NSCAA National Course- One Whistle away from perfect

National Course, Cary North Carolina

I really enjoyed taking the NSCAA National Diploma course in North Carolina last week. The class was not only full with 26 attendees but quality coaches in attendance. Out of the 26, 9 DOC's, 2 College Coaches, and 1 Semi-Professional Coach. The rest were either club or high school coaches. If you are ever interested in attending a National course be prepared to play a ton of soccer and I mean a ton. The total hours of soccer played was 26 hours. The course is a week long with 3 field session tests, 1 Match Analysis, and 1 Final Written Exam. The course covers these topics- Methods of Coaching, Teaching Process, Functional training, Coaching in the Game, Match Analysis, Technique, Theory of Tactics, Principles of Attacking/Defending, Club Development, Fitness, and Ethics.

One Whistle Away from Perfect Score

I was one whistle away from having a perfect field session score. Before the second field session the instructors told us to calm down and be ourselves. Quite a few coaches were nervous and it really showed. The instructor also harped on having a presence and being loud. I decided to be myself and use what all of us Coerver Coaches use, a whistle. Well my session went very well but for some reason I missed the part not to ever use a whistle. It is somewhere I'm told in the course manual. So I got docked a bit for my use of a whistle. This was the only goofy thing about the course. Lets be honest, whistle or no whistle does it really matter? What matters is the session and what the players get out of it, period. For coaches planning on taking a course, make sure you know what exactly the instructors are wanting. I still got a very good grade but I would have hated myself if that determined a pass or fail.

Education

I really encourage all coaches to take as many courses as they can. The sport of soccer is always growing/evolving. I just read an article today on fitness in soccer. In 1990 players in the EPL would cover a distance of 5 miles in a game. The average distance covered in 2008 was 8 miles. That is almost a 60 percent increase. The speed of the game increased as well. It was a fascinating article to say the least. A great way for not only coaches to learn but players and parents is to watch high level soccer. Check out a live College game or Columbus Crew game. Catch a game on television. Charlie Cooke would probably say "Check out Chelsea , Go on the Blues". I think watching a good soccer game is the best way to learn.

Great Job to Maddie Haberthy

U11 TFA Elite player Maddie Haberthy has a new juggling record. It is 1,429 and it was done with both feet and thighs. In the words of Sam Fiore "Aww Sick" or "That is Fantastic". I agree and keep it up Maddie. Because one is a good juggler doesn't mean you are a good player. But all good players are good jugglers. Maddie is not only good at juggling but a very good player. Who has a better record out there? What is the highest feet only record by a TFA player?