Karl Craigie

Coaching Soccer MWF 10:00 a.m.

Soccer Specific Philosophy
My main objective as a soccer coach is to develop my players on and off the field. I
strive to teach them to become better players as well as better people. Goals are to
be set both individually and as a team. If a common goal is not being worked
towards collectively as a team, then time is being wasted.
Reinforce
A common goal reinforces the mission and makes sure everyone is on the
same page
Common goals limit selfishness
Understanding life without soccer is longer than life as a player I want my
players to be great people off the field in their later lives

Practice sessions are high tempo and high stress based. Tactics, quick decision-
making, communication, and teamwork will be emphasized during training
sessions. I believe you must simulate in-game situations as often as possible in order
to improve at the highest rate.
Changes (lectures in class/ on-field class demonstrations/group project)
Add a warm-up regimen that includes warm-up type games
Small-sided warm-up games can be included in practice sessions
More in depth on tactics (decisions/individual/team oriented)
Add training details (functional, specific, economical, etc.)
Adding pressure to create game-speed decisions and problems

My players will follow two sets of Keys to Success. There will be 3 keys that
involve tactics on the soccer field as well as 3 keys that are values players are to
follow while playing and/or off the field.
Tactically, the highest emphasis will be made on defense. If an opponent does not
score than you cannot lose. Players will be taught to dominate their zone as well as
learning tactics to win one-on-one situations. High intensity defense is preached in
order to break down opponents and stop them from scoring.
Changes (lectures in class/ on-field class demonstrations)
Talk more about the roles on defense (pressure/depth/balance)
Add principles of defensive play to be more specific in defensive values and
goals (pressure/cover/balance/control/compactness)
Limiting opponent space
Closing in on the player with the ball. Adding pressure immediately

Reinforce
High intensity defense causes pressure
Pressure leads to forced decision making and possible panic
The second key will include protecting the ball. Ball mastery and passing are key
skills that need to be obtained in order to protect the ball. This will help dominate
the time of possession and limit opponents time of attack.
Changes (lectures in class)
Include importance of transition periods!
Discussing moments without either team having the ball is important
Winning these aspects should be added to the second key
Communication on the field!! Communication is key and definitely should
have been talked about originally

Reinforce
Limiting turnovers and opponent time of possession is vital to success
Ball mastery and passing help maintaining possession

The third key implimited will be offense. Striking and plan of attack will be stressed
in order to find ways to score goals. However, I plan to use defense as a way of
creating offense. Finishing and capitalizing on scoring opportunities will be very
important in order to win.
Changes (lectures in class/ on-field class demonstrations)
Aim small, miss small aspect preach to not shoot at the entire goal
Add attacking principles of play (penetration/depth/width
mobility/improvision)

Reinforce
Finishing goals and capitalizing on scoring opportunities is a vital part to
success

Keys to Success regarding my players conduct are based on Being a Good

Teammate, Competing, and Carrying One-Self in an Orderly Manner. Being a good
teammate entails caring for the ones around you. You are to lay everything you have
down on the field for your teammates as well as care and bond with them off the
field. Team chemistry can be huge a factor in success as well as in life. You can create
great bonds that last with your team members many years after soccer. Competing
is the second key. A player is expected to give 100% and strive for victory in any
way possible during the course of a game and in practice sessions. The will to win
will be enforced and any effort less than 100% will be dealt with accordingly.
Carrying One-Self in an orderly manner includes respect towards the game, officials,
opponents, and myself. This also includes actions off the field, as my players will
represent their families, their soccer team, and myself. Good sportsmanship and
behavior must be valued.
Changes
Possibly an addition about off-field conduct that will not be tolerated
(drugs/fighting/etc.)
Reinforce (lecture from Coach Whitlock)
God, Family, School, then this soccer team
Wonderful bonds that last for years can be made
Every player understands the level of commitment and effort that is expected
from them
Positive public representation
Competing!! Fighting to win

All of these aspects will help players succeed years after they play in their last
soccer game. I hope to better my players for their future lives and help make them
model citizens and good people. Many people will play the game of soccer but the
bonds created with teammates will be the things most remembered and talked
about years after they are done playing the sport.
Reinforce (lecture from Coach Whitlock)
Coach Whitlock took pride in the doctors, school teachers, dentists, etc she
helped create on the soccer field
There is much more to life than soccer but lessons learned from soccer can
help you strive in real world situations later in life
Teammates will be remembered not for what happened on the field, but how
they were off of the field
 Tournament Reflection

I regrettably had to miss the final tournament due to a baseball game. However, we

could hear it going on behind our baseball field as we played. It seemed like a fun

time and I was proud of how our class set it up. It seemed to be a fun time.

We were very organized in planning things from players, game format, rules,

entertainment, referees, scoring table, etc.

I agreed with the creation of teams where teams were numbered off and ordered by

height. This created a fair environment for everyone involved. Game format and

scheduling also seemed very organized. With us having allocated duties to run each

game and officiate it, as well as having pennies for players, seemed to create a clean

atmosphere for steady gameplay. Having adequate equipment for things to run

smoothly was also important. We planned to have cones, balls, water, and whistles

to create a fun and organized playing environment. The DJ and prizes were created

to enhance the atmosphere of the tournament. Im sure the music added a fun piece

during gameplay and pre/post gameplay activity for those involved.

We made sure to address and plan for possible situations such as injuries and/or

disqualifications. (fights/hard fouls/etc) I doubt any of these things took place but it

is always good to plan for them. Having a plan for unwanted situations is key incase

they come about, we are prepared.

Our ending to the tournament was also nicely planned. Thank you letters, results,

and pictures were implemented to ultimately have players back next year for a

similar tournament. It seemed to have been a fun experience and I think we nailed it

as a class on the preparation aspect! It seemed like a great ending to this class.