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 Learn how Byte Size Coaching can give your coaches the tools they need to succeed.
Welcome Coaches:
Indoor Soccer is very popular in North America today in part due to the extreme climatical conditions of some parts of the continent. For many places, soccer in the winter months would be impossible if there wasn’t the opportunity to play indoors.
In fact, some parts of the continent (e.g., the Prairies) have a longer indoor season than an outdoor season.
Many communities have now invested in excellent indoor facilities, but a majority is still limited to the use of school gymnasia – particularly for practice sessions.
Because of that, we have based the Indoor Version on the school gym. If a team has the luxury of a more spacious indoor facility they can use the “outdoor” Byte Size Coaching version without too many adjustments.
Much of the content of our Indoor curriculum will be the same as the outdoor, but with some important adjustments. Many of the games and activities of the outdoor version take place within a 30-yard x 20-yard area (similar dimensions to a small gym).
One big difference will be the end of session games. For younger players we recommend two adjoining fields when practicing outdoors to give more activity if, for instance, the number of players is around 12 or more. And for the older players (U10 – U12), the end of session game will not be able to accommodate the larger number games such as 5 v 5, 6 v 6, because of the limited space.
However, we have put in additional games in the Indoor version to maximize the involvement of all players in spite of the smaller space.
Because most gymnasia have hard wooden or composition floors, we have reduced the number of goalkeeping activities that involve diving. Pity! But players are there to enjoy the experience – not to come off the floor battered and bruised!
Don’t forget to check the “Progressions” and variations to the activities. If you have not used the Byte Size Coaching Practice Plans before your players may not quite be ready for some of the activities. Don’t be afraid to make a situation less challenging by dropping down an age group (but don’t tell your players what you have done!).
For instance, a 5 vs. 2 possession game may not be working. Consider giving them more space and adding another player to make it 6 vs. 2.
We must always have safety in mind when practicing as most gymnasia have inbuilt hazards such as equipment and the walls. Avoid using benches for goals as two or more opposing players rushing towards goal could easily go crashing over the bench.
Make it fun. Keep the activity level high. The tried and trusted games and activities in Byte Size Coaching will look after the skill development. “The Game should be the Teacher.”
Learn to play... play to learn!
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