WYSL Academy Training

 

COACHES AND ASSISTANTS NEEDED! We are always looking for help. The new Academy system helps eliminate many of the hassles of coaching. Practice plans are already prepared for you and there is a support network of coaches to learn from! If you have a little time to share with the kids we would love your help!

 

Contact:

Academy Director          Dave Mangus                 coachrep@wysl.org

 

Training Partner:

WYSL has entered into an exciting partnership with REAL Fútbol Training, http://www.realfutboltraining.com/aboutus.html. This outstanding organization will serve to direct each Academy, educate our coaches and help create a curriculum that will help our players excel at the game.

 

Dates/Time/Location:

All Academy training will be held at the Forrest Grove/McGrath school fields, 495 Grove Street.

 

U6 – Players will be assigned to teams that will meet on Saturday mornings for practices and games. They will be assigned to either of two sessions, either 9:30am-10:30am or 11:00am-Noon. The program begins September 11, 2010.

·         Coaches will meet 30’ prior to go over the training plan (e.g. at 9:00am for teams training from 9:30am-10:30am or at 10:30am for those training from 11:00am-Noon.

·         Practices will last for 30 minutes and will be followed by scheduled games.

·         Game format: 2 x 15’ halves. No referees – focus will be less formal so that the coaches can concentrate on getting the kids to perform the new skills they have been taught in a game situation.

U8 – Wednesday nights – The program begins September 1, 2010 and runs for 8 weeks.

·         Coaches will meet at 5:00pm to go over the training plan.

·         Team practices will run from 5:30pm-6:30pm

·         Game format: 2 x 20’ halves with referees. Saturday and/or some Sundays.

U10 – Tuesday night Academy - The program begins August 31, 2010 and runs for 8 weeks.

·         One combined session with all U10s - boys, girls, Recreation and Travel teams.

·         The Academy training will focus on teaching foot skills, including advanced and combination moves.

·         Coaches will meet at 5:00pm to go over the training plan.

·         Team practices will run from 5:30pm-6:30pm

·         Coaches will schedule a second practice during the week – time at place at their discretion.

·         Game format: 2 x 25’ halves with referees. Saturday and/or some Sundays.

 

Program Goals:

This program is specifically designed to promote individual player development. At this level, the results that matter to the league have nothing to do with the team’s score in their weekend games. We want to see all the players having fun and learning the fundamental skills of soccer. Our hope is that they will develop a lifelong appreciation for and love of the game.

 

Curriculum:

Age appropriate games will be played to teach dribbling, passing, receiving, and shooting skills. Each activity will be designed to allow players of varying ability to succeed and improve. Copies of the current U8 Academy training plan can be downloaded by clicking on “Academy Training Plan PDF” in the documents section on the upper right of this page. Training plans for the fall will be posted as they become available.

 

Players:

Please plan to arrive 15’ early so that we can start and finish on time. They should wear their team uniform each week to the Academy. To participate they must be wearing their shin guards. They should also bring a soccer ball (U6 and U8 - size 3 and U10 - size 4) and water to drink.

 

Parents:

Are requested to stay at the field during practice in case of injury or severe weather. If you must leave, please make sure your child’s coach knows and be prepared to designate another person to be responsible for your child in your absence. While at the field, we ask that parents sit to the side of the practice field and refrain from coaching.

 

Participation:

All teams in the U6, U8 and U10 age divisions are required to attend their Academy training sessions. For U10 teams, that includes all boys and girls teams in both the Travel and Recreation Divisions. At least one coach per team is required to attend each week! If you are unable to attend for some reason, please make sure that you have arranged for a qualified (Mass Youth Soccer CORI checked) person to train your team.

 

Although, the league is requiring each team to participate in the Academy, coaches are welcome to extend their practice or even hold additional practices if they like to work on aspects of their team’s play that need special attention.

 

Format:

Coaches are asked to be at the field no later than 30 minutes before practice to go over the training plan for the week. Practice will start with all the players warming up together as small groups of teams and then we will break into individual teams to complete the rest of that weeks training plan.

 

Equipment:

Coaches are asked to bring their equipment bags with them each week. Specifically, having spare balls available for players that have forgotten theirs is important. The league provides field disc cones for marking out activities and pinnies for scrimmages.

 

Parking:

Handicap individuals and coaches may park in marked spaces in the McGrath parking lot at the top of the hill. Parents are requested to park in the Forrest Grove lot.

 

Weather:

Field closures and practice cancelations will be posted on the league web-site: http://www.wysl.org/. Announcements will be sent by e-mail if bad weather forces the cancellation of practice. Please note that in general, we will practice in mist or light rain.

 

 

 

Advantages of the Academy Model:

 

    All the players in the program get the same high quality age appropriate training.

    Standardized curriculum establishes a continuous plan for player development.

    Progressive increase in player training and time commitment.

    Creates a player centered environment.

    Allows the league to conform to US Youth Soccer recommended playing guidelines

    Increased coaching education - clinics on a weekly basis.

    Decreased burden on coaches should generate increased volunteerism.

    A designated practice night and place allows families to know what they are signing up for in advance.

    Promotes the development of club identity.

 

Frequently asked questions:

 

1.       What are the benefits of the new training program? (a) All the coaches will use the same training plan so the players will all get the same high quality age appropriate training. The curriculum will include foot skills, as well as teaching the players to have a soft first touch, shield the ball, work cooperatively, pass and shoot. (b) By using a set practice night families know exactly when and where practices will be held when they sign their children up to play. (c) This program makes coaching easier. Practice plans are already prepared for them and there is a support network of experienced coaches to learn from. (d) Having training at one centralized location allows the league to provide dedicated field space so coaches don’t have to go looking for or fight for space.

 

2.        Will the kids in the Academy be separated by skill level? That would be how an “Academy” would classically be run, but the Board thought that at this time it was important to maintain the team aspect of our curriculum. So, no, the players will not be separated out. All teams will be coached by their own coach.

 

3.       Will the kids still play games on the weekend? Yes, all players will still play games with their teams on the weekend.

 

4.       I can’t make the training night the league chose, what can I do? The league did it’s best to pick nights and times that would work for as many coaches and players as possible. Unfortunately, there are going to be some that are left out. Players that can’t make training could still sign up and play in the games on the weekend if they like. In an effort to make this program a success, the league is requiring that at least one coach (head or assistant) be at the Academy practices each week to work with their team. If you are unable to arrange your schedule to do this, we would hope that you would find other ways to help the league.

 

5.       As a coach seeing my game at the weekend and knowing what went right vs. wrong, how can I guarantee I am going to have ample time to work on those things in practice if I am following a set training plan created by someone who wasn't present at my team's game? (a) The results that matter to the league have nothing to do with the team’s score in the game. We would much rather see the kids having fun and learning the fundamental skills of the game. Can they make a move to beat a player? or are they just kicking the ball, chasing after it and using their speed to score? If the answer to the first question is yes, all is well. If the answer to the second question is yes, then we are failing to teach them the game. (b) That said, there are some aspects of team play that may need a coach’s attention. Although, participation in the Academy program is required, U6 and U8 coaches are welcome to extend their practice to work on things they need to or even hold additional practices if they like. Most U10 coaches will schedule an additional practice night. The time and place of that practice is solely up to their discretion.