How To Coach Technique – The Learning Chronology

How To Coach Technique – The Learning Chronology

For years it has been advocated that OBSERVATION, IMITATION, PRACTICE & then TESTING was the correct sequential method for teaching technique to younger players. This post takes a closer look at each step and adds some modern ideas to improve this traditional approach by teaching a special dribbling move.

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The Root Cause of No Spontaneous Play

The Root Cause of No Spontaneous Play

Think about it, while our children are waiting for their parents to drive them to the next practice and then wait for the coach to tell them what to do. Children around the globe walk to the nearest open area in their neighborhood and adjust it to be soccer playable. Strange as it may seem no one has ever seen them organize a ‘drill’ of any kind. They use what is available and simply lay-out the environment to start playing their version of soccer. Why aren’t our players doing the same?

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5 Tips For Effective Demonstrations In Coaching

5 Tips For Effective Demonstrations In Coaching

Demonstrations are accessible to all types of learners because something that is seen, is a lot easier to digest then receiving the same information verbally. Being able to see the skill live, allows the player to store a picture of what you want in their memory and replay it until they learn it themselves.To deliver good demonstrations there are various techniques that a coach should consider.

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Mentally Prepare to Coach

Mentally Prepare to Coach

In this article coach Josh Brown points out a crucial differentiator when it comes to success and failure as a coach – being mentally prepared to deliver. If we demand it from players then we need to demand it from ourselves – we need to be as mentally robust as them.

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Soccer Awareness Sliding Rondos Using One and Two Touches

Soccer Awareness Sliding Rondos Using One and Two Touches

Regular Rondos are great; and this one encourages players to rotate in and out as the ball is moved. So always looking to change positions off the ball and every player gets the chance to be the PIVOT player. Eventually ALL players on attack can move and interchange, outside to in, inside to out and outside to outside. If defenders win the ball they try to keep it.

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Italian Pressing and Conditioning Play Part 1: Pressing from the Back and Condensing Play

Italian Pressing and Conditioning Play Part 1: Pressing from the Back and Condensing Play

In this drill from Soccer Awareness, our teams are working on Pressing from the Back and Condensing Play. Defenders drop off slower than attackers to allow them to get close and to delay their forward momentum. 

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Using Silence in High Performance Communication

Using Silence in High Performance Communication

Do not be afraid to use silence as a tool in your high-performance feedback loop. It is a very effective teacher for high-performers. They are self-motivated, analytical, and critical of their own performance. If you are engaging and empowering them as problem-solvers, the silence allows them to learn to solve things on their own without outside assistance. This helps develop intrinsic motivation, internalization of locus of control, and self-reliance.

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