Coaching in the Game Methodology

About the Coaching in the Game DVD

Click here to purchase the Coaching in the Game DVD set.

Coaching in the Game is a coaching method that is particularly well-suited to soccer, a sport that places the decision-making responsibilities on the player. Its use of realistic, free-flowing play makes it easier for players to transfer what they learn in training to match situations.

Teaching Group Tactics

This DVD features NSCAA Senior Academy Staff member Paul Payne demonstrating the value of this coaching methodology in small group play, such as 6 v. 6 and 8 v. 8 situations, and includes information on how to structure conditioned play, a key element to this coaching method. The overall theme of the sessions on this DVD is training the midfielders to work together in both attacking and defending situations.

Sections on this DVD include:

• Warm-up for training
• Defensive midfield
• Attacking midfield

Bonus Material

• Shadow training
• 3 zone activity
• Coaches Roundtable discussion on Coaching In The Game Methodology

Teaching Team Tactics

In the second part of this series, the methodology is expanded to full 11 vs 11 play. NSCAA Senior Academy Staff member Paul Marco coaches within game settings to develop improved on-field communication between defenders and midfielders. As in the first part of the series, structuring conditioned play, a key element to the coaching method, is demonstrated, as is the importance of linking the warm-up to the elements that will be stressed during the training session.

Sections on this DVD include:

• Warm-up for training
• Teaching Midfielders and Backs to Coordinate Their Defending
• Counter Attacking

Bonus Material

• Winning The Ball To Start The Counter Attack

Click here to purchase the Coaching in the Game DVD set.

Transcript

Narrator: One of the coaching methodologies taught at the NSCAA coaching academy is coaching in the game. 

This methodology involves teaching technique and principles of play in a game situation with two equal teams, including goalkeepers, on a field with two full-sized goals. 

Coaching in the game methodology may be used in small sided games, such as 6 v 6 or 8 v 8, in addition to the 11 v 11 and therefore can be implemented in areas smaller than a full-size field.   The principle advantage of coaching in the game methodology is the utilization of realistic free-flowing play which allows players to transfer easily what they have learned in training to match situations

Paul Payne: Alright now what we are going to do, we are going to give you about 3-5 minutes of just live play.  Again what I am going to focus on is the defensive shape of our midfield. With Tucker, Evan and Poscuali and how they work as a unit defending against the orange team.  Then what we will do is we will stop and we will dictate the game a little bit to give us some pictures.  So again we are in a 3-3-2 in the orange, a 3-3-2 for the green.  Let's get to our spots and get this thing going.  Alright!

I will play the first ball.  The first ball is going to originate with Jamsie, we will go live when I play the ball into Jamsie.

Actually, What is your name again, Ben? I am going to have Benny play it in.   So hold the ball right there Ben. Alright. When the ball gets played in from Ben into James we will go live.  Alright

And Knock it in Ben and we go, play.

Narrator: In this session Paul Payne works within the game environment on a 60 yard by 80 yard field to teach the midfielders to work together with an emphasis on defending.  Coaches should observe how Coach Payne permits the exercise to begin without interruption so that the players can develop a flow before coaching points are made.   Coach Payne stresses communication while changing his coaching position and the start position of the activity to allow midfielders to reorganize.

One thing that should be remembered when coaching soccer is that as realism increases, repetition decreases.  One of issues with coaching in the game methodology is that sometimes to attain repetition, a coach must introduce an artificial objective for one of the teams.