November 2016 Issue 36 Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer THE EVOLVING GAMECoaching Newsletter Coach the right way … An Important Message for U9 and U10 Coaches in recommendation and send two Eastern Pennsylvania defensive players into the build out area as the ball leaves the penalty With the advent of US Soccer’s new player area. This compromise reflects what development initiatives, there were grumblings from normally would happen in a real Mike Barr Eastern every corner of youth soccer. The birth year change game should the defensive team Pennsylvania probably posed the biggest headache to clubs and Youth Soccer decide to press in its attacking third. Technical Director coaches, and yet at this time next year those head It provides for width in the attack and pounding changes will be a forgotten malady. creates 2v1 situations to get into the Transitioning to playing 4V4, 7V7 and 9V9 has been middle third of the field. well received, and coaches and players seem to have The build out line becomes an issue when the Pep adjusted well to new formations. Many of our youth Guardiola’s and Jose Mourinho’s of the U9 and U10 players, some as young as 10, seem to understand coaching world decide they are going to position four positional numbers and the roles and responsibilities or five players on top of the build out line to disrupt attached to each position. They really are becoming play and score goals by not allowing the opposing students of the game. team to build out. They essentially create a game that Unfortunately, the biggest problem in US Soccer’s does not resemble soccer and has no value in new initiatives stems from the egos of a few coaches developing quality players for either of the two teams currently coaching U9 and U10 who have taken it playing. upon themselves to seek an advantage in the new I am extremely competitive as a coach but would rules regarding the build out line. The rule was made certainly recognize the limited value of following this to teach players to play out of the back, gain self-serving scheme with a team comprised of young confidence in their first touch, improve keeper players trying to learn the principles of play. Coaches distribution, and encourage proper spacing of players. are teachers on the field, but little knowledge is In a few of the matches I have attended this fall, I was gained by the players if that coach follows the “win at thrilled to see the referee and both coaches come to all costs” adage. Keep in mind quality coaching and an agreement in the number of defending players that understanding of player development will pay large should cross the build out line on goal kicks and dividends as these young player mature. You as a keeper distribution. They decided to follow our coach can be part of that player’s success. COACHING TOUR 2017 We are pleased to announce that Eastern Pennsylvania and WorldStrides Excel are teaming up together to plan a once in a lifetime “Coaching Educational Trip” to Southampton, England in 2017! Type to enter textWe will receive a behind the scenes look and a VIP experience with Southampton FC Academy, the finest youth academy in England. Our coaches will watch Southampton FC academy training sessions, meet academy coaches, and attend workshops and clinics taught by various members within the Southampton FC organization. Ultimately, this trip will help each of us become a better coach in our own unique ways, but more importantly, improve our players. DIGITAL COACHING CENTER (DCC) UPCOMING COACHING COURSES National D License Part 2 Dec 3, 2016 - Dec 4, 2016 Glen Mills National E License Dec 16, 2016 - Dec 18, 2016 Palmyra, PA @EPaCoachingEd For more information, details and registration, please visit EPYSA.org Game Watcher INTERNATIONAL SERIE A ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER Nov. 9, 2:45PM Nov. 5, 3:45PM Nov. 6, 7:00AM Nov. 20, 8:00PM Belgium v Holland Napoli v Lazio Arsenal v Spurs Western Conf. Finals Nov. 15, 2:45PM Nov. 20, 2:45PM Nov. 19, 7:30PM Nov. 22, 8:00PM Italy v Germany Inter v Milan Man Utd v Arsenal Eastern Conf. Finals LA LIGA BUNDESLIGA DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY CLUB SOCCER Nov. 5, 11:15AM Nov. 19, 12:30PM R Sociedad v Dortmund v B Munich Nov. 5, 12:00PM Step outside on any A Madrid Union v Bethesda Saturday or Sunday and you Nov. 26, 12:30PM will find a fun game. Nov. 20, tba B Munich v Nov. 19, 12:00PM A. Madrid v R Madrid B Leverkusen Union v Cedar Stars ["2] (Chester) MEET THE COACH Troy Snyder - Reading United AC, VP & Operating Partner Troy Snyder is one of the most coach. (He) was always giving accomplished players to ever come awesome direction on and off the out of Eastern Pennsylvania. In his field. high school days, he set scoring On the US Youth National Teams, records at Fleetwood High that are Angus Mcalpine and Manfred untouchable. Snyder went on to Schellsheidt – a Scottish and become an All-American at Penn German coaching tandem – shared State for legendary coach Walter so many great teaching lessons. Bahr and represented the United On the US Men’s National Team, States during the senior national Alkis Panagulus, Bora Milutinovic, team’s rise in the late 1980’s and John Kowalski and Jay Miller were early 1990’s. all great influences. World. Today’s U.S. Internationals Professionally, Alan Merrick, Gordon have so much more experience, As part owner of Reading United AC Jago, Jim Gabarra just to name a beginning with the growing success of MLS. and a contributor to Eastern few. Pennsylvania Youth Soccer ODP, he How many goals did you actually remains deeply involved in soccer in How many times did you score while playing at Fleetwood the state at both the professional represent the United States in High School and how would you and youth levels. international competition, and describe those years? could you tell us some of the I was fortunate to have played with a What coaches had the greatest players you played with and lot of great players at Fleetwood, against? How do you think the which gave me the opportunity to impact on your storied career experience now compares to what through club, high school, college score 208 high school goals. I would you and your teammates go back to those days in a heartbeat. and the US Soccer National experienced? We regularly won county and district Team? Counting youth team games there championships. We were also My high school coach Ray Buss (at were probably about 20 or so fortunate to win state championships Fleetwood High School in international matches, which would as well. If there was one word to Fleetwood, Pennsylvania) had a include the U.S. youth team, U.S. describe those years it would be fun. senior team and U.S. futsal team. (I There is nothing more fun than huge impact on my soccer career, have) some great memories from the introducing me to the game, winning and sharing championships international matches and got to see with teammates and friends! organizing our small town youth a lot of the world: Russia (three programs and winning. For me, times), Turkey, Romania, Austria, What do you think of US Soccer’s when you are young boy you don’t and Brazil (three times). Some of Developmental Academy system appreciate what a coach does for the U.S. players I played with were and the impact it has had on you until many years later. His Tab Ramos, John Harkes, Bruce soccer in the United States? Murray, Brian Bliss, Paul Cailguiri, teams were prepared for every I think it has had a bumpy road, Peter Vermes, Tony Meola, Jeff especially not qualifying for the last game. He had scouting reports for Agoose, Dominic Kinnear, Chris us, we always viewed game film to two Olympics. Anything new is going Henderson and Hugo Perez. to have its issues as it grows and go over what we needed to do to Other country internationals: Marco evolves. I think we have the right i m p r o v e a s a t e a m a n d a s Van Basten (Netherlands), Ruud thoughts. However, I would strongly individuals. He did not put up with Gullit (Netherlands), Diego disagree with one rule and that is any excuses; he taught you Maradona (Argentina), Chris Waddle that the academy players are not (England), Bryan Robson (England), accountability, responsibility and allowed to play with their high school Glenn Hoddle and Gary Lineker team. I do not think this is right. How commitment. He led by example. (England). The U.S. has so much Wa l t e r B a h r ( a t P e n n S t a t e can you tell a 15-, 16-, or 17-year-old more international experience today high school soccer player he can’t University) was a coach who had a than we did in the 80’s and early play with his friends? great resume and offered a different 90’s. We have many more U.S. coaching style than my high school players playing professionally in many places across Europe and the MEET THE COACH Troy Snyder - Reading United AC, Vice President & Operating Partner This also has the power to divide How do you look at the national Director for the first six years of my soccer friendships. Let’s try and team and US Soccer now? Are involvement.