SNS Newsletter November

ISSUE 2 November 2014

IN THIS ISSUE What is Physical Literacy?

PAGE 1 SNS Provincial Program PAGE 2 Club under the Spotlight PAGE 3 Coach Interview PAGE 4 Active Start Best Practice PAGE 5 Player Interview PAGE 6 FUN Camp Sessions PAGE 7

Best Practice

What is Physical Literacy?

I would like to thank you all for downloading the Soccer Nova Scotia Coach & Player Education Newsletter.

Physical literacy is the cornerstone of both participation & excellence in physical activity & sport.

Individuals who are physically literate are more likely to be active for life.

Continuing to offer resource and information relating to soccer in Nova Scotia is an important aspect of growing the brand and our sport.

Physical literacy is a core component of the first three stages of LTPD: Active Start, Fundamental & Learning to Train.

We are pleased to announce that before the year end Soccer Nova Scotia will be releasing a revised Best Practice Manual for: Active Start, Fundamental & Learning to Train that all clubs and coaches can use to ensure their programs are run correctly and with the player’s needs as the priority.

Please keep checking our website for this exciting release.

Mike Whyatt Director of Coaching

Physical Literacy is moving with competence and confidence in a wide variety of physical activities in multiple environments that benefit the healthy development of the whole person. Just as learning the alphabet is necessary to read, the development of fundamental movement skills and fundamental sport skills is critical if children are to feel good about physical activity.

Physical Literacy is the mastering of fundamental movement skills and fundamental sport skills that permit a child to read their environment and make appropriate decisions, allowing them to move confidently and with control in a wide range of physical activity situations. It supports long-term participation and performance to the best of one’s ability.

What is Physical Literacy Video: http://www.physicalliteracy.ca/ videos/physical-literacy-3-minutes

SNS Provincial Program

Highlight

High Performance

With over 250 players and 26 coaches over ten teams. SNS will take each team away travelling to enhance their development by playing against the best competition.

An overview of the SNS Provincial Program for 2014/15 Setting the Scene Beginning on the weekend of November 8th & 9th Soccer Nova Scotia begins its 2014/15 provincial program.

This year there will be a new full-time program for the U17 age group resulting in ten programs across both male and female.

Once players have been selected and identified they will receive the following:

• Four Corner Approach Philosophy and Curriculum (Technical/Tactical, Physical, Social/Emotional & Mental)

• Minimum of seven weekends (three sessions and a game)

• Regional weekly sessions

• Classroom sessions educating the players on the tactical elements of the game

• Exposure to high level competition and travel

• College showcase opportunities for U15-U17 programs

• Detailed evaluation at the end of the program

Travel

U17 Program

This years focus is to expose our players to the highest competition. This will be achieved with the U15-U17 girls programs being accepted to the Disney Classic over New Year. In addition, the U15-U17 boys will be identifying a competition in 2015 to be showcased in front of hundreds of coaches.

Soccer Nova Scotia has recognized the importance to continue the development of our provincial players following their U16 experience. To fulfill the program’s objective of offering players a chance to continue their secondary education playing soccer, it is essential that those players are sharp and ready for the U18 Atlantic Showcase. This will be achieved with players continuing to practice in the SNS environment in order to display their best potential to those in attendance.

Efforts for the younger teams U13-U14 will focus on being exposed to quality opposition, at an earlier age with these teams scheduled to travel to Quebec in 2015 and playing a mixture of regional, provincial and professional opposition.

The program will also make accessible games against AUS competition on provincial weekends to prepare them for the standard and to offer another opportunity to be identified by those participating universities.

Dartmouth FC (Established 2011) Tier 1 Club for Dartmouth UTD, Dartmouth Storm, Cole Harbour, Eastern Passage & Porters Lake

Dartmouth FC Club Age: 3 years old. Started in Winter 2011/12 Members: Dartmouth United, Dartmouth Storm, Cole Harbour, Eastern Passage, Porters Lake Coaches: (Current season) • U14B Boys: Zach Bauld, Mitch Doell, Clark Bain • U14A Boys: Phil Serieys, Nino Kovacevic • U14B Girls: Katie Aucoin, Rick Betyna • U14A Girls: Katie Aucoin, Jan Hebert • U16 Boys: Andy Thompson, Matt Little • U16 Girls: Katie Heckman, Kim Wallace TD: Mike Locke Philosophy: Dartmouth FC’s focus is to provide programming and opportunities to help its players develop to be the best they possibly can, both on field and off.

Level: U10-12 RTC & Tier 1

Club Under the Spotlight Dartmouth FC (DFC) is a recently created regional Tier 1 club. It combines the efforts of the member clubs (Cole Harbour, Dartmouth Storm, Dartmouth United, Eastern Passage and Porters Lake) to provide a competitive Tier 1 experience and a pathway for players wishing to strive to be the best they can be.

DFC has expanded its offerings over the past couple of years running year round Regional Training Centre (RTC) programs for U10, U11 and U12 aged players.

The RTC’s are add-on, complementary to club programming and provide players

who are excelling an opportunity to further test themselves against their peers within the district and the province.

DFC and its member clubs have recently started a Regional Skills program during the winter and summer months that is available to all U10 and U12 academy at all clubs. The focus of the skills program is purely technique and skill and follows the CSA station-rotation model. It is run and coached by the Regional Technical directors from all the clubs as well as staff coaches. In addition to technical player development it also promotes a sense of community within the district.

Coach Interview - Cindy Tye An interview with Nova Scotia’s ex-national team player, coach, mother & community leader for female involvement in sport.

Biggest role as a coach

Balance between personal life and soccer

The second is educating parents. My parents dropped me off at the field, and while supportive, my development was on me. For the most part, those days are gone. Now my colleagues and myself are having to spend some of our time dealing with and educating parents. There is a positive to this for sure. We have made good connections and

Come prepared with enthusiasm and a plan every

Well, at this point my family and I spend most of

helped to break down walls for those that have

day. This helps our youth develop as players. To

our time on the field! It's something we love to do

little experience in the competitive environment.

help them see beyond the immediate, so they can

and are passionate about trying to offer what we

However, I have seen and heard too many times,

focus on improvements. For me, this helps them

can to the sport. Most of our friends are involved in

coaches having to deal with that high maintenance

see the bigger picture, they are better able to deal

some way, so I guess you could say it's a good

parent. It definitely takes the fun out of dealing with

with adversity, and it translates to everything they

mix.

the kids on the field.

Biggest challenge

Rewarding Moment

I think there are two big ones. The first is the chal-

Too many moments, but I love watching players

Physical qualities are important like speed and

lenge of coaching with a developmental philosophy

that have gone through our program excel and

agility. Technical skills under pressure of course

in an ever growing competitive youth sport world.

grow at the next level. Whether it's some of the

and players that can read the game and make

That is a fine balance to make sure you provide an

kids I have had at U12 being leaders in their next

good decisions. Just as important is a player that

opportunity and the time for kids to learn and grow,

environment or past provincial players making an

understands a strong work ethic, has a positive

to be risk takers, to focus on improvements instead

impact in their college and universities. The most

attitude, a competitive spirit, and puts team first.

of results.

rewarding part is watching them fly on their own!

do, not just soccer!

Characteristics in a player

These last qualities are a necessity in competitive environments.

“(a) ..challenge of coaching with a developmental philosophy in an ever growing competitive youth sport world. That is a fine balance to make sure you provide an opportunity and the time for kids to learn and grow, to be risk takers, to focus on improvements instead of results. ”

Active Start is stage one on the Long Term Player Development model adopted by the CSA in 2009

Coaching Methodology Keep information brief and positive Show them what you want Demonstrate the activities and games Parents can assist with reinforcing your coaching information Keep the environment positive and happy Lots of praise and celebrations – High Fives!

Encourage and celebrate success Be flexible, allow the players to deviate and be creative.

Keep it safe

Active Start - Best Practice Philosophy - “First Steps, first kicks” At this introductory level the objective is to get children moving and to keep them active. No competitive games should be played – the objective is for adults and children to play together informally. The children being active, together, with a well-known family member will give them a sense of security and safety and as such enhance their first group soccer experience.

Multi Sport At this stage, players should participate in a variety of additional activities. Swimming and well-structured gymnastics programs are recommended to enhance the full range of basic movement skills and physical literacy

Practice Recommendations It must be FUN!

Every child has a ball

Physical Literacy Focused The physical curriculum provides for learning basic fundamental movement skills such as runningjumping- twisting- throwing- catching.

Technical Expectations

Download the Canadian Soccer Association Coach Tool Kit for Active Start at: http://www.canadasoccer.com/ files/CanadaSoccerPathway_CoachsToolKit_ActiveStart_20141006.pdf

The technical requirements are not about teaching the techniques of soccer. They are to encourage children to enjoy becoming friends with the ball. They can experience the following through fun and imaginative games: running with the ball, stopping and changing direction with the ball, dribbling, kicking and shooting.

“One with one” at 4 years – let parent/grandparent/older sibling assist with the session. Little person/big person learn the game together

Emphasis on fundamental movement skills, running, hopping, jumping, skipping, tumbling – “Developing Physical Literacy”

Basic ball familiarization games, rolling, bouncing, kicking, catching.

Be creative, tell them a story, and relate the story to a soccer activity

Not really soccer – but activity with a soccer ball

Player Interview Taylor Green of Fall River plays for Suburban U16 Girls, is a member of the Canada Games female program and Canadian Soccer Association Regional Excel program (REX) How did you get started in soccer?

My soccer journey all started when I was 4 years of age at Weir Field with Sackville United Soccer Timbits. My mother and father brought me here to "see how she does" and also to expose me to sports. From the moment I stepped on the field I fell in love with the beautiful game. My mom and dad knew from the moment I scored my first goal, and the glimmering smile that spread across my face, that I loved it.

NEXT ISSUE A Review of Coach Development/Education CSA Preferred Training Model for Grassroots Coach Interview Player Interview Best Practice - Fundamental Club under the Spotlight

My parents were both athletic growing up and it was an expectation in the house that we be athletic and do something we enjoy. My something just so happened to be soccer.

Did playing other sports help improve your skills as a soccer player?

Without a doubt playing other sports certainly improved my skills as a soccer player.

When I was younger I found it was very helpful to cross train as it improved my agility, speed and endurance. It also helped my mental aspect of the game as I learned to strategize and focus in various game situations, which helped me develop a positive and competitive attitude.

Who is my favorite soccer player?

My favorite player is by far Xavi Hernandez. His work ethic and understanding of the game is unbelievable.

Xavi is my favorite player because of the way he plays.

The way he knows exactly where to move, when to turn and when to play a penetrating pass. He is always 5 steps ahead of everyone else on the field. His technical ability and vision allow him to be one of the best central midfielders of his generation. He respects the game.

What are some of the lessons you’ve learned on your journey?

One of the lessons I’ve learned along my journey as a soccer player is to always work your hardest. Even when you are not at your best you always have to push through because if you remain focused and stay dedicated success will always follow. I have learned that sport can help me in so many ways by being an outlet for any stress or any difficulties that I may face. Soccer is my go to place in my head and in my heart.

Coach

Soccer Nova Scotia

Session Date October 30th, 2014

Theme

FUN Soccer Camp Activities

Team/Age Group U8+

Notes/Coaching Points Game 1 - Get out of my Tree - 15 Mins ∆ X has a bib in the of his shorts, which O must grab, if successful they change places ∆ If another X comes into your “tree” and shouts “ get out of my tree” then you must go and find another tree ∆ To progress introduce football each for the attackers, now the defenders must get a touch on the ball to change places

Game 2 - Accy Warm Up - 20 Minutes ∆ O’s must get from A to B as quickly as possible. ∆ First O’s must tag any X within the area to progress through ∆ If X is forced out of the area then O goes through for free Competition ∆ Time each team to see how long it takes them all to get from A to B ∆ The quickest team wins PROGRESSION 1. Introduce ball and whoever has the ball can’t be tagged 2. Put the ball on the floor, defender needs to get a touch to go through

Game 3 - 1v1 Sweatbox - 15 Minutes FIRST TO 0 ∆ X attacks O within the box and must cross the line opposite to gain a point ∆ The ball must be under control ∆ O can only come out when he has won the ball back ∆ Then X defends against the O’s

Game 4 - Football Thieves - 20 Minutes ∆ X starts by passing to O ∆ O passes back and defends ∆ X can score through either gate or past the Goalkeeper point for a gate points for a goal ∆ Change the defender every time ∆ Competition X v O -4minutes each

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