Continuums of Development Evaluation Form

Continuums of Development Evaluation Form

This is designed to give you an honest assessment of where the player’s needs are for continued improvement.

This assessment is based on where they were at the start of the training to now. This is a long term process. As a general rule most players will struggle on (A) initially as it may be a totally new concept of the learning curve for them. Relating Word Association with Actions to identify the Strengths and Areas of Improvement needed in players.

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The Tiffiny League and Wayne Harrison

The Tiffiny League and Wayne Harrison

We currently have two Soccer Awareness teams, 2002s and 2005s, playing in the competitive Tiffiny league in Vista and will be building upon that for the upcoming Spring league when many clubs are in their down time. 

Both teams have signed up again already within 3 days of advertising for the Spring League showing the success of this (starting March 6th, through June 14th; 14 games and 14 training nights), we would like more teams to participate with us and discover the benefits of the Soccer Awareness training model. 

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Finishing In and Around the Box with the 4-2-3-1 Diamond Attacking Set-Up

Finishing In and Around the Box with the 4-2-3-1 Diamond Attacking Set-Up

Striker movement is one of the greatest and most difficult ARTS to master. The situation is constantly changing and the striker is constantly moving to create space for him or herself but also for teammates. Small-sided games are important in the development of younger players through increased touches with the ball and more experience with basic tactical challenges.

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Example Soccer Awareness Training Session

Example Soccer Awareness Training Session

All training is match specific. Our work is based upon developing a balance between ball handling and functional running and sprinting in combination with jumping, stopping and turning.

Quick feet, changing stride length exercises will be particularly important.

Repetition of the exercises is important throughout the season on a weekly basis to develop good and correct habits regarding co-ordination, comfort in running, awareness of the efficient use of arms and legs in running and the synchronization of limbs. 

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A Short and Simple Explanation on How to Defend

A Short and Simple Explanation on How to Defend

Attacking: Based on the 5 corridors width-wise we want all 5 corridors to have players in them. 

Based length–wise we want a maximum of 2 of 3 zones filled; with the exception of the keeper.

Defending: Based on the 5 corridors width-wise we want a maximum of 3 corridors filled with players preferably 2.5 if possible.

Based length-wise we want a maximum of 2 of 3 zones filled preferably the whole team is condensed into 1.5 zones or at most half a field.

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Divided Up Field for Team Shape Direction

Divided Up Field for Team Shape Direction

Playing in 5 zones widthwise to help define the positioning of players. Also playing in 3 thirds from goal to goal lengthwise. Here we have a good balance with players positioning at angles to each other. Must get the team into 2 thirds only, except for the keeper, both offensively and defensively.

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Soccer Awareness Model of Team Development

Soccer Awareness Model of Team Development

My model is implemented at professional Academy level. I believe in developing teams to reflect the most up to date and successful Professional European models of Soccer development. 

The FIVE Phases of Play at the 8 v 8

We employ the 3-3-1 system of play. Using it from U6 to U10 with all our teams; we endeavor to teach a particular style of play that is popular, fun to play and successful and which teaches the players all the best aspects of soccer development.

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How Do You Define Soccer Intelligence?

How Do You Define Soccer Intelligence?

I call it Soccer Awareness

This is the “thinking” part of the game. The game starts in the head of the player and we as coaches must guide the players to think more quickly and with better accuracy in decision making. 

Therefore soccer intelligence is based around players being able to identify their options BEFORE they receive the ball; and pick out the best option of hopefully several available to advance it; and maintain possession of it in the next phase of play.

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Book Review - Soccer Awareness: Developing the Thinking Player

Book Review - Soccer Awareness: Developing the Thinking Player

This is a review from Amazon on the book: Soccer Awareness: Developing the Thinking Player

As a long time coach (not of soccer though), I took to the task of coaching my daughter’s travel soccer team. It’s not difficult to find drills for dribbling and passing and small sided games and such. What is difficult is getting the kids to look around and play the game. These drills provide dribbling and passing practice, but also awareness training.

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Soccer Symposium for Player Development

Soccer Symposium for Player Development

On Sunday, April 29, coach Wayne Harrison of CV Manchester Soccer Club presented a coaching symposium focused on his “Thinking Process” of training. The symposium, held at Carmel Creek Elementary School, was open to all interested coaches, parents and players. Harrison shared his views on coaching players to develop “vision” and to play a thinking style of soccer.

A former professional player with Blackpool Football Club in England and Oulu Palloseura in Finland, Harrison also represented Great Britain in the World Student Games in Mexico. His coaching experience includes Youth Director at Blackpool and Al Ain in the United Arab Emirates. Harrison holds the UEFA “A” License, the NSCAA Premier Diploma and a degree in Sports Psychology and Applied Physiology.

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