Overview:
We discovered during our practice on Tuesday that we have many players who are new to soccer. Many of them are so new that the small sided game portion of the practice is difficult for them. After discussing this with the coaches we are modifying the way we do this practice session.
Each field, Dragons-Tigers, Cheetahs-Bumblebees, Bears- Pumas will follow this general approach. During the first Play and Practice portion they will create a "soccer basics" training group. Each team on that field will send their new to soccer players to the designated coach or coaches on that field. During the Play-Practice portion that group will focus on the basics of dribbling, passing and trapping. On the other side of the field the remaining players from that field will go through the standard small-sided games and then a Practice portion. For the final Play portion all of the players return to their regular teams and we will scrimmage like normal.
Dragons-Tigers Field One
Grace and Sofia will run the basics training on the Tigers side of the field with the players new to soccer from the Dragons and Tigers. If Alex SC and Noah are available they will also coach the basics training. Ashley and Bryan will run the small-sided games and more advanced Practice portion for the remaining players of the Dragons and Tigers on the Dragon's side of the field. Based on Ashley and Bryan's judgment they may further break this group down during the Practice portion.
Cheetahs-Bumblebees Field Two
Joe will run the basics training on the Cheetah's side of the field with the players new to soccer from the Cheetahs and Bumblebees. Brock and Jimmy will run the small sided games and more advanced Practice portion for the remaining players of the Cheetahs and Bumblebees on the Bumblebees' field.
Pumas-Tigers Field Three
Eli and Sebastian will run the basics training on the Bears side of the field with the players new to soccer from the Bears and Pumas. Alex J and Chevelle will run the small sided games and more advanced Practice portion for the remaining players of the Bears and Pumas on the Puma's side of the field.
All - Some considerations
- During the small-sided games if you have more than 10 players on a small-sided field I recommend you break the game down into two small-sided games with coaches playing. Small-sided games are powerful learning environments because all of the players get lots of touches. If the teams get too big players don't get enough touches.
- Make sure during the basics training that you are demonstrating right to the new players. They learn through their eyes and not their ears.
- Avoid players standing in a line. During the basics training and the Practice portion try not to have players standing in line waiting to play. Keep them engaged and playing.