ABBEY VILLA FOOTBALL CLUB   Training vs. Coaching

Training vs. Coaching

The terms ‘Training’ and ‘Coaching’ are not interchangeable. Many good trainers are excellent coaches as well, but the skill set for the two functions are somewhat different. Youth Soccer Training is concerned with developing the motor skills and intuition required to play the Beautiful Game with proficiency. While there is some intersection, Youth Soccer Coaching encompasses other crucial aspects of player development beyond the physical. A trend that underscores the differences is, the practice of hiring trainers or training organizations by town and regional youth soccer associations to run clinics or assist coaches with team/player development. At Abbey Villa S.C. we attract top trainers. We also develop talented and dedicated people to be first class trainers.

Training

• At the youth level, training is primarily developing the player’s ball skills and spatial awareness.
• A large part of training is repetitive exercise with the ball.
• Tactics, in the training context, is concerned with proper skills application.
• Key parts of training at Abbey Villa S.C.:
• Maximize each players touches per session.
• Foot Skill drills that promote ball control.
• Other drills that promote command of the ball: Juggling, proper chest and head techniques.
• Small Sided games.
• Games and Drills that encourage a “fluid passing game”.
• Positional play instruction, including goalkeeper techniques.

Coaching

• Coaching is primarily done at games, the less the better.
• Coaching is more concerned with situational tactics.
• Coaching is more of an administrative function.
• Mentoring is an important part of coaching.
• Coaching is about managing relationships to players and to the team