E M A G G N I V L O THE EV September, 2017
Issue 41 Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Coaching Newsletter
US Soccer Set to Unveil Their New Grassroots Soccer Licensing In January of 2018 US Soccer will be saying goodbye to their current educational licensing programs and introducing a new and in my opinion, a clearer and more concise pathway for coaches of all levels. Gone will be the F License, E License and the current D License. Replacing the F and the E License will be a 4v4 coaching license for players under 8, a 7v7 license for players under 10, a 9v9 license for players under 12 and an 11 v11 license for player 13 years and older. All of these licenses are geared primarily for the recreation soccer coach. The new D or Developmental License will offer each coach a clear understanding and awareness of the objectives from the 4 grassroots level courses and clear understanding of expectations for the coach who may want to take the National C License. Each of the four grass route courses will have a two hour on line portion and a four hour in person portion.
Mike Barr Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Technical Director
The four grassroots level courses will follow a play, practice and play formula within each training session. I have been part of the grassroots study for the last six months and agree that we as coaches need to have players learn by playing the game and performing exercises that reflect the game and the topic of a training session. Each session will begin with small sided play for about 20 minutes as soon as the players arrive; followed by one or two topics related to the theme or goals of the session for 30 to 45 minutes. The session ends in a final game of 4V4, 7V7, 9v9 or 11V11 for 25 to 35 minutes. In coaching within the training sessions, the coach is less intrusive and there is a better flow to the session. Coaching occurs primarily through positive feedback and guided discovery type questioning. Every coach will have a bucket of countless training session exercises compiled by numerous US educational staff coaches to utilize for their exercises. These will be available from US Soccer’s Digital Coaching Center when a coach enrolls in any course. Within these Grassroots licenses the coach is looked at more as an educator than a coach. Coaches who take these courses will recognize their roles in leading the team, leading the player, improving the performance environment and being a role model. US Soccer feels every child should be provided quality instruction at every age and at every developmental level. The new curriculum will benefit everyone and provide the guidance many new coaches need.
Inside: An Interview with Stephen Hogan and Jeremiah White
DIGITAL COACHING CENTER (DCC)
Game Watcher NATIONAL TEAMS
LA LIGA
SERIE A
BUNDESLIGA
Sep 15, 8PM MT WNT v N Zealand
Sep 23, 2:45PM Girona v Barcelona
Sep 20, 12:30PM Lazio v Napoli
Sep 20, 12:30PM Hamburger SV v B Dortmund
Sep 19, 7:30PM WNT v N Zealand
Sep 24, 2:45PM R Sociedad v Valencia
Sep 24, 6:30AM Sampdoria v AC Milan
Sep 23, 9:30PM Hoffenheim v FC Schalke
ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE
ICSL
MLS
DELCO
Sep 24, 11:00AM Brighton v Newcastle
Sep 23, 1:50PM U9 Girls FAC Fury v UDB Flash
Sep 30, 12:30PM Chelsea v Man City
Sep 30, 3:00PM U11 Boys YMS v Buckingham Utd
Sep 23, 7:00PM Union v Chicago Sep 27, 7:00PM Atlanta v Union
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Sep 17, 10:00AM U13 Boys Fairmont SA v FC Tenancingo Sep 24, 12:00AM U11 Boys TEYSA v Chester Springs
MEET THE COACH
US Soccer National C License Candidates Edition Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer is in the midst of hosting a U.S. Soccer Federation National C License course. The fi r s t w e e k o f t h e c o u r s e concluded in late July with the second half coming in the fall. It's a rigorous on-field and classroom experience that challenges even e s t a b l i s h e d c o a c h e s . Tw o attendees, Reading United head coach Stephen Hogan and former professional player turned entrepreneur/coach Jeremiah White, were kind enough to talk to the Evolving Game about their lives in soccer. Stephen Hogan, head coach, Reading United Evolving Game: You're a native of Ireland. Why did you come to the United States? Why stay? Do you envision your career always being here? Stephen Hogan: (I was) offered a scholarship for a small NAIA School in Tennessee (Martin Methodist College) and I jumped at it. I had some chances in England and nothing panned out. I didn’t know much about the scholarship. One or two coaches called me, and I decided to come across and get an education
while playing the game. I came in August 2004. I’ve been here for a while now. They call me a plastic paddy back home now. I’ve stayed for two things – love of the game. I actually got to play at a decent level and help build a decent PDL program that produces pros. And I fell in love and got married. After my junior and going into my senior year, I was like yeah I want to try to give this a go and really enjoyed it at the beginning. (I) jumped at the chance to stay in the college game and PDL and USL side, and Bethlehem Steel. I’ve been lucky to be at different levels of the game over here. EG: Based on your experience with Leeds United in England, what aspects of that development can the United States learn? Are there things that we can do better? SH: I played with Leeds when I was 15. The game when I was growing up was very fast, the speed of play but more the technical abilities of the players over there. The ones I played with in England during a few tryouts (were) very sharp and accurate with their passes. I think seeing that and then when I was first over here that was lacking. It’s developed now, and these courses are helping to develop it. What can we do better here? It’s funny but street soccer. But I grew up playing after school, and my mom would be outside screaming for me to come in. I know it’s different here, very vast country, but it's simple to say I think it helped develop a lot of talented players all over the world not just Europe. I think futsal is
helping, as it's grown especially in the northeast in the winter months. EG: What are your thoughts on the U.S.S.F. Coaching Pathway? SH: It's very structured, based off of UEFA. (There are) a lot of assignments to do but you learn a lot, from the instructors but also everyone here. You learn from each coach and everyone wants to learn here, and it’s a good experience for everyone to learn. It's working. Instructors, now they’re letting us voice our opinion and there’s no wrong a n s w e r. S o t h a t ’ s h e l p i n g everyone grow. And as you grow in the U.S.S.F. structure you can keep those methods and learn from them as you get better as a coach. EG: The Reading United season just ended. Any highlights? S H : We b e a t ( 2 0 1 6 N A S L champion) New York Cosmos, 3-2, in the U.S. Open Cup in the second round. Main surprise of the season but a huge surprise for the guys. A lot of them started to get noticed after that win.
MEET THE COACH
US Soccer National C License Candidates Edition EG: What’s your relationship like with (Bethlehem Steel coach) Brendan Burke and (Union manager) Jim Curtin? SH: Very good. When Brendan got the job he offered me one of the assistant positions. We had worked together and helped build Reading United to where it was, producing pros. That’s where our relationship started. That’s where we stem from. It was an easy transition to work together. I met Jim a few times when both of them were first team (Philadelphia Union) assistants. (He's) an awesome guy, fantastic coach and has a philosophy with Earnie Stewart that hopefully we all can build underneath him. The relationship with them is great. I’m learning a lot from them. They’ve got more experience than I do. EG: Art Auchenbach and Troy Snyder have really gone all in with Reading. How has that benefited the players? SH: I played for Art years ago. I can be a little bit of an annoyance, because I can be demanding. I try as best as possible within the budget of the PDL club to keep it within that standard, to keep with the USL structure. Then we’re all the same family so my players will understand if they go to a USL training session why we’re keeping to the same structure. We’re trying to also improve the food conditions for the players, the sleeping conditions. We have now 30 beds that we put players in. (We're) trying to work on transportation so we can get them to and from training
sessions in Chester, when they’re in with the first team or (Bethlehem Steel). That’s where I'd say I’m more of an annoying g u y, b u t I r e a l l y r e s p e c t (Auchenbach and Snyder). They’ve helped me out in my young career. It's very enjoyable to work with them. EG: What’s the right amount of ego for a coach to have? SH: You have to be confident. We talked about it this week, we all have an ego in working in this field, and what I think helps is if you can take constructive criticism and take it and move on. You have to be on the field because the players have to see that you’re confident. Jeremiah White, coach, entrepreneur, former USMNT player EG: What’s the mindset of a national team player vs a club team player? Jeremiah White: That’s interesting. Well as a national team player and professional, there's a seriousness and focus that separates a club and professional player: manage the pressure, the intensity and the ability to be consistent in the areas of taking care of your body, being open to learning how to improve your craft and putting in the extra work after training. Players that do the things off the fi e l d w e l l s o t h e y c a n b e successful on the field are the ones who are best able to make that transition from club to college or directly from club to the professional level.
EG: Why pursue coaching education to the extent you have? J W : I fi n i s h e d p l a y i n g professionally and decided to take a year off. And honestly a year was too long because six months later I couldn’t wait to get back on the field. I knew that I didn’t want to pursue playing professionally anymore, and I couldn’t because of three concussions. I built a software company and had three clients, but my heart wasn’t into it. My heart is soccer. Soccer has given me everything: getting into and going to the Haverford school, getting me into Wake Forest, opening all these doors. If it was soccer that did that for me then I’d be crazy to not continue with it and see where the next 20-30 years in the game take me. I have a very unique set of experiences: I played in Serbia, Greece, Denmark, Poland, Saudi Arabia, played for the USMNT. I can help to steer kids in the right direction and hopefully inspire kids through my experiences and hopefully educate them through some of the things I’ve been through. I felt it was important to get a coach's education so I have the tools to frame my experiences so I can better articulate them to kids.
MEET THE COACH
US Soccer National C License Candidates Edition EG: What’s been the biggest surprise of the C license course so far? JW: This has been an eye opening experience for me. I’ve been coached by some of the top coaches: Bob Bradley, when I was younger had some classes with Jurgen Klinsmann, Jay Vidovich at Wake Forest, really good coaches. I’m not talking about the ones abroad. As a player, I’ve gone from youth national teams all the way through USMNT. As a coach the reason this has been an eye opening experience for me has been No. 1 Mike Barr and Ric and Gary Stephenson are giving surgical feedback, and they’re not pulling any punches. I believe that that a non-reserved critic, a critic or analyst that doesn’t pull any punches is the best way to go. So I’m the kind of guy that likes when someone shares their perspective under certain terms, and to have your peers go through the session and tell you what they felt in your session, what they observed, I think it’s a great incubator and creates a thinktank. You can bounce your ideas off that thinktank. And I think that this type of program needs to be implemented in every club. I think this is one of the better environments especially on the field. It's one of the better educational environments I’ve been in. EG: You've worked with NXT Soccer, Lower Merion SC, played college and professionally…in your mind, how important is it to offer players multiple outlets and pathways to play the game?
JW: Well you know it's really important. We all are in agreement how important it is just to get people playing and create opportunities for people to play. And again, you have to have places to play, equipment. So it’s really important. Simple answer. EG: What’s the right amount of ego for a coach to have? JW: Most coaches are alphas. M o s t . Yo u h a v e t o h a v e confidence. At any level you have t o h a v e t h e c o n fi d e n c e t o communicate what you’re trying to get the kids to digest. And you’ve got to believe in yourself. So you’ve got to have that to have them be confident and believe in you. EG: Can you tell me a little more about the business that you started? You mentioned stepping away from the game for a bit.. JW: So I started an IT company called J Social. I had contracts with the Saudi Arabia Olympic Committee, Amerihealth, Christiana Care, a couple more. I was just like I hate IT, I need to get out of this industry. My passion is soccer. There’s nothing about this that inspires my passion. I just know how to do business. So I switched over to a company that I started: White Sport Ventures. It's my sports company which is basically I invest in soccer facilities. Then I have soccer programming, technical training sessions, I have speed, agility, injury prevention, I have invested in program assessments with some of the top psychologists in the country, third party reviewed assessments that are basically surveying parents
and players and the information goes to the third party psychologist, and then she analyzes the data and sends it to me and then sends it to me. And the parents have proof that the program is positively impacting their kids in the six key areas of adolescent development: role recognition, self-worth, those types of things. I’ve invested a lot in the details, the big but often overlooked aspects of what make a program effective and then figuring out ways to collect data to measure the effectiveness. To me it's technical, tactical, but to me there’s also the speed, strength recognition piece, and the psychological/ mental health piece. I’m building all of these pieces independently, and then hopefully I’m going to pull them all together. This course is a big piece to the puzzle. As a business owner you have to take these courses as a coach, too, so you can focus on the product and the quality of the service you’re bringing for kids. You’ve been tested, I think that’s important. EG: Anything else to add? JW: No, Mike Barr’s a legend. When I was a kid he was a legend. Total legend. Folklore.
Bobby Warshaw’s When The Dream Became Reality Autobiography is one of the more oversaturated subsections of literature, which would make sense. Objectively speaking, not everyone lives a life worth writing or reading about on a wide scale. Another issue, as it pertains to autobiography in 2017, is the proliferation of social media. We know more about famous people than we ever have before. There’s also ego at both ends of the spectrum. Some would-be authors are far too arrogant— great achievers tell us about how great they are. Others are far too humble, which makes their accounts as straightforward as Wikipedia. Finally, even the best ghostwriters fail to make a poor story teller compelling.
professional soccer player, taking us from his upbringing in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania to his eventual retirement—some would say premature—in nearby Harrisburg. It’s not an easy journey by any means, and Warshaw doesn’t hold back. The first “f” word comes in the third paragraph of the introduction. The expletive jars the reader not just in its tone but also placement. In the moments after a particularly troubling defeat to the Richmond Kickers, Warshaw is lingering on the field among autograph-seeking kids. His thoughts are dark: “The eager looks should lift my spirits and put it all in perspective, and yet I hate their smiles, hate the kids, and, in turn, hate myself.” How does a once promising prospect get to this point, where an opponent as anonymous as a second division American team draws so much ire? It’s a compelling tale, if not a difficult one to follow.
Bobby Warshaw has no such issues. In his memoir When The D r e a m B e c a m e R e a l i t y, released this summer, Warshaw writes clearly, honestly and well. He presents an intimate and eye-opening account of life as a
It’s also relatable. U.S. Women’s National Team standout Kelley O ’ H a r a — l i k e Wa r s h a w, a Stanford grad—calls When The Dream Became Reality “Soccer ’s version of Andre Agassi’s Open,” which is correct in spirit but not practice. The main difference is Agassi still has the backdrop of an eighttime Grand Slam winner. This allows him to tell the “other side” of the story—the abusive fatherson relationship, the drugs and partying—whereas Warshaw s h a r e s h i s w h o l e s t o r y,
Dillon Friday Sports Journalist Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Marketing Coordinator
successes, setbacks, triumphs and shortcomings. It doesn’t make one book better than the other or even too dissimilar. But Warshaw gives readers a truly personal account, one unhinged from agenda (i.e. appear more sympathetic, offer an inspiring tale or, simply, make money). At times, he doesn’t look good. He recounts multiple encounters with coaches or front office types that end with him storming off. And yet, because of his constant admission of guilt, not to mention the sometimes stream-of-consciousness prose, Warshaw draws and keeps the reader’s attention. So after he flames out at FC Dallas, we find ourselves cheering him on in Norway as he and Baerum reach the cup final. Likewise, our hearts sink when he leaves the club on bitter terms. Through it all, we become empathetic to Warshaw’s emotions of selfdoubt or his moments of selfreflection.
Bobby Warshaw’s When The Dream Became Reality Still, there are a few characteristics holding back When The Dream Became Reality from the top tier of sports autobiography (a place occupied by Open, Ken Dryden’s The Game and Jim Bouton’s Ball Four to name three). For one, some memories, topics or anecdotes border on tangential —such is the nature of memoirs. Other times, Warshaw’s honesty, or rather his willingness to espouse opinions, can break —if only momentarily—the trust he has with his readers. “Norwegians and Swedes, however, view life differently,” Warshaw writes of a preseason team meeting with Baerum. “They are okay with being average.” It’s one thing to paint with broad strokes, as Warshaw does here, it’s another to ignore the exploits of Annika Sorenstam, Tore Andre Flo, Peter Forsberg, Bjorn Borg and
the 1995 Women’s World Cup-winning Norwegian squad. But these instances are few and far between. Besides, Warshaw’s writing is so good that it makes up for the shortcomings of the book. When The Dream Became Reality appeals to a wide audience as a result. Coaches may read it to reflect on the relationships they have with their players. Athletes (more mature ones given the themes and language of the book) may find a kindred spirit in Warshaw. All readers, though, gain an understanding that “living the dream” really is a figure of speech for some. You can purchase When The Dream Became Reality on Amazon here.
Futbol Friday 6th October Wear your colors
Created by Gary Stephenson
Last Update: Jun 02, 2017
TRAINING SESSION: RECEIVING AIR BALLS AND TRANSITION Objectives To improve and gain confidence in knowing how/when to receive air balls - looking to transition.
PLAY 3v3 Game - (Receiving air balls and transition) Coaching Points During 3 minute break provide feedback through open- ended, guided discovery type questioning.
3v3 Cones, vests, balls Intensity: 15:00 min (2 x 02:00 min, 01:00 min rest)
Description (Small sided gameWHOLE) 3v3 20X25 grids with goal at each end. 20 minute games. At break explain the value of getting the ball forward off the dribble and when to penetrate at speed. Emphasize the value of being able to beat a defender in a 1V1 situation.
PRACTICE - Skill Circle Coaching Points What surface did you use the most? Why?What surface may be the most effective and easiest to use?
6v3 Balls, vests, cones Intensity: 12:00 min (5 x 02:00 min, 00:30 min rest)
Description (9 Players) Six players with a ball in a circle, three players without a ball inside the circle. The three players check to within eight yards of each player with the ball to receive aerial serves (from player’s hands or short chips 2 minute intervals, (12 minutes)
PRACTICE - 4 v ( 2 & 2) Coaching Points When receiving an air hall what created the greatest difficulty?Was it a defender?Wrong surface?Lack of confidence
4v4 goals, cones, vests, balls Intensity: 20:00 min (5 x 03:00 min, 01:00 min rest)
Description Coach on touchline at center of field with a supply of balls. Two teams of four with one team placing two defenders in front of each goal. The team of four players attacks one goal creating a 4v2 situation. When a shot is taken or the ball goes off a touchline, end line or into the goal the same four immediately attack the opposite goal where the other two defenders are waiting. If defenders win the ball they play to the
PLAY - 7v7 Receiving air balls and transition 7v7 vests, goals, balls, goals Intensity: 20:00 min (2 x 09:00 min, 02:00 min rest)
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Coaching Points Why is it more difficult to receive a ball in the air?What could you do to become more efficient with receiving air balls?Why is transition so important and what players are involved in transition?Did your receiving air balls result in a goal?What is the benefit of using your chest or your instep? Description GameWhole4V4 or 7V7 play with keepers. Utilize tool box with individual feed-back related to the topic. If 7V7 is an option play a 1-2-3-1. 20 minutes, two nine minute halves, with 2 minute break after nine minutes.
Created by Gary Stephenson
Last Update: Nov 15, 2016
TRAINING SESSION: DEFENSIVE ROLES OF THE 6,8,10 IN THE DEFENSIVE HALF PLAYING IN A 1-4-3-3
Objectives Roles defensively of midfielders in the defensive half while playing a 4-3-3. Utilizing counter and clockwise rotation of the central midfielders as ball is played horizontally or vertically. Recognizing roles of first, second or balance defender in rotation.
Warm up - Defensive roles of the 6,8,10 in the defensive half playing in a 1-4-3-3 3v6 cones, vests, balls Intensity: 6 19:00 min (5 x 03:00 min, 01:00 min rest)
Coaching Points Recognizing who becomes the first defender as the ball is moved. Do the three center midfielders move in a circular rotation in applying pressure and recognizing each of their roles in unison? Communication between the 3 center midfielders, cutting down passing angles and opportunities as a unit. Description 5V3 Rondo 20X25 yard grid, #’s 6,8,10 in center of the grid defending; must stay in grid while defending. Outside the grid 4 attacking
5 v 5 plus 5, 10, 8 & 6 Coaching Points Understand the roll of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd defender - when to press - contain
5v5 cones, balls, vests Intensity: 6
Description 5 v 3 in the grid - must complete 4 passes then pass to the outlets in the other grids theythentransition into 5 v 3
20:00 min (8 x 02:00 min, 01:00 min rest)
ESSG - Defensive roles of the 6,8,10 in the defensive half playing in a 1-4-3-3 8v8 Goals, cone, vest, balls Intensity: 6 30:00 min (3 x 09:00 min, 02:00 min rest)
Coaching Points When the midfielders step together to apply pressure, making sure there are few gaps as central midfielders move side to side defensively, applying proper rotation defensively, transition to attacking roles when winning the ball, relationship between backs and midfielders when pressing vertically or horizontally. Description – half field, attacking team plays a 2-3-3 (2, 3, 6, 8, 10, 7, 11, 9) defending team (your team) with keeper plays a 1-4-3 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5,
Game - Defensive roles of the 6,8,10 in the defensive half playing in a 1-4-3-3 11 v 11 Goals, vests, balls Intensity: 6 25:00 min (2 x 11:00 min, 03:00 min rest)
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Coaching Points Rotation, spacing through the middle in the defensive half, strong transition play, communication and spacing with forwards and backs, transition play of central midfielders. Description 11V11, full field, both teams play a 4-3-3, FIFA Rules utilize AR’s