CSA\'s Sean Fleming Presentation Overview

On January 11th, 2007, Sean Fleming with the Canadian Soccer Association visited Saskatoon to present the Club Development Model and Player Development. Hi focus was aimed at improving our players through focusing on developing the basic soccer skills at a young age. Sean is very much impressed with the direction of Saskatoon Youth Soccer and feels we have been taking some very positive steps towards ensuring quality facilities and player development. If you are interested in reading his powerpoint notes please read below for more.

“Working Together to Improve Players”

What is the Club Development Model?
- CSA recommends a club model that will promote technical and administrative growth in Canadian Clubs.
- It recommends the use of club head coaches or technical directors.
- It is available on the CSA website.

Technical versus Administration
- Essential for the two to work in harmony.
- Often technical people are dictated to by administration leading to frustration.
- On other hand, a balance is needed that takes budgets and other practical issues into consideration.

Club versus Province
- Cooperation is needed.
- Provincial teams need well prepared players.
- Clubs have their own objectives.
- Across the country, this causes conflict.
- A method must be found to accommodate both.

The Facts
- All players, regardless of playing level need to be at least proficient at fundamentals of the game.
- There is evidence that players who are more proficient will enjoy the game more and stay in it longer, keeping numbers higher.
- Players need fundamental skills thoroughly instilled between 6 and 12 years of age.
- From 14 to 17 years of age, the emphasis should be on the refinement of these skills.

Where are we now?
- Common consensus is that the players are not adequately prepared leading up to the competitive years (14-18).
- The youngest players (6-10 years old) seldom get the best coaches.
- Clubs and Associations have responsibility to solve the problem.

FIFA – Foundation for Technical Development
- General cooperation and spatial awareness needs to precede technical fundamentals.
- Rhythm
- Orientation
- Reaction
- Balance
- Change of speed and direction
- Jumping
- Running into space
- Body swerves

FIFA – Basic Technical Skills Mastered by Age 14
- Dribbling using the same contact surface repeatedly (one foot).
- Dribbling using two surfaces repeatedly (one foot).
- Dribbling using two surfaces and alternate feet repeatedly.
- Shielding the ball from an opponent
- Moving the ball out of reach of an opponent.
- Receiving a ball arriving on the gorund
- All three surfaces of the foot, single touch or combination touches, one foot or alternate feet in combination.
- Protecting the ball or neutralize opponent.
- Receiving a ball arriving in the air.
- Use of all surfaces proficiently
- Feint before receiving
- Protecting the ball or neutralize opponent
- Controlling the ball in the air (juggling)
- 100 times with one foot only
- 200 times alternating feet
- 50 times on the head
- Circulating the ball examples:
- 2 right foot touches
- 2 right knee touches
- 2 head touches
- 2 left knee touches
- 2 left foot touches
- Vary the height (below the knee, above the knee, above the head)
- Controlling the ball in the air and then on the ground
- Turning after controlling
- Compare these fundamentals to a musician’s scale
- Before players advance to the next level of skills or competitive play, they should be proficient in the fundamentals.
- How many players in your club can perform all of these: somewhat? Quite well? Very well?
- How many who cannot are considered “Top Level” players?
- How many who cannot are in Provincial programs?

Attacking Skills
- On top of the base skills, coaches must then develop the skills that are needed in game situation:
- Dribbling to beat an opponent
- Feinting
- Passing
- Turning
- Shooting and heading

Defensive Skills
- Tackling
- Clearances
- Defensive heading
- Blocking
- Intercepting
- Recovery runs
- Goal keeping
- Zonal and man to man defending

The Duel
- The basic action that recurs most frequently in a game and often proves to be decisive, especially in the final quarter of the field: Clash between attack and defensive skills
- Players must master the 1v1 duel before progressing to group and team skills.
- How many of our players do we think have mastered the 1v1 duel?

Next Stages of Development
- To complete the players technical and tactical foundation at age 14:
- Group techniques and tactics
- Introduction to team tactics
- Starting 15 and 16 years of age, the focus on winning games can gradually be increased
- Prior to that, “Educator Coaches” must accept that the development of skill must be the main focus.

Can We Age Ahead of The Game?

6-10 Year Olds
- How can we get better coaching
- Is the Community Head Coach Program working?
- Is there an opportunity for the natural talents to receive group training?
- Your thoughts and ideas?
- Are you happy with the level of cooperation between your club and Community Associations?

12-16 Year Olds
- Are you happy with the level of training afforded at your club?
- What could be improved?
- Is there a good level of cooperation between your club and SSA training programs?
- If not, what are the main irritants and how can they be resolved?
- What can we do to reduce conflicts and consequently stress inflicted on players?

S.S.A Strategic Planning
- SSA currently developing a strategic plan for the design and delivery of technical services
- Need to have input from the clubs
- Please send your comments to:
Percy Hoff
230- 29th Street East
Saskatoon, SK
S7L 6Y6
Or
Email: percyh@dieselservices.com