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GENERAL PRINCIPLES

  • To be introduced from youngest players up

  • Learning the rules of the game

  • Respecting and taking care of teammates

  • Respecting the opponent

  • Accepting referee’s decisions

  • Respecting coaches

  • Encourage kids to be leaders

  • Learning that soccer is a team sport

  • Encourage kids to keep practicing when outside of the program (ball control, juggling, etc.)

  • Communication with parent / player

  • Introduce a comprehensive report (twice a year)

STYLE OF PLAY

  • High pressure defense

    • all defend, all attack principle still intact

    • interchangeability of positions]

  • Counter pressing: intelligent pressing at the right times / right places / targeting specific players

    • counter press is your best playmaker

    • achieved through knowing pressing cues and triggers

    • anticipation and constant focus

    • Fluidity of positions: anyone can score

    • when the ball is won back the other team is not set defensively => best time to attack

    • ball and direction of attack (opposition) is vectored towards the middle rather than sides

    • cons: when pressing is unsuccessful, backline is exposed

    • pros: is pressing is successful, you are attacking through the middle with dribble and short / medium passing interchange

    • if there is no opportunity to press, organize / get numbers behind the ball, shift as a unit, wait for opportunity to press

    • all attack / all defend principle is in place

  • Attacking style – combination of build-up and direct play

    • avoiding defensive lines by the use of long ball

    • penetrating pass / dribble

    • support for the player on the ball

    • spreading the field and stretching opponent’s defense from touch line to touch line to create space and explore in the middle by quick passing interchange

TECHNICAL COMPONENT / MASTERING THE BALL

  • At early age (4-8) prime goal is mastering the ball, with a focus on individual skills and technique

  • Winning is not the most important, but developing creativity is Ability to use both feet (ball on the ground and through the air)

  • Juggling the ball with both feet

  • Cushion the ball

  • Precise and sharp passing on the ground

  • Developing and increasing various trick moves, feints and turns

  • 1 v 1 taking the ball past opponents

  • shielding the ball

  • throw ins / crosses / free kicks / penalty kicks

PHYSICAL COMPONENT

  • Mobility, agility, speed

  • Running technique

  • Coordinated running, backwards, side to side

  • Jumping from one and two legs

  • Sprinting and changing directions

  • Teach to used shoulder and own body weight

  • Avoiding tackles

  • Tackling technique

TACTICAL COMPONENT

  • Playing in your position as well as taking a position of your teammate (support / cover)

  • Learn to play in different positions allowing high level of interchangeability

  • Decision making – when to pass vs. when to dribble

  • 1 v 1 defending and attacking

  • shifting as a unit

  • penetrating balls / runs

  • proper body positioning

  • marking / pressing

  • receiving a pass

  • exploring overload situations

  • defending overloads

  • teaching the importance of sticking to assigned tasks, developing team discipline

  • linking up / linking back / providing cover

PSYCHOLOGICAL COMPONENT

  • freedom to make mistakes

  • positive body language and positive attitude

  • professional approach to practices and games

  • progressively adding responsibility

general principles
physical
style of play
tactical
psychological
technical
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