Yesterday and today Athens Soccer Academy taught a handful of High School players how to 'raise their level' by understanding a few key concepts and gaining a strategic advantage. We did this by focusing on the essential principles of the possession game played at a high tempo during the Prepare to Play the High School Game Camp.
Each Camper gets two days of on-field training then a Train-at-Home program called SOLOSOCCER to take with them. SOLOSOCCER incorporates YouTube videos and a communication option with Coach Tad to train Technique at home.
Athens Soccer Academy will offer a second round of this camp on Monday July 15 and Tuesday July 16 from 11:00 AM-12:30 PM. See below for Details.
The shift in game tempo is the most challenging factor players face when trying to break into the 'next level'. Not only do decisions need to be made much quicker, but technique and strategic thinking need to be lucid.
Without training in the principles of play, players can arrive at the tryout unprepared. If a player gives over possession of the ball or fails to play at the necessary pace, then that player becomes less strategically important. Coaches want players who show prior-knowledge of strategic thinking in their game.
The Camp stresses strategic thinking by focusing on maintaining ball possession. We play possession games--3v3, 3v2, 4v1--until possession is lost; then we identify where the breakdown occurred, and describe how the play could have happened smarter. Defense plays a role when possession is lost, and part of the training focuses on how to defend in a set of two when outnumbered.
By training these athletes in small numbers, we isolate the triangle made by every team anywhere around any ball. The attack must have the closest two players to the ball perform the strategic movements of support player 1 and support player 2. The defending team must identify who the pressure player will be and who will support and communicate. Many players can get through their high school careers and never master these concepts.
By identifying and teaching the "Principles of Play at the 'next level'", this camp instills the instincts of that prior-knowledge of strategic thinking that every High School coach wants players to show from Day 1.
After three camps involving five to six players at a time, we generated a list of breakdowns causing loss of ball possession. Then from that came an identified skill-set we called the Principles of Play for the 'Next Level'.
By training in these principles and offering an accessible means to develop Technique in adolescent players, Athens Soccer Academy offers local players a strategic advantage.
Each Camper gets two days of on-field training then a Train-at-Home program called SOLOSOCCER to take with them. SOLOSOCCER incorporates YouTube videos and a communication option with Coach Tad to train Technique at home.
Athens Soccer Academy will offer a second round of this camp on Monday July 15 and Tuesday July 16 from 11:00 AM-12:30 PM. See below for Details.
Video of SOLOSOCCER Lesson
The shift in game tempo is the most challenging factor players face when trying to break into the 'next level'. Not only do decisions need to be made much quicker, but technique and strategic thinking need to be lucid.
Without training in the principles of play, players can arrive at the tryout unprepared. If a player gives over possession of the ball or fails to play at the necessary pace, then that player becomes less strategically important. Coaches want players who show prior-knowledge of strategic thinking in their game.
The Camp stresses strategic thinking by focusing on maintaining ball possession. We play possession games--3v3, 3v2, 4v1--until possession is lost; then we identify where the breakdown occurred, and describe how the play could have happened smarter. Defense plays a role when possession is lost, and part of the training focuses on how to defend in a set of two when outnumbered.
By training these athletes in small numbers, we isolate the triangle made by every team anywhere around any ball. The attack must have the closest two players to the ball perform the strategic movements of support player 1 and support player 2. The defending team must identify who the pressure player will be and who will support and communicate. Many players can get through their high school careers and never master these concepts.
After three camps involving five to six players at a time, we generated a list of breakdowns causing loss of ball possession. Then from that came an identified skill-set we called the Principles of Play for the 'Next Level'.
By training in these principles and offering an accessible means to develop Technique in adolescent players, Athens Soccer Academy offers local players a strategic advantage.
Here is the skill set breakdown for Attacking and d
Defending.
Players should have a base knowledge of these principles:
Attack
Knowledge of Concept of Width
Knowledge of Concept of Depth
Technique--Choice of and Execution
Keeping Hips open to Field/Play
Attack the Gap/Split the Defense
Communication: Dummy or Decoy Run
Core Strength: Shoulder to Shoulder Integrity
Awareness: Simple vs Direct Play
Fitness
Defense
Early Communication:
Defend the gap
Keep play in front
When to Double
Communication: when to switch Roles
Forcing Play
Monday July 15 and Tuesday July 16 from 11:00 AM-12:30 PM
Cost is $40 for both camps and SOLOSOCCER. If you can make only one day then the cost is $25.
keep up the good work man!
ReplyDeletewill do, man. thanks.
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