Technical Development Plan Mission Statement The Niagara United Soccer Club's Technical Development Plan(TDP) is designed to facilitate the growth of youth soccer at all levels of the game. The effective implementation of this plan will provide clear pathways for players and coaches wishing to become involved in the game. The game and club is fully inclusive, catering for those who wish to play for fun and recreation, while also providing pathways for those wishing to become involved at the highest level.

The mission statement will provide a clear focus and direction for the Niagara United Soccer Club resulting in the following outcomes:

• Increased player participation

• An improved coaching development system

• Clear pathways for all players, coaches and administrators within the club.

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Niagara United Soccer Club

Football for the Future The TDP implemented by the Niagara United Soccer Club is based on the research and findings of many international sporting organizations. Sport Canada has decided to implement an already successful model across all sports. The Long Term Player Development(LTPD) being implemented by Sport Canada, is the framework that the NUSC will base it's development programs from. The world of football is in a constant state of evolution. However, domestically it has not changed much. This is evidenced by the lack of representation at the world level. Unlike other established soccer-playing nations where children play an unstructured form of the game in streets, parks and play- grounds, the North American youngster plays the majority of his or her soccer within the structured setting of the Club in organized practices and games. The first introduction that our young players get to the game is through the recreation coach and the entry-level programs that local clubs provide.

Under the current system, the recreational coaches are often well-intentioned, parent-volunteers who, for the most part, lack a qualified background in the game. Most recreation coaches get involved because they want to coach their child or because the club implores them to step forward or otherwise the youngsters may not have a place to play.

After the volunteer is in place, the club often turns its attention elsewhere and the new coach is left to his/her own devices to develop training ideas and game plans. Providing comprehensive training or on-going education is beyond the means of many clubs. Consideration of long term player development is almost impossible for the parent-coach working under such constraints. These circumstances may leave the player with a poor experience and unable to reach his or her playing potential.

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The value of a Club Technical Director should not be underestimated. The advantages of having grass roots coaches observing quality training sessions are invaluable. It is also a tremendous value to have qualified individuals giving feedback and guidance to that same set of novice coaches.

The players and coaches can benefit in four major ways:

1) By having the chance to participate in practice sessions, clinics and camps run by the Club TD, they will improve as players.

2) The individual coaches of their respective teams have had the opportunity to work with the Club TD and therefore the quality of instruction the players are now receiving from these coaches is much better.

3) The players can utilize the Club TD to gain game advice, or any other pertinent advice (physical, tactical, psychological, nutritional, etc.) that they might otherwise not have received.

4) The technical direction of the entire club is well mapped out and thus the players gain a certain familiarity and develop a pride in understanding the exact route they need to take in order to fully develop their playing opportunities.

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The Technical Development Plan will outline the following: A. Purpose and Objectives

B. Developmental Pathways

C. Coaching Development.

Purpose The Technical Development Plan aims to achieve a major improvement in the quality and performance of Niagara United Soccer Club's players, coaches and teams.

Objectives • To create a youth development system in the Niagara United Soccer Club that is

renowned as one of the provinces best.

• To achieve a football philosophy by the implementation of the development system.

• To create a coaching development system that produces quality coaches that are capable of bringing the content of the curriculum to life to realize the clubs targets.

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Player Development Pathway

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Aim: At this level, the objective is to get the children moving and to keep active.

Technical: The player and the ball: running with the ball, dribbling, controlling, kicking and shooting.

Physical: General overall development and mobility. Running, jumping and throwing.

Tactical: None

Stage 1: Active Start U4-U6, Female and Male

Mental: Fun, fascination and passion for play.

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Aim: learn all fundamental movement skills using a well structured, positive and fun approach.

Tactical: Implement basic attack and defense principles.

Mental: Positive attitude to sport. Confidence, concentration and enjoyment of the game.

Stage 2: FUNdamental Females 6-8, Males 6-9

Technical: Introduction to basic soccer skills with a ball.

Physical: General overall development and mobility. Running, jumping, throwing, balance, and speed.

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Tactical: Play modified and small sided games. Introduction to positional awareness.

Physical: Continue to develop ABC's - Agility, Balance and coordination. Develop speed, power and endurance through fun games.

Mental: Understanding the role of practice. Perseverance, confidence and concentration.

Technical: Soccer specific skills of dribbling, shooting, passing and controlling. Combination of skills in game related activities.

Stage 3: Learn to Train Females 8-11, Males 9-12

Aim: Learn all fundamental sports skills.

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Mental: Concentration, patience, focus and control.

Stage 4: Training to Train Females 11-15, Males 12-16

Aim: Consolidate basic soccer skills, Introduce basic elements of tactics

Technical: Perform skills under competitive conditions. Positional awareness in relation to ball and opposition.

Tactical: Implement more advanced concepts of attack/defense. Implement basic team principles, positions and team shape. Support, timing of runs, movement off the ball.

Physical: Soccer specific physical conditioning e.g. stamina, speed and strength.

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Stage 5: Training to Compete Females 15-19, Males 16-20

Aim: Players work to gain more game maturity as they learn to perform these skills under a variety of competitive conditions.

Technical: Refinement of core skills and position specific skills; continued development of advanced techniques and skills.

Tactical: Decision-making tactical awareness, game analysis, productivity and competitive proficiency.

Physical: Further develop flexibility, agility, aerobic and anaerobic endurance, strength and stability.

Mental: Increased player concentration, responsibility, discipline, accountability, goal setting, self motivating and will to win. Mental toughness, competitive mentality in practice and games.

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Aim: The focus of training has shifted to optimization of performance and maximization of all capacities.

Tactical: High degree of decision making and game analysis skills; ability to adjust game plan and adapt playing strategies to suit changing demands.

Physical: Individual fitness program for maintenance. Periodization is critical.

Mental: Increased concentration and responsibility, leadership, discipline, accountability, self confidence, self motivation, will to win, mental toughness and competitive mentality.

Technical: Further development of advanced techniques and skills. Refinement of individual positional skills; game-related technical repetition under pressure.

Stage 6: Training to Win Females 19+, Males 20+

Niagara United Soccer Club Player Development Program

The Niagara United Soccer Club will develop its players using the Long Term Player Development model set forth by the Canadian Soccer Association and Sport Canada. By delving into the Long Term Development Model one can ascertain that two types of players may emerge from implementing the LTPD. Coaches and clubs need to be able to meet the needs of both the community(house-league or non- rep) and the elite(travel)player. There is a large group of talented players that do not attract attention at first glance. These players may reach top level if identified early and provided with quality training and coaching in a stimulating and challenging environment. However, most players do not have the talent to reach the top. Nonetheless, these players are as vitally important to the club. They are entitled to a stimulating and entertaining environment where they can reach their personal potential. The NUSC will use a practical football approach to developing the club's players and coaches by using: - age related development goals - game related approach as the major focus of training - a proactive style of play. Emphasizing creativity - an emphasis on technique before tactics and conditioning. - a "guided discovery" approach in player and coach development.

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Player Development Guidelines The purpose of the LTPD phases are to provide coaches with; • A long term plan for player development for youth players U5-U19. • A club wide plan that addresses player development in a stage by stage basis. Why The Need To Implement The LTPD Plan A. Technical skills are deficient in players in elite and competitive programs. B. Deficient game skills due to club/coach focus on winning. C. Abilities of coaches for talented young players. A. Deficient Technical Skills All skills are required when in contact with the ball. There should be a necessity for building strong technical skills before developing strong game skills. The Niagara United Soccer Club cannot produce a significant number of technically sound players until the philosophy of all coaches is in line with the Long Term Player Development. B. Deficient Game Skills For our best young players to mature, to be in line with the top overseas counterparts, they require a high-level coordinated year round training and competition environment. C. Ability of Elite Coaches Top players and top teams need top coaches. This cycle is reciprocal. Top coaches emerge over time from extensive experience with top players, teams and competitions.

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Typical Areas of Weakness in Youth Players

Overall Technical Game Skills • In particular, first touch under pressure • Short/long passing game • Handling of speed in tight areas(lack of agility and mobility specific to soccer)

Ball possession and Positional Play • Controlling and changing the speed of the game • Successful attacking combinations

Tactical Maturity • Decision making • "Reading" the game (tactical awareness) • Game cleverness Cause and Effect Both strengths and weaknesses are caused by the strong emphasis in North America on results and winning at too young an age. If we wish to take our soccer and the Niagara United Soccer Club to the next level, youth development will need to focus on the following; • Development instead of results. • Focussing on the skillful rather than the powerful during player selection. • Mistakes being learning moments rather than punishable moments. • Encouraging individual play not forbidding it. • Encouraging taking risks. • Playing with purpose instead of the long direct approach which is "results" driven.

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Niagara United Soccer Club Player Development Framework

1. Ball possession 2. Transition from possession to dispossessed 3. Dispossessing opponents(disrupting opponents offense) 4. Transition from dispossessed to possession Developmental Goals • Learning to master the ball (U4-7) • Learning to act purposefully with the ball(4v4, 7v7) (U8-9) • Learning to play purposefully together(9v9) (U10-11) • Learning positions and basic tasks in 11v11 (U12-13) • Learn how the basic tasks link together(attacking/defending principles)(U14-15) • Learn how to play as a team (U16-17) • Performing/Winning as a team (U18-19) Summarization of the NUSC Player Development Framework • Skill and technique training is the foundation (4-12year olds). • Positioning games and passing exercises are essential daily drills(12-19 year olds). • In every training session or exercise, the relationship with the game must be

recognizable(12-19 year olds). • The development of: - tactical insight "reading" the game(12-19 year olds) - independent problem solving(10-19 year olds) - creative individual play( 8-19 year olds)

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NUSC Coaching Development Plan The NUSC will follow the Ontario Soccer Association's guidelines with respect to coaching certification. There is no "magic wand" or magicians who can make a superstar from an untalented player. However, the club with the assistance of the Ontario Soccer Association, will provide clear guidelines on how to train the NUSC community, elite players and guide coaches to play, teach and learn football in a stimulating and fun environment. The ultimate aim is to enable them to reach their full potential and stay committed to the game for life. In order for a coach to be a "teacher" of the game they must possess the ability to think of the game situation as the starting point and then simplify or modify the game situation for training. By removing the game-specific conditions, until the players realize the training aim is an optimal way of achieving the above. Therefore a coach must be able to: • Analyze football • Define the "football problems" of the team and/ or individual players. • Design and implement exercises(drills)to realize the training aims. In each youth training session, the coach should ask the following questions which should all be answered with a "yes". • Is football being learned and therefore taught? • Is football being experienced and enjoyed? • Do the players understand the football purpose of the

exercise? • Do the players recognize the game-related intention? • Are the players challenged to improve both individually

and as a team?

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See-Think-Play Continuum(STP) The game of football requires the player to continually use the above continuum throughout a session or game.

The ball (level, speed, spin) Opponents(far, near, pressure) Teammates (far, near, moving, stationary)

Field (space-small/large) Net or target (near, far, angled)

Reading the game(attack, delay) Opponents(engage, by-pass) Decision making(speed of decision) Space(penetrate, exploit, defend)

Time(patience, correct moment to attack/defend)

Pass(long, short, straight, with spin, high, medium, low) Dribble(for speed, penetration to beat an opponent)

Shoot(accuracy, high, low, straight with spin)

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PLAY

THINK

SEE

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