Program Guidelines:
Training philosophy:Center program on development of creative players.

• Playing focus on centered on the short passing game.
• Objective is building a solid, quick and effective attack starting from defense to midfield and midfield to attack.
• Develop fast players with perfect technique who are creative problem solvers, who are able to deal with any given situation skillfully.
• Pass and control the ball in tight spaces.
• Once the short passing game is perfected, other techniques will be easier to acquire and understand.

Teaching Philosophy:

• Promote creativity by developing a demanding but nurturing environment where players are allowed to express themselves freely and are allowed to make mistakes.
• Immediate error correction.
• High level of motivation.(activities instead of drills)
• Development of character is of primary importance.
• Develop self-esteem through consistently positive feedback.
• Place emphasis on communication between coaching staff and between player coach.
• Lots of repetition.
• Use of small-sided games as a teaching tool.

1994 Strikers
Outdoor Overview

A) Games :
The Goal for the outdoor season is to play roughly 25 games. The game breakdown would be as follows:
• 12-14 League games
• 3 Tournaments-(resulting in a minimum of 9 games-possibly 15 games)
• 3-5 exhibition games

1.

B) Outdoor Breakdown:
1. Outdoor season will commence the third week of April (depending on weather) until the second week of October.
2. Two practices per week (every week) totaling 4 hours.
3. Tournaments: Unionville-Milliken, Thornhill and a Quebec tournament.
4. Week long summer camp for the team and other invited guests born in 1994. The camp will serve as a team building as well as a skill building event. I will run the program and will have some invited guest coaches run some sessions.

C) Expectations & Events:
1. In order to guarantee playing time, a player must attend practice on a regular basis. A phone call or email is expected for every absence from practice or game. Consistent lateness will also result in a reduction of playing time or possible removal from the team.

2. Players will receive quarterly evaluations, focusing on their development and commitment. This evaluation will reflect the player's growth and future with the program.


Players and parents will receive regular handouts outlining physical, nutritional, technical and tactical development.

1994 Strikers: Phase 1 (ages 8-10) Training Curriculum

Technical
• Combine ball control and speed in complicated situations.
• Taking, cushioning and juggling the ball with all parts of the body.
• Mastering the ball and developing a "feel" of the ball through repeated touches of the ball.
• Passing accurately from a standing position and while of the move.
• Learning techniques for taking the ball past and opponent.
• Accurate shooting at goal (one & touch, volleys)
• Learning to shield the ball. Tactical
• Focus on individual tactics and short passing game.
• Running into space to receive the ball.
• Learn to use the space in the length and width of the field.
• Learning to play a position and one other related one.
• Looking at the play beyond the ball.
• Deciding the moment of choice between passing and making an individual run.• Covering a player from the inside.
• Learning to use the player in the most open space in order to keep possession of the ball.

Physical
• Developing the principles of good running technique.
• Introduction of strength training using own body weight.
• Sprinting in all directions.
• Learning the principles of coordinated movement.

Character
• Respect for an opponent.
• Communicate with players and coaching staff.
• Opens to opinions of others (be accountable and accept feedback from peers and coaches).
• Accepting leadership.
• Accepting referee's decision.
• Learning to be critical of own achievements.
• Learn to analyze their own game and the team's.
• Learning that soccer is a team sport.
• Learning to concentrate.

1994 Strikers: Practice Breakdown

The team will practice two times per week, each practice will have a specific focus. There will always be some overlap but the majority of the session will be theme specific,
Ball control will be a part of all practice. The breakdown is as follows:
•
A) TECHNICAL
1. Ball Mastery
• Control with different parts of the foot
• Inside/outside
• Laces
• sole
• taps between inside of feet
• combo moves

2. 1 V.1 MOVES:
• Scissors move
• Dummy step
• Cruyff
• Outside & regular chop

Step over
3. Passing:
• Inside of the foot
• Outside of the foot
• Passing while moving and while standing
• Weak foot and strong foot
• One touch and two touch

4. Shooting:
• Two touch, one touch
• Volleys
• Finishing crosses on the ground


B) TACTICAL
1. Small sided games: (used to accomplish the following)
• Organize team shape.
• Teach building up from the back.
• Maintaining possession of the ball in a game context.
• Finding players in open space.
• Supporting the attack from the back.
• Developing wing play.
• Finishing in a game context.

2. Possession games:(used to develop the following)
• Learning when to pass and when to make a run
• Passing in tight spaces
• Controlling in tight spaces.
• Learning to keep possession with limited touches.