Filed under: Dave Clarke, Soccer Coaching, Soccer Fitness, Soccer Refereeing, Soccer Skills, Soccer Team Management | Tags: clint dempsey, fulham, self belief, self motivation, usa
As a youth coach you have a lot to think about, and that’s why I am always being asked questions about how to do this or do that and I’m quite happy to answer them.
One question that I’m often asked is how to give players that self motivation when they are on the pitch and the team has just lost a goal, Why do some players sulk or cry or just give up?
On Saturday my U9s went 1-0 up, but just before half time went 4-1 down. But they never gave up and late in the game scored to go ahead by 5 goals to 4. They have self belief but we all have to work hard for that.
Personal motivation is a hard part of coaching. Once a player is on the pitch how do you go about getting them to put 100 per cent in when the going gets tough?
Personal motivation starts at your coaching sessions by you giving players targets to meet, by giving them targets at the beginning of the season that are about them, rather than targets like winning a game, tell them you want to see them make 4 or 5 tackles in one half of a game or to have five shots at goal. In this way they will learn that a lot of their performance is down to wht they do on the pitch rather than winning or losing.
You can also give players rewards like the football (soccer) patches we use that gets players striving to be better so they can win their badge.
Talk to your players about how they should be thinking about the game and their role in it. Explain how they must strive to meet their targets so they can go on to become better players.
Check out this clip of Clint Dempsey of Fulham and the USA men’s national team, talking about self motivation and how hard he works to keep himself at the top level.
Filed under: Dave Clarke, Soccer Coaching, Soccer Fitness, Soccer News, Soccer Refereeing, Soccer Skills, Soccer Team Management, Soccer Training | Tags: England, south africa, usa, World Cup
England will take the threat of the USA MNT very seriously, you only have to watch this video to see what the team has accomplished lately.
Me, I just can’t wait for the game. England v USA, bring it on!
Filed under: Dave Clarke, Soccer Coaching, Soccer Fitness, Soccer News, Soccer Skills, Soccer Team Management, Soccer Training | Tags: attacking the goal, brazil, corner, England, goals, long throw in, Michael Owen
When the ball comes into the box attackers and defenders alike must use good technique to either clear the ball or get a shot in on goal.
I have used this match in the clip below between England and Brazil in 2000 to show how attackers use the ball into the box to score goals.
First of all though the ball into the box must be a good one. The reason I have chosen to show this match is because both teams score goals from balls into the box.
The first goal scored by Michael Owen for England is a long throw into the box. Watch how he uses the sole of his foot to roll the ball into a position where he can score. Even though he is off balance he manages to control the ball – the actions of a top striker. The throw is as good as a corner because it is directed right on to a team mates head and flicked into the danger area where the attackers are lurking.
The second goal by Brazil is a lot more simple. A corner onto the attacker’s head at the far post, but again look how well the attacker manages to direct the ball between a ll the players and in to the goal. The actual delivery of the ball in to the box is excellent and the defenders cannot reach it.
Try and show this to your players so they can see how important delivery in to the box is.
