Coerver Coaching Sessions (2nd Graders) – FAQ

Today we thought we would answer two questions we get asked a lot as skill coaches.

1.  What is the most important thing to teach tactics or skill?

Well from our perspective it is skill. Whatever system you use during a game 433, 343, 352...your success will be limited to the individual skill of your players. This is why Coerver Coaching approach focuses on individual skill development. Create better players and you will create better teams.

2. How do I make practices fun?

That's probably the most important question. We think the secret lies in focusing on these three success factors.

***Preparation***

Both Coach and player should have an expectation of what is required at the next practice. In this way both players and coaches can review drills before practice. This helps improve practices enormously...when players and coaches know what they are doing. If practices run smoothly from drill to drill and according to a predefined plan...no one is standing around wondering what is next...no daisy picking
(..) lots of smiles and encouragement and swift movement from section to section.

***Include More Fun Drills***

Players love to shot and score, they like to play games. Build finishing and small sided games into every practice.

***Bring A Positive Coaching Attitude***

We can't emphasize this one enough...many parents and coaches come from stressful work situations direct to practice...it is only human for some of that stress to creep into attitudes on the field. There are ways we have found to combat this.

Use the first two success factors... this will take you along way. Look in the mirror of your car and say...Today is a great day for soccer...we’re going to have fun today!

say it three times...Out loud...

I know it sounds goofy but it is guaranteed to put a smile on your face....and once you start smiling you will have stresses beat...then go on out there and have some fun!  Praise a lot, smile a lot encourage everyone to be supportive.

We think you would find it very useful to review an introduction to our approach to soccer...it will also give you a practice planning approach.

For more information on Coerver:

Coerver for 2nd graders - Spring 2006

At Hempfield Soccer Club, we are always looking for ways to improve the soccer experience for our participants in the U8 program.  We have chosen to bring in the Coerver training program for all 2nd graders this spring as a way to accomplish this.  The Coerver trainers will be leading the Saturday activities (for the first 4 weeks of the season), which will include approximately 50 minutes of on-the-ball training and approximately 40 minutes of Coerver-directed games (prior season games were 48 minutes in length).  This equates to the same Saturday time commitment as in previous seasons, just that the training is occurring during the first 4 weeks of the season.  This is not an optional part of the program; in fact, it is integral to the U8 program for 2nd graders this season - just as the prior training sessions were.  The training is not in lieu of games.   If you would like further clarification on the Coerver program, please  contact Seamus Donnelly, HSC Director of Coaching and Player Development.