Comments on: Analyzing the Game – Part I http://www.insidemnsoccer.com/2010/01/25/analyzing-soccer-the-game-part%c2%a01/ Thu, 09 Feb 2012 02:33:29 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Jim Klein http://www.insidemnsoccer.com/2010/01/25/analyzing-soccer-the-game-part%c2%a01/#comment-4718 Jim Klein Tue, 26 Jan 2010 17:30:53 +0000 http://www.insidemnsoccer.com/?p=13883#comment-4718 Soccer boy's point #3 is spot on. Save the intensive coaching and do-overs for scrimmages. Letting the kids make their own decisions after being coached in scrimmages turns them from "passive" following directions into "active" thinking players responding to the game. Soccer boy’s point #3 is spot on. Save the intensive coaching and do-overs for scrimmages. Letting the kids make their own decisions after being coached in scrimmages turns them from “passive” following directions into “active” thinking players responding to the game.

]]> By: Soccer Boy http://www.insidemnsoccer.com/2010/01/25/analyzing-soccer-the-game-part%c2%a01/#comment-4696 Soccer Boy Tue, 26 Jan 2010 01:40:37 +0000 http://www.insidemnsoccer.com/?p=13883#comment-4696 Brian, excellent article and I will certainly have to check out this book. It looks excellent. I do have a couple of points. 1. The coaching at the youth level (in general) these days (and in the past) have been terrible. I thought I “knew” the game of soccer until I starting taking coach education. I see a lot of parents who can put on a really nice Adidas outfit and it somehow makes them think that are a “coach.” The game is a lot more complex and intense these days, and if they do not have the time to truly learn the game and do ongoing coach education—they have no business trying to “coach” soccer. Our kids deserve more! (Do not get me wrong—volunteers are great—but just because you look like a soccer coach, does not mean you are one. Go stuff some envelopes.) I also think some clubs need to re-evaluate who they allow on their BOD's. You really need "soccer" people on a youth soccer club--and it also helps if your kid is also go at soccer. 2. Coaching soccer is a lot different than doing game “commentary.” I think your average youth coach does a great job providing color commentary to the kids they “coach” but really fail to “see the game.” To me, it seems like parents only think “good coaches” are the ones that can yell the loudest and talk the most—but are we really coaching? Youth coaches need to learn to observe and then speak—to anticipate and make a correction/adjustment. When you talk—make it count. The kids have simply too much and do not develop as players with all the color commentary they provide. 3. Coaches need to let kids play the game. Kids simply do not get a chance to do their own thing. I think I am guilty over coaching, and not letting players learn the game through experimentation and exploration. I have started to incorporate “street soccer” into my training. I think the kids are benefiting. 4. Clubs need to be more active in holding coaches accountable. It is encouraging to see clubs host coach education for their coaches, and encourage them to obtaining certifications and licenses. However, it amazes me how many of the certified/licensed coaches I work with DO NOT use their education in their training sessions. I cannot believe that some coaches still make their kids stand in lines and do only drills to do not “look like soccer.” I could go on, but I do not want to bloviate too much. Great topic and I hope to get a chance to read the book in the near future. Brian, excellent article and I will certainly have to check out this book. It looks excellent. I do have a couple of points.

1. The coaching at the youth level (in general) these days (and in the past) have been terrible. I thought I “knew” the game of soccer until I starting taking coach education. I see a lot of parents who can put on a really nice Adidas outfit and it somehow makes them think that are a “coach.” The game is a lot more complex and intense these days, and if they do not have the time to truly learn the game and do ongoing coach education—they have no business trying to “coach” soccer. Our kids deserve more! (Do not get me wrong—volunteers are great—but just because you look like a soccer coach, does not mean you are one. Go stuff some envelopes.) I also think some clubs need to re-evaluate who they allow on their BOD’s. You really need “soccer” people on a youth soccer club–and it also helps if your kid is also go at soccer.

2. Coaching soccer is a lot different than doing game “commentary.” I think your average youth coach does a great job providing color commentary to the kids they “coach” but really fail to “see the game.” To me, it seems like parents only think “good coaches” are the ones that can yell the loudest and talk the most—but are we really coaching? Youth coaches need to learn to observe and then speak—to anticipate and make a correction/adjustment. When you talk—make it count. The kids have simply too much and do not develop as players with all the color commentary they provide.

3. Coaches need to let kids play the game. Kids simply do not get a chance to do their own thing. I think I am guilty over coaching, and not letting players learn the game through experimentation and exploration. I have started to incorporate “street soccer” into my training. I think the kids are benefiting.

4. Clubs need to be more active in holding coaches accountable. It is encouraging to see clubs host coach education for their coaches, and encourage them to obtaining certifications and licenses. However, it amazes me how many of the certified/licensed coaches I work with DO NOT use their education in their training sessions. I cannot believe that some coaches still make their kids stand in lines and do only drills to do not “look like soccer.”

I could go on, but I do not want to bloviate too much. Great topic and I hope to get a chance to read the book in the near future.

]]> By: Chris http://www.insidemnsoccer.com/2010/01/25/analyzing-soccer-the-game-part%c2%a01/#comment-4688 Chris Mon, 25 Jan 2010 18:36:58 +0000 http://www.insidemnsoccer.com/?p=13883#comment-4688 Nice article, Brian. As a fan only (i.e., no coaching or playing experience), I'm looking forward to tomorrow's (and future?) installments. Maybe I can get to the point where I can do more than just smile & nod when people talk tactical details. :-) Nice article, Brian. As a fan only (i.e., no coaching or playing experience), I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s (and future?) installments. Maybe I can get to the point where I can do more than just smile & nod when people talk tactical details. :-)

]]> By: Jeff Wolter http://www.insidemnsoccer.com/2010/01/25/analyzing-soccer-the-game-part%c2%a01/#comment-4674 Jeff Wolter Mon, 25 Jan 2010 15:45:35 +0000 http://www.insidemnsoccer.com/?p=13883#comment-4674 If you like that then also try looking at the Soccer Scouting Guide, by Joe Bertuzzi , or Match Analysis and Game Preparation, by Henny Komelink, and Tjeu Seeverens. If you like that then also try looking at the Soccer Scouting Guide, by Joe Bertuzzi ,
or Match Analysis and Game Preparation, by Henny Komelink, and Tjeu Seeverens.

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