So I had my meetings with the Director of Coaching and then the Team Meeting. The DOC is a great guy. He's a former goalkeeper who has really taken South Lyon to new heights under his tutelage. He'll be a great guy to learn from and has been really helpful. That's been reassuring because sometimes soccer can be so political and, especially because it's not the most popular sport in the US, people in positions of power in their club can abuse that power. Not this guy--he's given me information on what drills these kids like, how to effectively get across my message to them, and even how to deal with some of the parents!
The Team Meeting also went great. I thought more of the players were going to be there, but so far I have only met two players. They both seem excited for the season to start. I asked them what positions they liked to play and they both told me they like to play forward--I guess that's typical with kids. Hopefully that means we'll have a lot of goals this Fall!
I'm meeting with my team manager--a player's mother-- and another club official tomorrow. There, we'll discuss our upcoming tournament, practice schedules and locations, and other things I should know about managing the team. I'll post another update after that. Things are finally moving and we have our first practice August 14th, so needless to say I'm really excited about that. It will be great to be back out on the field and to re-experience what it's like to fall in love with the game at a young age.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Friday, July 13, 2012
Commence Excitement
Well, things are starting to pick up with Lyon FC. I am now integrated into the online system and have cleared my background check--good news! On Saturday, I'm meeting with the Director of Coaching (DOC) to discuss--I presume--the club, my role in the club, how to effectively coach 8 and 9 year-olds, and similar important things I'd need to know.
After the Saturday meeting, we're having our team meeting on Monday night. I'm really excited about that meeting. This is where I'll meet the players and their families, and I'll get to introduce myself. At this age, this is probably the first competitive soccer experience for most of these players. I'm sure some of them are only playing soccer as a means of becoming more athletic for other sports; others might be relatively new to soccer and want to compete at a higher level; and still others, like I was at that age, live for soccer and want to play everyday. I'll have to make sure that I make the sport fun for them while also teaching them important skills they'll need for future athletic endeavors.
That will be a challenge for me. I'm sort of a soccer purist and expect people around me to be as passionate about the sport as I am. I remember some of the conversations I had with players from my U-9 soccer team. Some of us were very into the sport and would talk about professional soccer teams--back when soccer didn't even make it onto American TV very much-- and talk about our admiration for certain players, especially hometown hero Brian McBride. Others though were only playing soccer because their parents wouldn't let them play football yet, but they were athletically gifted enough to make it onto a pretty competitive club. Of course, feelings change; some passionate kids fell out of love with soccer, and some indifferent kids turned into Division 1 caliber players. I think my role should be as much about teaching the kids to love the sport as much as how to play it.
While I see some challenges in the immediate future, I'm very excited about this opportunity and can't wait to meet the DOC and the team shortly thereafter. I'll post updates after those meetings.
After the Saturday meeting, we're having our team meeting on Monday night. I'm really excited about that meeting. This is where I'll meet the players and their families, and I'll get to introduce myself. At this age, this is probably the first competitive soccer experience for most of these players. I'm sure some of them are only playing soccer as a means of becoming more athletic for other sports; others might be relatively new to soccer and want to compete at a higher level; and still others, like I was at that age, live for soccer and want to play everyday. I'll have to make sure that I make the sport fun for them while also teaching them important skills they'll need for future athletic endeavors.
That will be a challenge for me. I'm sort of a soccer purist and expect people around me to be as passionate about the sport as I am. I remember some of the conversations I had with players from my U-9 soccer team. Some of us were very into the sport and would talk about professional soccer teams--back when soccer didn't even make it onto American TV very much-- and talk about our admiration for certain players, especially hometown hero Brian McBride. Others though were only playing soccer because their parents wouldn't let them play football yet, but they were athletically gifted enough to make it onto a pretty competitive club. Of course, feelings change; some passionate kids fell out of love with soccer, and some indifferent kids turned into Division 1 caliber players. I think my role should be as much about teaching the kids to love the sport as much as how to play it.
While I see some challenges in the immediate future, I'm very excited about this opportunity and can't wait to meet the DOC and the team shortly thereafter. I'll post updates after those meetings.
Monday, July 2, 2012
First Coaching Job
After talks for the last few weeks, I was offered and have accepted a job with Lyon FC. They are a club based out of South Lyon, MI. I will begin this Fall and coach at the U-9 level. I am really excited for this opportunity and can't wait to get started.
Obviously this is my first opportunity to coach and try out my philosophies. I'll have my team meeting, where the Director of Coaching will introduce me to the team, and I'll begin to learn about my new team and see what we've got. I began playing travel soccer right around U8 and U9 so I know what these kids are going through. I'm sure that for many of them, I'll be their first travel coach, so I hope I can be a good influence on them and help them fall in love with the game while building up their skills.
If you have have tips on coaching kids--even if your experiences are in different sports--please don't hesitate to let me know.
Updates will follow soon.
Obviously this is my first opportunity to coach and try out my philosophies. I'll have my team meeting, where the Director of Coaching will introduce me to the team, and I'll begin to learn about my new team and see what we've got. I began playing travel soccer right around U8 and U9 so I know what these kids are going through. I'm sure that for many of them, I'll be their first travel coach, so I hope I can be a good influence on them and help them fall in love with the game while building up their skills.
If you have have tips on coaching kids--even if your experiences are in different sports--please don't hesitate to let me know.
Updates will follow soon.
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Watching Soccer in Nashville
This post will be short and sweet. I don't usually plug places, but of you're ever watching a soccer game in Nashville, definitely check out Fleet Street Pub in Printer's Ally. I've been here for almost every Euro match and I'll definitely miss this place when I leave here.
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Attacking Mindset
One thing about the sport that I didn't realize until I became older was that it is possible to play a style of soccer that allows virtually all field players to be attack-minded (though not all at the same time necessarily). It's often useful to generate attacks from different points on the field in order to expose the opposing team's tactics, formations, or assignments.
For example, sometimes, simply "switching fields," or playing a cross to the other flank, can expose that the other team has pitted their best defender on your striker. If you know that, you can see where there are holes in their defense. If you move your striker to the right, you might expose space to the left. If you move your striker deep, you might be able to see how aggressively and effectively the defense is playing the offsides trap.
This means that it is essential in today's game to have attack-minded players all over the field. Your goalkeeper should see opportunities to generate attack or maintain possession. So too should even your most defensive players. Bringing up a defender to join in the offense can create mismatches--size, speed, numbers, etc.-- or just introduce something new for the opposing team to think about and account for. For example, on the youth club level, where a team is not limited to three substitutions, having an attack-minded defender might cause the other team to switch from two strikers to a striker and a midfielder, so the midfielder can keep an eye on the lurking defender. Thus, even if your defender never touches the ball, his eye for the offense may have caused the other team to play less offensive.
Keep this in mind when you're out on the field playing next time. Even though your position might say "defense," that doesn't mean you can't sneak up and get involved in the offense, even if it's just pushing up to ask for a support pass and then play a cross to switch fields.
For example, sometimes, simply "switching fields," or playing a cross to the other flank, can expose that the other team has pitted their best defender on your striker. If you know that, you can see where there are holes in their defense. If you move your striker to the right, you might expose space to the left. If you move your striker deep, you might be able to see how aggressively and effectively the defense is playing the offsides trap.
This means that it is essential in today's game to have attack-minded players all over the field. Your goalkeeper should see opportunities to generate attack or maintain possession. So too should even your most defensive players. Bringing up a defender to join in the offense can create mismatches--size, speed, numbers, etc.-- or just introduce something new for the opposing team to think about and account for. For example, on the youth club level, where a team is not limited to three substitutions, having an attack-minded defender might cause the other team to switch from two strikers to a striker and a midfielder, so the midfielder can keep an eye on the lurking defender. Thus, even if your defender never touches the ball, his eye for the offense may have caused the other team to play less offensive.
Keep this in mind when you're out on the field playing next time. Even though your position might say "defense," that doesn't mean you can't sneak up and get involved in the offense, even if it's just pushing up to ask for a support pass and then play a cross to switch fields.
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Dutch Disappointment
The Dutch were eliminated from Euro 2012 a couple days ago, and I've now watched the game twice; once emotionally, pulling for the Oranje to win, and once critically, breaking down what went wrong.
The Dutch came out strong and looked like they were ready to play. They understood their role and how their style was going to play out. The midfielders knew that they had to maintain possession because they were playing with 5-6 attack-minded players, and leaving their defense susceptible to the counter. For the first 15 minutes, the midfielders did just that. I thought Van der Vaart (VDV) and Robben played spectacularly together early on.
I was speaking with my cousin before the game and I told him what I hoped to see. I wanted Robben to take an outside shot that hit the target early in the game. That would establish him as an outside shooter, and require the defense to account for his long shot and push up their line. That would allow space for Robin van Persie (RVP) or Klaas-Jan Huntelaar to make runs through the back. Robben apparently was a party to our phone call, because he did just that.
The other thing I wanted Robben to do was to use his options, or "use what you see" as I like to say. Robben is a left-footed player who plays on the right wing. As a result, he has a tendency to cut inside and create plays that way. If the defense plays a high line, he can play a cutting striker. If the defense lays off, he can take the shot or lay it off to the attacking midfielder, usually Wesley Sneider, but in this case it was VDV, to take the shot. That's how the Dutch scored--Robben brought the ball inside, met a defender, played the ball off to VDV who fired a shot in far post. It was a play of beauty.
What happened after that was tragic. Portugal began to dominate possession. The Dutch central defense played dumb balls, leaving Gregory van der Wiel and the young Jetro Willems to overwork themselves to generate any attack or possession. VDV failed to come deep enough to help the Dutch hold the ball, and the Dutch failed to put together more than five passes in the attacking third.
The display was not Total Soccer. The formation was too structured, and players did not put in the effort to make runs to open themselves up to passes. Not once did Sneider and VDV switch spots to see if Sneider would have more success generating an attack or holding the ball and creating space. Even though Sneider naturally plays as an attacking midfielder, he never requested a switch to see what he could do in that role.
In the second half, Coach van Marwijk switched Robben to the left wing. That's when the Dutch attack became predictable. You no longer had the threat of Robben cutting inside for a shot, and thus the Portugese defense could play a lower line and prevent the two big-bodied strikers (Huntelaar and RVP) from making runs to goal. Huntelaar excels near the goal--he cannot come out to the 18 with his back to the goal and make a play. RVP can, but when he did he either misplayed the ball, had a bad touch, or was forced to shoot with his weak foot.
Had the Dutch maintained proper movement, including constantly switching Sneider and VDV between attacking midfield and the left wing, I think the Dutch would have had much more success. What I explain to people is that even though a defender might be paired with an opposing position, putting a different player in that position requires the defender to react differently. For example, Sneider and VDV are much different players. VDV is a threat to shoot on target with either foot from anywhere inside 30-35 yards. Sneider is more of a creative playmaker who would rather play a through ball to a breaking striker. Therefore, VDV is a player that can force a defense to play a higher line. If the defense becomes tired, they may be slow to get back to their lower line. When that happens, VDV can play a square ball to Sneider, who can find the through ball to Huntelaar or RVP. That is a simple way to create space by using the different talents of players who can play the same position.
Alas, that didn't happen. Had the Dutch played structured, but defensive, they might have been OK. But instead, they played structured but let 30+ yards between their attacking players and the defense. That was too much space, and Portugal exposed it.
It's back to the drawing board for van Marwijk. Maybe he'll listen to some of Cruijff's criticism and return to more free-flowing play.
The Dutch came out strong and looked like they were ready to play. They understood their role and how their style was going to play out. The midfielders knew that they had to maintain possession because they were playing with 5-6 attack-minded players, and leaving their defense susceptible to the counter. For the first 15 minutes, the midfielders did just that. I thought Van der Vaart (VDV) and Robben played spectacularly together early on.
I was speaking with my cousin before the game and I told him what I hoped to see. I wanted Robben to take an outside shot that hit the target early in the game. That would establish him as an outside shooter, and require the defense to account for his long shot and push up their line. That would allow space for Robin van Persie (RVP) or Klaas-Jan Huntelaar to make runs through the back. Robben apparently was a party to our phone call, because he did just that.
The other thing I wanted Robben to do was to use his options, or "use what you see" as I like to say. Robben is a left-footed player who plays on the right wing. As a result, he has a tendency to cut inside and create plays that way. If the defense plays a high line, he can play a cutting striker. If the defense lays off, he can take the shot or lay it off to the attacking midfielder, usually Wesley Sneider, but in this case it was VDV, to take the shot. That's how the Dutch scored--Robben brought the ball inside, met a defender, played the ball off to VDV who fired a shot in far post. It was a play of beauty.
What happened after that was tragic. Portugal began to dominate possession. The Dutch central defense played dumb balls, leaving Gregory van der Wiel and the young Jetro Willems to overwork themselves to generate any attack or possession. VDV failed to come deep enough to help the Dutch hold the ball, and the Dutch failed to put together more than five passes in the attacking third.
The display was not Total Soccer. The formation was too structured, and players did not put in the effort to make runs to open themselves up to passes. Not once did Sneider and VDV switch spots to see if Sneider would have more success generating an attack or holding the ball and creating space. Even though Sneider naturally plays as an attacking midfielder, he never requested a switch to see what he could do in that role.
In the second half, Coach van Marwijk switched Robben to the left wing. That's when the Dutch attack became predictable. You no longer had the threat of Robben cutting inside for a shot, and thus the Portugese defense could play a lower line and prevent the two big-bodied strikers (Huntelaar and RVP) from making runs to goal. Huntelaar excels near the goal--he cannot come out to the 18 with his back to the goal and make a play. RVP can, but when he did he either misplayed the ball, had a bad touch, or was forced to shoot with his weak foot.
Had the Dutch maintained proper movement, including constantly switching Sneider and VDV between attacking midfield and the left wing, I think the Dutch would have had much more success. What I explain to people is that even though a defender might be paired with an opposing position, putting a different player in that position requires the defender to react differently. For example, Sneider and VDV are much different players. VDV is a threat to shoot on target with either foot from anywhere inside 30-35 yards. Sneider is more of a creative playmaker who would rather play a through ball to a breaking striker. Therefore, VDV is a player that can force a defense to play a higher line. If the defense becomes tired, they may be slow to get back to their lower line. When that happens, VDV can play a square ball to Sneider, who can find the through ball to Huntelaar or RVP. That is a simple way to create space by using the different talents of players who can play the same position.
Alas, that didn't happen. Had the Dutch played structured, but defensive, they might have been OK. But instead, they played structured but let 30+ yards between their attacking players and the defense. That was too much space, and Portugal exposed it.
It's back to the drawing board for van Marwijk. Maybe he'll listen to some of Cruijff's criticism and return to more free-flowing play.
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Obtaining license
As I stated in the Introduction, I am currently in the process of obtaining my coaching license. In Michigan, that means doing an online coaching manual, and then attending courses corresponding with the category license you wish. So, for example, I have completed the online coaching module, and passed my background check; my next step is to start with the E license. Therefore, I will need to attend an E coaching class to obtain my E license. After that, I can get my D license, etc.
It used to be that if one had extensive playing experience, the State would waive the E license requirement. However, they've recently discovered that playing experience doesn't teach you other things necessary for coaching youth soccer--like how to deal with youth players. The E license, from what I understand, focuses on teaching the fundamentals of the sport, including things such as how long practices should run, basic first aid, etc.
I was unable to take any of the summer E license courses, but plan to obtain my E license this Fall. From there, I will obtain my D license, which is where you can really begin to coach at a competitive youth level. I'll be sure to update you all on the process and answer questions if you are interested in obtaining your own coaching license once I learn more.
That's all for now.
It used to be that if one had extensive playing experience, the State would waive the E license requirement. However, they've recently discovered that playing experience doesn't teach you other things necessary for coaching youth soccer--like how to deal with youth players. The E license, from what I understand, focuses on teaching the fundamentals of the sport, including things such as how long practices should run, basic first aid, etc.
I was unable to take any of the summer E license courses, but plan to obtain my E license this Fall. From there, I will obtain my D license, which is where you can really begin to coach at a competitive youth level. I'll be sure to update you all on the process and answer questions if you are interested in obtaining your own coaching license once I learn more.
That's all for now.
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