ABBEY VILLA FOOTBALL CLUB   Philosophy

On the beautiful game

Abbey Villa S. C. promotes the ideal of ‘total football (soccer)’. This is soccer that emphasis the ability of each player’s technique, their ability to play controlled “pass and move” soccer with the emphasis to maintain ball possession. It believes that players at a young age ( U10 to U16 ) taught this way to play develop superior first touch and that when older can easily adjust to a more direct (“kick and rush” ) game if and when the tactics need. Younger players that play soccer in the more direct “kick and rush” fashion are just not able to revert to the more controlled possession soccer when they get older. Abbey Villa S. C. promotes the ideal of ‘total football (soccer)’ from the very early age of soccer development. This is where each player is encouraged to play a controlled game, where ball control, crisp passing ( “short and soon” ), quick decisions and movement off the ball are the key elements of success. To this end all Abbey Villa S.C. teams strives to play “fast and furious” controlled possession soccer. The intent and expectation is for each player to use all their skills to play. Each player’s ability to pass, receive, control, dribble, maintain ball possession, shoot and make quick decisions is developed at an early age. Abbey Villa S.C. strives to produce two footed, composed and confident players.

On youth soccer training

Abbey Villa S. C. believes that all training for young players should be done with the ball. This again produces soccer players that have superior touch and technique. Any fitness that they need will be got from playing and “soccer ball touch” aerobics. Abbey Villa Soccer Club incorporates the “ball” in all aspects of it’s training. As such each player is exposed to hundreds of ball touches at each training session.

On youth soccer coaching

Abbey Villa S. C. believes that kids should play soccer in a pressure free environment to develop their soccer skills. They should be allowed to “express themselves ” with the ball and not have to be concerned about making mistakes.

Abbey Villa S. C. will strive to give every player an opportunity to play in every position. This will be done over time and not necessarily in one game or even over a season. Abbey Villa S.C. is more concerned that players at the early ages of soccer development get to play:

• On the right side of the field
• On the left side of the field
• In the center of the field
• Back to the opposing goal
• Facing the opposing goal