The following contains information about the weeks practice. The email will outline the sessions that have been completed and what the players worked on. We have a player centric, proactive curriculum which ensures the players will cover all the necessary mechanics, skill work, and give players a chance to be decision makers and creative players. Through the long-term development from U8 to U19, the players will pass through different stages and priorities as outlined in the program welcome meeting.
While during practice the players will be given the tools they need, if an individual wants to push on with playing at a higher level and performing to the best of their ability, practicing at home will always give them that extra edge, and we can’t encourage enough for those with passion for the sports to practice in their own time. This also avoids unnecessary over-training of structured practices continuously throughout the week.
ADP Training Pool, U8 and Competitive Ages
- Passing 3
Players working in pairs, moving around the playing area passing between gates. Competitions and conditions placed upon the practice to encourage intensity of the session, and challenges to the players, while still allowing freedom of the player to make mistakes and decisions. Opponents added for transition from technique to skill acquisition where the action of the pass is now in a game related activity.
- Small Sided Games, Free Play
Free play is vitally important, and more of this is needed in youth sports. https://www.soccertoday.com/platini-soaf-let-youth-players-be-kids-they-are-not-pros-yet/ This gives empowerment to the individual player to perform with creative actions and to use the game situation to problem solve, not relying on the instructions from external sources outside of the games context.
Fundamental Learning Stage
Mesocycle – Defending
Game Day Reference – Defending in 1v1 Situations
11’s to 08’s Competitive Teams
- Pressure as 1st Defender
In a 1v1 situation, the player defending works on the approach to engage with the attacker in possession of the ball. Players are taught how to press by the speed of approach, the body shape on approach, and the adjustment to slowing down to affect the possessors space in possession of the ball. As players get older or have a greater understanding, the introduction of a second attacker changes the situation where the defender must now press at an angle and change body positioning based on the spaces.
- SSG 1
A game with multiple scoring options. Small sided games allows for the player to be in a game situation, while experiencing different game scenarios through the constraints and conditions placed on the game. This optimizes the players cognitive and socio-affective structure.
- Thursdays Free Play
Free play is vitally important, and more of this is needed in youth sports. https://www.soccertoday.com/platini-soaf-let-youth-players-be-kids-they-are-not-pros-yet/ This gives empowerment to the individual player to perform with creative actions and to use the game situation to problem solve, not relying on the instructions from external sources outside of the games context.
Specific Learning Stage
Mesocycle – WE, Switching Point of Attack
Game Day Reference – Switching play to find 1v1 in wide corridors
07’s to 05’s
- Physiological Development – Shooting 2
A physiological conditioning session where high repetition of sprints, and progressing into speed endurance, to match the needs of a position specific to wide corridors where players need to attack advanced spaces at speed and recover upon losing possession of the ball. The technical session is around shooting, where the game structure conditions players to find open spaces of co-operation, away from the possessor of the ball, but where the target is to shoot when opportunity is available.
- Player Movement and Body Shape
A possession session where players movement and body positioning adjusts depending on the position and direction of the ball, and supporting players. At younger age or level of ability, the priority is to get player adjusting body shape to open their body to the field on their first touch for a positive touch in to space. As players develop, the player movement of disguising the pass, moving in to the pass and allowing it to roll, and movement to see as much of the field as possible to take in as much useful information as the player can. Playing concept of before, during, and after, to optimize the players perception of the on field situation, the decision making of the action to be taken once in possession, and building on from the play once the pass has been completed.
- Thursdays Free Play
Free play is vitally important, and more of this is needed in youth sports. https://www.soccertoday.com/platini-soaf-let-youth-players-be-kids-they-are-not-pros-yet/ This gives empowerment to the individual player to perform with creative actions and to use the game situation to problem solve, not relying on the instructions from external sources outside of the games context.
Performance Learning Stage
Mesocycle – Pre-Season
Game Day Reference – N/A
04’s and Older
- Physiological Conditioning – Injury Prevention & Core Activation
A circuit of exercises to engage the core through hip hinge movements, and glute activation. A low intensity and low impact session for recovery purposes and re-entry in to the week of practice. A significant amount of time allotted to stretching, loosening up the posterior chain, and hip-flexor muscles.
04 and 02 age groups practice small sided rondos, in a low impact session for managing intensity following the weekend games.
- Physiological Development – Agility through Passing
A movement activity with the ball, in small groups where opening up the playing area, and moving off from the direction of the pass provides a practices where players game related agility is optimized. Players body positioning to receive the pass open to the next pass, and the body movement to disguise the next pass. In the moment of the action the ‘stop action reflex’ is challenges from the crossing movement of other players within the playing area, again forcing players to react and change direction at speed to maintain possession of the ball.
- Preseason Scrimmage
Age groups combine to play in scrimmages against each other, both playing age up and age down, with the priority of match day fitness, with the 11v11 perfectly replicating the demands of a match day. The physiological differences in age allow for players to be under pressure in both attack and defending principles where they cannot rely on their physical make-up but must rely on their speed of thought to overcome the disadvantage of physical size.
Every session is structured to facilitate all four pillars of the players development, and to include challenges, targets, and competition to get players to push themselves further. We are a program that heavily focuses on the players individual development, and not to get caught up in the race for trophies and excessive travel to unnecessary tournaments. If you ever have any questions about the Fremont YSC philosophy, and the proactive curriculum, we are always available to answer.
Breakdown of mechanics in technique – https://www.fremontyouthsoccer.com/technical-tactical/
Fremont YSC Playing Identity – https://www.fremontyouthsoccer.com/playing-identity-of-the-club/