When working with players on a recreational basis, one of the major factors that needs to addressed is making sure that everyone is working to their utmost capacity.
It’s the coach’s job to make sure that each player is given the right attention and just enough of a nudge to the correct side so that they can reach their peak form.
In soccer, most of the basic skills are learned by themselves, but there’s a limit to that. Hence the importance of good trainers comes into effect.
Tactical awareness:
A recreational player, no matter how skilled he or she is, will struggle when it comes to the pitch if he or she doesn’t know clearly what the task is. Let’s take for example the position of a full-back.
In the modern game, this role has become very demanding—and often full-backs have to act as wide midfielders in order to participate in attack, but also return quickly when they are needed in defence.
A manager needs to emphasize the importance of maintaining position while taking into account where the ball is. If you see that a number of teammates are already charging forward and there is a possibility of counter-attack emerging, then it’s obviously better to stay in your own half rather than venture into opposition territory.
Furthermore, keeping tactics in mind, discipline also needs to be instilled so that ranks are not broken when the opponents attack. A full-back is mainly responsible for marking the winger on his flank and once the opposition receives the ball, it’s his or her job to make sure that their man is marked and accounted for, otherwise a goal or dangerous cross into the box would be inevitable.
Skill Development:
Coaches are also responsible for maintaining the craft of their players–so it’s imperative that drills that are conducive to skill enhancement be practiced on a regular basis.
For attackers such as strikers or midfielders, dribbling is a key aspect, and the most effective way this can be achieved is through setting up cones. Small cones are lined up in a straight line, a foot or two apart. Then the players move through them quickly alongside a ball.
While dribbling is a relatively easy trick to perfect, this is something which varies according to one’s style of play and ability. Hence the coach must take this into account and be generally appreciative of the player’s efforts rather than telling him or her off for not playing according to preference.
Fitness Regime:
One of the main priorities a coach has on a recreational level is making sure that the player’s stamina and fitness levels are on the mark and that they should be able to last an entire match, which mostly consists of 90 minutes.
The most effective way to build up tolerance is running, but this varies according to the session planned. If you are aiming for a high-intensity workout, then plyometric training is something which the coach should really aim for, as this will strengthen the muscles and build finesse.
Weight training is also another method, with the person doing the drill usually being tied with a long yet soft rope. Another player grabs the rope and creates friction to halt the running player, who tries his best to run at a high tempo. This gets the muscles working harder and ultimately improves speed and stamina during games.
Small-sided games:
At the end of the day, the best way to get your players going is through match practice and 5v5 or 7v7 games. Teams are split up and play against each other, but certain aspects such as not challenging for fifty-fifty balls or making tackles which could injure others need to be considered.
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