TRAINING DAY SNAP SHOT

Technical/Tactical

• Ball Manipulation
• Moves/Changes of direction
• First Touch
• Passing and Receiving-Decision making/game awareness
• Shielding
• Shooting and Finishing-power vs. placement
• Bilateral Transfer

Attacking Principles

• 1v1 attacking and transition to end lines; Multi-directional and directional
• Cooperation in various numbers up and numbers down scenarios/multi-directional, and directional
• Group Play; Transition, Combination, Switch point of attack

 Defensive Principles

• Individual roles-Delay, Pressure, Cover, or Balance
• Speed/angle of approach
• Force one way/make play predictable
• Immediate Chase and transition
• Group Cooperation-Zone, Press, Double, Compactness
• Cooperation in various numbers up and numbers down scenarios/multi-directional, and directional

Constructing the Game to Develop Style Of Play

• Choreography and phase play/Ball movement through phases
• Numbers up and numbers down/Creating realistic phase play scenarios
• Target Play-Multidirectional/Directional

Motor Skills

• Speed and Mobility
• Tag and escape games
• Activities that promote bilateral coordination

SET PIECES

Teams work on attacking and defending set pieces. Although simplified at the younger ages, all teams are expected to apply certain ideas at games.

 Set pieces include:

• Corners (defensive/attacking)
• Free Kicks (defensive/attacking)
• Movement on throw-Ins-Anticipation/predictability

DICTIONARY OF TERMS

Terms are introduced to paint pictures of what is expected and facilitate communication between coaches and players. A broader knowledge of terminology helps players connect information to what they are applying. This enables coaches to monitor improvement throughout the season.

Coaches use Socratic coaching methods, visual aids, and homework assignments, in order to reinforce terminology and concepts.

Below are just a few terms we continuously reinforce at training and games:

• Press
• Touch tight
• Pressure/Cover/Balance
• Immediate Chase
• Create/close Seams
• Reset/Recycle
• Switch point/Diagonals
• Back post runs
• Framing
• Channels
• Interchange
• Shifting
• Maximize Width/Depth
• The 45 Pass

INCREASING KNOWLEDGE BASE TAKES YEARS

Increasing skills, game awareness, and a thorough knowledge base does not happen as quickly as parents may desire. However, committing to SABA’s core values and recognizing the complexity and time it takes to create successful teams, will keep the environment positive and productive.

PROVEN ABILITY TO DEVELOP

Since 1999, SABA players have achieved recognition throughout the soccer community by showcasing their talents and displaying traits necessary to achieve success in youth sports. The staff continuously assesses the process in order to make improvements, reach long-term objectives, and achieve the expected results.

 Read more in Club Accomplishments

 PERSONAL GROWTH

 Independence from coaches and parents can be achieved if players:

• Listen less to sideline chatter from parents.
• Work on listening only to coach’s instructions.
• Lead warm-ups.
• Learn personal accountability that helps teammates discuss starting lineups.
• Pack own gear.
• Manage practice activities without an overdependence on the coach.

 PLAYER HOMEWORK

• Reflection activities and written assignments.
• Visual aids to study terminology discussed at field sessions.
• Planning and Prioritizing throughout the season.
• Write down goals and specify them.
• Practice various skills on your own.

LIVE THE CORE VALUES!

FITNESS PROTOCOL

Strength and Conditioning Specialist on Staff

We make sure all fitness activities have clear objectives. Comments about player or team fitness levels cannot by justified without results from specific data. SABA’s strength and conditioning specialist, John Triana, conducts testing and measures results with certain age groups.

Sessions involving speed, balance, mobility, and agility are observed by SABA’s conditioning specialist and communicated to club directors, making sure players are being trained properly, while making any necessary corrections.

Specific club fitness protocols ensure the staff stays true to the integrity and principles in place.

NO GIMMICKS

We don’t “market” an additional training day that focuses on speed and agility. These activities are always covered during team practices throughout the season.

The ball will be involved in most activities at SABA training in order to replicate soccer specific functions, while still working on:

• Bilateral transfer/coordination
• Increasing heart rate
• Increasing anaerobic capacity
• Providing functional sessions that require soccer specific requirements

SUPPLEMENTAL TRAINING SESSION OBJECTIVES

Supplemental training sessions will focus on:

• Individual technique that reinforces the curriculum.
• Game application of technique in small group settings.
• Pure power movements conducted by John Triana on specialized days.

HEADING PROTOCOL

Although heading sessions have never been a part of the SABA curriculum at the younger age groups, the staff is fully aware of the recent guideline changes by governing bodies at US Soccer.  Player safety will continue to be at the forefront, while adapting to any changes imposed for competitions.

In order to follow new guidelines and continue to follow the protocols already in place, SABA coaches will:

• Continue to demand a style of play that keeps the ball on the ground, including all set pieces, as we’ve always required in ages 12 and under.
• Continue to omit heading sessions in ages 11 and under.
• Have dialogue with players on the importance of heading and proper technique in order to prevent fear or hesitations in developing the ability.
• Leave heading at the discretion of the parent and player if leagues do not forbid it.
• Continue to monitor and assess any potential head injuries due to heading or collisions.

 

RULE OF THUMB

If League Allows
and
Parents Support it
and
Player Wants to
then….

Coaches will encourage it to apply game principles