| Pillars of Soccer THE FOLLOWING IS THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OF BASC AND THE USE OF SUCH MATERIAL IS FORBIDDEN UNLESS APPROVED WITH WRITTEN CONSENT Bakersfield Alliance Soccer Club Developmental Curriculum GENERAL PHILOSOPHY and APPROACH The Alliance developmental curriculum utilizes the Four Pillars of player performance emphasized by the United States Soccer Federation combined with a progressive cognitive and intrinsic cutting edge philosophy of personal development. Four Pillars of Soccer – Technique (Skill Level and Ball performance capability) – Tactics (Understanding tactical objectives of team and individual performance) Decision Making – Psychological and Emotional Capacity (Dealing with the pressures and stresses of competition in terms of failure and success) – Fitness (Overall physical capacity) Each pillar will be given a percentage value, out of 100%, representing the amount of time, attention, and developmental importance that specific pillar will be given in relationship to the other pillars. Each pillar is given a variation freedom of 10% so as to be adapted to differing coaching styles as well as varying team capability. Along with the pillars, the Alliance philosophy values excellence above success, performance and execution above wins and defeats, and intrinsic reward and esteem above extrinsic accolades. The following outline of the Alliance developmental curriculum is intended to convey the general spirit of instructional approach and intention. It describes the fundamental philosophy of the Alliance, meant to help guide the more specific science of curriculum application. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Under 10 30-40% B. 5-10% C. 30-40% D. 10-20% Overall Objective: Create a positive self-image founded upon the development of technical capacity, competitive esteem, and intrinsic enjoyment of the game. The focus is always on performance, the importance of correct and proper preparation, enjoying the game, and constructive instruction. The intention is to foster an environment that not only molds the playing style and personality of the player, but also inspires and motivates a positive enjoyment and experience for the game. A and C – At the under 10 age, technical development and psycho/emotive development are nearly one and the same due to the close relationship between a player’s ability with the ball, which largely determines a player’s successes and failures, and the player’s psychological and emotional development. Much like the early stages of education where skill development often coincides with a student’s academic self-image, a player’s self-image at an early age is largely the product of the player’s individual skill growth. This places priority on the following objectives 1- The ability to use both feet willingly, as well as a comfort handling the ball with multiple parts of the body. 2- Focus and reward placed on functional execution, proper technique, and the willingness to perform and improve weaknesses. 3- Small victories not grand successes. 4- Single objectives. 5- Building an intrinsic value and enjoyment of the GAME. B – The emphasis encouraged within tactical development is simple, yet monumental. At the under ten age, player’s are only to understand that the individual and the team are one. All things on the field are shared. Every individual success and failure is also the teams, as is every team success and failure is each individual’s. Although there will be preliminary and introductory factors of team play in terms of tactics, the main goal is to establish a foundation of team concept that will allow for the more sophisticated application of tactics in the older ages. D. – At the under 10 level it is play that drives fitness. Fitness is never to be used as a punishment and should always be soccer or fun oriented. This is the time players learn the benefit of fitness for their play. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Under 12 25-35% B. 10-20% C. 25-35% D. 15-25% Overall Objective: To further the development of a positive self-image while also integrating the early stages of competitive drive and performance achievement based on improvement. The cognitive and conscious awareness of the players begin to blossom, but structure must still be balanced with creativity, imagination, and free expression. The players begin to develop an autonomous accountability, while also taking on the demands of larger fields and 11 a side teams. A- The player should develop an acknowledgement of specific training away from team practice to develop and achieve performance efficacy. Self-assessment willingness that sacrifices short-term success for long term excellence. The player should commit to skill improvement and regular ball work. B- Understanding and execution of simple individual, group and team attacking combinations, individual, group and team defending concepts, and basic system orientation balanced with positional priority. C – Recognition as positive contributor, not detractor. A well-developed ethic that embraces fundamentals and team commitment as the main assessment of play, not individual accolades that lessen tactical development. Performance oriented goals (not results or statistics) and situational execution determine tactical growth. D – Well developed appreciation of fitness capacity and how it positively supports all functions of the game. Established accountability of fitness being the adhesive that holds the operation of the team together. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Under 14 20-30% B. 20-30% C. 20-30% D. 20-30% Overall Objective: The U14 level is where all the pillars begin to have equal value. Part of the maturation process must entail a recognition of balance and adaptation. Poorly skilled players must give extra time to fundamentals, unfit players must become fit, unaccountable and hesitant players must become self responsible and courageous, and systems of play must begin to become the cognitive structure of a young adult’s individual play. A-Technique graduates from motor skill execution focused mostly on proper movement, incorporating the higher game speed execution that accompanies more competitive rivalry. Speed of thought means very little without a technical mastery allowing for speed of play, making the technique level very important at this age when tactics begin to become more sophisticated. Skill execution must become more instinctive, creative, and functional. Technical doctrine starts to become a player’s individually unique expression of play. A recognition of style, rhythm, and ability to dictate the moment on the ball becomes a statement of competitive personality. B – The development of knowing the whole is only as great as each of its parts, and that the part is only as great as the whole is mandatory. With the acceptance that what is between the ears is what separates excellence from mediocrity, an emphasis begins to be placed on intellect, strategy, and the promotion of sharing duties. Tactics become seen as a valuable weapon for victory. C- Pressure and stress management to support poise, good decision making, strong will, and patience must begin to develop. Willingness to assess competition, accept failure as a possible means to success, and the belief that executing one’s duty is a tool for achieving excellence must take shape. D- Cross training and individual fitness responsibility must be integrated into performance. Self-image becomes less that of a soccer player and more that of an athlete. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Under 16 20-30% B. 20-30% C. 20-30% D. 20-30% Overall Objective: The competitive aspects of performance take center role, as players begin the preparation for the higher levels of play beyond high school. A more focused approach is mandatory if collegiate participation is the goal. Players must train one hour away from the team for every hour they spend with the team. Tactics and team cohesion become important to a point that most team training sessions neglect separate fitness and technical repetition that were the part of younger age group team training. Training session become more economical, encompassing the four pillars of soccer at the same time. This means players must play and train away from team practice. A – Positional specification becomes focus. Functional training sessions become important. Training sessions will sometimes be initiated to enhance ones' performance in a particular position. Development of game changing skills investigated and explored along with consistent execution in performance. Weaknesses must be overcome and strengths must be perfected and constantly refined. B – Ability to function at peak performance within multiple systems of play becomes important. The game becomes more intellectual, and team play becomes more sophisticated as the cognitive aspects of individual thought must be synthesized with a collective understanding. C – True high-level mental and emotional toughness, resilience, and discipline becomes an imperative aspect of performance. Forward minded vision and focus eliminates impact of individual failures, team disappointment, and the emotion of competition. D – Fitness becomes the foundation for maintaining peak performance and athletic health. Players begin fitness regiments, away from team training, that are challenging and performance enhancing. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The four pillars of soccer are the components of soccer. Excellence is achieved through hard work and determination from coaches and players. Players are responsible for their development. Our entire club atmosphere wishes to emit the passion for this sport that will remit excellence on and off the field. We want our players to exhibit the citizenship to achieve excellence in any environment; school, work and family. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Coaches prepare lesson plans so players can achieve individual, group and team excellence. The Bakersfield Alliance Soccer Club believes that a common language during instruction, which is outlined by the U.S. Soccer Federation coaching schools provides the standard language for our players. We also believe an educated coach is an educated player and further dedicate ourselves to the continuing education offered by several soccer entities. |
| Striving For Excellence |
| Bakersfield Alliance Soccer Club , Inc. |
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