Coaching The Soccer Brain Using Small Sided Games

I started out coaching over twenty-five years ago and its safe to say a whole lot has changed since then. Even when I was a player, it was the physical side of the game that was emphasized, along with being brave and committed, words like cognition were meant for psychology class and not the soccer field. Maybe once in a while the coach would shout, "what are you thinking", undoubtedly not to teach us anything but more as a reprimand then anything else. The idea of developing the soccer the brain wasn't something I was ever exposed to as player and young coach. However, there were pioneers back then; Wiel Coerver was spreading the message of the importance of technical training, but the link between technical training, physical training and the brain was never fully developed or discussed. This motivated me to make it my mission re-think player development on every level, from youth to adult. I ended up creating a coaching methodology that is specifically designed to develop the soccer brain. The theory and applications behind my work are presented in detail in my five book series "Cognitive Soccer Instructors Diploma Course Manuals" #1-5, these are also sold on amazon.com. This book focuses primarily on ways you can train the soccer brain by playing small-sided games using different variations, rules and conditions. In order to be successful in SSG's (small-sided games) the players will need to problem solve and figure out solutions to each exercise, the exercises will ultimately become the teacher. The coach can certainly step in to ask questions (to guide the players), make corrections or adjust a rule or condition. However, it is important the coach does not try and over-coach the players, allows enough time for players to become comfortable with the exercise before making changes and keeps a good overall flow to the practice. SSG's are so effective because players get to experience a variety of different meaningful situations which they have to strategize and problem solve collectively as a unit and as individuals to solve. This in turn will ultimately develop the soccer brain! Don't get me wrong, expert feedback from a talented coach during training is necessary, but it is even more critical that the coach understands how to set-up exercises that will allow players to learn on their own as well. If the exercise is breaking down, the coach should have the tools to make an adjustment, so the correct level of challenge is present. If the players are not challenged enough, the coach should be able to make an adjustment that will increase the games difficulty. I can go into detail about the importance of novelty in training, sweet spot of learning, the value of unique soccer experiences, the benefit of healthy stress in training, the use of priming, the power of questions and much more, but the purpose of this book is to give coaches the tools to make any SSG into a "Brain Development Game". If you are interested in learning more about Cognitive Soccer Development or wish to become a "Cognitive Soccer Certified Instructor" please visit my website at www.soccersmarttraining.com Feel free to email any question of comments to [email protected]

If coaches believe that an intelligent player is one who can make excellent decisions when under pressure in order to overcome the problems faced in the game, then coaches need to allow players to learn, practise and develop these attributes. This book is about using small-sided soccer games (SSGs) to enable players to experience and improve their problem solving and decision making skills. It is not about 'rewarding' players with a game at the end of training, but rather it is about using SSGs as a fundamental pillar of all coaching sessions in order to develop, challenge and improve players' technical, tactical, physical, psychological and social qualities. This book features 25 original soccer games which have been designed by Soccer IQ and the International Street Soccer Association to place your players in realistic, motivating, enjoyable and challenging situations where they can develop their understanding of the game and become 'thinking players'. The games will allow and encourage players to plan, experiment and evaluate their decision making and problem-solving ability. This is a book that helps a coach plan stimulating and purposeful coaching sessions based on a holistic approach to player development. In turn each game can easily be adapted to reflect the needs of your players and team. We hope you and your players enjoy the games which follow; and that they may help you to design your own games to help develop your players' problem-solving and decision-making skills.

If coaches believe that an intelligent player is one who can make excellent decisions when under pressure in order to overcome the problems faced in the game, then coaches need to allow players to learn, practise and develop these attributes. This book is about using small-sided soccer games (SSGs) to enable players to experience and improve their problem solving and decision making skills. It is not about 'rewarding' players with a game at the end of training, but rather it is about using SSGs as a fundamental pillar of all coaching sessions in order to develop, challenge and improve players' technical, tactical, physical, psychological and social qualities. This book features 25 original soccer games which have been designed by Soccer IQ and the International Street Soccer Association to place your players in realistic, motivating, enjoyable and challenging situations where they can develop their understanding of the game and become 'thinking players'. The games will allow and encourage players to plan, experiment and evaluate their decision making and problem-solving ability. This is a book that helps a coach plan stimulating and purposeful coaching sessions based on a holistic approach to player development. In turn each game can easily be adapted to reflect the needs of your players and team. We hope you and your players enjoy the games which follow; and that they may help you to design your own games to help develop your players' problem-solving and decision-making skills.

"Here you can find a complete coaching course on how to use small-sided games to address almost any problem that your team can have and keep it fun. With over 190 disgrams, clear and simple text you'll be able to set up your own practices in no time at all."--Back cover.

Make Defending Fun! For too long, defending practice has been presented by coaches and received by players as a necessary evil, filled with unimaginative drills that provide players with little or no reward for getting it right. This book contains 100 exercises and small sided games designed to inspire players to become better defenders both tactically and technically in a fun and competitive training environment. The games are set up to re-create the unpredictability of actual match play, with no long queues or endless repetitions. Because of this, players are more involved in the practice and are thus learning "how to play the game" and developing the skills to deal with the ever-evolving situations on the pitch.

Soccer Made Easy has sought out the top professionals to contribute to this book. The content is designed to provide season practice sessions for players age 9 through 12 years. Using this book, coaches have their entire season prepared in advance, with the added comfort of knowing what they are teaching is age specific, fun and progressive. In addition to entire practice sessions, all the important skills in Passing, Ball Control, Shooting, Heading, Dribbling, Defending and Goalkeeping are explained and illustrated. Additional sections feature Methodology, Team Management, Custom Drills, Safety and Equipment, Laws of the Game and a Coach's Resource section. Book jacket.