“Before playing a piece of music, the pianist still has to practice his scales every day”

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PHILOSOPHY OF THE PROGRAM

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The improvement of technical expertise is one of the prime training objectives in the process of developing today’s youngsters into tomorrow’s stars. 

At the key ages from 9 – 13, this is considered the ‘golden age’ for developing technical skills. Work on technical skills should take up the majority of the training schedule. At each training session, technical moves should be worked on using specific exercises or during small sided games.

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Unfortunately, experience has shown us that the teaching of technique is all too often neglected, with emphasis placed instead on the instruction of team tactics and physical conditioning. 

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Even when work is done on training technical skills, this all too frequently becomes geared to specific positions, thereby reducing the range of overall skills that the player has in his/her armoury.

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Today’s game at the highest level calls for tactical versatility, but this versatility cannot be achieved without perfect technical mastery. Gaps can frequently be seen with teenage players aged between 15 and 16 at the Training to Compete Stage when they are faced with having to play intensive soccer under pressure. They are unable to make the right choice technically, they lack speed in their movements, and they have gross motor skills (as opposed to fine motor skills) because they do not have sufficient experience and technical solutions to offer. Consequently, young players have to be given a basis of motor experiences (coordination) starting at the Learn to Train Stage (8 – 12), on which they can build; and they have to be taught general individual technical skills, thereby allowing them to increase their range of movements and, as a result, their confidence when working with the ball. 

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PROJECTED GOALS

We will assess individual movement mechanics with the ball, in order to identify specific abilities requiring improvements. We will coach in an innovative and fun manner in order to develop a player’s technique, skills, confidence and enjoyment of the game. Besides improved mechanics, our goal is to help players with their game knowledge to improve team dynamics on and off the field.

• Identify the skills and ability level of each individual. 

• Focus on improving the 4R'S which are the key technical aspects of soccer:

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Receiving the ball 

• On the ground with various parts of both feet

• In the air with various parts of the body

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Retaining the ball

• 1 v 1 moves

• turns

• protect and escape 

• decision making when in possession of the ball

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Running with the ball

• different parts of the foot 

• change of pace

• change of direction

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Releasing the ball

• varying techniques for kicking a ball

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• Identify Individual Skill Key Performance Indicators by assessing 

  • Timing

  • Awareness

  • Deception

  • Touch

  • Acceleration

  • Balance

  • Coordination

• Teach proper form, habits and execution of exercises

• Improve rhythm, balance, co-ordination, suppleness, and speed

 

COST 

€25 /player for 1 hour session

 

SESSIONS

10 sessions

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DATES

September 1  - November 3
November 10 - January 19
January 26 - March 30

April 6 - June 8

June 15 - August 17

 

DAY

Sunday