This weekend I had direct interaction as a coach with six different teams. This is what you call a "busy weekend". And I still managed a 3rd birthday party (Thanks Patricia and John!), some soccer club duties, work to prepare for the week and a chic-flick.
I could have easily planned for each group, walked on the pitch and delivered decent sessions.
By using LTPD as my guiding principle, all sessions involved age-appropriate activities consistent with their development stage characteristics. I am not the story here ... LTPD is. Let me explain.
Saturday Morning.
Welland U4 girls. 32 players. We ran the session using the information provided for the Active Start level and Active Start Course. One parent/partner per player. One ball per
player. Activities were one on one, including physical literacy, soccer movements and 1v1 game with their own parents. All players were active the entire time. (as were the parents). Lots of smiles and sweat.
Later Saturday morning
Pelham u11 Boys. 12 players. I arrived a bit late to find that my brother had them in an excellent game setup, working on passing and support, letting them play with rare interruptions to offer information. He has been using LTPD as his conscience and information received during the "Learn to Train" Course. My contribution was non-technical information for them to set the stage for further learning by giving them ideas on how to get the edge on their opponents; Soccer IQ if that's a valid term. These boys aren't the strongest team, (yet) but they compete and work hard. (my brother is slowly becoming a methodical coach with a plan and purpose ... and his head is in the right place)
Sunday morning.
"I want another LTPD supporting coach to step in another time and leave the kids with the same feeling."
Welland U18 boys. 12 players. We started with a run, dynamic stretching then 6v6 keep-away. We had the field set up to play 3 themed small sided games. Each game became more intense and competitive than the previous. The condition of the game brought out the learning. They played for 90 minutes with no letdown in intensity. This group is a lot of fun to work with and the content is tailored to their personality. Keeping the session within the context of the "Soccer for Life" development stage information, it stays enjoyable.
Sunday Night.
Welland u14 boys, first and second team. Welland U11 girls. All three teams together. 32 players total. A little trickier as they are two different stages, "Learn to Train" and "Soccer for Life". We started with a warm-up, set up multiple 1v1 grids which got very "nasty" in some grids. (The u11 girls played 1v1 among themselves) The coaching points were different for U11 vs U14. Why the 1v1? It was focused, repetitive, competitive and set the stage for what we wanted. We then rotated the three teams through three small sided games with different set-ups. Each stationed manned by a pair of coaches with the plan in their hands. Again, different coaching points for the younger girls, but lots of problem solving, game principles and situations. At two of the stations, winning the 1v1 battle directly contributed to your team's success, hence the earlier activity. We ended the session with a cool down. It was a fun environment with 6 enthusiastic coaches running the stations. I was the bossy foreman. ;)
Why did LTPD make things easier? I didn't have to stress over age appropriate content or guessing who I am working with. I used LTPD as my guideline, decided on the theme and activities and my focus was on organization and delivery. When I come back to a team, my approach is consistent and hopefully inline with what their coaches do in my absence.
I also want another LTPD conscious coach to step in another time and leave the kids with the same feeling.
"I am not the story here ... LTPD is."At the end of it, here is what I see; My experience gave me confidence to step in an deliver as a guest coach. My experience made it easier to set up plans for the other coaches and give them "tips". But it was the theme, appropriateness of the content and environment that left a good impression with the participants. That was driven by LTPD. While the coach designs and delivers the session, the session itself has to be able to speak for itself.
Our job is to work hard and smart to set the stage for learning well before the players arrive. If all is done correctly, the kids should rarely notice us as coaches while embracing what the environment has to offer.
I don't want the player to hop in their car and say "Coach Frank this " and "Coach Frank that". I want them to say "We learned this" and "We played that". Over the past few months, this has become my measuring stick for a good session.
