Coach must be: Charismatic, well
informed, up to date, experienced, knowledgeable, articulate, a
disciplinarian. No doubts about his/her authority; managerial know-how.
Development of functional and
team play:
Fulfillment of a player’s potential depends on his or her own efforts,
the support of teammates and the unselfish guidance of her coach. He or
she must be exposed to a playing and training environment, which
extends her mental, physical, tactical and technical capabilities to
the limit. He or she must have a sound understanding of the game’s
principles and concepts. Players should show emotional stability when
confronted with pressure situations. Demanding and challenging training
sessions and matches are a must.
Technique:
- Mastered skills leading to artistry. All at speed
under match conditions, demanding excellence. Individual skill covered
during warm-up and competitive situations.
Tactics:
- Increase tactical speed (decision-making) with
increased pressure and competition. Having the ability to change and
adapt to game dynamics, up or down a goal, management of the clock and
flow of the game.
- Individual:
- In attack: A good deal of time spent in functional
training environments
- Decisions based on thirds of the field
- Comfort in playing in the different areas of
the
field/team (back, middle, front, center, wide).
- Confidence to hold possession as an individual
- Solve problems at the individual level.
- In defense: Clear understanding of how the quality
of pressure affects the ability of the team to defend
- Decisions based on thirds of the field.
- Comfort at playing two different positions
- Small group:
- In attack:
- Improvisation/deception encouraged
- Advanced understanding of combination play and how
to combine to break down a defense
- Balance of possession and penetration with a
purpose to score goals
- Recognize opportunities to penetrate by a variety
of means
- Attacking in groups of three (forwards, midfielders
and defenders)
- In defense:
- Pressure, cover, balance
- Control of the game’s speed and direction due to
defending decisions
- Recognition of double team opportunities
- Defending in groups of three (forwards, midfielders
and defenders)
- Team: Understanding of lines and linkage
between lines. Understand positional and team needs.
- In attack:
- Comfort with direct and indirect styles of play
- Combination play with tactical implications
- Sustained possession as a means to break down the
opponent’s defense
- Speed of play; the game is faster and more physical
- Creativity, quality of final ball to beat backs
- Understanding how and when to counterattack
- Serving runners in the box
- Organizing the box with runners (penetration, width
and support)
- Decisions based on thirds of the fields
- Set plays (80 percent success rate where we get: 1)
goal; 2) shot on goal; or 3) corner kick
- In defense:
- Comfort with “high pressure” and “delayed high
pressure” styles
- Understanding of zonal and man-to-man marking play
- Goalkeeper as the last defender
- Keeping good team compactness
- Stopping the counterattack
- Decisions based on thirds of the field and
different systems of play
- Pressing (when and where to pressure, channel and
dictate defensively)
Systems: The recommended system – all. Based on a variety of factors
(individual/team abilities, opponent, field conditions, game management
etc.). Again, the basic formation suggested would be a 4-4-2, as it is
the base for switching to many other formations. Note: A great deal of
coaching/teaching within 9 v. 9 and 11 v. 11
games.
Physical: • Fitness work with and without the ball • Flexibility –
static stretching after training/matches • Dynamic flexibility –
partner stretching • Importance of discipline for warm-up and cool-down
• Agility – with and without the ball • Endurance – aerobic and
anaerobic • Strength – upper and lower body. Core strength/stability •
Balance • Nutrition – proper diet pre-game, post-game, tournaments •
Prevention and care of injuries • Importance of rest/recovery –
schedule issues relative to the physical demands
Psychological:
- Increased concentration
- Leadership and increased player responsibility
- Discipline
- Accountability
- Goal setting
- Respect for the game
- Self-confidence, self-motivation, goal setting
- Vary program – satisfy players’ urge for
competition. Will to win.
- Mental toughness/competitive mentality
- Establish pre-practice and pre-game routine (as
individuals and teams)
- Encourage players/teams to watch professional and
National Team games on television
|
