by Paulo Barreto
There is not just one way to teach soccer to players, nor is there just one style of coaching.
There is a broad spectrum of styles and methods for how each of us experiences the game. Some of this comes from our backgrounds, while some of this also is the product of our own personalities. At the youth level , however, there is a set of fundamental principles that must be considered by anyone involved with soccer. In general young soccer players require a certain amount of uninterrupted play. This allows them to experience soccer first hand. They should be allowed the opportunity to experiment, and with that, succeed and fail.
The coach’s long term goal is to prepare the player to successfully recognize and solve the challenges of the game on his or her own. It is vital that the coach approaches soccer with this in mind.
This document is designed to give the youth/junior level coaches a basic set of ideas that can help open up the game of soccer to children in ways that celebrate the spontaneous qualities of soccer. It is not designed to give the coach the secrets of the game. There are no secrets. This is a part of soccer’s beauty.
Growing and playing on a youth and professional level in Brazil, I have seen first hand the importance of the four pillars of the game. “1-Technical, 2-Tactical, 3-Physical and 4-Psychological”.
1-We are expected to dominate a soccer ball with our feet, as basketball players do with their hands . We must be technical. (ball control, passing, dribbling, use inside and out of both feet, etc)
2-We are expected to be ahead tactically of the competition, by learning the “detours” of the soccer field. We are encouraged to watch how the pro’s play, therefore we can imitate the professionals while playing. We most know tactics and the requirements of each position on the field.(Formations/Systems)
3-We are expected to run fast and endure longer. It becomes very clear from the get go the importance of the physical aspect of the game. We must have a greater endurance than the competition.
4-We are expected to think in advance , to accelerate the speed of our thoughts so the speed of play can be seen, in other words, we see the picture before it takes place, we visualize the play as we want it to happen. The youth becomes aware of the benefits of the psychological side of the game at a very early age.
Finally, the result of all this, The Brazilian style is known as “The Possession game” and also famously as the “Jogo Bonito”.(the beautiful game).
That is the approach and intention of our coaches method of teaching and training to the players of Warren County United Soccer Club.
