Have you ever noticed that some players perform superbly in practice, but do not contribute in a game? There are also players who do not seem motivated at practice, but are extremely effective during the game. Why is this?
I think it has to do with psychology. Some players are very comfortable with the practice environment, because they know the players around them. It has a factor of safety and comfort that is not found on game day. Some players get anxious on game day, worrying about how they will perform. They think too much about the results instead of what they need to be doing in the moment.
Additionally it is common for players to have mental blocks, and so they associate failure with certain scenarios. These players typically stress after a mistake and it takes them very long to recover. Some never recover and their performance deteriorates as the game moves on.
Then there is the player who coasts through practice and is your best player on Saturday. This also is a psychological issue. This player loves a challenge and rises to the occasion on game day. He/she is confident and wants to prove to himself/herself as well as to the opponents that they can play. This player is not motivated at training because they have the incorrect interpretation of its purpose. In their eyes it is merely practice and they do not see that there's any need to put in a lot of effort against their teammates.
There are issues with both types of players. The player that works hard at practice, but can't do the same at game time has to get over their own fears. This will take time and experience. Some coaches do not have the patience and these players are left out. This is especially true at higher levels. I know you are thinking how does a player with the ability, not translate it to the game? Well here is a possible reason. Perhaps, when he was younger, the player had a coach who stressed results and screamed a lot. This coach probably took players off every time they made a mistake and never offered a solution.
The game player is really no better off in the long run because they never get to full fitness. The training habits begin to catch up with them as their talent alone will not see them through at the next level. Training habits and discipline are key to success, so unless this player gains an appreciation for the intangibles, then they too will be left out eventually.
How is this type of player created? Here is another possibility. He/she was always physically gifted and the team relied heavily upon them for success when they were younger. He was already way ahead of the other players, so never had to push himself at training, and the coach accepted this. This player played the entire game and was the focus of the team. They got the ball to him/her at all times regardless of outcome.
Obviously this player gained tremendous confidence, because of the treatment received from the coaching staff. The unfortunate thing would be that when these players become part of a team where everyone is treated alike and is required to work at all times, they sometimes fail. Now they need to perform a function spelled out at practice (an environment that they have never taken seriously) and the game does not revolve around them any more them.
Showing posts with label soccer practice. Show all posts
Showing posts with label soccer practice. Show all posts
The Missing Practice Phase
What is a drill? It is a repetitious, disciplined exercise that teaches and perfects a skill. Are you wondering what is wrong with that? Well, if you're entering a skill contest or teaching first time players, there is nothing wrong with it. Don't take this the wrong way. There has to be part of practice dedicated to this, as technique is mastered through repetition. The problem is that some coaches warm up the players, run drills and then play a game or scrimmage. There is something missing that is critical to player development.
Even though the players do well with the drills, they can't use those skills when in a game situation. This is because there is an absence of game related activities. This involves helping the player know when to use a particular skill while playing in a game. It's not enough to teach players how to do it. You need to involve them in activities that teach where, when and why to apply the relevant skill. Players need to move from repetitious drills to activities that develop their skills and techniques.
How often have you heard a frustrated coach say to a player or group of players during a game "we worked on that this week in practice"! Usually this indicates that the kids worked on the skill, but were not given the opportunity to bring out the skill at the right place and time. This is not as easy at it sounds. It takes experience and knowledge to put into action. Take this into consideration.
Drills work on only two aspects of the game - the technical and the physical aspects. Game related activities include all four pillars of the game (technique, tactics, psychology and physicality).
Drills do not demand decision-making or game intelligence. Game related activities compel players to solve problems, make decisions, face several scenarios and achieve goals.
Drills look quite different from the actual game of soccer. Game related activities imitate the actual game.
Drills are typically managed. Game related activities have to be coached.
It can easily be inferred that the most important phase of the practice is the game related stage. Unfortunately, this is very often overlooked, because coaches do not have a vivid interpretation of the game. This is the one way players learn how to bridge the gap between knowing a skill and using it to the good of the team. It tends to make a more substantial scrimmage at the end of practice. You can now truly evaluate if your youth soccer drills have had an effect on your players' soccer behavior.
Even though the players do well with the drills, they can't use those skills when in a game situation. This is because there is an absence of game related activities. This involves helping the player know when to use a particular skill while playing in a game. It's not enough to teach players how to do it. You need to involve them in activities that teach where, when and why to apply the relevant skill. Players need to move from repetitious drills to activities that develop their skills and techniques.
How often have you heard a frustrated coach say to a player or group of players during a game "we worked on that this week in practice"! Usually this indicates that the kids worked on the skill, but were not given the opportunity to bring out the skill at the right place and time. This is not as easy at it sounds. It takes experience and knowledge to put into action. Take this into consideration.
Drills work on only two aspects of the game - the technical and the physical aspects. Game related activities include all four pillars of the game (technique, tactics, psychology and physicality).
Drills do not demand decision-making or game intelligence. Game related activities compel players to solve problems, make decisions, face several scenarios and achieve goals.
Drills look quite different from the actual game of soccer. Game related activities imitate the actual game.
Drills are typically managed. Game related activities have to be coached.
It can easily be inferred that the most important phase of the practice is the game related stage. Unfortunately, this is very often overlooked, because coaches do not have a vivid interpretation of the game. This is the one way players learn how to bridge the gap between knowing a skill and using it to the good of the team. It tends to make a more substantial scrimmage at the end of practice. You can now truly evaluate if your youth soccer drills have had an effect on your players' soccer behavior.
Creating Economical Soccer Practice Sessions
Many soccer trainers are still using out-of-date soccer drills that aren't encouraging for players. Children detest waiting in line for their turn to play with the soccer ball. Most soccer drills are bland, routine, and best reserved for the Army, definitely not the soccer field.
And at best the majority of drills simply focus on a single distinct skill...and even that is being generous.
In order to create successful athletes in the United States there must be an improvement in the level of coaching.
Completely new developments in soccer training permit participants to get involved with actions which look like the game of soccer faster. This keeps them involved, attracted and inspired. Inspired players progress faster!
We merely get the chance to train our players a couple of days every week. For many of our players, this is the only exposure they'll get to soccer for the week. In other nations, children play on their own every day. Not the case in our society, therefore we must be really economical with our trainings.
When I say economical, it means that we should make an effort to train several abilities with every drill that we manage. Waiting in a line and dribbling around cones seriously isn't likely to work. Besides this being not practical to the game (I've never witnessed a cone guard anyone), this kind of drill restricts the amount of touches each player could possibly get within a specified training session.
An even better option is to have players set up to go 1v1 with one another inside a grid. The aim is to dribble the ball to the other side and stop the ball under control. Now players may enhance dribbling skills in addition to defending while doing so.
Since players will have to change from offense to defense every time they lose the ball, you are producing in them the capability to transition in actual game circumstances. In the end, the optimum time to win the ball back for your team is right when you have lost it!
Our young players have a problem with executing techniques like passing and receiving on the go. Too often they are merely arranged across from one another and told to pass.
Instead, look for ways to incorporate mobility in your passing drills. Not only will you allow your players to raise their technique while moving, but you may well begin to get them acquainted with off the ball movement at the same time.
The same sort of philosophy might be utilized into shooting drills. Rather than having players line up and take shots one after the other you might want to setup passing sequences that end in a shot being taken. This is a much better portrayal of what really takes place during the game. Your players are improving their passing techniques, learning to develop creative runs, and executing their finishing potential at the same time.
This really is economical soccer education at it's best. Use activities which inspire correct game habits, do not simply run a lot of soccer drills.
And at best the majority of drills simply focus on a single distinct skill...and even that is being generous.
In order to create successful athletes in the United States there must be an improvement in the level of coaching.
Completely new developments in soccer training permit participants to get involved with actions which look like the game of soccer faster. This keeps them involved, attracted and inspired. Inspired players progress faster!
We merely get the chance to train our players a couple of days every week. For many of our players, this is the only exposure they'll get to soccer for the week. In other nations, children play on their own every day. Not the case in our society, therefore we must be really economical with our trainings.
When I say economical, it means that we should make an effort to train several abilities with every drill that we manage. Waiting in a line and dribbling around cones seriously isn't likely to work. Besides this being not practical to the game (I've never witnessed a cone guard anyone), this kind of drill restricts the amount of touches each player could possibly get within a specified training session.
An even better option is to have players set up to go 1v1 with one another inside a grid. The aim is to dribble the ball to the other side and stop the ball under control. Now players may enhance dribbling skills in addition to defending while doing so.
Since players will have to change from offense to defense every time they lose the ball, you are producing in them the capability to transition in actual game circumstances. In the end, the optimum time to win the ball back for your team is right when you have lost it!
Our young players have a problem with executing techniques like passing and receiving on the go. Too often they are merely arranged across from one another and told to pass.
Instead, look for ways to incorporate mobility in your passing drills. Not only will you allow your players to raise their technique while moving, but you may well begin to get them acquainted with off the ball movement at the same time.
The same sort of philosophy might be utilized into shooting drills. Rather than having players line up and take shots one after the other you might want to setup passing sequences that end in a shot being taken. This is a much better portrayal of what really takes place during the game. Your players are improving their passing techniques, learning to develop creative runs, and executing their finishing potential at the same time.
This really is economical soccer education at it's best. Use activities which inspire correct game habits, do not simply run a lot of soccer drills.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)