US YOUTH SOCCER adidas Annual Workshop and Coaches Convention 2006 Teaching Games for Understanding

Some opening thoughts There is no ‘single’ right way to coach – there are approaches that do not deliver our outcomes. There is no ‘single’ right way to coach – there are approaches that do not deliver our outcomes. Most coaching approaches are developments, not ‘eureka’ moments. Most coaching approaches are developments, not ‘eureka’ moments. Development is often most productive when coaches work together. Development is often most productive when coaches work together. Theory and practice can mutually inform Theory and practice can mutually inform

Why did TGfU start? An apology to PE teachers – pre 70s/ post 80s An apology to PE teachers – pre 70s/ post 80s Traditional approach Warm up, skill, game (with the emphasis on skill - technique) often Traditional approach Warm up, skill, game (with the emphasis on skill - technique) often - failed less and most skilled. - failed less and most skilled. - failed to exploit intrinsic motivation. - failed to exploit intrinsic motivation. - failed to develop perception and decision making. - failed to develop perception and decision making. - teacher/coach dependent - teacher/coach dependent

Why Do People Play Sport? You say

Why do people play sport? Affiliation Affiliation Competence Competence Sensation Sensation

TGfU – the model (1982) Player enters Player enters Game Form (selected with below in mind)Game Form (selected with below in mind) Game AppreciationGame Appreciation Tactical AwarenessTactical Awareness Decision Making -What to do How to do it (embraces when and why)Decision Making -What to do How to do it (embraces when and why) Skill (individually based)Skill (individually based)

TGfU and ‘skill development’ This is not just what the soccer players call ‘roll the ball in’. This is not just what the soccer players call ‘roll the ball in’. The games are carefully chosen and progressive. The games are carefully chosen and progressive. Certain key points can be addressed to the group (usually tactically) Certain key points can be addressed to the group (usually tactically) Once the games are underway the coach is able to step in and help individuals or small groups with appropriate challenges. Once the games are underway the coach is able to step in and help individuals or small groups with appropriate challenges.

TGfU What to coach arises from the game and is always related to the individual(s). What to coach arises from the game and is always related to the individual(s). But isn’t this what happens at World level? But isn’t this what happens at World level? Time for the cycle could be a lesson, or years. Key is readiness. Time for the cycle could be a lesson, or years. Key is readiness.

A word about learning My soccer pedigree My soccer pedigree Don Bradman’s pedigree Don Bradman’s pedigree To be skilful – you have to repeat the skill many thousands of times – why would you? To be skilful – you have to repeat the skill many thousands of times – why would you? Intrinsic motivation – coach dependence. Intrinsic motivation – coach dependence.

How did you learn to play soccer? Consider how much play, how much coaching. Consider how much play, how much coaching. If play how did you know what to do? If play how did you know what to do? Observational Learning Observational Learning Did you always want to do what the coach was doing??? Did you always want to do what the coach was doing???

The Game is on-going – so? Only step in if you are sure your coaching is going to be positive. Only step in if you are sure your coaching is going to be positive. Traditional approach to coaching and coach education has been to identify faults and expect the coach to set to work. Traditional approach to coaching and coach education has been to identify faults and expect the coach to set to work. Key have you the time to correct, or, add. Key have you the time to correct, or, add. Is it relevant to the player. Is it relevant to the player.

Learners Learn coaches only help this process - sometimes

The Coaches Skill Level Games Sense – Australia – coaching Games Sense – Australia – coaching Reactions to Aussie and Kiwi sport Reactions to Aussie and Kiwi sport Making Sense of Games – TGFU Making Sense of Games – TGFU It makes sense to play games – play sport that became TOP play and TOP sport (YST) It makes sense to play games – play sport that became TOP play and TOP sport (YST)

Some thoughts from other sports New Zealand Rugby New Zealand Rugby USA Basketball USA Basketball Brazilian Football – UK coaches!!! Brazilian Football – UK coaches!!! Australian Hockey Australian Hockey and what of Pakistan Cricket and what of Pakistan Cricket Proposition ‘play’ and ‘situational practice with player responsibility’ are common. Proposition ‘play’ and ‘situational practice with player responsibility’ are common.

Why now for coaching – 24years after the first publications? Fitness, nutrition, technical analysis, etc – the machine is primed. Fitness, nutrition, technical analysis, etc – the machine is primed. Some approaches to sports psych Some approaches to sports psych BUT have we looked at decision making and skill acquisition carefully enough. Have we developed logical long term programmes to develop these aspects?

Decision Making The limited concentration channel The limited concentration channel Where is attention? Perceptual – response coupling Perceptual – response coupling Practice outside the game? Time and pressure Time and pressure Dominant Responses Dominant Responses

Do we coach too much? The Lesson The Lesson Improved performance or improved learning? Improved performance or improved learning? Are we disobeying some basic skill acquisition Are we disobeying some basic skill acquisition findings – 2 examples findings – 2 examples The playing career – or the winning juniors? The playing career – or the winning juniors? Are age group coaches developing the attributes the senior player requires? Are age group coaches developing the attributes the senior player requires?  How do we judge an effective coach?

The Learning Environment If the keys to development are appropriate challenges, appropriate models and lots of goes – surely much of your coaching task is to set the learning environment. If the keys to development are appropriate challenges, appropriate models and lots of goes – surely much of your coaching task is to set the learning environment. Shifts coaching style toward questioning and don’t forget the game sets the question. Shifts coaching style toward questioning and don’t forget the game sets the question. The players solve it – they learn. The players solve it – they learn. The Inner Game – Gallwey (Whitmore)

So – with this in mind? The key is to set the appropriate game The key is to set the appropriate game  For the mum and dad helping – we (experienced youth coaches) set the games and give some clues as to progression.  For the experienced coach, the key is to develop the games that challenge the key elements required.

So what game? - early Mini Games Mini Games Is an invasion game the best way to start? Is an invasion game the best way to start? Target Games, Fielding Games, Court Games. Target Games, Fielding Games, Court Games. Possession v Distribution Possession v Distribution

So what game? Moving on Small sided soccer games – adapted to meet need – the game sets the problem and provides the solution. Small sided soccer games – adapted to meet need – the game sets the problem and provides the solution. Use other game with other skills to emphasise tactical awareness. Use other game with other skills to emphasise tactical awareness.

Games – more advanced – full sided games Empowering Empowering Non-threatening risks Non-threatening risks Leaders on the field Leaders on the field Individual programmes. Individual programmes.

Graeme Robson Coach Support Manager, NZ Academy Perhaps with our community coaches we should concentrate on Games sense in the lessons and bring back the backyard games. Perhaps with our community coaches we should concentrate on Games sense in the lessons and bring back the backyard games.

Darren Shand NZ All Black Manager … austere, narrow minded, coach dominated regimes have gone the way of the dodo. … austere, narrow minded, coach dominated regimes have gone the way of the dodo.

Coaching If we are to propose that coaching is a ‘profession’ we should reflect and develop. If we are to propose that coaching is a ‘profession’ we should reflect and develop. You do not get the edge by copying, but you can learn from others. You do not get the edge by copying, but you can learn from others. I hope the session has given you a few things to think about. I hope the session has given you a few things to think about. Thank you Thank you