Coaching : Practice makes permanent

4_the_kids

Active Member
Oct 20, 2015
312
I came across this blog today and thought I would share the link, may excellent points in the blog some of which have been discussed on this forum.
Practice makes permanent
Key points i got from it :
Must teach proper technique from day 1, practice of poor technique makes poor technique the memory , I am sure we all have had kids with poor technique and the challenge of rewriting that habit.
Coaches and parents play a big role in helping foster the players love for the game, create an intrinsic passion that drives them to practice,
Be cautious of being overbearing , extra practices, academies etc... being driven by extrinsic forces is one of the main reason players drop out

While these may seem like common sense , they don't happen enough... and today's kids unfortunately live in a world of over bearing parents, parents who just want the best for the kids, yet forget to ask the kid if he/she really wants it....
 

TKBC

Established Member
Aug 21, 2015
1,256
I came across this blog today and thought I would share the link, may excellent points in the blog some of which have been discussed on this forum.
Practice makes permanent
Key points i got from it :
Must teach proper technique from day 1, practice of poor technique makes poor technique the memory , I am sure we all have had kids with poor technique and the challenge of rewriting that habit.
Coaches and parents play a big role in helping foster the players love for the game, create an intrinsic passion that drives them to practice,
Be cautious of being overbearing , extra practices, academies etc... being driven by extrinsic forces is one of the main reason players drop out

While these may seem like common sense , they don't happen enough... and today's kids unfortunately live in a world of over bearing parents, parents who just want the best for the kids, yet forget to ask the kid if he/she really wants it....

exactly. set the foundations u4-8. u10+ should be developing the use of basics in a more competitive environment, not the beginning of developing the basics.
 

easoccer

Established Member
Aug 27, 2015
862
It's funny because I remember taking a bc soccer course and in it they were saying that in the early years kids should be encouraged to have fun, get lots of touches, and that technique should not be corrected.
 

rich

Active Member
Aug 20, 2015
291
It's funny because I remember taking a bc soccer course and in it they were saying that in the early years kids should be encouraged to have fun, get lots of touches, and that technique should not be corrected.

Yeah, that's what I recall as well. Obviously the have fun, lots of touches part is bang on. Technique always needs to be corrected, but it's all in the delivery.
 

4_the_kids

Active Member
Oct 20, 2015
312
It's funny because I remember taking a bc soccer course and in it they were saying that in the early years kids should be encouraged to have fun, get lots of touches, and that technique should not be corrected.

I think the key is if you get to technical you will loose the kids interest , and it has to be fun !
I have heard it said as:
first few practices of U5/U6 just make it fun, let the kids run around with the ball, lots of touches, everything should be with a ball at their feet. Once comfortable with the ball we can start working on proper technique., or at least start demonstrating it showing different touches and when to use them.., just don't punish poor technique or you loose the crowd. U7-U9 proper technique needs to taught, U10-U12 you should be learning skill ( that is the ability to use technique/technical attributes under pressure) , U13-U18 continue with mastering skill while learning the tactical elements of the game and to use skill with tactics ( essentially learning how to play and think the beautiful game) , U19-U23 learning how to win in highly competitive environments ( learning to manage the emotional, physical and pressure elements of the game)

Bottom lime is too many kids have poor or lazy technique. I have a Div 3 almost Div 2 U12 team, half this team could be Div 2, I inherited this team and the technique is way behind, they couldn't juggle a ball more than 2-3 times, primary pass was with the outside of foot , can not shoot more than 10-15 yards, couldn't run with the ball. The list goes on. yes they are Div 3 but they weren't taught technique either.their previous coach is a great guy , he is my assistant today , he just didn't know what to coach or how to run a session,they are good kids with great attitudes for the most part, and made tremendous improvements this year but are still a few years behind technique and skill wise. Point is we should be introducing technique at this age regardless of level of play, they should be more advanced learning skill not technique.
 

rich

Active Member
Aug 20, 2015
291
At the youngest ages you can get them starting to think about proper technique, like passing with inside of the foot, rather than the toe..but it's more a case of showing them, then asking them "would it be easier to pass if your toe was bigger? It would? How about trying..." But yeah...at U-littles it's about making it so much fun that they want to come back every day / week
 

LFC

Active Member
Aug 23, 2015
314
I came across this blog today and thought I would share the link, may excellent points in the blog some of which have been discussed on this forum.
Practice makes permanent
Key points i got from it :
Must teach proper technique from day 1, practice of poor technique makes poor technique the memory , I am sure we all have had kids with poor technique and the challenge of rewriting that habit.
Coaches and parents play a big role in helping foster the players love for the game, create an intrinsic passion that drives them to practice,
Be cautious of being overbearing , extra practices, academies etc... being driven by extrinsic forces is one of the main reason players drop out

While these may seem like common sense , they don't happen enough... and today's kids unfortunately live in a world of over bearing parents, parents who just want the best for the kids, yet forget to ask the kid if he/she really wants it....

Great post -Most of the coach,s in the younger ages [ in Newton/Surrey] are volunteer parents who are persuaded to look after/coach the team whether they have knowledge about soccer or not .These parents can make phone calls about games/training , give rides & yell instructions from the sidelines etc but cannot coach even the basics .Some lucky teams get a parent coach who is experienced & has knowledge of soccer .
 

LFC

Active Member
Aug 23, 2015
314
It's funny because I remember taking a bc soccer course and in it they were saying that in the early years kids should be encouraged to have fun, get lots of touches, and that technique should not be corrected.
Yeah most of the instructors say that and we all realize the importance of having fun for the young kids but basic technique should be corrected and can be done in a fun way
 

TKBC

Established Member
Aug 21, 2015
1,256
It's funny because I remember taking a bc soccer course and in it they were saying that in the early years kids should be encouraged to have fun, get lots of touches, and that technique should not be corrected.

yet another reason we fail at the professional and international level
 

4_the_kids

Active Member
Oct 20, 2015
312
Question:
Should we have age specific coaching certificates / professionals. What I mean is holding a UFEA A license doesn't mean you are a good coach for U7 , should there be a similar type of qualifications for the various age groups, and i mean much more advance than the current CSA offerings ...
 
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