UNITED DIVISION DOB 2014-2016

The UNITED Division is part of the SVSC Community League. This is where players first utilize a goalkeeper. UNITED (U10) teams play 5V5 matches with goalkeepers. The UNITED Division operates with two primary goals. We want players to have fun so they grow to love soccer. We want players to be ready to progress to Competitive teams if they choose to continue playing at SVSC. Our program is unique because our fee is in the range of volunteer-based programs but all our players are coached by our SVSC coaching staff.

Why doesn't each team have its own coach?

There are several reasons, some overlap with answers to different questions, but one big reason is that at our current numbers it would require 6 Lil Groms coaches, 10 Surf Division coaches, 12 United Division coaches, 8 Red Division coaches, and 4 Blue Division coaches - 40 total coaches. It is unrealistic to expect that we can secure 40 coaches, much less 40 quality coaches. Utilizing stations at practice and having one coach manage both teams at a game reduces our need to 12 or 13 coaches.

Why do practices revolve around stations? (Part one)

This is a follow-up from not having coaches assigned to specific teams. When a coach takes on just one team that coach must execute an entire practice session, usually three exercises in an hour. So we would need 40 coaches, all capable of executing three different exercises. By utilizing a station to station program each coach must execute just one exercise three times an hour (Our coaches do it six times in two hours, with some modifications.) This method reduces the total coaches required and reduces the demands on those coaches. It provides our coaches with an opportunity to master an exercise through repetition before moving on to master something new. This allows our coaches to develop their own skills quicker than taking on too much too soon.

Why do practices revolve around stations? (Part two)

If our coaches execute, repeat, and master one exercise at a time then our players will receive better instruction, and constantly, rapidly improving instruction. This eventually develops better players.

A complimentary benefit of a station-based program is increased efficiency. With one coach there is time lost to break down and set up in the transition between exercises. With stations the players can get a drink and then move straight into the next exercise. There no time lost on break down and set up. More time playing = better players.

Why don't players practice with their team?

Our goal at this level is not team development but player development. Neither is our goal for a player to be identified as part of a team but rather part of a club. Changing the practice group regularly allows players to get to know far more players, and to view them cooperatively rather than competitively - they are all working together to improve.

It also allows practices to be grouped in many different ways - by age, gender, ability, attention, etc. (With a new staff and so many new players this may take an entire season.)

Finally, the teams have only 8 players while we practice in groups of 12. Again, this reduces the number of coaches required.

How can one person possibly manage to coach both teams and referee the game at the same time?

This would be more difficult if the primary objective was for one team to beat the other, but the primary objective on game day at this level is for the players to enjoy the game. This allows the coach to concentrate on the flow of the game in general and some specific individual or situational instructions. Likewise the referee duties are dramatically eased when the focus is not on whether every referee decision impacts the outcome of a match. in terms of sheer numbers the games are played 5v5 and each team has 8 players, so there are only 16 players to manage - a few more than each group at practice.

Why don't players play specific positions?

First, in a 5v5 game, what positions could we assign other than goalkeeper - attack, defend, right, left? But the real reason is that players at this age and experience level are not ready for team tactics. There is a difference between being told "stay in that spot" and understanding a position, a strategy, or system. Our "tactical" focus at this age revolves around concepts of space. When the opposing team has the ball what spaces should our team move to occupy (press)? When our team has the ball what spaces should our team move to occupy (open)? How do I move in relation to a teammate(s) (towards, away, laterally)? Can I think one more step ahead, what will I do when X happens? More advanced tactics are layered in at older ages.

Why aren't players allowed to head the ball?

The US Soccer Federation banned heading a long time ago for players under 12 years of age in order to reduce the risk of concussion in young players, and rightly so. The reasons for this are many and backed up by extensive research. At SVSC we have extended that to the Blue Division (U15) as well. Heading is a secondary skill in soccer and more appropriately developed once players' are more physically developed.

What about the other rule changes?

If heading is not a part of the game at this level then there are natural trickle-down effects. If players can't head the ball, why put them in situations where their choice is to head the ball (illegally and perhaps dangerously) or get out of the way? That's why punting and long goal kicks are not allowed (US Soccer rules for 4v4, 5v5, 7v7). Requiring shorter passes develops players' abilities to pass and maintain possession. At SVSC we extended the spirit of that rule to free kicks and throw ins. If long balls create undesirable situations, why encourage that practice? If passing is desired, why not increase the number of passing opportunities by requiring one free pass from all dead ball situations? This is one way that learning and development are baked into the fabric of the league.