Submitted by Elgin Middlesex Soccer Association
The Goal
Elgin Middlesex Soccer Association (EMSA) is embarking on a new program that looks at supporting our coaches working with players between the ages of 8 and 12. While all coaches working with players in this age group are required to take the ‘Learn to Train’ course, EMSA and the OSA want to offer practical sessions to our London District Youth Soccer League (LDYSL) coaches at all of their festivals this year.
This particular age group is often referred to as “the golden age of learning,” and a great amount of emphasis should be placed on building a greater repertoire of soccer-related movements. Furthermore, technical skills should be developed in training and within the context of basic soccer games.
What we’re going to do
Three times this year, EMSA will bring in a team of experienced coaches to help work with the LDYSL youth coaches. During the festivals, a 90-minute break has been scheduled to allow coaches to attend. Each of the EMSA coaches will be working on a different topic such as dribbling, first touch and passing. The idea is to give the coaches an example of a drill for a specific topic and also a game-like activity that supports that drill.
Furthermore, EMSA coaches will be travelling to member clubs during the course of the summer. The focus of the sessions will be on player development and not as much on team play. That is to say, technical development and not tactical play will be a point that we will try to get across to the coaches. Coaches at this age often spend too much time thinking about how their team is playing rather than how each individual player is developing.
Why are we doing this?
EMSA wants to focus its energy on developing local coaches. They are the greatest resource we have in the soccer community, and if we can support them, give them the tools to run an age-appropriate and engaging training session, clubs will retain more coaches and for a longer period of time.
www.emsadistrict.com
