Head Coaches Corner
By Ash Mohtadi

Coaches,

Things are looking good.  With the exception of one or two teams I think we have a complete listing of coaches who are enthusiastically taking on their role in supporting and guiding our young players.
Just to re-iterate my role as Head Coach : its to support you in your efforts to increase the skill level of our players, and to better educate you in doing your job.  If you need help in running a session or you have a question, give me a call.

Two things that I want to emphasize in this web page: Firstly, emphasize small sided games as much as possible.  For any age, but particularily the younger ages, this means 2v2, and 3v3.  I'm sure you've already noticed it, but when you have a scrimmage of more than 4v4, how many times does a player touch the ball?  Definitely not as much if the  numbers were less. I think there is enough room on the mini fields to portion them off (use cones, hats, gym bags, shoes etc.) into smaller "fields" and play across the width.  Secondly, the other point that may be hard for the younger ones to grasp, but should be started early (certainly the U9 All-Star team can learn this)-is the emphasis on "ball possession". Play games where there is no goal, but you succeed by passing the ball 3, 5, 7 times consecutively to team mates. This will emphasize passing in all directions, and keep teams from always rushing forward. To let you know that these themes are emphasized from U9 to competitive mens teams, I just ran a 1.5hr practice for a mens competitive team and utilized 1v1, 4v2 and 3v3 nothing more.

I've seen some excellent skills sessions being done by coaches thus far- keep up the great work!  I would add that the best "line drills" are the ones where the coach splits the team up and has two or more lines so that the kids are not standing around so long (or you could have one set of players playing a small sided game).  Not only does this keep the child more active physically, but it also keeps his mind from wandering.  As a player, the worst thing that a coach can do for me is make me "stand around"- and from the energy I've seen amongst our young players I think it holds true here!

Keep up the great work, enthusiasm, and dedication.  If you have any parents giving you trouble, don't hesitate to tell them that this is a voluntary position and that if they can do better, call me.  See the web sites below for everything from soccer drills, news, and rules:

                                                    www.soccer-sites.com

                                                    www.canoe.com/soccercanada/home.html

                                                    www.us-soccer.com

                                                    www.nhsoccer.com/nhsa/jpll.htm

                                                    www.fifa.com/
Ash Mohtadi
PMSA Club Head Coach
687-8342