Categories
Irish Grassroots Football

RAY POWER – Deliberate Football Practice

In football, attacking sessions are loved by players.

The chance to be creative, attack and score goals is hugely prized by players at all levels of the game.
The final piece of the game is creating and scoring goals, and it has the reputation of being the most difficult part of the game – not many other sports can commonly offer results that do not involve a single goal or point being scored.


Many coaching sessions are flawed when it comes to linking attacking practices to the actual game of football. Too often players are placed in queues, waiting their turn, before dribbling around a static, predictable line of cones and shooting from a fixed position. The attacking element of the Deliberate Soccer Practice framework attempts to address this by evoking the concept of real game returns.


This workshop will combine both theory and practical elements to give coaches an understanding of the Deliberate Soccer Practice methodology with a focus on the attacking side of the game.

Ray earned his UEFA A Licence with the English FA and has over a decade of experience working at all levels of the game there – from non-league to Premier League, including 6 years in Academy Management. He designed, developed and implemented an academy for Sunderland AFC in Africa. 

In 2014 his first book, Making the Ball Roll was published and is one of the most successful youth coaching books ever. This was followed up with Soccer Tactics 2014 and the Deliberate Soccer Practice series, selling over 15,000 copies worldwide. 

Since moving back to Ireland in 2017, Ray has been Head of Youth Development at Waterford FC, consulted with the FAI & other youth clubs, and develops coaching curricula for coaches and clubs all over the world.

Follow Ray on twitter: @RayPowerCoachE1 & @power_ ray

WHEN: Saturday, August 31st

TIME: 2 pm to 5 pm

WHERE: Drogheda Town FC, Marian Park

COST: €15

WORKSHOP:
Using Small-Sided Games in Player Development

In an engaging, club-based environment, this workshop will look at:

– The variable nature of the game
– How our training sessions ‘compromise’ the real game
– Using the game as ‘a’ teacher
– Communication skills
– Using conditioned / constraints-based games
– Whole-Part-Whole sessions
– Evidence-based benefits of SSGs
– Futsal

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I always like to hear your opinions and views. If you feel you have something to say, please comment below or email me info@thecoachdiary.com If you don’t have anything to add then please forward this on to a friend. As always, thanks for reading.

I’m also on twitter @Coachdiary and @LetTheKidPlay

Categories
Irish Grassroots Football

BARR Running Concepts Workshop

Adarian Barr is doing a UK & Ireland Roadshow of afternoon workshops in Lboro University, Dublin, London and Birmingham.

Adarian has vast coaching experience through track and field which has led him to be one of the top specialists in movement. He is also the inventor of the most radical insole ever made.

Adarian will discuss how to maximise levers and force application for running mechanics and sprint training. The audience will be walked through the benefits of front-side and backside mechanics and how this relates to the integration of the upper body and race strategy.

The practical session will be on techniques to influence stride length, and stride frequency with an emphasis on training reflexes for efficient technique. He will share methods to enhance “collision control” with a focus on foot health, activation and its transduction of forces.

Barr running concepts offer a novel slant on traditional training concepts which create potentiation of the athlete for immediate results.

For more info on Adarian please go to his website and visit Adarians podcast with @JustFlySports:

https://www.barrunning.com

https://www.just-fly-sports.com/podcast-105-adarian-barr/

Tickets for the events are £75.00 with an early bird price of £55.00 for the first 15 delegates. Please enter EB01 as your promo code at checkout in order to receive your discount.

When: Sunday 11th August – National Sports Camus, Dublin Time: 12.30 to 4.30pm

He is also offering Student tickets at £45.00, please email info@speedworks.training to receive your discount code.

Twitter Handles: @speed_works_ & @AdarianBarr

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I always like to hear your opinions and views. If you feel you have something to say, please comment below or email me info@thecoachdiary.com If you don’t have anything to add then please forward this on to a friend. As always, thanks for reading.

I’m also on twitter @Coachdiary and @LetTheKidPlay

Categories
Irish Grassroots Football

Alan Irvine & Andrew Wiseman Coming To Dublin..

Maximum Performance Academy is excited to launch their first workshop, 11v11- Match week preparation and delighted to have Alan Irvine & Andrew Wiseman as guest coaches delivering the workshop on the day.

The workshop will take place on Saturday the 22nd of June in Jackson Park, Dublin. Coaches will receive a cert and course booklet upon completion. The course costs €55 per coach or we have deals for clubs.

If you would like more information email info@maximumperformance.ie or go to the following link to book a place –
https://openplay.ie/embed-activity/1287

MAXIMUM PERFORMANCE ACADEMY

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I always like to hear your opinions and views. If you feel you have something to say, please comment below or email me info@thecoachdiary.com If you don’t have anything to add then please forward this on to a friend. As always, thanks for reading.

I’m also on twitter @Coachdiary and @LetTheKidPlay

Categories
Irish Grassroots Football

The ‘Cooldown’ after the game!

Over the last number of years, I’ve truly come to realise how important the cool-down is not just for the players but for everyone involved and the sooner you start to do it, the sooner you create the habit and standard for as long as the kids play sport. There is no actual fact that cooling down can help prevent muscle soreness and injury. It was once believed that muscle soreness resulted from the build-up of lactic acid, which could be dissipated with a cool down. However, this theory has been disproved, and there exists no other research to suggest that cooling down can prevent sore muscles. However, there are some benefits and even if it’s just for building team cohesion and calming everyone down after a game. It allows us all to walk away calmly and together as a TEAM!

Let’s look at some of the reasons why?

  • STRETCHING – is to restore muscle length, so static stretching is the key after the game. Research has shown that 30 second slow static stretches are the way to go (Ayala et al 2010). Two to three repetitions. Holding Each stretch for 10 to 20 seconds and breathing throughout. But, they should always listen to their body and if they feel an extra stretch or two of a tighter than normal muscle group is what is needed, then do that. The body rarely lies, pain is the body’s way of telling you that something is wrong and it knows what it likes. Make sure that they stretch all the muscles that were used in the particular exercise. Stretching shouldn’t be painful, but you should feel the tension in the muscle being stretched. Stretching when the muscles are warm, as they are after a workout, can improve their flexibility over time, which in turn helps prevent injury.

  • FOAM ROLLER – The Foam Roller has become very popular amongst young footballers and it may also be very helpful at restoring your post-exercise muscle length.

  • MENTAL COOLDOWN – It’s important we let their mind calms down. Players might be angry after a loss or how they performed. Relaxation techniques can be a useful tool to help them with this, but even taking a few minutes to slowly cool down, some deep breathing or even just closing their eyes and sitting for a moment can help them reflect upon their performance or to mentally recover for the rest of the afternoon, session or game.

  • TEAM COHESION – Finally, the cooldown is a great way for the players to talk about the game and reflect on how they did and what they need to do to get better. It may not even be a chat about the game but about interests and this is another opportunity for the players to get to know one another.

  • GREATS STANDARDS – By doing a cooldown with your team you are setting a standard and creating habits for the future. You may have some players that are playing other sports and this would be of huge benefit to them also. This does not need to be done by the coaches, I generally get the captain to take the cooldown and it works really well.

So, from the youngest ages, you can create the habit but I especially find it useful for the pre-teens and beyond to help with flexibility, to mentally cooldown, to build team cohesion and set standards for postgame cooldown, along with all the other benefits.

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I always like to hear your opinions and views. If you feel you have something to say, please comment below or email me info@thecoachdiary.com If you don’t have anything to add then please forward this on to a friend. As always, thanks for reading.

I’m also on twitter @Coachdiary and @LetTheKidPlay

Categories
Irish Grassroots Football

Famous documentary on Ajax training philosophy and fitness training_Part I & II

Famous documentary on Ajax training philosophy and fitness training History of physical preparation in football from many years ago.

  • https://youtu.be/MbiL6d8g1_M
AJAX VIDEO PART 1
AJAX VIDEO PART 2

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I always like to hear your opinions and views. If you feel you have something to say, please comment below or email me info@thecoachdiary.comIf, you don’t have anything to add then please forward this on to a friend. As always, thanks for reading.

I’m also on twitter @Coachdiary and @LetTheKidPlay

Categories
Coaching Irish Grassroots Football

Some Golden Nuggets From Kobe Byrant #ProjectPlay

Some of the take homes from Kobe Byrant Meaning of Play:

  • “Look at the mistake that were made, makes the corrections and moves onto the next one”;
  • Kids do what they see. They want to impress you and they want you to be impressed by them. If you’re on your device, they will also be on their device;
  • We are modelling for the next generation;
  • Say what you mean and DO what you say;
  • How you do the little things is how you do all things;
  • Words matter;
  • Basketball is played with 1-2 players and soccer is played with 3-4 players in triangles;
  • Define Play: Play is loving what you want to do. You don’t work a day in your life when you love what you’re doing.
  • Play and Hard-work are one of the same;
  • Never lose the joy of playing;

Coaches I had:

  • They were never condescending, never abusive with how they taught the game.
  • The spoke the tactics and encouraged you to ask questions. They wanted you thinking more.
  • Here’s the idea and what are you reading from this;
  • Our job is to give you the fundamentals and from that you then have the ability to go out and problem solve.
  • The FUN part is being curious;

On Imagination: “At least once a week, the first 20 minutes of practice is imagination play” for his under 12 girls. 

  • Imagination is key, because you have to be able envision it and dream it first;
  • When I was growing up I would envision myself playing against the Celtics, that’s what I would see in my mind and it’s important to hang onto that because Sports has become so structured and we don’t have time to bring that imagination out and that is a really big concern;
  • If the parents /coaches are constantly providing the answers for them they will not figure out how to problem solve;

“Give the the tools to help them chase that dream and along that process they will learn what excellence looks like”.

“As Coaches/Parents we need to continue to be curious ourselves and learn about the best way to connect, to reach, to help, to inspire, to inform is extremely important”.

UNDERSTANDING THE LEARNER AND THE LEARNING PROCESS

“The one Nugget: is to teach kids what excellence looks and feels like.. it’s our job not to tell them to be realistic or have perspective but  to give the them tools to chase that dream and along that process they will learn what excellence looks like. It’s the journey they want to be on. “This is the journey they want to be on, this is what they love to do and through that process they will understand the blend between WORK and PLAY. Thats the best thing we can teach them, thats what excellence looks like”

Sometimes the most important thing you can do is OBSERVE!

FOR US AS ADULTS IT’S IMPORTANT TO:

  1. Get out of the way;
  2. Watch;
  3. Learn;
  4. Listen and
  5. Guide!

KOBE’S CALL TO Action IS:

“LEARN and don’t underestimate the importance that sports plays in the lives of children. It’s the greatest metaphor we have in life is sport. You can tell kids all you like… to be a great team mate, how to deal with anxiety, how to deal with pressure, Sports put them in an environment on a daily basis in which they are challenged by those exact things and emotionally they have to navigate themselves through it. So we have to learn what it is they can be going through, this way we can help them guide them through these things”.

#ProjectPlay

This post was inspired by Understanding The Learner And The Learning Process By Footblogball

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I always like to hear your opinions and views. If you feel you have something to say, please comment below or email me info@thecoachdiary.com If, you don’t have anything to add then please forward this on to a friend. As always, thanks for reading.

I’m also on twitter @Coachdiary and @LetTheKidPlay

Categories
Academies Irish Grassroots Football

Aethan Yohannes – Story So Far AT AZ Alkmaar by Daniel his Dad…

This is the story of Aethan Yohannes time so far at AZ ALMAAR by his Dad Daniel.
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It has been five months since my son @ has joined AZ Alkmaar U15 youth academy in the Netherlands. My experience as a parent watching his development in a first class Academy is a humbling experience.
Some have asked how he was doing….
Here it goes.. STARTS HERE > 
I have witnessed in close proximity about football in general outside of the US at an Amateur level and top pro academy level that could be useful to folks who may wonder how Academies work in Europe in relation to my experience through my son. Footballers here in the NL are considered an investment to the club at a young age. There are huge lines of footballers that are trying to break into the top level academies at a very young age but only the very best are invited to join after many months of scouting. Once a pro club extends a player to join though, the player is indeed an investment to the club and the club has made a full commitment to nurture their product by investing in the player upfront to be rewarded later.

You are that less then 1% that has a potential to make it big so while the club teaches you the ropes, it’s up to you to take charge of your destiny because if you don’t seize it, there are a lot of other kids waiting in line to seize it. So clubs will provide all kinds of education possible to ensure kids are developing because they recognise that if groomed right, you have a potential to make the club a lot of money that will keep the resources necessary to continue developing quality footballers in the future. 

My son coming out of a local amateur club in Amsterdam, , has really taken a leap to adapt to the level of intense training at Alkmaar club. School and Football consumes my son’s life today. I can literally say that he has no life except going to school, training, homework and sleeping. Free time is time to relax watching some games unless it is a holiday. However, your well being is one of the most important thing to AZ so they tailor your training schedule accordingly.
“To try to get to the highest level in football at the youth level is not easy no matter how talented you may be. It takes a lot of hard work, determination and focus not to mention you are giving up a lot of things your friends might enjoy doing”
What do I mean by that?
 As a new player in the program, Aethan trained 4 times/wk and a match in the weekend instead of training daily. Because of the intensity level, in order to avoid injury, the club has concluded a rest midweek for new players is important to stay healthy for the 1st 4-5 months. The level at this point is so high, it gives the new kids an opportunity to adapt to the program gradually so to avoid any injury resulting from fatigue or burnouts. Beside you are not useful injured as such the club protect their investments by resting your body.
You are tested for different things (speed, agility, endurance, jump, etc.) Sporadically at least every month to record your progress. You can see your progress in your profile where everything about the player is stored in the Academy system. One of the key factors in the scouting process at AZ is making sure the players have the necessary means to get to training and back to their home or school without inconveniencing parents.

As a parent if you have to drive 45min to one hour to take your kids to training during business hours, it causes stress to the family. A family with less to worry about transporting their kids can supplement in helping their kids in other ways at home and less stress to player. So, every day my son is picked up midday from school and dropped off at home. Players have to honour their time of pick up and drop off. It is the responsibility of the player to be on time because the club driver doesn’t wait for you after your grace minutes if u are not ready. 

A couple of months back because of the lack of understanding the Dutch language my son misunderstood the training time change that took effect because of a holiday so when the pickup van came to pick him up at 6:20am in the morning, he was sleep. So the van left without him leaving him a message that woke him up. He rushed to wake his mother to take him to his training as I was out of town on a work assignment. He arrived 8min late to his training. His coach had him seat and watch the full training while his teammates train for two hours and was benched the next game against Ajax. Was I happy to learn of this. Hell no. Can I say anything about how harsh of a punishment I thought that was, hell no.

In a pay to play system, there is a feeling you can complain or have some influence in the management of your kids LOL. There is a tough culture here. As a parent, you have to be disciplined and know your place and that is to be a parent and letting the Academy do the teaching. Lesson learned is if you want to get ahead, you better not be late to the party. You have to learn to be Independence and responsible quick or you will learn it the hard way. The system is here to teach you to become not only a footballer but also a man.

After being benched a match against Ajax, believe me he got the message and instead he is at least 15min early for every pickup/ride. One thing for sure is he will never miss his ride to training again. To try to get to the highest level in football at the youth level is not easy no matter how talented you may be. It takes a lot of hard work, determination and focus not to mention you are giving up a lot of things your friends might enjoy doing.

Mental Toughness: 

Skills are key but without mental toughness, you are just a number. Discipline is one of the most important things you have to learn in a pro environment, no matter who you are. Periodic Top-sport class outside of training is a mandatory session players have to attend. You learn about mentality, character, discipline, work ethics and what to focus on to get ahead. You learn about what to eat and not to eat, – how much sleep you need and to listen to your body.
If you seem to feel your hamstring is tight or your back seem stiff, you are to check in with the clubs physiotherapist for treatment immediately. You have to be fit to continue to train. If there seem to be a small problem, it has to be evaluated so it won’t have a lasting effect. Aethan has been making great strides to fit in to the program and he has adapted to understanding the Dutch way of living. The language while difficult, he has made great advances to being able to follow conversations with extra help at the club after training. He has blended well with his teammate. While being scouted as a midfielder playing position #6,#8 and #10, he has been playing striker and winger positions doing everything he has been asked to do and growing in the game.

So far, he has participated in first class tournaments in Italy, Belgium, England and Germany since the start of the pre-season against top league academies of the respective countries and he has become an integral part of his team.

He has had an amazing experience at the USMNT U15 call up in September 2018 in Chula Vesta, CA. Nothing beats being selected to wear your countries jersey and seeing the excitement of that experience on my son’s face was such a blessing put mildly.





2018… has been an amazing year but most importantly my son’s mentality and commitment with all the challenges of adapting to a new country has given me hope that he is ready for the challenges ahead of him in 2019 and beyond. As to what the future holds, obviously what was a two years move to live in the NL for work and to experience life outside of the US for my family is more like to extend longer than we initially planned. Never had I thought my son (My daughter yes) will reach this level so quick jumping in from an amateur side to the pro academies and doing so well.
My gratitude goes to all the clubs that had nurtured my boy: JOGASC/LMVSC/NPCSoccer/DCUnited/

I know the road my son is in is not an easy road to climb. It is a very challenging road. Some kids burnout. Some don’t have the discipline to stay in it for the long haul. It is so important that kids have the right mindset and support system around them to keep focused. It’s a long road ahead for my son as he is turning 15 in a couple of months. God willing the path he started will bear fruit. However, as a father, I am mindful to continue encouraging and keeping him grounded and focused in all he does. School being just as important.
I will have more updates in the future. For those of you who have asked about Aethan, I hope this give you some insight as to how he is adapting.
Cheers!

Soon I will share some amazing things that’s happening with my daughter who is 11 & playing as the only girl in the u13 Boys team in the 2nd division league. She is a big talent and will share about the invitation she has received from the Dutch Football Association soon.
-FINISH
A fascinating insight into how much, time, effort and sacrifice is required to try and make it as a professional football in Europe.
You can check out Yohanne Channel The Yohannes Trio Football Channel as you will see they are both excellent footballers. However, they have a long journey ahead of them but it’s great to get an insight into their development at this stage and importance of family support.

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I always like to hear your opinions and views. If you feel you have something to say, please comment below or email me info@thecoachdiary.com If, you don’t have anything to add then please forward this on to a friend. As always, thanks for reading.

I’m also on twitter @Coachdiary and @LetTheKidPlay