The attached ‘soccer curriculum’ is what I’m aiming for with our players, Some say soccer is a simple game to be constantly created, and others may go too far in the other direction of control and planning, taking all the fun, unknown territory, and creativity away.
The trick, as in the much researched and pondered theories of ‘Flow and Zone,’ is to find the teams’ and individuals’ ideal graced balance of simple and complex/difficult, and coach there with enjoyment and fun among relationships and the game topping the ‘hard-tedious-work’ aspect.
The listed skills are not in any order of importance, except the first–attitude, which maybe far ahead of the rest, and technical skills (dribbling, passing, controlling, shooting, tackling) coming in close behind.
The rest are debatable by importance, and perhaps incomplete, and I’d enjoy a good discussion about this if anyone cares/dares to comment or add….. Who knows, your ideas may come up in a future blog!
The attached ‘soccer curriculum’ is what I’m aiming for with our players, Some say soccer is a simple game to be constantly created, and others may go too far in the other direction of control and planning, taking all the fun, unknown territory, and creativity away.
The trick, as in the much researched and pondered theories of ‘Flow and Zone,’ is to find the teams’ and individuals’ ideal graced balance of simple and complex/difficult, and coach there with enjoyment and fun among relationships and the game topping the ‘hard-tedious-work’ aspect.
The listed skills are not in any order of importance, except the first–attitude, which may be far ahead of the rest, and technical skills (dribbling, passing, controlling, shooting, tackling) coming in close behind.
The rest are debatable by importance, and perhaps incomplete, and I’d enjoy a good discussion about this if anyone cares/dares to comment or add….. Who knows, your ideas may come up in a future blog!
The BIG 15 Skills for Excellent Play
Perform at least 60% success rate the following:
1. Winning attitude: Self-control: positive attitude, focus, discipline, confidence, no-fear, endurance/toughness toward pain and physical/mental/social intimidation, problem-solving/creative, supportive, forgiving, and appreciative toward self and others.
2. Finishing: from all angles and places, off all kinds of service/dribbles/first and second touch, using both feet and head, esp. off cross
3. Communication: positive talking-listening, looking up–especially near and far with anticipation of potential plays on O and D.
4. First touch: tight receiving/redirecting control from all parts of body: control (Aikido’s) away from pressure while shielding
5. Marking, Covering & intercepting: control to self, pass, or clear?
6. Goalkeeping: shot stopping angle, coming out timing, catching, punting diving, throws, punts, kicks, rolls
7. Tackling: timing & commitment shield & turn, flick, block, poke, slide
8. Showing/support: (TWAD) Timed, Quick, Disguised, Wide and Deep, long and short, angled, run to clear dribblers or other teammates space
9. Passing plays: overlap, wall pass, drop, to line and cross out, takeover, double pass, through, back and around, dummy,
10. Passing tactics: one and two touch, passing to feet or space, ‘TD’/ assist passes, finding open players/switching, width-depth-center; changing pace
11. Heading: up & out, and down, jumping
12. Dribbling: deceptively make space and penetrate under pressure by, shielding and turning, use of four main moves-fake kick and swerve, step over, Cruyf, pull backs, fake step,
13. Set plays and quick restarts:-corners, kick offs, goal kicks, PKs, Throw-ins,
quick free kicks
14. Fitness-Endurance, Agiliy, Power—fundamentally important: potential is unlimited
15. Positional play on offense and defence-know where to play and how to switch with others
