The following contains information about the weeks practice. The email will outline the sessions that have been completed and what the players worked on. We have a player centric, proactive curriculum which ensures the players will cover all the necessary mechanics, skill work, and give players a chance to be decision makers and creative players. Through the long-term development from U8 to U19, the players will pass through different stages and priorities as outlined in the program welcome meeting.
While during practice the players will be given the tools they need, if an individual wants to push on with playing at a higher level and performing to the best of their ability, practicing at home will always give them that extra edge, and we can’t encourage enough for those with passion for the sports to practice in their own time. This also avoids unnecessary over-training of structured practices continuously throughout the week.
ADP Training Pool, U8 and Competitive Ages
- Dribbling 1
Each player with a ball, maximizing the number of contacts made with the ball in challenges and competitions among the playing group. With different playing areas to encourage the player to move between dribbling and running with the ball, based on spacial awareness, players run around outside gates and back in to a smaller and more congested area, performing an individual skill. As players progress, the demands of the practice change as opposition is added to create a game like situation of being in the 1v1 situation. Within the scrimmaging to finish the practice, conditions are created to provide the target of dribbling through a gate to encourage the topic.
- Small Sided Games, Free Play
Free play is vitally important, and more of this is needed in youth sports. https://www.soccertoday.com/platini-soaf-let-youth-players-be-kids-they-are-not-pros-yet/ This gives empowerment to the individual player to perform with creative actions and to use the game situation to problem solve, not relying on the instructions from external sources outside of the games context.
11’s to 08’s Competitive Teams
- Running with the Ball
Players differentiate between the spaces available on the field, taking information from the game situation as to know when to dribble and when to run with the ball. Amount of playing space available affects the players decision, and changes the technique in possession when advancing in to open spaces. Number of opposition in advanced areas of the field adds an extra stimuli to the player to solve the problem of whether spaces are available, or the player is running in to a trap set by opposition organization.
- SSG 1
A game with multiple scoring options. Small sided games allows for the player to be in a game situation, while experiencing different game scenarios through the constraints and conditions placed on the game. This optimizes the players cognitive and socio-affective structure.
- Thursdays Free Play
Free play is vitally important, and more of this is needed in youth sports. https://www.soccertoday.com/platini-soaf-let-youth-players-be-kids-they-are-not-pros-yet/ This gives empowerment to the individual player to perform with creative actions and to use the game situation to problem solve, not relying on the instructions from external sources outside of the games context.
07’s to 05’s
- Passing Between the Units
Players warm up using a rondo to optimize their concepts of using both feet, and early body movement and positioning. Penetration through passing, using the pass to communicate with players on the direction and speed of play. Important role for the 2nd attacker with their movement and distance of support to get in to seams and position between the defensive units. All players constantly checking their shoulder to see where the next pass will be played before receiving the ball. Body movement and position to have hips open to the field.
- Attacking with MF 3 and Spare Player
Continuation of the concepts optimized in the 1st session of the week, with a positional game 4v3 + 1, with the 1 central player moving to get in to passing channels in a confined space. Outside players moving to provide the passing channel out of the central position and to achieve triangulation with players in mutual spaces. In a function the CF becomes the spare player in an advanced position, while the CM’s aim to created spaces through passive movements and finding 2v1 situations. Player possessing the ball, looks early to recognize player movements, to pass the ball in to supporting players in spaces or in to players occupying an opponent to create the 2v1 situation.
- Thursdays Free Play
Free play is vitally important, and more of this is needed in youth sports. https://www.soccertoday.com/platini-soaf-let-youth-players-be-kids-they-are-not-pros-yet/ This gives empowerment to the individual player to perform with creative actions and to use the game situation to problem solve, not relying on the instructions from external sources outside of the games context.
04’s and Older
- Physiological Conditioning – Injury Prevention & Core Activation
A circuit of exercises to engage the core through hip hinge movements, and glute activation. A low intensity and low impact session for recovery purposes and re-entry in to the week of practice. A significant amount of time allotted to stretching, loosening up the posterior chain, and hip-flexor muscles.
04 and 02 age groups practice small sided rondos, in a low impact session for managing intensity following the weekend games.
- Using Spare Player in a MF Diamond
A multi-directional game where the diamond is created in the 4-3-3 from the striker withdrawing in to the MF line, creating the diamond. Rondos and positional games to introduce the concepts of attacking with a MF 3 and withdrawn striker. MF players start by creating the spare player from movement off the ball, either passive movement in to open spaces, or moving in to a defender and using 1-2 quick passes with the possessor to create the 2v1 situation and spaces for the player in possession. The withdrawn striker creates the point of the MF 4 between the MF and DF lines of the opposition. The objective is to pull a CB out of position creating spaces in the central area of the field for 3rd man runners to gain forward momentum in to the open spaces created.
- Attacking with 2 CM’s and a Withdrawn Striker (some teams participated in scrimmages or small sided games with the upcoming weekend break away from games).
Continuation of the concept of a withdrawn striker to provide number up situation in attacking areas, and specifically Zone C in to D. Movement from the 2 CM’ in support of the CF, where near CM supports behind the passing pathway to create triangulation with LF and CDM, while weak sided CM advances beyond the CF with passive movements in anticipation of the pass being played in behind the opponents defensive line.
Every session is structured to facilitate all four pillars of the players development, and to include challenges, targets, and competition to get players to push themselves further. We are a program that heavily focuses on the players individual development, and not to get caught up in the race for trophies and excessive travel to unnecessary tournaments. If you ever have any questions about the Fremont YSC philosophy, and the proactive curriculum, we are always available to answer.
Breakdown of mechanics in technique – https://www.fremontyouthsoccer.com/technical-tactical/