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Player Development Pathways

The development of a soccer player is a long process in which the players progress gradually from a simple to a more complex involvement in the game. This progression requires proper guidance and direction from coaches who are ethical, knowledgeable and licensed. This process cannot be rushed, but players should participate at a level that is both challenging and demanding. There is no guarantee that a player will reach his or her potential, but the opportunity must be provided!

“…we must develop a culture and a way of thinking whereby highly skilled and qualified coaches are assigned to coach the younger players.”
- Jeff Tipping, former director of coaching, NSCAA


U5-U8 Enjoying the Game: (Train to train ) Natural movements (running, jumping, rolling etc.) are all part of players learning to understand their bodies, help develop balance and agility and begin a love affair with the game. Should be lots of interaction with the ball. Each player should have a ball in training.

U8-U12 Fundamental Mastery: (Train to train ) Teaching the fundamental techniques to perform in a game occurs during this time period - the best in one's career to acquire technique. Understand tactical ideas of support and working together to defend or in combinations to attack will begin during this time period as well.

U12-U15 Application of Technique: (Train to compete ) At these ages, players learn how to apply the techniques they use in the game (skill). They understand consequences for good or bad execution and for good or bad ideas (tactics). It will be the beginning of learning "gamesmanship" - how to perform to have best chances to gain results. As always, the focus is on the process of playing, however certain times in the game may now require a different approach (i.e. - holding a lead or chasing a deficit in the last few minutes may cause a different strategy than the rest of the game).

U15-U18 Competitive Stage: (Train to win) Without losing sight that focusing on process goals is the key to earning appropriate outcomes, this is when results and finding ways to achieve them become increasingly important. Learning how to get out of groups in a tournament/showcase environment comes into play as well as teaching the things that can best prepare a player for competing on the HS and College levels.

Goalkeeping: The handling of goalkeepers with youth soccer is an issue that creates considerable discussion among coaches. Restricting a player to the position of goalkeeper as too early of an age may have a negative effect and could eliminate them from future participation in soccer. Children grow at different rates and times. It is impossible to predict what a child will develop into the best goalkeeper when they are ten years old. Early selection as a goalkeeper may not be in the player's best long-term interest. Development of a goalkeeper must be carefully monitored and conducted. The progressive teaching of technical skills is important given the concerns for "safety" within the position.

PLAY-PRACTICE-PLAY

What if your child had the opportunity to experience a safe, engaging learning and playing environment that focused on their needs, desires and goals- Is that what you want for your child? Of course, you do. That is Play-Practice-Play! US Soccer and the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Coaching School have created this information sheet to answer some of your possible questions about this component of U.S. Soccer's Player Development and Safety Initiatives that coaches at every level will  be implementing at our club!

WHAT IS PLAY-PRACTICE-PLAY?

Play-Practice-Play is based on a philosophy and methodology designed around a player-centered approach to coaching. Taking a player centered approach places the needs and motivations of the player at the forefront of a coach's approach to coaching. The concept of Play-Practice-Play is to maximize the time young players have playing the game and game-like situations. This approach differs greatly from traditional practices you may have witnessed with your child or been exposed to if you participated in organized sports-namely children standing in lines waiting for their turn, running laps and participating in boring drills that besides not being fun, don't resemble the what happens in the game of soccer. We believe the best way to enjoy and learn how to play the game is to play the game! The practice is run in the following stages:

STAGE 1: PLAY
When players arrive to practice, the first responsibility of their coach is to create an environment that is safe, engaging and fun. In the first Play phase, as players arrive they are immediately greeted and engaged in playing. The primary focus on having fun. It is important that these pickup-style games are led by the players and facilitated by the coaches. During this first Play stage, players can experience the game while the coach observes and guides them towards developing their own solutions rather than being directed what to do.

STAGE 2: PRACTICE
In the second phase of Play-Practice-Play, children are engaged in different forms of targeted learning activities to further guide their opportunities to develop. The goal of the Practice phase is to create an environment filled with opportunities for players to experience and learn about the goal of the training session through repetition.
Practice activities should be of appropriate challenge (striking a balance between success and failure), resemble the game, involve the players making decisions and allow for creative problem solving. The role of the coach during this phase is to guide players while using teaching actions. While it is during this phase that targeted learning takes place, there should always be an emphasis on keeping the atmosphere fun and enjoyable for the players.

STAGE 3: PLAY AGAIN!
The final Play phase offers players the opportunity and freedom to play, without interruption, in an environment that mirrors the actual game they will be playing on the weekend. The focus of the final Play phase is to encourage players to express themselves and demonstrate what they learned during the Practice phase. A coach should observe and guide using minimal dialogue if possible. By silently observing the application of the Practice phase in the final Play phase, the coach can check each player's understanding and ability to execute the goal of the training session.

Want to read more on this funtastic learning environment? Click here.

Contact Us

Clarkstown Soccer Club

PO Box 1961. 
New City, New York 10956

Email: [email protected]

Clarkstown Soccer Club

PO Box 1961. 
New City, New York 10956

Email: [email protected]
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