Coach Houseman's Soccer Site

Coaching Soccer - 3 Basic Goals

 

 

I started coaching soccer in 1973.  Over the years, I have worked with a wide range of ages (kindergarten - high school); coached both boys and girls; and been involved with town, school, and club teams.  Although a lot has changed in 4+ decades, I still try to accomplish 3 basic goals during a season:

1. Teaching kids soccer.  I believe learning the game is more important than winning the game.  In my opinion, this approach fosters better player development and a more relaxed team atmosphere. 

2. Encouraging positive social behavior, such as: making and keeping good friends, supporting teammates, respecting adults, sportsmanship, building self-confidence, and many other "life lessons".

3. Having a blast!!! It's my bottom line and hopefully it's yours.

Learning - Values - Fun --- The combination of all 3 builds a solid foundation for a successful season.  Winning games is just an unavoidable by-product.

 The Outdoor Classroom (click pic on left to enlarge) Instructions from Coach Houseman before a 2008 VSA league match - Mountain U14G vs. Soccer United U14G in Plattsburg NY.  Players often ask questions or make their own coaching points - a real interactive classroom atmosphere.

 

 

Defense - Just The Basics

 If the other team doesn't score, you have a great chance of winning the game.  Defense wins games - it's that simple. 

  

What part of the field is defense played?  Answer - EVERYWHERE.  Since soccer is a game of keep away/ball possession, defense begins when possession is lost.  

  

As soon as the other team gets the ball, the closest player to the ball (1st defender) should do the following:

• Quickly close down the ball carrier.  Sounds basic but many times it doesn't happen.  I've seen an entire defense back up into their goal as an opposing player dribbles in and makes an uncontested shot. 
• If you are trying to catch the ball carrier from behind, take an inside route between the player and the goal rather than the player and the sideline.  Click the soccer field illustration to the right and look at example #1. 
• If you are challenging the ball carrier from the front, cautiously slow down when you're a few yards from her (see example #2).  It's very easy for an opponent to beat you if your approach is like a charging rhino. 
• Once you've arrived, your #1 job is to delay the ball carrier – not steal the ball.  Stay a body length distance (2 yards) from your opponent using a staggered crouched stance (one foot in front of the other).  Stay on the "balls" of your feet (not flat footed) and make small steps instead of long strides.  If the ball carrier is not "faced up", you should stay within touching distance of her (arm's lenght vs. a body length) and don't let her to turn.  
•  Focus on the ball rather than the movement (fakes) of the ball carrier.  In a staggered stance, your front foot is used for poking and your back foot is used for tackling.
• Force the ball carrier to dribble in a certain direction called channeling - see example #3.  Channeling can be used to force an opponent to the sidelines; into double coverage; or to use her opposite foot.  The coaching staff will teach you this defensive technique at practice.

 The Next Closest Player to the ball (2nd defender) should do the following:

• Support the first defender at a 45% degree angle behind her and goal side (see example #3).
• Tell the 1st defender to "force in" or "force out" the ball carrier using the channeling technique.  Here are some general rules:  1) Force In - when the ball is in the middle of the field and you're in a good supporting position; 2) Force Out - when the ball is closer to the sidelines - the sidelines acts as another defender. 

All other defenders (3rd defender) should do the following:

• Recover ball side by funneling back toward their own goal (see example #4).
• Mark an opponent in your zone - goal side.
• Split Vision - Watch the ball carrier and your mark simultaneously.  The best way to do this is to keep your hips open, sometimes called a "sideways on" stance.
• Stand in the potential passing lane between the ball carrier and your mark.
• The side & end lines are invisible defenders.  You can always use these lines to your advantage.  Last resort - "When in doubt, kick it out!!!"

Defensive Triangle - If you draw a line from the player you are marking back to the center of your goal then to the attacking player with the ball (A1) then over to your mark, it forms a defensive triangle. If you are inside this triangle, you can support your teammates while properly marking your opponent - perfect defense. 

 

Summary

 

Everyone loves to play offense but it’s usually good defense that wins games.  Of course, that’s only the opinion of an old time striker who use to think anyone could play defense – yeah - that's ME.

 

 

Video Clips

  

Sam Snow, Director of Coaching Education for  U.S. Youth Soccer, gives us some tips on how to close down an opponent as: 

1st defender 

2nd defender

After viewing, return to this website by clicking the back arrow on your web browser. 

Slide and Slant

A basic defensive concept in soccer is slide and slant to the ball.  Figure #1(click on pic) shows the problem when the left and right backs get too wide and flat across the field.  Here the other team can easily split the defense with a pass from A1 to A2 or A1 could dribble past D1 for a break away on goal.

 

In order to solve this problem, the defense should remain connected in 2 ways.

                                                                            

 

1. Slide To The Ball – I’m not advocating magnet ball.  However, it's alright for the defense to maintain some compactness to make dribbling and passing more difficult for the opposition.  One of the problems that D2 has in Figure #1 is she does not have an inside position on A2 to prevent her from "going to goal" uncontested.  In Figure #2 (click on pic), D2 slides across the field to block A2's path to the goal.  In soccer, this inside defensive position is called goal side.

 

2. Slant To The Ball – A laterally flat defense can get split by A1 dribbling past D1 or knocking a thru   ball to A2. In order to solve this problem, D2 should support D1 at a 45% angle behind and to the goal side of D1.  However, don't drop back too far - WHY? 

 

Also, slide and slant between the 2 defensive backs is used on offense as well as defense.  Figure #3 (click on pic to enlarge) shows both the right and left backs moving up the field to stay connected with their teammates.  The right back is in good position to support the right midfielder who has the ball.  However, the left back is too flat (to the right back) in case the red team mounts a counter attack.  Once again, she should slide to the middle of the field and slant back toward her own goal to be in a good defending position.

 

Video Clip - Here's an example of a team keeping good defensive shape by sliding and slanting as the ball moves around the field.  Click the link below.

Slide – Slant Video Clip 

Summary

 

In the examples above, I showed the most classic use of slide and slant to the ball - between our 2 defensive backs.  However, it also can be used between our 3 midfielders or our 2 strikers.  Slide and slant (vs. standing in a straight line across the field) is all about maintaining good soccer connection and balance -  just like 2 kids on a see-saw.

                                                                                                                                                                                              

 

Left Foot Club

The one skill that differentiates a good vs. a great soccer player is the ability to use her opposite foot.  Since there are no handicap ramps on a soccer field, opponents will quickly take advantage of you once this inadequacy is exposed.

In April of 2002 I founded the Left Foot Club. Players qualify if they can show me in practice and game situations that they can use either foot effectively without hesitation.  Currently, there are 18 LFC members: Maggie Belnap (Arlington, VT); Clare Kelley, Amanda Connors, Melanie Thulin, Lizzie Jorgensen, Naomi Johnson, Rebecca Montafrey, Aryn Iannuzzi (Manchester, VT); Samantha Labate (Londonderry, VT); Meaghan McKee (White Creek, NY); Grace Delurey and Maritza Gonzales (Hoosick Falls, NY); Abby McKearin (Proctor, VT); and Brianna Thibeault (Salem, NY); and Danielle Marmer, Willa Bryant, Carol Herbert, and Skylar Casey (Dorset, VT).  

LFC members are given an Adias white/green head band with the Left Foot Club insignia stitched on it - truly unique and priceless as far as what it means to each player.   

Pictures  (click on pics to enlarge)

Above Left - This black and white photo is Coach Houseman in 1967 using his opposite (right) foot playing for Chatham High School in Chatham, NJ.  Not bad form for an old timer.

Above Right - Part of the 2008 Mountain Soccer "Dream Team" are LFC members (left to right) Melanie Thulin, Dee Marmer, Naomi Johnson, Maritza Gonzales, Samantha Labate, and Lizzie Jorgensen.  Having 6 ambidextrous players on the same team was truly special.

  Left - The Cinderella Girl - Maritza Gonzales got extra motivation from me in 2007.  My team did their indoor winter training (2006-2010)  at the Afrims Center in Latham NY.  Maritza called me one night saying she had left one of her soccer shoes at the complex. I asked her what was the "make and model".  Shown here is Coach Houseman placing her shoe back on her left foot with her promise that she would start using it.  At the end of the season she entered the Left Foot Club.

 

Newest Members From Dorset Middle School

Below Left - On October 15, 2015 Willa Bryant became the 16th member of the Left Foot Club.  She is only the 3rd fifth grader to make this club joining Rebecca Montafrey and Abby McKearin.  Shown below is a picture of Aryn Iannuzzi (15th member) with Willa on this magical night.

Right - On November 7, 2016 Carol Herbert and Skylar Casey became the 17th and 18th members of the Left Foot Club.  Carol is only the 2nd goalie to make the club joining Brianna Thibeault of Salem NY.  Skylar joins a long list of LFC strikers including Clare Kelley, Lizzie Jorgensen, Rebecca Montafrey, Grace Delurey, Abby McKearin, and Danielle (Dee) Marmer.  Pictured on the right is Willa Bryant (16th member) welcoming her teammates Carol and Skylar into the LFC.

Right -  On November 13, 2017 Dorset co-captains Julia Brand and Tatum Sands earned a well deserved entry into the Left Foot Club.  Julia and Tatum used their left foot in practice and games effectively and without hesitation.  The "deal was sealed" when both players scored goals left footed and at a considerable distance from the net.  Immediately after the awards banquet, each girl donned their LFC headband and hoisted their left foot in celebration.

Below Right - On November 5, 2018 Kate Andres became a LFC member. She dedicated the entire 2018 season to developing her left foot and did so with great success.  Kate reminds me of Rebecca Monfaufrey, a LFC member and currently on the BBA varsity.  Rebecca became so confident with her left foot that it seemed to be her more reliable kicking option.  Shown below are Kate and Willa Bryant (2018 captain and LFC member). 

Above - On October 18, 2019 Nell Bryant (far right) entered the LFC as its 22nd member.  Pictured with her (left to right) are LFCs Kate Andres, Skylar Casey, and Nell's sister Willa Bryant.

Please refer to the Left Foot Club photo album in the right margin.  In it are photos of all LFC members with a brief bio on each player..

 

 

Ball Juggling - First Touch Fun

Why ball juggling? As players get older, the ball spends a lot of time airborne.  Juggling is the best way to practice first touch ball control.  You can practice by yourself or in groups.  Just click the Juggling category (right margin) and learn to juggle step by step.

Get into the juggling game - it works and it's FUN! I will be testing your ability at practices and games thoughout the season.  Your progress (level of attainment) will be posted to this website.   

Ball juggling primarily works on first touch/receiving skills.  For tips on other ball skills such as  dribbling,  instep kick, passing and shooting, read the focus skill articles found in the categories section on this web page.

P.S. In addition to juggling solo, try group juggling to add a new twist and a lot of fun - just like these girls in the picture above or in this video clip - YFubol

The Yellow Brick Road To Success

 

My focus at this age level is to work on your ball skills and tactics.  Ball skills include dribbling, passing, receiving, and heading.  Numerous articles/video clips can be found in the right margin labeled "skills".  Skills are the foundation to becoming a good soccer player. 

 

What are soccer tactics?  Soccer technique (skills) is what you do with the ball.  Soccer tactics (teamwork) is what you do without the ball.  Articles/video clips about this subject can be found in the right margin labeled "tactics".  

One of my favorite movies is the Wizard of Oz.  In fact, decades ago I played the Tin Man on stage in this classic story.  I still remember chanting "Lions, Tigers, and Bears, Oh My!!!  I wish the oil can could still work for me today. 

 

No matter how crazy things seemed in the Land of Oz, Dorothy and her ensemble soon realized there was a reliable (albeit wacky) path to follow; that is, the Yellow Brick Road.  Soccer can likewise be totally wacky and chaotic unless we establish some guidelines. Fortunately, soccer is a very geometric game.  Its most basic attacking shapes are the triangle (width), the diamond (depth), and the square (open space). 

 

I will guide you along this tactical "Yellow Brick Road To Success".  Hopefully, at the end of our journey you will be chanting "Triangles, Diamonds, and Squares, Oh My!" 

 

Bullwinkle's Corner

  In the 1960's, a hit cartoon show appeared on TV featuring a tiny, level headed squirrel (Rocky) and a  big, lovable, outspoken moose (Bullwinkle).    During the show, Bullwinkle had a brief soliloquy (Bullwinkle's Corner)  where he expounded on life's lessons - the big picture stuff.  

Over the past 4+ decades, I have developed some strong opinions about what should happen on and off the soccer field.  In "Bullwinkle's Corner" (categories - right margin), I will occasionally post my thoughts regarding issues beyond soccer skills and tactics.  Currently, I have seeded the post with 5 articles:

1. The Ref - One Pair of Eyes with a Heart of Gold
2. Learning vs. Winning
3. Failing to Succeed
4. A Great Victory for Youth Sports
5. Thumbs Up for Multiple Sport Athletes  

 Bullwinkle's Corner is my soap box in cyberspace.  It will give you a better understanding of my coaching philosophy.    

Where Is Beth??? Mystery Solved!!!

On February 9^th, the Mountain U14G team had 2 hard fought matches against Capital United and Guilderland Black - both games ending in a tie.  Before and afterwards, all the players and parents were asking the same question - "Where is Beth"??? – "We desperately need her to pull out a victory"!!!"  The truth is, Beth went to the Arlington High School Cotillion/Dance instead – a totally understandable absence.  Shown here on the right (picture taken by a local paparazzi) is adorable Beth in her pink dress with her macho redheaded date (click on pic).  In addition, we have Beth (on the left) demonstrating her ballroom technique which should launch her career on Dancing With The Stars.  Beth was certainly missed by all, but this was a once in a life time experience she couldn’t pass up. Beth should reappear (hopefully) next week to lead our team to victory.

Stay Healthy - Stretch

Stretching is an important habit that all athletes should get into at practices and games.  Here are some typical times you should be routinely stretching:

• Before a practice/game - another good reason to be early rather than late.
• During a practice/game - between drills or at halftime/bench time.
• After a practice/game - very important to immediately stretch those over worked muscles instead of bolting for the parking lot.

John DiBlasio (a local physical therapist) put on a "stretching clinic" for the Mountain U14G team last Spring (2008).  Shown below is John's 9 stretches for the teenage female soccer player - remember, hold each stretch for 30 seconds..............................  Please click John's handout (below) and build these stretches into your soccer routine.

 

Video

Here's more stretching exercises from "The Stretching Institute".

stretching exercises

Note

I prefer incorporating a soccer ball with stretching.  It's an additional step to making the ball and you as one.  I will show you how to do this during practice.

 

 

 

As in everything in life, just don't overdo it.  Get the picture?

Coach Houseman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When I grew up in the 1950's and 60's, soccer was a fall sport played at school - period.  However, times have definitely changed.  Now it's played just about year round.  Although I'm a big believer in the "variety is the spice of life concept", here are my reasons why a child might consider playing soccer beyond the traditional fall season:

 

• Love Of The Game – A player has such a passion for soccer he/she wants to play it more than one season per year.  This is not something a player has to do but wants to do.

• Making New Friends – Playing club soccer encourages kids to leave the comfort of local/school cliques and make new friends.  This has been a big plus for many players I've coached in the past. 

• Commitment – Dedicated players like to be on a team that requires a big commitment to the team.  My program expects players to attend all practices and games. Obviously, there is flexibility due to health as well as school, church, and family functions.

• Regional vs. Local Team – My teams are made up of players from all over Central and Southern Vermont. It provides a platform for them to compete, learn, and have fun together.  In addition, it can break down the negative side of town/school rivalries by having its star players be teammates in our spring program.

• Competition – Good players want to play against good teams.  RCSC is all about competing against top level (Division 1) teams around Vermont and New England. 

• Academy Style Learning – RCSC has a well trained and experienced coaching staff.  By utilizing various instructional methods focused on a player/team specific curriculum, our program is unparalleled in player development.

In Summary

RCSC is a program for area players to pursue their passion for the game in an academy-like environment playing top level competition.  It's  this area's soccer all-star team.  Player and parent commitment is very important to make things work.  Although soccer is what we do, important life lessons (e.g. sportsmanship, friendship, commitment, respect for adults, etc.) are stressed at all times. Most important, RCSC is all about having fun. 

Note - RCSC has development teams as well as premier teams.  Although this player profile is specific to the premier level, many comments apply to all RCSC players.

by Coach Houseman

 

 

11 v 11 Double Diamond With A Stopper

The stopper in soccer is used when your opponent has an exceptional player who must be stopped in order for our team to win.  The stopper plays man-to-man against the star player all over the field.  Once our team losses possession of the ball, the stopper must be positioned between the ball and the star player keeping her from receiving a pass. If the star player gets the ball then she is challenged by our stopper and is supported by her nearest teammate in that area of the field.  In other words,  the star player is double teamed by us when she gets the ball.

Shown in the soccer field diagram (click the pic to enlarge) is how we will transition from a triple diamond offense to using a stopper.  We do give up our center striker and consequently the middle diamond disappears. The stopper sets up in the middle of the field between our midfielders and defensive backs. 

The use of a stopper will weaken our upfront striking/scoring ability unless our wing midfielders take a more offensive role in carrying the attack down the sidelines (see soccer diagram).  They can do this because the stopper is our 4th defenseman – the wing midfielders do not have to come all the way back to cover our far post when we go on defense.

Even though we lose the middle diamond passing options with a stopper, it’s not a big deal.  Please read the article entitled “Tactics - Ball Flow” in the right margin of this webpage.

Summary

The stopper’s sole role is to stop our opponent’s star player from scoring.  If successful, our chances of winning the game are very good