Skills School Looking for CITs

For the winter of 2011-2012 Empire United Rochester will be implementing soccer “Skills School” for all players U7 through U12.  The focus of this training is to develop dribbling “moves” and skills for players to achieve excellence with 1 vs. 1 attacking and shielding.  As part of this training our Club coaches are looking for a number of Empire United players U13 and older to assist in this training. Help is needed to provide younger players with one on one guidance during the sessions and to demonstrate expert practice of the skills.
 
The Skills School sessions are currently scheduled as follows beginning the first week in November:

  •  Tuesdays 7:00 - 8:30 PM; at Brighton Sports Zone for Boys and Girls U13 (Rotating teams) (looking for CIT’s U15 and older)
  • Thursdays 5:30 - 7:00 PM; at Brighton Sports Zone for Academy Girls U7 - 10  
  • Fridays: 6:00 – 7:30 PM; at Brighton Sports Zone for Boys and Grils U11
  • Fridays: 7:30 – 9:00 PM; at Brighton Sports Zone for Boys and Girls U12

  • Saturdays 4:00 - 5:30 PM; at Brighton Sports Zone for Academy Boys U7 – U10

Besides the enjoyment of teaching young soccer players some fine points of the game there may be some additional benefits of being a part of this program:

  • For individuals who may need a service project for school, your religion, scouting, or other service organizations, assisting Skills School may meet the requirements for the service project with the bonus of participating in something that you already like.
  • If you think that you may be interested in becoming a head soccer coach in the future then this would be an opportunity to practice the art and gain some experience.
  • Even more importantly, this is a great opportunity to give back to the game and inspire young players to love soccer the way your coaches and mentors have inspired you.

If you have any questions about this program please contact Coach Bill Heine at: wheine1@rochester.rr.com or call at 585-621-6797. If you want to participate then please read the guidelines below, reply to Coach Heine (we need your e-mail for cancellations and schedule changes), and we will see you on the field.

Coach in Training (CIT) Guidelines

  • You are not expected to attend every session but if you volunteer you should try to attend as many sessions as possible as it is the 1 one 1 help that makes the biggest difference in the learning experience of the younger players. 
  • The first 20-40 minutes of Skills School are nearly always devoted to practicing dribbling skills with low pressure or no pressure. Your role in this phase of the training is to watch each player, make coaching points, and assist players 1 on 1 if they are having difficulty with the move.  This is the phase of the training session that it is most important to have a low player to coach ratio and for every player to get a lot of 1 on 1 coaching. This is where we need you the most. 
  • Another role for you (and all coaches at the training session) is to be a stationary or low pressure opponent to “beat” in the dribbling lane or in front of a goal.
  • You also may be asked by the lead coach to demonstrate to the group the proper method to execute a dribbling move. You will not be put on the spot.  You will get a chance to try the move before demonstrating at the session.  In addition, all dribbling moves are on line at our Empire United Rochester web site, so that you can practice at home.  
  • The last 50-60 minutes of a Skills school session is usually filled with 1 on 1 dribbling competitions, dribbling and other skills competitions using a soccer ball, and small sided games.  Your role in this is somewhat limited but there are still some 1 on 1 coaching opportunities and sometimes an additional player is needed in the small sided games.  If you have transportation and if you want to shorten your evening then it is often possible for you to leave early.  Discuss this with the lead coach if you desire this option.
  • If you think that you may want to coach soccer sometime in your future then Skills School is an excellent opportunity to practice the art in a setting that allows you to experience teaching without the added pressures of team organization and administration or success in competition.
  • The more that you are willing to interact with the young players in your training group the more coaching practice you will get and you will become better as the winter training season unfolds.  Do not be afraid that your coaching point will be incorrect.  “Practice makes perfect” applies to the young players who are training and for you as well.