Understanding USA Soccer Camps

Coaches run soccer camps to make money...sometimes, lots of it. Fortunately, there are other motivations, too. But you need to the know the organizing principle of the camp to select the right camp ... and enjoy the best camp experience.

There are five types of coaching arrangements that create the U.S. soccer camp "system":

(1) Local coaches (e.g., high school coaches or "premier team" coaches), assisted by local/college players, conduct camps for local players and teams. (Note: local youth soccer associations will sometimes host a Type 1, 2, or 3 camp.)

(2) Regional teams (e.g., MLS and A-league), sports complexes and even equipment suppliers will conduct camps to strengthen relationships with the community and to earn extra money

(3) National or regional professional soccer camp business conducts camps as a money-making enterprise.

(4) College or university coaches conduct camps to earn money over the summer and to raise profile of their program.

(5) State Youth Soccer Association or Olympic Development Program conduct camps as part of their soccer development program to identify players and as a source of income for affiliated coaches. But often the most intensive training is done at special camps for select players and teams A sixth-type of arrangement is becoming more common, whereby international coaches set up a camp in the U.S., or international camps or soccer tours are set-up for U.S. kids. In 2003, Manchester United's "soccer schools" made a big impression in the U.S.

The type of camp and its quality are two different things.

For example, a "lesser" Type 1 camp may be run by USSF A-licensed coaches who use high school players that may have a good rapport with kids--or not. But a "higher level" regional or national camp may simply trade off the name of a coach or player, who "directs" the camp by remote control.

Big camps may provide resources smaller camps don't have, like fitness or mental- performance training. But check them out carefully. The actual coaching staff may be "hired guns, whose motivations will vary depending on their stake in the camp's success, their salary, and their burnout level, particularly at the end of the camping season. Similarly a camp you liked last year may reprint their brochure, but the camp could be significantly worse (or better) due to changes in ownership or personnel.

There may be some benefit attending a university-based camp to expose yourself to the school--and to a prospective coach. But basically coaches rely on recruiters who observe players under actual game pressure, rather than the less-pressured camp environment .

Thanks,

Emmanuel Ayomide Praise
http://www.emmapraise.blogspot.com

Training For Soccer: Defensive Training Plan By Age

When it comes to training for soccer, one important thing that many coaches overlook is teaching the same skills to the players irrespective of their ages. This is something that can be waste of time and in spite of bringing good results, it may further reduce the performance of your team.

Therefore, it is very important for the coaches to design their training plan depending upon the age group of the team. The teaching plan must be appropriate to their ages.

Defensive Training Plan For U11

When it comes to designing a defensive training plan for U11, the coaches should focus on individual defending skills. It means, at this stage, it is not wise to teaching the players about get, turn, move, or shoot.

The coach should rather give emphasis on basic defending at restarts. However, you can give the players an introduction to team shape in defense. You can also include introduction to transition in your training plan.

Defensive Training Plan For U12-U13

At this stage, you can introduce teaching about second and third defender play. You can also teach them about shapes, such as how to get it, what techniques they need to follow to keep it, and 2what techniques and strategies they should adopt to change it quickly.

Transition basic counterattack and working with keeper can also be included in the training plan for U12-U13. Sweeper play can also be introduced at this stage, such as angles, communication, and basic visual cues.

Defensive Training Plan For U14-U15

This is the right stage when the coaches can introduce the players about the low-pressure defense with high-pressure attack and high-pressure defense with low-pressure attack. You can also teach them about how to read opponent's shape to decide when and where to go forward.

Counterattack and reading visual cues can also be included in the teaching plan at this stage. The coaches can also teach them about how to mark out dangerous player and how to recognize and adjust defending tactics to match conditions.

Likewise, there should be a different approach in training for soccer while you are teaching the players of different age groups.

Andre Botelho is a recognized authority on the subject of training for soccer. His web site, Youth Soccer Drills, provides a wealth of informative soccer articles, resources and tips for soccer coaches, parents and players.

Soccer Goalkeeper Drills-Make Quick Moves

Coaching soccer goalkeeper drills is an important element of soccer coaching. There are several things that a coach needs to consider in order to teach the goalie impressive skills and filed vision. Some of the points that seek a careful consideration by all the coaches are following.

Six Seconds To Kick Or Throw

This is probably the first thing that the coach needs to teach the goalie about. The goalkeeper must keep in mind that he is only allowed six seconds to kick or throw the ball to a teammate.

Therefore, the outlet pass should be quick. However, it should not be that quick as well. In fact, let me put it other way around. The outlet must be quick and accurate. Putting accuracy takes the time. So, the goalkeeper needs to be quick but he must not overlook the accuracy aspect as well.

This is important because this way the receiving player will be in a better position to handle the ball with control. Another important thing that the goalkeeper must learn is that before distributing the ball, they should walk to the front edge of the penalty area.

However, if you are coaching the team of young players, you must keep in mind that you are not supposed to enforce the method in general for younger players.

The Size Of The Field

An expert coach knows that the size of the field matters. One common rule in Soccer goalkeeper drills is that the larger the field, and the further the ball is from the goal, the farther the goalkeeper has to play from the goal to minimize the angle the opponent has on the goal.

Moving In A Semi-Circle From The Center Of The Goal

Another important thing that the coaches must teach the goalkeeper of their team is that he should move in a semi-circle from the center of the goal.

The goalkeeper should be instructed to do so as if he had a string attached to their back from the center of the goal. This will keep them prepared and ready for centering passes.

You never know how fast the ball is coming back. Therefore, when it comes to coaching Soccer goalkeeper drills, you must train the goalkeeper to keep eyes on the ball.

Andre Botelho is a recognized authority on the subject of soccer goalkeeper drills. His web site, Youth Soccer Drills, provides a wealth of informative soccer articles, resources and tips for soccer coaches, parents and players.