4/15/03, Mike LeGates, NYS Director of Coaching and Player Development

Philosophy

The purpose of Naugatuck Youth Soccer is to develop players and encourage the participation of children in the sport of soccer.

At the recreational level, participation, enjoyment and social interaction are the primary objectives and the indicators of success. For the competition teams (travel teams) player development, progressive learning and the introduction to the competitive environment are the primary objectives.

Overall the philosophy is to develop a program where teams can be competitive as in the case of the travel program, while at the same time promoting a positive soccer experience. It is also the intention of the philosophy to consider the player at the recreational level, where participation is paramount to the positive soccer experience. Moreover, the philosophy of Naugatuck Youth Soccer is to create a learning environment during training sessions and to uphold the spirit of fair play during games.

Coaching Plan for Travel Teams

Part 1) The plan for coaches of the travel teams should foster player development and focus on the technical and tactical aspects of the game. Coaches should follow, or attempt to follow, the provided age considerate objectives that are created for each team. These objectives should be the foundation to the planning process of each coaches training session. The objectives will provide:

• A clear and progressive plan that will enhance the learning of the player and assist the coach in formulating training ideas.
• Create an element of uniformity throughout the club where everybody will be on the "same page" with respect to coaching concepts which in turn, ultimately transcends to a systematic coaching method. The age considerations for each age group will also serve as a makeshift "checklist" for travel team coaches. They will provide a valid resource to demonstrate whether an effort was put forth, by the coach, to teach the objectives, and the players, to learn the objectives. These objectives will be developed by the Director of Coaching in collaboration with the club trainer(s) and coaches. It is the duty of the director of Coaching and the club trainers to reinforce the learning objectives to the travel team coaches.

Part 2) The second part of the coaching plan involves the development of the coaches of the travel teams. The primary method of development for the coaches will carried out through various methods of coaching education.  Coaching modules that will further the knowledge of coaches will be provided on a monthly basis and will address a spectrum of soccer specific coaching concepts. As much as possible, these modules will have age considerations. The attendance of these modules for all travel coaches is strongly suggested. Secondly, the advancement of coaches by means of obtaining coaching licenses is also suggested. Naugatuck Youth Soccer will provide monetary assistance to all coaches who are seeking to obtain a coaching license. Finally, it is also encouraged that coaches utilize the services of the coaching director and the club trainer to assist them with coaching matters. They are here to provide every coach with assistance and ideas. Feel free to use them as the "in house consultants" for anything that pertains to soccer coaching.

In conclusion, this two part coaching plan for travel teams is the beginning of a perpetual project that will ultimately instill a coaching system for Naugatuck Youth Soccer. The plan, at this stage of development, offers coaches a starting point for their training sessions and underscores the components of planning and organization. It also furnishes the players with
an environment where they will be taught the game of soccer through a method of progressive learning.