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In this month’s newsletter we talk about “Where the Games is Going†– particularly as it applies to the United States and Canada.
The US is making its bid to be one of the true Soccer Superpowers in the not-too-distant future. While Canada is going into a murky future unless it can get its act together.
An article on the “Principles of Play.†Are they more important than Systems of Play in developing team understanding?
The merry-go-round of coaches continues – for ever! In the cauldron of professional soccer the formula is simple - get results or pack you bags. This month we look at the tenuous role of the pro coach. But there is never a shortage of takers.
Bobby Moore was the David Beckham of soccer (along with Der Kaiser, Franz Beckenbaur) in the 60’s and 70’s. In the Boot Room this month we have a look at this icon who did not live on this planet anywhere near as long as he should.
And two more practices this month – both small-sided games. One for coaches of the younger players; and the other for the coaches of 13 – 18 year olds as they prepare for 11-a-side play, but with a squad of only 14 – 18 players. Last month we inadvertently repeated a practice – The 4-Goal Game – that we had included in an earlier edition. Sorry about that, but it is such a good game, we don’t feel too badly about it. Please let us know – as many of you do – about the newsletter and what you would like included in future editions.Tony Waiters
Hired to be Fired
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The hackneyed saying about coaches are "hired to be fired" might be over worked, but it is true.
Each day I receive an electronic newsletter out of the UK called "Soccer Investor." It's an excellent publication for people involved in the business of soccer wherever they may be. They produce a comprehensive world-wide coverage of the commercial aspect of the game. At the end of the daily newsletter is a section call "Industry Moves." It should really be re-titled, "Who got fired in the last 24 hours?" Typically there are two pages of coaches "on the move." It's one thing I really don't miss about pro soccer. In reality, I have only been fired once. It is the reason I live and work in North America (thank you very much, Plymouth Argyle). However being fired, particularly for the first time, is quite traumatic. Full Story
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Principles of Play Stand the Test of Time!
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In the late 90's, at a staff training weekend for the National Soccer Coaches Association of America in Allentown, PA, a significant decision was made for the upgrading of the NSCAA Academy program.
Jeff Tipping, who was the part-time Director of Coaching at the time, made a proposal to the senior staff instructors that a new course, the Premier Diploma, be initiated and that the content be based almost entirely on Systems of Play. What is the 4-3-3, the 4-4-2, the 4-5-1, etc.? How does one differ from the other? How does one system with the same numerical arrangement vary from one team to another? How do you counter a 4-5-1 if your system normally has 3 or 4 players in the midfield area?Certainly this was the stuff of a high level course.Several of us - notably Jack Detchon, formerly an FA staff coach, Peter Gooding, AD at Amherst College, and myself - argued that the Principles of Play, not Systems of Play, were more important and that should be the focus. Full Story
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Where is the Game Going?
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Where is the game going and how quickly can we get there?
Those are two good, if somewhat nebulous, questions to start with. Looking at soccer from a North American perspective the game has taken quantum steps since the 70's. The NASL showed the way - on how to do it and how not to. But they certainly awoke the United Stated and Canada to the game that previously only immigrants and far away countries played. No more. Soccer is now an American Game.Full Story
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Boot Room Archive
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As a bona fide alumnus in the 70’s of the original Boot Room at the mighty Liverpool Football Club, in each newsletter I will include one article from today's World of Soccer Boot Room. I think you will find these articles pretty informative, but more importantly, you will have a chuckle. Hey! If you don’t think that’s important, go sit in your closet for two hours and see how much fun that is.
Two more practices this month – both small-sided games. One for the coaches of the younger players; and the other for the coaches of the 13-to-18 year olds as they prepare for 11-a-side play, but with a squad of 14 – 18 players.
Last month we inadvertently repeated a practice – the 4-Goal Game – that we had included in an earlier edition. Sorry about that, but it is such a good game, we don’t feel too badly about it.
