WEEK 7 TRAINING: May 4 - 10
UPDATE:  Tentative Return to Play Date: May 18

THIS WEEKEND'S GAME DAY, SATURDAY, MAY 9
Let's get to the game! 
GAME ANALYSIS #7: "Greats from a Generation Back"
MATCH REVIEW:  What are the team tactics in this match? 
Instructions: Please watch the game video below (10 minutes).  At the end, report what you learned via the Quiz. During the game pay attention to the "team" strategy and see if you can think like the coach and what he asked his players to do before the match.  The quiz shows up at the very end of the video after you sign-in w/ your email or opt out of signing in. 

15TH TRAINING SESSION 12U-14U, Thursday, May 7
Complete by:  Sunday, May 10
Topic: Fitness & Body Feints Advanced   Time Required: 75 minutes 
Equipment: 1X Soccer Ball,  10X colored markers 

SESSION PLAN: 
a. Prep for the session with a quick warm-up (today's warm-up can be light as session is physically low-intensity)  - DYNAMIC WARM-UP ADVANCED PLAYERS.
b. Watch the training Video Below (if you can take video to the training ground that is better).  You've done this session before.  Try to improve from last week when you were first learning. 
c. TWO VIDEOS:  VIDEO 1 FITNESS:  Interval Training.  Follow video instructions. Do 6 sets of interval runs without the soccer ball and then end with 2 sets with the soccer ball.  5 Min Recovery at end of all of the fitness. 
VIDEO 2: Body Feints.  Perform each activity in the video.  You will be training after ftiness.  This is intentional.  Sometimes this type of training, under a fatigued situation is good.  But STAY FOCUSED - do not let technique suffer.  Use mental energy to compensate for fatigue.  Provide a 5 minute rest-recovery period after fitness prior to the technical training.  The activities progress towards more complex and complicated.  Be sure to try the activities SLOW at first then progress towards game speed.  There will be a "high fail rate".  That is OK.  We are progressing towards "game readiness" training and increasing the "transference" level of the training.  Be persistent! 
d.  Finish the session with 5 minutes of imagination play.  Get creative with the soccer ball.  Use juggling, dribbling, and your own imagination.  Play for the pure joy the game brings and let yourself score a game winner, make a game saving interception, a key pass, a great 1v1 move to eliminate a defender.  Be sure to cool down properly as you wrap up the session. 
e. Report to your coach at the end of the session. 

VIDEO 1: Fitness, Interval Training, by WSA Senior Technical Director, Alex McLaurin

 

VIDEO 2: BODY FEINTS

14TH TRAINING SESSION 12U-14U, Monday, May 4
Complete by:  Wednesday, May 6
Topic: Cognitive & Advanced Passing  Time Required: 75 minutes 
Equipment: 1X Soccer Ball,  1X Training Buddy, 10X colored markers, 1X Training Ladder (or use cones or markers) 

SESSION PLAN: 
a. Prep for the session with a quick warm-up (today's warm-up can be light as session is physically low-intensity)  - DYNAMIC WARM-UP ADVANCED PLAYERS.
b. Watch the training Video Below (if you can take video to the training ground that is better).  You've done this session before.  Try to improve from last week when you were first learning. 
c. Perform each activity in the video.  The activities progress towards more complex and complicated.  Be sure to try the activities SLOW at first then progress towards game speed.  There will be a "high fail rate".  That is OK.  We are progressing towards "game readiness" training and increasing the "transference" level of the training.  Be persistent! 
d.  Finish the session with the two passing activites in the second video.  These are slightly new patterns under the same concepts. 
e. Report to your coach at the end of the session. 

VIDEO #1: Main Session

Video #2: Two Cognitive Passing Patterns 

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WEEK 6 TRAINING: APRIL 27-May 3
UPDATE:  Tentative Return to Play Date: May 18

THIS WEEKEND'S GAME DAY, SATURDAY, MAY 3
Let's get to the game! 
GAME ANALYSIS #6: "When Spurs made their push."
MATCH REVIEW:  What are the team tactics in this match? 
Instructions: Please watch the game video below (20 minutes).  At the end, report what you learned via the Quiz. During the game pay attention to the "team" strategy and see if you can think like the coach and what he asked his players to do before the match.  The quiz shows up at the very end of the video after you sign-in w/ your email or opt out of signing in. 

13TH TRAINING SESSION 12U-14U, Wednesday, April 30
Complete by:  Sunday, May 3
Topic: Juggling Progressions  Time Required: 40 minutes 
Equipment: 1X Soccer Ball, 1X Tennis Ball, 1X Target or Goal for Imagination Play 

SESSION PLAN: 
a. Prep for the session with a quick warm-up (today's warm-up can be light as session is physically low-intensity)  - DYNAMIC WARM-UP ADVANCED PLAYERS.
b. Watch the progression juggling video below.  
c. Perform each activity in the video.   Attempt to get to 100 touches total as you try to master each progression.  Spending approximately 5 minutes on each activity is the appropriate time. 
e.  End the session with "Imagination Play".   Use your yard, or training space, and dribble around with the ball beating imaginary defenders.  Score a goal maybe.  Celebrate.  Have fun!  Since today's topic was control, take a couple of opportunities to toss the ball above your head, control it, and dribble on!  
f. Report to your coach.  Post on FB using #TSW (The Side Works).  Sign in at end of video. 

12TH TRAINING SESSION 12U-14U, Monday, April 27
Complete by:  Wednesday, April 29
Topic: Defending, Basic Drills  Time Required: 40 minutes 
Equipment: 1X Soccer Ball, 1 rebounder/wall or training partner 

SESSION PLAN: 
a. Prep for the session with a quick warm-up - DYNAMIC WARM-UP ADVANCED PLAYERS.
b. Watch BOTH training videos below - there are two videos on defending today!
c. Perform each activity in the video.   
e.  Then end the session with "Imagination Play".   Use your yard, or training space, and dribble around with the ball beating imaginary defenders.  Score a goal maybe.  Celebrate.  Have fun!  And since today's topic was defending, try to intercept a couple of passes off the wall or rebounder, or have your training partner serve some ballls for you to intercept. 
f. Report to your coach.  Post on FB using #TSW (The Side Works).  Sign in at end of video. 

DEFENDING DRILLS #1

DEFENDING DRILLS #2: Basic Defending

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WEEK 6 TRAINING: APRIL 20-26

THIS WEEKEND'S GAME DAY, SATURDAY, APRIL 25
Let's get to the game! 
GAME ANALYSIS #5: "When Beckham Became a National Hero"
MATCH REVIEW:  What qualities make a good attacking soccer player? 
Instructions: Please watch the game video below (10 minutes).  At the end, report what you learned via the Quiz. During the video pay attention to the trends in Beckham's game, and try to identify a single attacking quality that helped him become a national hero.  The quiz shows up at the very end of the video after you sign-in w/ your email or opt out of signing in. 

11TH TRAINING SESSION 12U-14U, Thursday, April 23
Complete by:  Saturday, April 25
Topic: 1v1 Attacking Dribble, Feints  Time Required: 55 minutes 
Equipment: 1X Soccer Ball, 1 target/goal. 

SESSION PLAN: 
a. Prep for the session with a quick warm-up. 
b. Watch both of the the training videos below. 
c. Perform each activity in the video. 
d. Do each activity / skill 5X RIGHT SIDE and 5X LEFT SIDE.  
e.  Repeat each activity at a faster pace.  
f.   Imagination Play:  Dribble around your yard or training area, going at different speeds, fast, fastest, comfortable, and slow, using the "feints" you just learned to beat the imaginary defender. Practice ocassionally scoring a goal, or completing a pass.  If you have a wall, use the wall for a give-and-go / 1-2.  Have fun.  Be creative.  Challenge yourself.  
g. Report to your coach.  Post on FB using #TSW (The Side Works).  Sign in at end of video. 

BASIC BODY FEINTS: Video 1 of 2

ADVANCED BODY FEINTS: Video 2 of 2

 

10TH TRAINING SESSION 12U-14U, Monday, April 20
Complete by:  Wednesday, April 22
Topic: Cognitive Training   Time Required: 75 minutes 
Equipment: 1X Training Buddy (Parent/Sibling) 1-2 Soccer Ball, 8 markers, 2 colors, 1 target/goal. 

SESSION PLAN: 
a. Prep for the session with a quick warm-up. 
b. Watch the training video below. 
c. Perform each activity in the video. 
d. Do each activity / skill 5X RIGHT SIDE and 5X LEFT SIDE.   If traveling through the cones, perform each activity 3X with each next rep progressively faster.   
e. Attempt to "try" each of the "Cognitive" passing exercises.  If you cannot complete the "cognitive" passing exercises, that is OK.  There is a high fail rate on these.  We have advanced the training today and moved to a higher degree of "transference" which means game application and simulation.  WE RECOMMEND TAKING THE VIDEO TO THE TRAINING GROUND FOR THE COGNITIVE PASSING DRILLS in the second stage of training today. 
f. Report to your coach.  Post on FB using #TSW (The Side Works).  Sign in at end of video. 
 

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WEEK 5 TRAINING: APRIL 13 - APRIL 19

THIS WEEKEND'S GAME DAY, SATURDAY, APRIL 18
Let's get to the game!  GAME ANALYSIS #4: "Attacking Soccer"
MATCH REVIEW:  What attacking qualities make a good attacker, good at attacking? 
Instructions: Please watch the game video below (15 minutes). Have a pen and paper handy.  At the end, report what you learned via the Quiz. The quiz shows up at the very end of the video after you sign-in w/ your email or opt out of signing in. 

 

NINTH TRAINING SESSION 12U-14U, THURSDAY, APRIL 16
Complete by:  Friday, April 17
Topic: Shooting Mechanics For Power & Then Accuracy  Time Required: 45 minutes 
Equipment: Soccer Ball & Flat Surface & Four Cones or Markers, Goal or Target (extra soccer balls if you have them).  One Mini-Band (if you have one - if you do not have one, mimick routine w/o the bands).  Preferred is two training sticks.  Two cones can substitute for the two training sticks, as well as two other "objects". 

SESSION PLAN: 
A. Prep for the session with a quick warm-up - Dynamic Warm-Up
B. Activate for session with - Band Activation Routine 
** if you do not have a trainng band, watch the 3 minute video and mimick the activation as closely as possible
C. Perform each shooting repeitiion methodical and focused.  Be sure to do a cool-down/stretch after completing activity today. 
D. Today do equal reps with right and left foot for each activity.  Follow rep control in the video. 
E.  When you complete today's training you will need a short recovery / stretch after the session. 
H. Report to your coach.  Post on FB using #TSW (The Side Works).  Sign in at end of video. 

SKILL CHECK #4: The Tootsie Challenge. Complete & Send Video to TheSideMedia@gmail.com.

EIGHTH TRAINING SESSION 12U-14U, MONDAY, APRIL 13
Complete by:  Wednesday, April 15
Topic: Finishing & Crossing in Final Third Time Required: 55 minutes 
Equipment: Soccer Ball & Flat Surface & Four Cones or Markers, Goal or Target (extra soccer balls if you have them).  One Mini-Band (if you have one - if you do not have one, mimick routine w/o the bands).  Preferred is two training sticks.  Two cones can substitute for the two training sticks, as well as two other "objects". 

SESSION PLAN: 
A. Prep for the session with a quick warm-up - Dynamic Warm-Up
B. Activate for session with - Band Activation Routine 
** if you do not have a trainng band, watch the 3 minute video and mimick the activation as closely as possible
C. Perform each crossing or finishing activity at a rep-control rate.  We recommend 8-15 pending your warm-up, fitness, age, etc.   Be sure to do a cool-down/stretch after completing activity today. 
D. Today do equal reps with right and left foot for each activity.  
E.  When you complete today's training you will need a short recovery / stretch after the session. 
H. Report to your coach.  Post on FB using #TSW (The Side Works).  Sign in at end of video. 

MINI-BAND ACTIVATION ROUTINE

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WEEK 4 TRAINING: APRIL 6 - APRIL 12

THIS WEEKEND'S GAME DAY, SATURDAY, APRIL 11
Let's get to the game!  GAME ANALYSIS #3: "Club Ethos"
MATCH REVIEW:  MATCH THAT MADE HISTORY, THAT NOONE KNEW ABOUT
Instructions: Please watch the game video below (10 minutes). At the end, report what you learned via the Quiz. The quiz shows up at the very end of the video after you sign-in w/ your email or opt out of signing in. 


 

SEVENTH TRAINING SESSION 12U-14U, THURS, APRIL 9
Complete by:  Saturday, April 11
Topic: Close Control Footskills  & Finishing Time Required: 55 minutes 
Equipment: Soccer Ball & Flat Surface & Four Cones or Markers, Goal or Target (extra soccer balls if you have them). 

SESSION PLAN: 
A. Prep for the session with a quick warm-up - Dynamic Warm-Up
B. Today's session will be progressive.  You must complete skill 1 before moving to skill 2.  There are 12 skills. 
C. Perform each skill in the video. Use a 60 second to 2 minute "learning phase".  Go at your own pace.  We recommend taking the video with you to the training ground to be able to review the skill by video. 
D. For each skill, once the learning phase is complete, attempt the skill for either 25 seconds, or for 10 quality reps.  That is ONE set.  Complete 3X sets for each skill.  YOUR GOAL IS TO REACH THE "1-2 STEP-OVER". 
E. TODAY WE WANT YOU TO PROGRESS THROUGH ALL 12 of 4-CONE DRILLS EVEN IF YOU CAN'T MASTER ONE OF THEM, STILL MOVE TO THE NEXT ONE.  The proces of failing here is fine.  Stay focused.  Be persistent.  
F. Follow the ball-skill drills with a short finishing activity. First watch the 3 minute finishing video below.  Then writed down 3 different "finishing scenarios" you wish to take on.  Perform 10 reps per scenario (5 Right Foot and 5 Left Foot).  There are 2 chapters to this video.  We recommend you choose from Chapter 1. 
G. When you complete today's training you will need a short recovery following the session. 
H. Report to your coach.  Post on FB using #TSW (The Side Works).  Sign in at end of video. 

THE FINISHING SESSION - CHOOSE 3 TODAY FROM CHAPTER 1 and 10X REPS PER SCENARIO

SIXTH TRAINING SESSION 12U-14U, MON, APRIL 6
Complete by:  Wednesday, April 8
Topic: Advanced Footskills, Progressive   Time Required: 40 minutes 
Equipment: Soccer Ball & Flat Surface & Four Cones or Markers 

SESSION PLAN: 
A. Prep for the session with a quick warm-up - Dynamic Warm-Up
B. Today's session will be progressive.  You must complete level 1 before moving to level 2. 
C. Perform each skill in the video. Use a 60 second to 2 minute "learning phase".  Go at your own pace.  We recommend taking the video with you to the training ground to be able to review the skill by video. 
D. For each skill, once the learning phase is complete, attempt the skill for either 25 seconds, or for 10 quality reps.  That is ONE set.  Complete 3X sets for each skill.  YOUR GOAL IS TO REACH THE "1-2 STEP-OVER". 
E. DO NOT PROGRESS PAST THE POINT WHERE YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO MASTER A SKILL.  Stay focused.  Be persistent.  We recommend not spending longer than one hour today on this session.  If you want to come back o this session tomorrow, do so, and start at level 1 and see if you get farther. 
F. Report to your coach.  Post on FB using #TSW (The Side Works).  Sign in at end of video. 

THIS WEEKS SKILL CHECK #3: LIFTING THE BALL (Parents Can Try!) 
Complete. Video. Send in to thesidemedia@gmail.com.  Post on IG, TW, FB w/ #TSW and #TheSideWorks
WEEK 3 TRAINING: MARCH 30 - APRIL 5

THIS WEEK'S GAME ANALYSIS, SAT APRIL 4
Let's get to the game!  GAME ANALYSIS #2: "Action Decisions"
Match Review: Barcelona vs Real Madrid, 2017 La Liga 
Instructions: Please watch the game video below (20 minutes). Have the pause button ready. Answer the questions and make the predictions "in-game" during the action.  Then, at the end, report what you learned via the Quiz. The quiz shows up at the very end of the video after you sign-in or opt out of signing in. 

FOURTH TRAINING SESSION 9U-11U THURS, APRIL 2
Complete by:  Friday, April 3
Topic: Close Ball Skills & Fitness    Time Required: 50 minutes 
Equipment: Soccer Ball & Flat Surface & Two Cones

SESSION PLAN: 
A. Prep for the session with a quick warm-up - Dynamic Warm-Up
B. Today's session opens with the same exercises performed recently with a rapid progression.  We will then add a fitness session to close the activity.  Be sure you WARM-UP! 
C. Perform each skill in the video for 30 seconds. Rest 30 seconds.  Repeat 3X. 
D. You will do two circuits of "ball-skills".  "One Cone Drills by Coach Kas" and "Two Cone Drills by Coach Kas"(see videos below) . 
E. Perform each "One Cone Drill" 30 seconds, rest 30 seconds. Today be sure to follow this patttern for the ONE CONE DRILLS: Skill #1 - 30 seconds, rest 30 seconds, Skill #2 - 30 seconds, rest 30 seconds, etc...  This will be more "game like".  It's important today in the first video to not perform 4 reps of Skill #1 in back-to-back-to-back fashion.  For parents guiding their child, this training concept is called "interleaving".  It will be more challenging, and also fosters greater game application and long term growth.  
F. Peform the TWO CONE Drills in the normal fashion.  Do Skill #1 4X, then Skill #2 4X, etc.  This will help you grasp and master the technique.  Next time we'll "interleave".  Mastering technique, remember, does not mean you have developed "skill". 
G. Fitness.  Open the video ADVANCED FITNESS II.  You will be doing 6 sets of the 5-5-10 run.  It is the second fitness activty in the video (approximately :45 seconds into the video). 
H. Report to your coach.  Post on FB using #TSW (The Side Works).  Sign in at end of video. 

SKILL CHECK #2: NECK CATCH CHALLENGE 
Try to complete Level 2!  Send in video to thesidemedia@gmail.com or post on FB, IG, TW with #TSW for #TheSideWorks.


FOURTH TRAINING SESSION 9U-11U MON, MAR 30
Complete by:  Wednesday, April 1
Topic: Intermediate Footskills & Close BallSkills     Time Required: 35 minutes 
Equipment: Soccer Ball & Flat Surface & One Cone

SESSION PLAN: 
a. Prep for the session with a quick warm-up - Dynamic Warm-Up
b. Today's session opens with the same exercises performed last week.  Today be a bit faster & quicker. 
c. Perform each skill in the video for 25 seconds. Rest 25 seconds.  Repeat 3X. 
d. Add the "One Cone Drills by Coach Kas" (see video below) 
e. Perform each "One Cone Drill" 30 seconds, rest 30 seconds, then repeat X4.  On 4th rep move through the skill quicker, faster, smoother.  
e. Report to your coach.  Post on FB using #TSW (The Side Works).  Sign in at end of video. 
 

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LAST WEEK'S GAME ANALYSIS, SAT MAR 28
Let's get to the game!  GAME ANALYSIS #1: "Modes of Play"
Match Review: USA WOM vs SPAIN WOM
Instructions: Please watch the game video below (12 minutes). Have the pause button ready. Answer the questions and make the predictions "in-game" during the action.  Then, at the end, report what you learned via the Quiz. The quiz shows up at the very end of the video after you sign-in or opt out of signing in. 
NOTE: Exciting news!  There is a chance The Side is able to get the South African Women's National Team Coach, Ms. Desiree Ellis, to connect with our players on social media to answer questions next week!  Stay tuned!