AYSO National Coaching Program
Maximizing Coaching Moments
with Young Players (110)
Workshop Objectives
• Review a systematic approach to train players
• Discuss Free Play and understand how it
benefits coaches and players
• Discuss coaching moments methods
Our Goal:
Help players learn more
rapidly and efficiently
Teaching/Coaching Techniques
There are required STEPS that a coach must follow in order
to be an effective teacher/coach…
10 Step Teaching Technique
STEPS 1-5
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
State the tactical objective of what you are trying to accomplish
Demonstrate the skill, activity or game
Involve new players - let the players try it
Get all remaining players involved
Analyze level of play and skills being used by players…
10 Step Teaching Technique
STEPS 6-10
6.
7.
8.
Evaluate level of effort, commitment to training.
Are the training groups balanced?
Circulate and correct (use assistant coaches to supervise
play and keep the organization going)
9. Make corrections as needed using Positive Instruction
and Encouragement (PIE)
10. Communicate individual instructions, using concepts of
psychological motivation (remember, they are kids - don’t
embarrass them)…
Considerations for
Games and Activities
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Age and skill appropriate
A reason to play (tactical objective)
A person or team who finishes first (competition)
Manageable groups (number of groups)
Restrictions (grids, touch, time)
Consequences
Work to establish a match-type situation
Coaching points and corrections
Re-evaluation
Able to transfer training to the game…
Make it FUN
Teaching Solutions to Match
Problems
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Use games/activities to create match conditions
Requires organization to repeatedly execute a specific skill
and/or tactic
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Teach by using the concept of Build Up
- Go from the simple to the complex
- Think static to achieve technical ability and
move
to dynamic as quickly as possible
- Communicate in a language appropriate for
the age group
- Use coaching moments to correct or validate performance
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Make the players think (mental activation)
Evaluating Players
Why do we evaluate players?
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Assess abilities and knowledge
Assess what they have learned
To make adjustments to our training plans
How can we create an opportunity to
evaluate our players’ abilities to execute a
certain skill or task?
Use FREE PLAY to observe
What is FREE PLAY?
• Condition where individuals play with minimal restrictions
on time or space
• Players are given general directions on time or space
• Players are given general directions on what they should attempt
to accomplish and then left on their own
• Players should play hard and stop when rest is warranted
• Free play allows players to develop natural abilities in…..
a relaxed, coach-free environment
“We (the U.S.) are producing players who are over-coached and predictable as opposed to
players who can caress the ball and make you sit up and take notice. Coaches need to be
secure with themselves and not allow winning games to validate their importance in the lives of
their players.”
-- Sonny Askew, former professional player and
current youth coach, Baltimore, MD
Benefits of Free Play
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Avoids wasting time organizing lines, capturing
wandering players, etc.
Gives players freedom and encourages creativity
Allows learning through mistakes
During free play, players avoid others, seek open
space, and become more aware of the action
around them
The kids have FUN!
A coach’s observational powers will increase as they
are forced to isolate action in a group
When to Use Free Play
• Pre-Warm Up
- Prepare players for the technical warm-up
- Set the tone for the training session
• As an activity or scrimmage
- Gives the coach an opportunity to assess
LET THEM PLAY…
…so you can observe what they have learned
Preparation and Implementation
• In order to Succeed:
- Create a Quality Plan that includes:
• Training focus, 10 Steps, Free Play, & Match play
- Plan for Fun and have FUN!
- Communicate with the parents
• Expectations, Goals, Strategy, etc…
Coaching Moment Methods
• What do we mean?
- Opportunities during training to teach or validate
our players’ performance
• Four Methods
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Forced Stoppage
Natural Stoppage
Flow
Individual Reference
The 4 Methods
• Forced Stoppage
- Freeze play---Get In---Make your point---Get Out
- Most intrusive as it breaks the flow of play
• Natural Stoppage
- Use break in play to teach while player reset
- As in forced stoppages get in and get out
• Flow
- Talking as the game is playing; Avoid constant commentary
• Individual Reference
- Pull player aside to make observations
Avoid Lengthy Speeches
Keep Instructions Simple
Summary
If a coach understands how to teach using:
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The ten (10) step Teaching Technique
Free Play
Coaching Moment Methods
FUN, Quality, and Communication
Coaches, Players and the Game
WIN!
Maximizing Coaching Moments with Young
Players
Any questions?
Thank You!...