We do not have any practice tonight.

With it being Halloween the club will be taking the night off so kids can go to their Halloween events and trick or treat.

Have an enjoyable evening.

We are a few months in to the season, and for many teams a few days away from a tournament weekend.

While it is a tournament, we are still focused on the development of the individual player, and do not allow the thought of a medal or trophy derail us from the individuals longer term player development.

The following email 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 overtraining of structured practices continuously throughout the week.

ADP Training Pool, U8 and Competitive Ages

• Dribbling 4

1^st attacker dribbling to use both feet when under pressure. Using cones initially, the player transfers the ball between feet, depending on the direction of pressure, as they perform a skill at the cone the shift the ball between feet and get an extra touch to move the ball away from the defender. 1^st defender applies physical pressure through leaning to help develop the attacker’s strength and balance on the ball when under pressure, progressing to trying to win the ball.

• Small Sided Games

A 3v3 to 4v4 format where players play the sport. Gaining game insight and intelligence while playing the sport in a pressure free environment

10’s to 07’s Competitive Teams

• Passing Between the Units

Penetration through passing, using the pass to communicate with players on the direction and speed of play.  Important role for the 2nd attacker with their movement and distance of support to get in to seams and position between the defensive units. All players constantly checking their shoulder to see where the next pass will be played before receiving the ball. Body movement and position to have hips open to the field.

• Receiving the Ball

A group practice receiving the ball from both on the ground and developed in to the air. Players needing to work on the hip movement and body positioning to see the ball being played, and the next person to play to. Players needed to move in to the path of the ball to stay balanced and present the surface they were going to use to the ball. Upon impact with the surface presented, the player cushioned (drew back the body part) the ball and directed the ball in to space away from pressure. It is important the player is always looking, checking their shoulder where to go next, before looking down at the ball to strike through for the next pass. Conditioned directional game challenges the players to switch the point of attack, and to move quickly up the field, receiving all kinds of passes from different heights and angles.

• Small Sided Games

A 3v3 to 4v4 format where players play the sport. Gaining game insight and intelligence while playing the sport in a pressure free environment

06’s to 04’s

• Dribbling to Posses

Session included knowing what type of dribbling method was needed dependent on the space around the player. No space with high pressure – shield, 1v1 in open space – dribbles to beat opponent, open space – running with the ball. Defenders provided the game situation to know when to pass and when to dribble, players tried to recognize when it was better to pass, including when other players were in better positions to keep possession, and the space between 1st and 2nd defender. A very challenging practice which incorporates communication, commitment, and decision making.

• CIG – When to Pass, and When to Dribble

Players looked for the visual cues on the field to recognize when to pass and when to dribble. Cues to dribble included, the 1st attacker being able to dribble in space and at speed at the 1st defender (the compactness behind the 1st defender with the 2nd defender covering would change this decision making), and the counter attack being at speed where the attacking team are in a number up situation so to go at defenders and commit them to challenges. Passing cues included, the 1st attacker needing to use the support of the 2nd attacker to penetrate the defense – such as a 1-2 pass. When the attack is slow, or an indirect style of play is used then passing the ball maintains possession, and this can also lead to changing the point of attack by moving the ball from the strong side of the field to the weak side of the field. A compact defense will also mean the 1st attacker needs to pass so space can be created by ball and player movement.

• Small Sided Games

A 3v3 to 4v4 format where players play the sport. Gaining game insight and intelligence while playing the sport in a pressure free environment

03’s and Older

• Turning and Support

A group practice receiving the ball from both on the ground and developed in to the air. Players needing to work on the hip movement and body positioning to see the ball being played, and the next person to play to. Players needed to move in to the path of the ball to stay balanced and present the surface they were going to use to the ball. Upon impact with the surface presented, the player cushioned (drew back the body part) the ball and directed the ball in to space away from pressure. It is important the player is always looking, checking their shoulder where to go next, before looking down at the ball to strike through for the next pass. Conditioned directional game challenges the players to switch the point of attack, and to move quickly up the field, receiving all kinds of passes from different heights and angles.

• Shooting and Finishing

Receiving the ball with back to goal, attacker uses first touch to turn, and strike with the next touch as quick as possible. Looking over the shoulder to see where the goal and keeper is positioned, for quicker speed of thought and ultimately the action. Defender is added to challenge the decision of the turn and whether to shoot or go 1v1 with keeper. Progression to add transition and support by combining with additional attacker once attempt at goal is completed.

• Midfielders Combining with Forwards

Midfielders and forwards worked on the visual cues on the field to create space in attacking positions. Midfielders controlled the play by moving the ball around looking for when the defense became compact so a longer ball into the 3rd attacker in the attacking 3rd could create penetration. The attacking midfielder would look to move forward into advanced positions to play 1-2 passes and 1 touch play with the strikers to get through tight, compact defenses. Midfielder also looked to support in the onside position to be able to shoot from distance when receiving the ball back from the forwards.

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.

Week 5

The following email 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

• Dribbling 3

Group split in to 2, with every player in each group starting with a ball each. Inside group dribbles around outside players and back through a middle grid. Must perform skill in middle grid, and session adds challenges of getting around the most players, and targets set by the coach. Outside players work on ball manipulation. Defenders are added to increase the realism and transfer technique in to skill practice.

• Small Sided Games

A 3v3 to 4v4 format where players play the sport. Gaining game insight and intelligence while playing the sport in a pressure free environment

10’s to 07’s Competitive Teams

• Passing 3

Technical practice, high repletion of passing with a partner. Focus on the breakdown of the mechanics. Movement added to challenge the player and to work on the skill acquisition. Competition and challenges used to increase the intensity of the practice. Defenders add to the decision making and game insight.

• Shooting from Distance

In small groups players perform multiple strikes from distance. Receiving the ball players use their first touch to open the hips and create an approached step up to the ball. Target is to score a number of points through scoring goals and being on target. Transition to skill by having passing player step forward and press the ball. Small sided game completes the session with multiple scoring from different targets.

• Small Sided Games

A 3v3 to 4v4 format where players play the sport. Gaining game insight and intelligence while playing the sport in a pressure free environment

06’s to 04’s

• Fitness with the ball, Passing

Working in groups of four with one ball per group, players release the ball in a pass to then sprint through a gate at the opposite end of the playing area. Upon returning to the playing area that player is again active to be involved in the passing and moving. Progressions involve having a defender from another group put pressure on the decision making of the players with a burpee forfeit for the team of three losing possession to the one defender. As always, a small sided game to finish with conditions to match that of the practice topic, passing. Numbers up game where players have three options to score, encouraging ball movement to switch points of attack to exploit space. Intensity of session continues to be high due to the numerical advantage of the team in

• Fitness with the ball, Turning and Acceleration

The session works on the players reaction time and acceleration from being static. Faced against a partner the session progresses through several starts from straight forward calls, multi directional calls with contradicting visual cues, and ball movement challenges to 1v1. This anaerobic challenge of hitting full speed as quickly as possible is achieved with greater success by the challenge of a second player to be the chaser. Competition greatly increases the speed of the athlete, rather than straight forward individual sprints.

03’s and Older

• Fitness with the ball, Turning and Acceleration

The session works on the players reaction time and acceleration from being static. Faced against a partner the session progresses through several starts from straight forward calls, multi-directional calls with contradicting visual cues, and ball movement challenges to 1v1. This anaerobic challenge of hitting full speed as quickly as possible is achieved with greater success by the challenge of a second player to be the chaser. Competition greatly increases the speed of the athlete, rather than straight forward individual sprints.

• Preseason Scrimmage

Arranged scrimmages within the club where age groups scrimmage against each other for the purpose of preseason fitness. Variable age groups also provides high repetition in either attacking or defending. Duration of halves increases as more scrimmages are played, initially broken down in to thirds, increasing to halves and eventually full duration.

• Preseason Scrimmage

Arranged scrimmages within the club where age groups scrimmage against each other for the purpose of preseason fitness. Variable age groups also provides high repetition in either attacking or defending. Duration of halves increases as more scrimmages are played, initially broken down in to thirds, increasing to halves and eventually full duration.

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.

Not a bad way to complete your hat trick!

All the way through a players development we are encouraging players to be creative, take risks, and try skills and tricks on the field. Through the earlier stages of development, players in the 02 age group were trying bicycle kicks, and still to this day at U17 are not afraid to try.

While this was performed in a recent tournament, our very first attempt at goal after promoting up to the Premier bracket, was a bicycle kick. Keep allowing the kids to be creative and take risks.