Soccer Camps - Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge - FFTW Development
Dear Parents/Guardians,
Hope you are all doing well.
We are all very happy to be back on the pitch this Winter. We would like to welcome all our returning players as well as the new players that have joined us for our first program of 2018.
In terms of the first week's programming, we worked on 1 vs. 1 speed skills.
Here are the coaching points and attached YouTube clips below:
Main Coaching Points
- Attack with SPEED
- If you don't SELL it, they won't BUY it (bend your knees and really exaggerate the side you are trying to fake to)
- ACCELERATE AWAY after doing the skill
- Know what speed skill you are going to do before you get to the defender
1 vs. 1 Speed Skills
Messi - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wjl49nNK9to
Ronaldo Scissors - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUi2IRqW4vw
Hop and Chop - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QGyU_tiD0c
(Additional) Jay Jay - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Abpm-6Wxez8
(Additional) - Roll n' Go - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1BAGqypb50
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6-7/8-9 Age Group:
Comments from Coaches
Overall, we were very happy with the group's performance our 1 v 1 attacking. For a lot of the players, some of the skills were new and to some, they had done some of the skills before. The biggest difference however is, the little nit picky coaching points which we want every single player to focus on.
A lot of players were coming at the player too fast and therefore running into the cone and/or player once we added a defender in. The distance at the beginning was too close but after some time players started learning that they had to do the skill closer to the player, but not too close. This would help them sell the skill better and help their exit improve. Regarding the exit after doing a skill, players need to remember in particular on the Messi and Ronaldo Scissors, that a player needs to use the outside of their foot to exit away from a defender.
Acceleration was also a key topic and something players did at times, but not consistently enough. If they want to be top players, they need to make this a habit because in critical situations during a match, they will need space to get away from a defender and whether it is a skill or a turn, they need to remember to accelerate away to create that space.
Lastly, and this is of course something that is more for the advanced player - is to know what you are going to do before you get the ball. Players need to start thinking about what they are going to do before the ball comes to them and this is repeated time and time again at FFTW Development sessions. This is because any player can learn how to do a skill, but the best players will be the ones who already know what they are going to do and how sharp they react to the situation they are in in any space on the field.
All in all, it was a good start and from here, we will continue to improve.
10-13 Age Group:
Comments from Coaches
It was great to see a number of new faces as well as some FFTW Development regulars and with practise, we can see some of the skills becoming second hand nature to the players who attended our programs before. For those who are new, take the skills on, learn them and make them a part of your game. Do not be afraid to make mistakes and take players on as that is how you are going to learn. The key thing to remember is, always try these skills in the opponents half where if you do lose the ball, it is not as bad as losing the ball in front of your own goal.
For all the players, some players have done 1 or 2 of the skills before but it is the small details which count which a lot of players are making mistakes on. This is more so in regards to selling the skill. Any player can learn how to do a skill but players need to make sure they take the skills seriously and really make the defenders feel they are going to the direction they are trying to fake. Some players get lazy with their habits and with this, it will show in a game. The ones who take it seriously, work hard on their craft and really sell the skills will be the ones making space for themselves in game time situations when that space is needed to dribble, pass or shoot when defenders are tight on you.
The biggest aspects which players need to work on is their approach (how fast they come into the player, players need to slow down), the distance to make sure they are not getting too close as this goes hand in hand with coming in too fast. The last point is to know what you are going to do before you get the ball. Yes, we repeat this time and time again at FFTW Development because the best players are the ones who have that extra edge by thinking 1 step before their defender. Any player can do a skill but the ones who know what they are going to do before they get it are the ones who are going to be a step faster which makes the difference between a good player, and a great player.
All in all, it was a good start and from here, we will continue to improve.
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Well done to all players and see you next week!