2013 Convention Coverage Homepage

The 2013 edition of the NSCAA Convention kicked off Wednesday, Jan. 16 in Indianapolis and while the scheduled seem light, excitement was in the air.

Ian Barker, NSCAA Director of Coaching Education, and Dick Bate, Elite Coaching Manager for English Football Association, had the honor of being the Convention’s first two sessions.

In Barker’s “Training Activities to Develop Effective Transition,” one of the purposes of using the activities is to help players’ immediate response to the ball changing possession. Additionally, the activities should resemble high activity, similar to a high-possession game.

Barker also advised attendees to allow players to execute the activity and hold off on instruction in order to observe players’ habits within these activities.

In the next session (“Movement”), Bate explained that that movement is “the concept of support play.” He then detailed his session into two distinct positions: strikers and midfielders.

Bate also explained a player’s three looks in moving: the look when he thinks he might get the ball, the look when he knows when he’ll get the ball and the look when the ball is on the way.

Thursday’s slate starts with seven sessions beginning at 9:30 a.m. Among the day’s presenters include Leslie Osborne (Boston Breakers), Dennis te Kloese and Hector Gonzales Inarritu (Mexican Soccer Federation), John Bluem (The Ohio State University) and Janet Rayfield (Honor Award winner/University of Illinois).

The biggest event of the day takes place at 7 p.m., as the Exhibit Hall opens its doors for the first time. More than 300 companies will be on hand to showcase the latest and greatest in soccer-related products and technology.

Related Links

2013 Convention Coverage Homepage

The 2013 Convention is Ready to Take Attendees to the Next Level

2013 Convention Schedule

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