Tentative Draft of Preseason Sessions

This schedule will change, and each day will ultimately contain a complete agenda. Please be patient as we have to coordinate with other teams and work around field availability issues. My intention is to provide players and families with a general idea of what to expect. The "What are my coaches looking for?" section is also a work in progress and will be amended to include- among other things- goalkeeping considerations.

Thursday, August 25, 2011
Session 1: 8-10 a.m.

NMS Lower Fields

1. Registration/Paperwork/Schedules
2. Introductions
3. Hydration/Injuries/Safety
4. Teams: Newcastle, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool (4x10)
5. Captains’ Stretch/Warm-up
6. Tournament (no goalkeepers): 2 Parallel Games (F11-F7) (A1-A6) (T1-T19) Water Breaks Between Games
7. Cool Down/Stretch

Lunch Break

Session 2: 1-4 p.m.

NMS Lower Fields

1. Captains’ Stretch/Warm-up
2. Passing Patterns in Teams
3. Team Defense Drill in Teams
4. Water Break
5. Midfielder Focus Training in Teams
6. Dynamic Shooting Drill w/Keepers
7. Water Break
8. Depot Goal Game (Parallel Games) in Teams
9. Water Break
10. Stretch
11. Timed Run
12. Cool Down/Stretch


Friday, August 26, 2011

Session 3: 8-10 a.m.

NMS Lower Fields

1. Captains’ Stretch/Warm-up
2. Mirror Scrimmages (4 vs. 3) in Teams; Subs Rotate in on Goals
3. Water Break
4. Midfielder Focus Training 2 in Teams
5. Dynamic Shooting Drill w/Keepers 2
6. Water Break
7. Depot Goal Game (Parallel Games) in Teams
8. Water Break
9. Stretch
10. Conditioning (Coach Nunes)
11. Cool Down/Stretch

Saturday, August 27, 2011


Session 4: Scrimmage at Sharon (3 grade-level teams) 10:30 a.m.

Monday, August 29, 2011

Session 5: 8-10 a.m.

NMS Lower Fields

1. Captains’ Stretch/Warm-up
2. Tournament (no goalkeepers): 2 Parallel Games (F11-F7) (A1-A6) (T1-T19) Water Breaks Between Games
3. Conditioning (Coach Nunes)
4. Cool Down/Stretch
5. Teams Selected/Cuts Made
6. Varsity Team Held for Tactical Overview/Handouts

Lunch Break

Session 6: 1-4 p.m

NMS Lower Fields

Team Meeting/ warm-up 1-2:30

Scrimmage vs. Cardinal-Spellman 2:30-4

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Session 7

Team Meeting and:

Scrimmage vs. Attleboro 1pm (Away in Attleboro)

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Session 8

Team Meeting and:

Scrimmage vs. Mansfield 1pm (NMS Lower Fields)

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Session 9

Monday, September 5, 2011

Session 10


What are my coaches looking for?



Fundamental


 Are you adept in using both feet in all aspects of the game? (F1)

 Are you playing with your head up; are you able to control the ball without looking at it? (F3)

 Can you tackle cleanly and take the ball away from an attacker? (F5)

 Can you receive a ball on your first touch, and accurately distribute the ball? (F6)

 Can you cross the ball in the air to an oncoming teammate? (F7)



Attitudinal


 Are you a strong communicator on- and away from- the ball? (A1)

 Are you an actively supportive teammate? (A2)

 Are you physically, mentally and emotionally prepared to play to your highest potential? (A3)

 How do you react to setbacks? Or when the ball goes out of play or in the woods? (A4)

 Do you encourage your teammates and correct missteps in a positive way? (A5)

 How do you react to pressure? (A6)





Tactical


 Are you following all shots on goal? (T1)

 Are you maintaining team possession and contributing to, or supporting, the offense? (T2)

 Are you “having a look” before gaining possession? (T3)

 Do you identify oppositional patterns and communicate them to teammates appropriately? (T4)

 On attack, are you thinking “Can I shoot?” first? (T5)

 Are you the first defender in your zone? Are you announcing your challenge? (T6)

 As the first defender, do you avoid defensive lunging and stay square? (T7)

 Are you a supportive second defender? Are you announcing your role? (T8)

 Are you denying the ball as the second defender? Are you occupying passing lanes? Are you winning the ball in the air? Finding space and losing marks on offensive restarts such as corner kicks? (T9)

 Are your offensive runs untracked? (T10)

 Are you tending open space for other untracked runners? (T11)

 Are you open, available and vocal on offensive restarts? (T12)

 Are you finding open space immediately after passing? (T13)

 Can you limit an attacker’s options by forcing her to one direction? (T14)

 Can you compete at the varsity level? (T15)

 What is your strongest position? (T16)

 Do you have success during a game under high pressure? (T17)

 Can you expose a defender, make her commit, and successfully beat the defender with a dribble or a pass?

(T18)

 Can you successfully breakup a 2v1 and 2v2 situation by limiting the attackers’ options? (T19)