A little about the coaches and our Focus for this team.

I’ve been coaching girl’s soccer now for about 12 years. I started with my oldest daughter when she was under 5. Each year was learning process and each year I would tweak my coaching style based on what I’ve learned. Never have I been in the mind set that because I’ve played in the past makes me an expert of the game. No instead I’ve turned to experts for help in the form of Videos (April Heinrich Training Girls and Women To Win, Tony Waiters Keeper! Safekeeping) books (Tony Waiter, Bobby Howe, Drayson Hounsome Coaching Girls Soccer and other books) and coaches with more experience. I use numerous websites for information as well. I’ve also been fortunate enough to have my father as a mentor. He’s coached girl’s flight one and girl’s high school. In which both teams were successful his flight one team placed first in numerous tournaments they were based in Flagstaff Arizona and participated in tournaments in Las Vegas and Los Angeles. His high school team won the conference and made state semi-finals. He has roughly 20 years of experience. I’m always looking to better my coaching this year I want to attend a Goalkeeping class and get my D license in hopes to open more opportunities.

My Strengths

Patient, Knowledgeable, positive, and goal orientated.

I can train keepers on proper keeper techniques i.e. footwork, hand placement, angles, diving, restarts and mental focus.

I spend time teaching defenders defensive tactics i.e. proper tackles, patience, first/second (pressure/support) defender, approach of attack and shepherding.

Offensively I teach the girls, through passes, open space, making runs, spreading the field, possession and one touch passing.

I’ve never been red or yellow carded, nor have I ever had a verbal warning from a referee for my behavior or the behavior of my players.

Goals

My goal is that my girls leave me with skill sets that enable them to further their playing whether that is competitive or high school soccer. I want to help build a strong foundation for them so they can have confidence in themselves and their abilities.

Example of my practice outline

This is based on 3-day practice schedule

Day 1  Dribbling

First half of practice is dribbling up and down a 50-yard grid. The girls are taught proper dribbling, right foot, left foot, rollovers, stop and go, cuts, reverses, feints, fakes, stopovers, cryuff, 360 spins,  and more.

Second half of practice is focused on using the skills they learned in game situations I do this through 1 v 1 and 1 v 2. They are encouraged to use a dribbling move to beat their opponent(s). I’ll also use this time to train defenders on approach of attack, being patient vs. diving in, tackles and using their teammate the sideline.

Last part of practice is either keep-a-way or shots on goal at which time the keeper will use techniques she was taught earlier.

Day 2 Passing

Using the same 50-yard grid the girls will pass up and down. They do will do 2 touches, 1 touch, make runs, go wide, take overs and creative play. We will play games like 3 v 1 and 4 v 1.

Second half of practice is using those concepts in 2 v 2 or 2 v 3. Here they are encouraged to be creative with their passing. Again at this time I focus on defensive tactics like pressure/support and isolating the attacker.

Last part of practice again is keep-a-way and or shots on goalie.

Day 3 Team Concepts

I teach team play through a system I learned called shadow play. I’ll run this a couple times then progress to Offense versus defense. I’ll work on restarts like corner kicks, goal kicks, goalie distribution, indirect kicks and throw-ins. During this time I’ll stop play to either point out what someone did correct or what the player should have done. I work with my defenders during this time on how to cover lanes, runners, being ball side/goal side of attackers. Last the goalie on where she needs to be as play progresses and communicating with her defenders.

Last note my girls are encouraged to be creative on the field. As and example they are told just because they are a defender doesn’t mean you are bound to midfield. If you have space dribble across and be part of the attack. They are allowed to make decisions on field like changing positions with a teammate. Example being midfielder might switch with a defender or sweeper and center defender will switch. I offer rewards for creative play like my header challenge. They score on a header we treat the entire team to ice cream.  Defender clears a ball with header ice cream.

Certificates obtained

Both my father and myself have our Referee License and F license. We both wish to obtain or e/d and possibly d license this year.

Rick S.