses and runs in attacking third, movement of all players in attack.

9V9 or 11 V11 20 minute games Teams play a 1-3-2-3 (9) or a 1-4-3-3 (11) Laws of the game applied

Players making the correct decision to utilize width in attack or recognizing if width is creating space through the center of the field

Proper spacing of the attacking team

Utilizing the 2, 3, 7 and 11 on Attack to Create Opportunities in the Attacking Half, spacing of wide players to best utilize moving forward & penetrating, recognizing to dribble or pass to penetrate, recognizing roles of all players in penetrating wide, utilizing combination play & runs of the 3rd attacker in getting width, recognizing when to possess in order to create width, correct service of balls from the flank, addressing runs in the attacking third

TECHNICAL WARM-UP

U16-Senior By M Barr & G Stephenson, Technical StaffImprove Your Team’s Scoring Chances

TECHNICAL WARM-UP

TRAINING AREA 6v5 half field same as above but now play is active from the first pass of the server. Add an additional player as a target for defender and the keeper should the ball be won by the defense or the keeper make a save.

Coaching Points:Players recognizing combination opportunities, utilizing runs to create space or unbalance the back four, value of checking runs by the #9, switching positions between the three forwards to create space and confuse the backs or unbalance the backs

EXPANDED SMALL-SIDED ACTIVITY

GAME

TRAINING AREA 15 Minutes Dynamic Warm Up 15 Minutes Warm Up 6v5 half field, attacking team in a 3-3 (6, 8, 10, 7, 11, 9) with a server. Defense only the keeper and four backs 1-4 (2, 4, 5, 3). Present all options to the attacking team in getting a shot on goal. Call for a number of passes before a shot can be taken. Shots are played on the ground directly to the keeper. When keeper makes the save, he or she distributes to the defenders for a quick transition to the server.Four defenders move in relationship to the attacking team’s movement, recognizing individual roles working as a unit, no attempt to win ball

Coaching Points:

Recognizing and creating combination opportunities between the front line and the middle line, recognizing third attacker runs, blind side runs and runs across the back four, value of #9 as a target, utilize width or attack through the center

SMALL-SIDED ACTIVITY

TRAINING AREA 9v8 Attacking team in a 1-2-3-3 (1, 2, 3, 6, 8, 10, 9, 7, 11) defensive team in a 1-4-3 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10) 18 to 18 with goals, normal playing rules with AR’s,

Coaching Points:players should now recognize relationship between lines on attack and combination opportunities, spacing and movement of the ball by players in both lines

11v11 Two 30 minute games, full field both teams playing a 1-4-3-3

Laws of the game applied

Movement of players on attack vertically between lines and horizontally between lines, proper spacing of players on attack in the full field but especially in the final third

Scoring Chances - Positions of forwards and midfielders in relationship to the ball, combination recognition in playing through the middle, creating space wide or recognizing diagonal runs of the #7 and#11, importance of third attacker runs, proper runs in the box on balls played to the flanks, first touch to create space or possess