Soccer
Circle Player Development Tracks:
Development Track: Ages
11-14
Education: Using resources such as regular newsletters, the Soccer Circle
web site, other web sites, books and videos, parents and players of this age
group are provided an advanced level of education on a variety of issues related
to youth soccer. Information and resources are provided on a wide range of
topics including:
-
youth soccer governance; differences between leagues and
programs
-
advancing through Select, Premier and ODP (Olympic
development) programs
-
advanced levels of technical, tactical physical and
psychological development
-
fitness and conditioning, diet
-
achieving balance with schoolwork, social life and other
sports / activities
-
off-season soccer camps, training programs
-
in-season soccer training
-
preparing for high school play
Guidance Planning: It is often at this stage in a
player’s development that some players become disillusioned and others become
“burned out” from playing, and quit the game. Others seek to move forward in
their training and development and feel “dragged down” by players and
coaches who are not able to “keep up”. Clearly, in this age group (ages
11-14) players fall into different categories based on interest and ability.
Providing the proper level of guidance to all players can help each player find
their “comfort level” so they remain interested and focused on setting and
achieving meaningful goals, whether those goals are simply to become a better
player, or more lofty goals including advancing to higher levels of competition
and recognition.
Emphasis in the Development Track is on assessment of a
player’s individual level of skills and providing specific instruction and
direction for further development of those skills. It is critical to reach
conclusions on how the player views their future in the game. Are they looking
forward to playing in high school? Do they want to play in bigger and better
tournaments? Are they starting to choose soccer over other sports and
activities? Players need to be asked many questions to determine what their
intentions might be for their soccer careers. Many players play for the social
aspects of the game, and these players can also become good players and
contribute to a team’s success, and can personally enjoy the game more when it
is clear what “path” they are headed on. Still, other players need to be
more challenged, and want to advance and become among the more elite or top
10-20 % of players in their town, league, school, county, state, etc. These
players need to develop more disciplined plans and challenges in order to have
full enjoyment and remain interested in the game.
In order to complete accurate assessments of player’s goals and desires,
Soccer Circle will conduct player evaluations through self-assessment
questionnaires, and interviews with coaches. The result of these interviews is
the development of player profiles and specific training recommendations for
players and parents to follow. These recommendations may
include private instruction, group training, specific camps, or
self-directed training. In addition, to help players track their performance and
progress, and provide additional motivation, Soccer Circle recommends the use of
specific achievement programs including the President’s Council on Physical
Fitness awards programs as well as other achievement and recognition programs.
Parents are also provided with information on how to encourage their children to
complete these programs, as well as chart progress.
Maintenance: A specific written plan is developed for players in the
Development Track that will provide specific measurable goals and progress
tracking charts. These charts can be periodically reviewed by players, parents,
coaches and Soccer Circle guidance counselors to assure players are achieving
their goals.
