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2016 Rec Coaching Manual

Benton Frayne Director of Coaching

507-226-4506

benton.frayne0@gmail.com

Table of Contents

Mission Statement/Club Philosophy ....................................................................................2

The Coaches Tool Box.........................................................................................................3

Systems of Play ....................................................................................................................4

Concussion Policy ................................................................................................................4

Resources .............................................................................................................................5

Five week Lesson Plan…………………………………………………………..……..6-15

Rec Soccer Staff

Sam Barbosa, VP of Rec. Play

musc.sam@gmail.com

507-382-4928

Kerri Ambrose, U5/U6 Rec Coordinator, TopSoccer Coordinator

kenker@chartermi.net

507-327-7898

Dan Cronn-Mills, U7/U8 Rec Coordinator

danielcm@hickorytech.net

507-779-0869

Akram “AK” Osman, Referee mentor and trainer

aosman1@isd77.k12.mn.us

507-351-3272

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Mission Statement

Mankato United Soccer Club (MUSC) is an educational, non-profit organization formed to

promote, foster, and perpetuate the game of soccer for players under 20 years of age in the

greater Mankato/North Mankato area and beyond.

Mankato United Soccer Club provides opportunities for youth to learn and grow while playing

soccer in an environment that’s safe, fair, and fun. MUSC offers programs for girls and boys of

diverse ages and skill levels. Mankato United also recruits, trains, and supports coaches, referees,

administrators, and other adult volunteers to serve the club’s programs.

Mankato United Club Philosophy

We are dedicated to implementing a possession style of soccer that can be recognized across the

state of Minnesota. Possession soccer allows for the players to pass in all directions. Mankato

United teams will play as one unit in possession and on defense.

In order to implement a possession-based style of soccer we need to focus on the technical side

of the game. All players should be comfortable with the ball at their feet. Most importantly

players should be able to receive and pass with both feet and be aware of when to use the correct

foot.

Tactics are only as strong as our player’s ability to execute the technical skills necessary to play

possession. The best tactics or systems of play become irrelevant without a strong technical

foundation.

We want to encourage our players to focus on development rather than results. Winning is fun

but is not the sole purpose of Mankato United. We want our players to develop as all around

soccer players. We want to encourage our players to try new positions and take risks. Our players

should be encouraged to try new skills regardless of the outcome.

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The Coaches’ Toolbox

We want our coaches to teach within the flow of the game. Soccer is a unique sport in which we

do not have timeouts or quarter breaks to coach our players. Mankato United believes coaches

should focus on “soccer specifically.” Coach while the players and ball are still moving, yet be

careful of a constant dialogue. The players will soon zone you out and the teaching will go in one

ear and out the other.

Coach individual players as the game continues. This is when the coach pulls a player aside and

allows the activity to keep going on. The team will play in a “man-down” situation while the

coach gives brief instructions to the one player. The key is to keep this brief and get the player

back into the game as quickly as possible.

Coach at natural stoppages of the game. When the ball goes out for a throw in, a goal kick or

corner. The coach can use the natural stoppage as an opportunity to coach a player or a group of

players.

Coach using the “Freeze” method. This is when the coach will “freeze’ play to paint a picture.

The coach uses this stoppage to disrupt the flow of the game to walk through a play or to instruct

a player on a technical skill.

A Tactical “Freeze” is when a coach will paint a picture of how the ball should have traveled or

when a defender should have stepped. A freeze can be used when possession breaks down. This

should be used sparingly and for “big picture” ideas. We want the game to be the teacher. If we

are constantly freezing play, the players will become frustrated. They are at practice to play!

This tactic should be used when several players are involved.

The game will present the opportunity to “freeze” play will naturally present itself, so don’t force

it. Keep in mind your overall theme of the practice.

A Technical “Freeze” is when a coach will stop the flow of the practice to correct a player’s

technique. The coach should demonstrate the proper technique and allow the player to rehearse

before restarting play. This is key for playing possession-based soccer. The players should be

able to receive a ball across their bodies and most use the proper foot.

Finally, we want the activity to coach the theme. Practices should be organized focusing on a

theme that will be carried throughout the entire practice. For example, I noticed many teams last

year playing 3 v 2 going to goal. Offensively, the players should be looking to attack in a

numbers up situation. It’s important we give defensive players an opportunity to counter attack.

If the defense wins, they must pass to a coach or have a goal to score themselves. In this

example, the defense is looking to build the attack. We want to challenge the defense to

immediately look to “go on the attack”. This will help in our clubs overall theme of playing

possession soccer.

The coach can deliver the message in a direct way or through guided discovery. I can tell a

player to do something or I can allow the player to come to the conclusion through several

questions.

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U7/U8 Systems of Play

We focus on the big picture, we do not keep score at the rec level. We want to instill the basics

and prepare our young soccer players for the future.

I’ve noticed many teams having a player stay back and playing as a “goalie”. We want to

encourage our players to stay connected as a unit and move up and down the field together.

When I see a player staying back in the defensive, it is limiting the opportunities on the offensive

side. As a club we are dedicated to playing possession soccer. It’s hard to possess when you are

down a player on the offensive side.

Formations are hard at this age and we don’t want to get caught up with players staying in a

position. We want players to have freedom to move in and out of possessions. We would like a

2-2 making a square or a 1-2-1 making a diamond. However the players should have the freedom

to move into other positions, if a player takes your position can you take theirs? Or balance the

field. Balancing the field is the most important concept. Don’t chase the ball balance the field.

Rec Soccer Field

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Concussion Policy

• Mankato United Soccer Club IS committed to promoting soccer as a wonderful sport,

good learning experiences for the players and a healthy lifestyle. With this last goal in

mind, the MUSC Board has adopted a concussion policy to promote the good health and

wellbeing of the player and in line with MN state law.

• The policy and law state if a concussion has occurred or is suspected the player must

be "seen by a provider trained and experienced in evaluating and managing

concussions. The player cannot return to game play until the provider gives the

youth WRITTEN permission to again participate in the activity." Most primary care

providers can do this evaluation and provide the documentation needed to return a player

to full play and can give you guidance as to how to safely allow your child to begin

activity working towards full play.

• Please know we hold the health and future wellbeing of your child at a premium and the

outcome of a game or tournament are nothing compared to your child’s health. That is

why we have told our coaches "When in doubt, sit them out." Our coaches have also been

instructed they MUST have WRITTEN clearance before the child can return to full play.

Please do NOT ask them to allow your child back to game-play without written

permission. Your request can put our coaches in a difficult situation and against MN state

law.

• We hope all our players have an injury-free season. If you have any questions or concerns

about the policy, please talk with your coach, age group coordinator or an MUSC board

member.

Resources

Laws of the game – Every coach should read this!

http://assets.ngin.com/attachments/document/0045/8322/LawsoftheGameMadeEasy.pdf

MYSA Training Sessions

http://www.mnyouthsoccer.org/page/show/705232-training-sessions

US Youth Soccer Coaches Resources

http://www.usyouthsoccer.org/coaches/coaches_document_center/?CategoryId=168&pg=1

The Ride Home – for parents

This is a great tool to share with parents to aid us as coaches in positive player development

http://my.brainshark.com/The-Ride-Home-248963264

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Week 1 Dribbling (Penetration)

Freeze Tag

Objective

To develop dribbling with the head up. To develop how to dribble to keep possession (turning the ball)Awareness

Description

Make a playing area with cones. Each player has a ball. The coach is "it". Players dribble their soccer ball and try to stay away from being tagged. If tagged, they are frozen. Frozen player has to stand and hold their ball above their head and spreads their legs apart. To get unfrozen, someone has to pass the ball under a frozen player's legs. Variations: A) Coach and the first player frozen become "it". B) To get unfrozen, a teammate has to dribble completely around a frozen player instead of passing.

Coaching Points

Keep the head up while dribbling. Turn the ball with the inside or outside of the foot. Note: U6's will primarily use the inside. Introduce teamwork

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Small-sided game to an end zone (first to three) 2v2-4v4

Objective

To develop running with the ball. To develop dribbling past an opponent (penetrate)To develop turning the ball to keep the ball away from an opponent.

Description

Create a rectangular shaped field with an end zone on both ends. Place a ball in each end zone. Start with a game ball. When a team dribbles the ball into the other team's end zone, they then get a ball from their defensive end zone and try again. The first team to get all three balls

into one end zone wins. Note: Only one ball is in play at a time.

Coaching Points

Dribbling to beat an opponent. Dribbling to turn the ball away from an opponent to keep possession.

To develop running with the ball. To develop dribbling past an opponent (penetrate)To develop turning the ball to keep the ball away from an opponent.

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Week 2 Passing and Receiving (Possession)

Gates

Objective

To develop the push pass technique with the inside or outside of the foot. To develop redirecting the ball. To develop how to dribble to set up a pass. To develop how to work with a teammate.

Description

Create a playing area with cones. Within the playing area, create "gates" with two cones. Put the two cones approximately 3-5 yards apart. Players get in pairs and share one ball. Have each pair go to a "gate". A player from each pair starts on opposite sides of a gate. Progression: A) Pass the ball back and forth to each other between the gates. See how many passes they can make in 20 seconds, B) Pass the ball through the gate to their partner then go to a new gate, C) The coach and assistant coaches walk from gate to gate. If a coach is in a gate, then the pair have to go to another gate.

Coaching Points

Surface selection for the push pass: Inside or outside. Note: Using the outside of the foot for U6's is challenging. Make eye contact with your partner (teammate) before passing to them. Keep the ball moving. Redirect the ball somewhere new.

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Small-Sided Game to a target

Objective

To develop the push pass technique. To develop redirecting the ball to take it somewhere new. To develop working with a teammate. To develop the idea of playing the ball forward (penetrate)

Description

Create a playing area with cones. At the end of the playing area, make an end zone. Ask an assistant coach (may need a few) to stand in the end zone. They are a "target". Inside the playing area play 2v2/3v3/4v4. A point is scored when a team can pass the ball to a target.

Coaching Points

Surface selection of the push pass. "What part of the foot do you use to pass the ball to a teammate"? Surface selection of receiving. "What part of the foot do you use to receive a pass"? If you can't pass forward then what? (Pass to a teammate)

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Week 3 Passing and Receiving (Attacking 2 vs. 1)

Paint The Field-Passing

Objective

To develop ground passing accuracy To develop redirecting the ball (Take it somewhere new) Mobility

Description

Two-three players share one ball. Create a playing area with cones. Tell the players that the ball is a "paint brush" and they need to paint as much as the playing area as possible with passes on the ground to their teammate(s).

Coaching Points

Keep passes on the ground. When receiving a pass, redirect the ball and take it somewhere new.

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Last Player Back

Objective

To develop dribbling to set up a pass. To develop passing accuracy. To introduce combination play. To develop how to attack when there is a numerical advantage. To develop how to defend when there is a numerical disadvantage. Transition from attack to defense. Transition from defense to attack. Attacking in pairs!

Description

This activity can be played with pairs or groups of three-four. If in pairs, make a small field with goals on each end. The goals should be approximately 5-7 steps apart. Play like a normal game. The rules: 1) Can only score a goal on the ground. 2) When a team loses possession or is on defense, the last player back must go back and stand and stay on the goal line. They may stop a goal from being scored. 3) When a team that is defending regains possession they now both attack.

Coaching Points

Dribble at a defender to set up a pass to a teammate. Passing accuracy. Support in advance of the ball whenever possible. Create a numerical advantage through spatial awareness.

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Week 4 Passing and Receiving (Attacking 2 vs. 1)

The Triangle

Objective

To develop how to redirect the ball on the ground. To develop agility, balance, and coordination.

Description

Two players share one ball. A small (3-5 steps) triangle is made for each pair. The objective is to pass the ball through the triangle, redirect the ball around a cone and then back through the triangle without touching the cones. A point is given each time a pair is successful. Variations: A) Allow players to have more than one touch, B) Allow more experience players only one touch to redirect the ball around a cone and get back through, C) Pairs play with each other to see how many times they can get the ball through.

Coaching Points

Redirect the ball-keep it moving. Use the inside or outside of the foot. Balance and flexibility needed.

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2v1 in half (4v2)

Objective

To develop passing to keep possession. To develop redirecting the ball to keep possession. To develop the principles of play: Penetration and support.

Description

Eight players. Split a playing field into half. Each half is approximately 15x15. Place two players from one team in one half and two of there teammates in the other. One defender is in each half. The attacking team (4) try to score on the small goal placed in one of the halves. The defending team (2) try to score on two small goals placed in the other half. Attacking players are restricted to their zone. Defending players are not. Rotate players after each interval.

Coaching Points

Redirect the ball to keep possession or to pass to a teammate. Passing to an open player. Accuracy of the pass.

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Week 5 Shooting (Attacking 2 vs. 2)

Goal to Goal

Objective

To develop striking the ball with the instep or laces. To develop the mentality to score goals. Encourage "bridled" competition.

Description

Two players, one ball, cones. Each player makes a small goal with cones/flags, etc. The goal should be approximately 5-7 steps in width. Each player is approximately 10-20 yards apart from each other. Going one at a time, players take turns to score against each other. The player striking the ball must do so in no more than two touches. The player not striking the ball must stay on their goal line and can block the ball with anything but their hands. Exception is if they need to use their hands for safety reasons. Variations: A) Players are instructed to always strike a moving ball. B)

Coaching Points

Striking the ball with the instep or laces. Non-kicking foot is next to the ball or slightly ahead of it. Arms out for balance. Head and shoulders over the ball. Land on the striking foot.

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Get out of here!

Objective

To develop how to strike the ball with the laces or instep. To develop a mentality to shoot. To develop working with a teammate for the purpose of scoring goals.

Description

Create a small-sided field with small goals on each end. Dimensions: Approximately 20 yards long by 10 yards wide if playing 2v2. Divide into two teams. Play 2v2 on the field. When the ball goes out of bounds or there is a goal, the coach says "Get out of here" and a new pair from each team runs on.

Coaching Points

Working on striking the ball to shoot. "What part of the foot can you use to strike the ball"? Work on the idea of shooting first but if not then get the ball to a teammate.