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

2. Who’s the Director?

3. 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

4. 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

5. The Twins Way

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

7. 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

8. Four Pillars of the Game
Technical
Tactical
Physical
Psychosocial

9. 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

10. 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.

11. Curriculum

12. 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.

13. 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

14. 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!

15. 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?

16. 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 ?

17. 7%
1/20 5%
15%
1/10
10%
1/2
25%
1/4
50%

18. 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

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

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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

23. 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 yards
Pass over yards

24. 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

25. 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

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

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

28. Mia Hamm on being a soccer parent

29. Questions?