Towson United Soccer -- Youth Program -- Clinic, Rec, Travel, and Premier Teams

coaching

The program will provide comprehensive training and support for coaches at all levels -- travel, clinic, and rec. This will be for each age group.

A goal of the program is to have all travel coaches licensed at the "E" level (US Soccer) or greater by the start of the Fall 2008 season. The equivalent NSCAA license is the "Regional Diploma". We are far along on that road with a coaches licensed at the C, D, and E level.

Licensing Guide

Rec coaches will recieve training during a coaching clinic. They will also recieve a program guide that includes program goals, player development philosophy, rules as to playing time, plus drill sheets. This is to ensure a fun and effective learning environment for children across the board. Fun is the priority but players should have the opportunity to learn the game in an effective age appropriate way.

Coaches and volunteers will have the opportunity to pursue licensing. The league will also hold clinics open to all players that are specific to certain skills -- goal keeping, scoring, defending, etc.

Materials and Links

»»For every coach or parent who thinks their son or daughter is going to play in college, or the pros, look at these numbers and accept that this needs to remain all about fun and character building. Reality check here!

»»Soccer Field Communication-- Here is a basic resource for communication ideas on the field. These are somewhat universally used but there are plenty of variations.

»»Soccer Goal Safety--
--Goals tip easily--wind, kids, etc
--Check & fix sandbags before each practice
--Kids should not move goals for coaches, climb on goals, or pull on nets

»»Videos:
Kids love watching these videos, as do some parents and coaches. Kids shouldn't spend too much time working on more than one or two of these. They should try and get 1-2 down pat. Learning just one can inspire them quite a bit. Check the 4KIDS section as well.

Soccer Juggling Video-- The boys should all start working harder on their juggling skills. Link Here

Videos of Fakes and Moves
(right click, save target as, to save to your computer)
*Terminology varies on these from one coach or program to another so just focus on how to do it more than what it is called

Basic -- All players should learn the basic turns first. These include the cut turns, inside/outside hook, and hook turn. The inside/outside hook turns are really just a different way of doing cut turns in a way that involves shielding the ball more. They should be mastered as early as possible by all clinic and U7/U8 players. This may not always work out, but it is the goal. Even at higher ages these should be taught and reviewed regularly.

»Outside Cut and Inside Cut
»Both Cuts demonstrated with more skill and sharper turns
»Again... turns shown with another drill

*For some coaches the difference between a "cut" and a "hook" are nil. For others it is a matter of where the foot planted on the ground is placed. The more a player has to reach with his foot to 'cut' the ball the more likely it is a true cut. When a player plants one foot next to the ball and used the other foot to stop and change directions with the ball it becomes more of a hook.

Beginner
-- U7/U8 players should be learning these.
»Stepover Turn
»Simple Cruyff, Reverse Stepover and follow up drill
»Hook turn (Coerver style variation of inside hook)