The Beauty of the Beautiful Game: Watching them discover the game!

Soccer is so perfect.  It is so complex yet when played perfectly so simple.  Why is the game great?  You don't even need goals to play!!!!  When you see kids experience this, it can be inspiring.

My college coach once told me something so important when I informed him that I wanted to "coach" soccer.  He said, "working with older players can be a rewarding challenge, but if you ever want to discover how good or bad of a coach you really are then go coach the U-11's and younger."  "It represents a true discovery of the game right before your eyes."  Thank you Coach!

Since starting to work with the youth players, I have had moments of great satisfaction and even greater dissatisfaction with my abilities as a coach.  My session last night was a composite of both.

Recently, I was running a clinic with our town U-9/10/11 year old groups with the purpose of the players improving their ability to see a problem (cramped space) and solving it (by moving the ball to a different less cramped part of the field).  Part of my session involved "Two goal" soccer (attack two, defend two) which went very well and accomplished what I was looking for.

But another part was a game called "Don't feed the monkeys".  It involves passing/receiving with the opportunity to change the "point of attack" when needed.  I have used this activity before successfully with my older groups U-14+.  However, these types of activities involve rules and boundaries.   Some U-10's get it right away and some... not so much.   Movement off the ball was the biggest issue I had as many felt that it was a "game" and not soccer so they would stay in one area waiting for the ball to come to them.  Oh man, the waiting and standing kills me.  Is there really anything worse?
 
Then I decided to fix and make it better by scrapping the activity.  Instead......let us feed the monkeys. PLAY KEEP AWAY!  It is so old school and so dependable.  Every three passes in a row equals a point, game to 10, no boundaries.  I have used it before and always forget how incredibly productive it is.  It is represents the bulk of the game, the essence all boiled down into a game within a game.  It is everything that is great about soccer less the goals and saves. 

It was awesome watching them using their vision habits we have worked on, moving off the ball constantly to support but not crowd, getting the ball away from pressure.  But most exciting was that they were being responsible for the possession of the one item that truly matters the most in the game, the ball.

It was a moment of pure satisfaction watching the beautiful game unfold right before my eyes.  Everything I know our American youth are capable of because I have seen youth of the same age in other countries do it, came to fruition.  It was like watching evolution happen with a soccer ball.  Problem solving at its best!  The cherry on top was that when they went to play with nets it all translated.  They had brought the concept of possession into the game.

Vision Training: The missing link in American Soccer

While our national team pool of players increases in ability and experience by the minute, many young American players still struggle with the game of soccer for various reasons.  I contend that the largest road block we face is the way that we see and watch the game leading to a lack of true understanding and quality play.  This can be improved by playing the game more, watching the game on tv and proper training of our young players.  In this article I am focusing on how we train our players.

Seeing the Game:

"Visual Attention" on the ball, is in my opinion quite different in soccer than many American sports due to the inherent and unnatural location of the ball at our feet.  Once the ball has entered the player's immediate field of vision they must at some point lower their vision to focus on the ball so that they can make good decisions. "When something gets our visual attention we may focus both eyes on the object." This pause is called "fixation" and this is a true moment of frustration for American players.

We are not raised to play games where we need such a unique "field of vision" to play comfortably.  In addition, due to the lack of experience in the sport the vast majority of our youth players are being coached by volunteers who maintain the same levels of anxiety when a ball comes to them in a game as their U9 players do.  

How can we improve player vision?

By training players to work on their vision we can lower their anxiety levels and turn that feeling into a controlled and comfortable feeling.  Below I have mentioned some of the typical approaches taken by coaches.

1. Insist and ingrain players to continually take photographs in their minds over an over again before the ball arrives in their field of vision.  Use those photographs to remember where the pressure (opponent), space and teammates were before they receive the ball.  

2. Encourage them to anticipate and envision what decisions they will make when the ball comes to them by continually surveying the field while the ball is not in their immediate vicinity.  

Not enough

I have discovered though that this advice while sound, is clearly not enough.  We must strive to embrace the aspects of the game that the rest of the world has developed.  As a young coach I have embraced coaching courses, books, videos and logged countless hours studying the pro-game in an effort to devour more knowledge that I had not been taught as a player.  

A year ago I purchased a video called " The Vision Training System" and discovered two great coaches named TJ Kostecky and Len Bilous who have changed my outlook on what players need in training.  Ever since I have used the methods learned from them in my team training, camps, clinics and my personal play which needs every advantage possible. 

Coach Kostecky does a great job of putting together a comprehensive and dissectible video of vision techniques integrated with standard situations that will definitely improve a player's relationship with time and space.  I encourage every coach and youth soccer organization to incorporate this video into their curriculum.

The bigger picture--On field vs. Above field
In addition to "on field" vision training we must be diligent about showing "above field" training.  I refer to this as the bigger picture to our players so that they can envision the small phases of play as part of the larger puzzle.  


1. Train them to watch games with a wider field
Even my best players are so focused on the ball that when they watch a game on tv they truly only see the immediate field around the path of the ball.  I like to encourage them to watch the game with the entire story.  One method is to take the team to a pro game or college game and use it not only as a team building experience, but as mental training focused on tactics.

At Upper 90 Soccer we have built a "video session" into our summer program where we teach a lesson around goals from different world cup videos.  I have used these world cup videos and clips from our own games with my HS team with positive feedback from the players.  I believe this method can be used at any age as long as you understand your objectives and age group.  With our Lil' Kickers we use video to show rules, the passion for the game, introduce world class players to them, illustrate the simple shapes in the game (triangles and diamonds) as well as explain what all of the lines on the fields mean.

If you get a parent to video tape your youth games, it can be used as a great team building event and a training session.  Review the game first alone and take notes so that you can forward to the highlights you want to focus on.  The players will get more out of this than you might anticipate.

2. Use a White board with magnets
As often as possible I think a coach should use the tactics board  before warm-ups, at practice as well as at games to show players what it is they are striving to achieve.  Even if you are working on "change of direction moves" to avoid pressure like the "Cruyff" you can show them on the board/field where the move could be used due to standard situations.  If you do not own a tactics board you can simply lay out two different colored cones in the grass and move them about to demonstrate your bigger picture.

Some of our best players and coaches have used "Vision Training" in order to complete their arsenal of talent.  Click here to see what players like Cluadio Reyna, Julie Foudy and other pros have to say about it.

Best of luck.

Club Soccer

Should my child play club soccer?


This is not a question that should be taken lightly.  There are many considerations to be looked at when thinking about having your child explore this track of playing the game.  Below I offer some of the more important components that could affect your decision.

The impact of Mojo on your decision
I suggest that a child's spirit can be a major factor in the development of their happiness.  If you agree with the "statement" below then you should read on, if not then I would suggest you maintain your child's involvement with town soccer which has its own set of influences on players.

Statement
My child demonstrates a true passion for the game, appears to be developing a physical connection to the skills and the competitive demeanor necessary to play the game at a higher level.

If you agree, then you should consider looking into club level soccer.   Your child's inner spirit (mojo) will play a major role in his/her overall experience in club soccer.  It will be an emotional journey regardless of how good of a player they are.  You as a parent should be prepared to look at yourself as a parent in order to guide them through their experience.  You should also be prepared to travel and block off your schedule on weekends.

What does club soccer provide my child?

Speaking generally, I believe that the club level should provide your child with a more developed opportunity where he/she can deovote more of their time to the sport of soccer. The ideal club should provide your child with an environment of proper training from proper coaches and league play that includes players of reasonably equal caliber. These coaches are people who have dedicated themselves to knowing the sport and have crafted the ability of bringing that knowledge to a player so that your child can take the field with confidence and a love for the game.

How do clubs differ?

There are many different clubs at all levels of playing and coaching ability. Some clubs are very professionally run and set the bar high for player development.  In return, they place the same high expectation of effort on players and parents. Some clubs are more focused on providing the players with a less intensive playing environment where the child does not feel a constant need to win.  I believe the best clubs teach your child how to be a skilled, knowledgeable and competitive player supported by a dual focus on playing the game correctly.  In other words, setting the expectation of winning is okay as long as winning does not stand alone as the ultimate goal.  It should be considered as a partner to player development.   You should read the club's philosophy and mission statement or contact the Director of each club in order to ask about their attitude.

Commitment Levels of Club Soccer (Tryouts, schedules, playing time, cost)

Tryouts:
Typically in New England, clubs will hold tryouts in June after their spring season has ended.  Most clubs have all tryout info on their website with locations and age groups.  This can be emotionally difficult even for the best players.  Coaches should be invested in each player, but also coming from the perspective of "what is best for the team".  This can be an aspect that deters some parents/players and inspire others.  I suggest you talk to your child about entering a tryout with confidence coupled with humbleness.  If your child is not sure how they will perform are they prepared to deal with not making the team.  For many pre-teens this could be their first experience with rejection.

Schedules:  Family Time
Most clubs offer two nights a week of winter training and some play in a winter league.  In addition, Spring is the main season for older players.  Most games are played on Sundays and Weekends are often consumed.  Spring season often involves travel time between 1/2 hour to 3 hours away.  The higher level you are the more traveling you will do in order to find teams of equally higher levels.

Playing Time: Are you Committed?
It is crucial that you understand the commitment level expected for club.  Many parents underestimate how much of an impact over-scheduling will have on their child's experience.  I have seen far too often parents who pay the money, but have their child involved with other commitments at the same time and conflicts begin to emerge.  The child's play can decrease and their overall impact on the team can decrease including a loss of playing time.  Although you are paying for your child to play, I suggest you sit down with your child and discuss where they place this on their priorities list.  Along the same lines, a player could be very dedicated, but still not see much playing time.  This can be very difficult for a player and parent to cope with however in order to reach the highest level of play towards promotion a coach needs to play the best combination of players possible.

Cost: 
Most club costs are roughly $1000.00-$1500.00.  This most often includes winter training, spring season, uniform costs, warm-up costs and typically at least one out-of-league tournament.  However, many clubs also have costs for going to additional tournaments including very distant trips with flights, hotels etc.  You MUST read the club's information and inquire.

Please feel free to contact Kip Lewis at 508-507-1875 with any further questions and best of luck.