Style of Play and Developmental Philosophy Twins Junior Academy: Style of Play and Developmental Philosophy Ethan Kilby, Katherine Skarbek TCYSA Junior Academy Directors

Who’s the Director?

About Me Grew up all over the eastern part of the U.S. Played recreation and competitive soccer from age 5 Started the girls soccer program at my high school in KY Played collegiately for Wake Forest University Began coaching for Twins in 2007 9th year working for TCYSA, 4th on full-time staff, 6th year working with Junior Academy Obtained USSF “A” License and NSCAA Premier Diploma

Who Are the Staff? Boys Director: Ethan Kilby Girls Director: Katherine Skarbek Jan Hugosson- 5th year Lewis Propst- 2nd year Kevin Sorensen- 2nd year Leane Kuhner- 2nd year Will Wham- 1st year Jason Kohrt- 3rd year Robin Mace- 1st year Jason Kohrt- 3rd year Tina Miller- 4th year Lee Powell- 2nd year Julie McCann- 2nd year Sarah Shelness- 3rd year Phillip Gouker- 1st year

The Twins Way

Training Expectations Practice Sessions: U8/U9 5:00-6:00pm, U10 6:15-7:15pm Monday Wednesday Try to arrive 10-15 mins early. Passing, juggling, or dribbling! NO SHOOTING Place bags near field 6, then take to coach’s field

Training Expectations Cont. Practice Uniform Monday: White Shirt Wednesday: Black Shirt Things to Bring Ball Water Soccer Attire – Shorts/Socks/ Shin guards, Cleats Cold weather gear

Four Pillars of the Game Technical Tactical Physical Psychosocial

Player Development Matrix Aspect of Game 8U-10U 11U-12U 13U-14U 15U-19U Technical 1 Tactical 3 2 Physical 3+ Mental 1= High Priority 2= Mid Priority 3= Lowest Priority

JA Coaching Philosophy EVIDENCE BASED COACHING – use of evidence related to shot type and shot location, crossing and short set pieces. DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE ENVIRONMENT – ability to tweak curriculum to accommodate specific needs based on the level of development of players and technical capabilities. CREATIVE AND CONFIDENT PLAYERS – allowing players the freedom to express themselves, use mistakes as learning opportunities, and focus on technical execution. POSSESSION BASED STYLE OF PLAY – building attacks from deep areas, playing through the lines, improved decision making on the ball, improved movement off the ball. MENTALITY– mental toughness, ability to deal with adversity, work harder than the opposition, humility. PASSION- Love for the game through positive experience with soccer from a young age.

Curriculum

Age of Development Tolerate mistakes – unconditional support Give players security to make mistakes. Playing time=Equal Positions Play 2-3 a game Commitment to learning Practice away from sessions to improve individually RISE Program Mistakes are part of learning. They are not an indication of failure; they are the beginnings of an opportunity to problem solve, grow, and achieve.

Style of Play Possession Based Manipulate pressure and the positioning of the opposition to allow us to attack. To not only move the ball but also the opposition High Intensity to pressure and Press the opposition Hard Work When and where As a team Short Set Pieces Creativity to create attempt at goal Play with a purpose from the Goalkeeper Find ways to play through pressure

What to Expect We will play against direct, physically powerful teams who are only concerned with winning. We will be beaten by individual players who are simply faster and stronger. The 2 points above are fantastic for player development!

Coaching Moments Movement off the ball Body shape to receive First touch Angles of players ahead of the ball Technique on the ball Decision making on the ball Pass or Dribble?

Shot Type Open Goal? A one on one with the goalkeeper? Under Pressure from 1 player – Side or behind but still angle to score? Under pressure from 1 player – In front/Between Goal? More than one player between Ball and the Goal or back to goal with single defender? Facing away from goal, pressure from multiple players? No potential of scoring ?

7% 1/20 5% 15% 1/10 10% 1/2 25% 1/4 50%

What to do? Outside the box Inside the Box In wide areas Look to get into the box! Only shoot if 1 v 1 with the goalkeeper Inside the Box Only shoot if there is a clear path to goal Get into positions to score In wide areas Don’t cross ball in the air Look for angled passes to get into the box

Mental Toughness Struggle is good Let them fail Praise effort Strict is a good thing Stress is good

What should players know when they complete a year in the Junior Academy? Skills related to Dribbling, Receiving, Passing, Finishing, and Defending Developing- Players are learning appropriate technique and can’t always apply it Competent- Players know appropriate technique and try to execute, but sometimes physically can’t Consistent- Players know and apply appropriate technique on a regular basis

Dribbling/RWB Dribbling/RWB U8s U9s U10s Use multiple surfaces of foot Turning with out/inside of foot Taking players on: in front, side, behind Dribbling: out of pressure Dribble: to shield Dribble: to penetrate RWB with laces

Receiving Passing/Receiving U8s U9s U10s Pass/receive with all parts of dominant foot Pass/receive with all parts of weak foot Receive on back foot Receive out of air: foot Receive out of air: thigh/chest Receive to turn Receive under pressure to protect ball

Passing Passing/Receiving U8s U9s U10s Pass with inside of both feet Pass with outside of dominant foot Pass with outside of weak foot Driven pass with laces Chipped/lofted/bent passes Pass over 5-10-15 yards Pass over 15-20-25 yards

Shooting/Finishing Shooting/Finishing U8s U9s U10s Body position when shooting (plant foot, angle of approach) Strike ball on instep Strike ball on inside of foot Curl ball with inside of foot Finish off one touch Finish 1vGK Decision making: shot in good area

Defending Defending U8s U9s U10s Body Position in 1v1 Preventing forward pass/movement Tackle to block Quick transition to defend Demonstrate pressure/cover Defending from front of team Defending set pieces

Parent Input? During the game? After the game? After training?

Lines of Communication Coach E-mail – 24 hours after game Player – with coach before practice Director of Coaching – Katherine Skarbek Director of Soccer – Mark Simpson Executive Director – Scott Wollaston

Mia Hamm on being a soccer parent

Questions?