Introduction
There is a debate in all youth sports on the value of winning games versus the long-term development of young players. While there is often conflict between these two goals, they do not have to be separate paths.
At TSC we have the long term interests of the players at heart, therefore the development of a player is our number one priority. We believe it is more important to supply the player with the skill that will allow them to play successfully through the future rather than just looking for victories today. We believe that a win at all costs alone is detrimental to a young player’s future. Therefore, we will choose long-term player development over competition in situations where they conflict. We believe we can provide a competitive playing experience AND improve long-term player development through a systematic approach to organized curriculum.
To fully understand our intentions in the Academy Program at TSC you should understand that those who choose this program are most often those families whose children have already played some recreational soccer and are looking for something more substantial. They want more structured player development at practice with coaches that have a background and an expertise in soccer, AND they want a competitive environment where their children are challenged so they will develop better skills and enjoyment for the game.
Therefore, building a player development philosophy for our younger players provides a frame-work for decision-making and guidance in setting curriculum and achieving goals. The development of soccer talent is an on-going process; it truly is longitudinal. It is a process in which individuals progress gradually from simple to the more complex experiences that the game provides. The process of player development requires planning that has clarity and is based upon modern technical development ideas. This plan and direction needs to come from the technical people; coaches who are educated, experienced and knowledgeable. Anything less than a comprehensive and coordinated effort only means that player development is left to chance rather than being maximized as a result of coaching, programming, competition and well thought out planning.
This program is to be used as a guideline. Ultimately, the decisions surrounding each individual age group is up to the discretion of the age group coaches, in conjunction with the Technical Directors and Director of Coaching. Having flexibility within the program allows for adjustments when and where appropriate.
Trebol Soccer Club Philosophy
Player’s Enjoyment of the Game
Our club endeavors to present techniques, tactics, training and game environments in such a manner which promotes all players’ enjoyment of soccer and increases individual player development for all players. Our goal is to develop a life-long love of the game, regardless of the eventual level of play a player attains.
We believe the learning process and the eventual degree to which a child can execute the basic techniques and tactics of the game is critical to a child’s existing and long-term enjoyment of soccer. Our club policies value and promote retention, as much as new registration. That metric is our best indicator that your child is enjoying his/her experience.
Player’s Desire to Improve
Our club endeavors to facilitate an environment within each training session and competitive game which promotes a player’s desire to be better. Our coaches and administrators are trained to promote this approach in a manner respectful of players’ existing ability levels. Incremental improvement means different things to different players. We believe teaching players the value of “improving” as opposed to “never being good enough” is a vital distinction to be made for player and parent alike. We ask our parents to help us maintain a positive attitude within your young player so they will want to participate in player development and ultimately will improve as soccer players and people creating a passion for soccer.
Trebol Soccer Club Academy Program
The TSC Academy Program for the 2005-2008 age groups is designed to provide our young players with the best possible start in their select soccer experience. The focus of the experience is to develop young soccer players through the “Golden Years of Learning”.
Players at this age are like sponges and can increase their love of the game and develop positive habits and attitudes which provide the foundations for soccer excellence down the road. The emphasis at this age should be fun, enjoyment, and player learning where positive reinforcement and creativity are encouraged. If players enjoy the game at this introductory age, then hopefully they will be playing and enjoying the game for years to come.
This program stresses the importance of player development over the winning of games in situations where there is a conflict between the two. Stressing individual player development is critical because we have many types of players across these age groups.
It is much more important to develop players within the proper framework at this age as opposed to demanding that teams win at all costs. If the goal is just to win there are shortcuts that coaches can take at the expense of developing the player and the team, such as placing teams in less competitive situations and little play time for developing players. By focusing on developing the player and putting them in the best training and competitive situations that fit the individual, we ultimately help the entire age group and success will follow.
The goal of TSC is to help each player develop skills and techniques to play to the best of their ability so that the can play "The Beautiful Game of Soccer". We want to open the door of creativity for every player with a soccer ball.
“The emphasis on winning is a detriment to young players because it prevents us from developing technically proficient players. And we are not giving them the ability to make decisions.” –US u17 National Team Coach, John Hackworth. Soccer America, Oct. 2006
“Too often in this country, youth coach’s sacrifice learning skills for winning games…” - US Women’s National Team Member, Mia Hamm. Soccer America, Oct. 2006
The Academy Program Goals
Improving Technique
When players improve their technical ability they grow in confidence and give themselves a greater capacity to process information, which is vital in the development of young soccer players. Improving technique is paramount to TSC.
Improving Tactics
Players need to work the game out for themselves and not have coaches or parents make decisions for them. Therefore, tactics will be introduced for individuals and small groups to allow them to understand the decision making process and thereby make the correct decision within the game.
Improving Teamwork
Another way to increase enjoyment of the game is through interaction with a variety of teammates through small group activities which enhance skillful and imaginative play (for example 2v1, 2v2, 2v3, 3v3, and 4v4 to goals or targets). During these early developmental years, children should play in all positions to improve their all-around understanding and knowledge of the game. This will produce more well-rounded soccer players who are capable in many situations as they get older and competition becomes increasingly important.
Playing with High Standards
Discipline is a key factor when learning the game of soccer. TSC expects all players to attend each training session or game, fully prepared and wearing the proper soccer training attire. Equipment, including a properly inflated soccer ball, shin guards and additional clothing for severe weather, as well as a water bottle are mandatory items for each session. We also require that players treat all teammates, coaching staff, opponents, and referees with the utmost respect.
The Advantages of Pool Training
- Player development at these ages is VERY FLUID due to different rates of physical and technical maturation and game awareness. Therefore, a rigid team system is less appropriate for players in these age groups. By mixing players outside their regular teams, we allow for all the positive developmental aspects that come from stepping beyond their comfort zone. However, by the 2005 and 2006 age groups we often have a number of players that have trained in the select program for 2 to 3 years while we still have other players brand new to the experience. Pool training allows us to provide relevant learning in a competitive environment for all players.
- Isolationism amongst our youngest teams can be detrimental to young players’ development and can lead to problems at later age groups when team formation requires a higher number of players on the roster. However, having fluid groups allows all players to be successful in their learning. Pool training prevents the feelings of separation by allowing an age group to still participate as one in many activities while still challenging players at numerous levels of development.
- Players are placed in an environment that allows them to develop an awareness of the “club culture” among different peers with whom they may compete in the future. In training it is less about the team and more about the club. In pool play players still feel a connection to everyone in the age group because they regularly participate with everyone in certain skills and drills. Team composition is also fluid allowing all players to potentially develop relationships with others in the age group.
- The Coaching Staff is afforded regular evaluation opportunities across a given age group. In fact, each month or as curriculum changes from one skill set to another, the coach and Technical Director/Director of Coaching may reevaluate the players to determine whether movement across pools is needed.
- Academy teams play on modified fields in a 7v7 (2007-2008) or 9v9 (2005-2006) format, where tactics and team play should be a secondary consideration to the development of individuals in 1v1 and small-group settings, the pool training system enhances individual and small group development.
- Pool training is a competitive cauldron across teams, giving players a chance to learn from and measure themselves against the best talent of their own age. For the best players, it is an opportunity to demonstrate skill and gain confidence and also to be a model for the players who are not as strong. For the newer players, it is an opportunity to develop skills without losing confidence from constantly losing in competitive training situations or easily identifying a lack of development in some skills compared to others.
- Pool training allows us to build the future of the club as we seek to increase the skills and technique of all players within an age group rather than either focusing on only training a few or focusing on training everyone the same.
- Pool training is NOT a lowest-common-denominator approach. We firmly believe in placing the best players together to train, compete and push each other. But the most effective 2008 player may not be the best 2005 player in three years time, so our training environment must encourage every player to develop at their own pace.
- Pool training is NOT a refusal to recognize the social benefit of team identity or team-building that can be a great childhood experience. Drills and expectations should be customized to the skill level of the individual players so that everyone is challenged. Each player should see a clear path to improving and moving up the skill ladder. For this group to be successful as individuals and as a team they must all practice with a purpose, master skills and tactics covered during practice while displaying their abilities during game/league play.
- Pool training does not mean that we don’t want our players to win, just that we are not prepared to sacrifice their long term development for short term success.
Academy Program 2007-2008
At TSC our Academy Program is designed around player development. It is recognized that these are the best years for teaching the basic technical skills needed by players to have mastery of the ball, so that they control the ball in a variety of different circumstance. All training sessions at this age should include a component of developing a player’s individual skills.
It is our desire that all players within the age group will train together at the same time and on the same field, with coaches using a variety of different techniques to ensure that all players learn the necessary age appropriate skills while challenging all different skill levels within the age group.
Players will play a variety of positions and be taught the principles of the game rather than a specific function or role on the field as we are looking to develop soccer players, rather than strikers, midfielders, defenders and goalkeepers. This will ensure each player is well-rounded as they move forward in the soccer experience.
“We believe that players under the age of ten should play games of 7v7. This will provide a less cluttered and more developmentally appropriate playing environment. The coaching of positions to children under the age of 10 is considered intellectually challenging and often situates parent-coaches in a knowledge vacuum. Additionally, premature structure of U10 players into positions is often detrimental to the growth of individual skills and tactical awareness. This problem is particularly acute with players of limited technical ability.” US Youth Soccer, Position Statements.
Program Description for Training and Games - Player Birth Year: 2007-2008
· 3 Practices per Week
o Practice 1: All of the 2008 players of the same gender will train in the same location at the same time, where logistically possible. The players will be grouped based on their level of development.
For example: If there are thirty 2008 boys, Coach 1 will take the 10 most developed players (A players), Coach 2 will take the 10 least developed players (C players), and Coach 3 will take the 10 players that fall in between (B players). They will all work on the same topic at a level that is appropriate to their current level.
All of the 2008 boys’ coaches will rotate through each of the groups so that all of the players are exposed to the strengths of all of the coaches.
o Practice 2: All of the 2008 players of the same gender will train in the same location at the same time, where logistically possible. The players will be grouped on a broader basis.
For example: If there are thirty 2008 boys, Coach 1 will take a group of 10 players made up of A and B players, Coach 2 will take a group of 10 players made up of A, B, and C players, Coach 3 will take a group of 10 players made up of B and C players.
All of the 2008 boys’ coaches will rotate through each of the groups so that all of the players are exposed to the strengths of all of the coaches.
o Practice 3: All of the 2008 players of the same gender will train in the same location at the same time. The players will be working on individual technical skills and groupings are not necessary. The session will be run by the Technical Director with the 2008 boys’ coaches in attendance.
This training concept will apply to all 2007-2008 boys and girls. In all cases, any player movement will be made as a result of agreement among the coaches, Technical Director, and the Director of Coaching.
· Games
o Our goal in implementing the academy concept is to provide an incentive for players to develop and reward them for doing so within a given season, as opposed to waiting until the next round of tryouts a year later. Does that mean the team will look completely different from week to week on game day? No, that is not likely. But it is likely you will see a different coach on game day from time to time.
In the example referenced previously (30 players, 3 teams) Team A will be made up of 10 of the most developed players at the time of the game, Team B will be made up of 10 players that are not the most developed, but not the least developed either at the time of the game, and Team C will be made up of 10 of the least developed players at the time of the game. For league play, each team will be placed in the division that is appropriate for their level of development.
The academy concept provides incentive for the top B players to experience training and/or game time with A players. The same applies to C players needing to train and/or play with B players. Typically, we do not see players moving from C players to A players within a given season, so players of similar ability will always play and train together.
There is the potential for this work in the reverse as well. Perhaps an A player did not attend training this week and the top B player was present and worked hard. That player should be rewarded and deserves an opportunity. The same concept applies to B and C players.
At these younger ages, based on the topic of training that week, a couple of players may move to a different team for that week’s game. Or, it is possible there will be no movement as a result of no discernible jump in ability that week. All movement is based on what is right for the individual player’s developmental interests.
This game concept will apply to all 2007-2008 boys and girls. In all cases, any player movement will be made as a result of agreement among the coaches, Technical Director, and the Director of Coaching.
Program Description for Training and Games - Player Birth Year: 2005-2006
The focus continues to be based around player development with the emphasis placed upon building upon the skills individuals have already learned and introducing new ones. As players continue to work on their technical skills, they are introduced to some of the basic tactics of the game. The consequences those tactics have in a game development of a player’s skills as they grow is matched by an increase in their physical ability and they will move to the larger field to accommodate this change. Again during the 2005 year there is often a call to allow them to play on bigger fields with an increased number of players. Teams throughout the 2005 program will continue to play 9v9 soccer as it best serves the players needs at this critical period in their development both technically and tactically.
· 3 Practices per Week
o Practice 1: All of the 2006 players of the same gender will train in the same location at the same time, where logistically possible. Initially, the players will be grouped based on tryouts, and then on an ongoing basis throughout the season based on their level of development.
For example: If there are thirty-six 2006 boys, Coach 1 will take the 12 most developed players (Trebol White), Coach 2 will take the 12 least developed players (Trebol Black), and Coach 3 will take the 12 players that fall in between (Trebol Green). They will all work on the same topic at a level that is appropriate to their current level.
All of the 2006 boys’ coaches will rotate through each of the groups so that all of the players are exposed to the strengths of all of the coaches.
o Practice 2: Same as Practice 1.
o Practice 3: All of the 2006 players of the same gender will train in the same location at the same time. The players will be working on individual technical skills and groupings are not necessary. The session will be run by the Technical Director with the 2006 boys’ coaches in attendance.
This training concept will apply to all 2005-2006 boys and girls. In all cases, any player movement will be made as a result of agreement among the coaches, Technical Director, and the Director of Coaching.
· Games
o Same as described above for 2007-2008, with player movement likely to happen far less frequently as topics become more difficult and take longer for players to grasp.
This game concept will apply to all 2005-2006 boys and girls. In all cases, any player movement will be made as a result of agreement among the coaches, Technical Director, and the Director of Coaching.
“We believe that 2005-2006 players should play games of 9v9. This will provide a less cluttered and more developmentally appropriate environment. The 2005 age group is the dawning of tactical awareness and we feel it is best to teach the players individual and group tactics at this age rather than team tactics.” US Youth Soccer, Position Statements.
Summary
As a club, we feel the Academy Program for our 2005-2008 will benefit your child and increase their development in the game of soccer. We understand the different skills and demands on our players as they develop at different paces. We believe that by implementing these ideas, we will see players improve at greater rates in a fun and a positive environment. The staff at TSC is confident that your child will thrive in a setting that encourages creativity and skill rather than in one which is focused solely on results and standings. We believe placing each player in an environment which lets them learn and feel good about their progress will ultimately create a passion for soccer in our players.