WEEKL JUNE 2021 | ISSUE 07 | BY SUBSCRIPTION ONLY SOCCER COACH Y WOMEN’S SOCCER COACHING MESSAGE RECEIVED US DEAF WOMEN’S NATIONAL TEAM HEAD COACH AMY GRIFFIN ON THE VITAL ROLE COMMUNICATION PLAYS IN HER CAREER PLUS • BLIND SOCCER AND THE • ‘YOU PLAY LIKE A GIRL’ ART OF COMMUNICATION - WHY LANGUAGE IN • HOW TO RETAIN YOUR COACHING MATTERS TEENAGE PLAYERS • AND MUCH MORE... WEEKL JUNE 2021 | ISSUE 07 | BY SUBSCRIPTION ONLY SOCCER COACH Y WOMEN’S SOCCER COACHING FROM THE HEAD COACH Communication is key MESSAGE RECEIVED US DEAF WOMEN’S NATIONAL TEAM HEAD COACH AMY GRIFFIN ON THE VITAL ROLE COMMUNICATION PLAYS IN HER CAREER PLUS • BLIND SOCCER AND THE • ‘YOU PLAY LIKE A GIRL’ ART OF COMMUNICATION - WHY LANGUAGE IN COACHING MATTERS to successful coaching • HOW TO RETAIN YOUR TEENAGE PLAYERS • AND MUCH MORE... This month’s issue is dedicated insights into what makes a successful Issue 007 communicator. If you get chance, June 2021 to communication - a vital, but sometimes overlooked, skill which is please do also check out our podcast Women’s Soccer key to successful coaching, no matter with Amy – it was really inspirational Coaching website what level, age or even sport you listening to her speak and I took so and monthly digital work in. much away from the time we had with magazine offers On a personal note, it’s an area I’m her. proven, easy to use really keen to develop and a skill I feel Also this month, we’ve got a soccer drills, coaching can make the difference between a thought-provoking piece on the sessions, practice good and great coach. psychology of language when working plans, small-sided We were delighted to be able to USDWNT, Kate Ward, gives us an with girls, information for England- games, warm-ups, speak with Amy Griffin. A former insight into the world of a deaf coach based coaches on how the Football training tips and goalkeeper who has previously working in the mainstream game with Association is working to support their advice. The resources worked with the likes of Hope Solo, the University of Texas El Paso, while development within the female game are created for the Amy is now executive director at OL we are also pleased to share an article and plenty more besides. grassroots youth coach Reign and head coach of the US Deaf from Katie Smith, who works with a following best practice Women’s National Team (USDWNT). blind soccer team in Ohio. Take care and stay safe, from around the world She shares her fascinating perspective Even if you don’t work in these and insights from the with Steph Fairbairn. specific fields, Amy, Kate and Katie professional game. One of Amy’s players on the offer some really great ideas and Hannah Head coach/editor Hannah Duncan THIS MONTH’S CONTRIBUTORS CONTENTS editor@ womenssoccercoaching.com Production editor Hannah Duncan (head coach): Hannah holds a UEFA B licence 3 LESSONS AT THE DRIVING SCHOOL Andrew Raeburn and FA Youth Award, and coaches in the Youth Development Phase at Develop confidence on the ball in this an FA Women’s National League club. She has taken a representative foundation practice. By Megan Abbott. Writers & contributors Megan Abbott, Steph team to the Gothia Cup, the world’s largest youth tournament, and 4 FA'S CONCERTED DRIVE TO Fairbairn, Carol Fogarty, plays for Whyteleafe in step 5 of the English women's pyramid. RECRUIT MORE FEMALE COACHES Alison Foley, Amy Griffin, Three of those leading the hunt explain. Katie Smith, Paul Wandless, A coach originally from Newcastle-upon-Tyne, in Kate Ward. Steph Fairbairn: north-east England, but now working in London. She is Level 1 qualified 6 MOVEMENT OFF THE BALL Illustrations Three-part session plan to develop Steve Thorp - Artlife and is head coach at Dalmain Athletic Girls FC, where she manages (www.artlife-designs.com), the Under-13s league team and coaches girls aged between 6 and 16. players' awareness. By Paul Wandless. Sutrimo REPUTATION IN COMMUNICATION Paul Wandless: Paul is Under-17 women's head coach at Egersund 9 Pictures Cover star Amy Griffin tells WSC's Steph IK in Norway. He moved into women's football in 2021 following four Reuters, Dave Burt Fairbairn how she gets messages across. Photography, OL Reign, seasons coaching in the men's game in Norway’s sixth tier, as manager Crawley Wasps FC, Ollie Chamberlain, Escolla Futsal, of Bjerkreim IL. 12 FIVE WAYS TO ENCOURAGE Carol Fogarty, Alison GOOD COMMUNICATION Foley, Amy Griffin, Sharon Megan Abbott: 18-year-old Megan is an FA level 1 coach, aspiring to Strategic games and developing leaders - Muxworthy, Katie Smith, Kate go as far as she can in the game. She has four years of coaching experi- Ward, Phoebe Webb. tips on how to turn up players' volume. ence, including FA Weetabix Wildcats, Under-7s coaching and soccer Customer Services schools. She currently plays for Aylesford Ladies. [email protected] 13 COMMUNICATION IN BLIND SOCCER Coach Katie Smith explains how crucial Managing Director Katie Smith: Katie runs blind sport programs in Columbus, Ohio. She clear messaging is when players can't see. Kevin Barrow began coaching blind soccer in 2018 at a camp organized by the United Women’s Soccer Coaching States Association of Blind Athletes before launching her own program. 14 'I CHOSE THE RIGHT WAY TO is published by Green Star Katie also runs a youth program through Ohio State School for the Blind. Media Ltd, MBX124, 19 MAKE AN IMPACT' Moorfield Road, Guildford, Deaf player Kate Ward on how coaching Surrey, GU1 1RU, UK. (c) Green Kate Ward: Assistant coach of the University of Texas El Paso women’s has inspired her and changed her life. Star Media Ltd. All rights soccer team and current captain of the US Deaf Women’s National Team. reserved. Among her off-field roles, she is chair of the United Soccer Coaches Dis- 16 'MAN UP, YOU PLAY LIKE A GIRL' SUBSCRIPTIONS ability Allies Advocacy Group, vice-president of USA Deaf Soccer board. In coaching, it's not just what you say but Please click here or see page 20. how you say it, says Carol Fogarty. Carol Fogarty: Carol has 15 years’ experience as a professional executive and team coach in business and industry in the UK. She is a SOCIAL MEDIA 18 TEENAGE STICKS Level 1 football coach and a Level 2 in volleyball, following a 30-year @soccercoaching Alison Foley discusses how we can try to playing career in the Women’s National Volleyball League in the UK. /womenssoccercoaching retain more of our younger players. WomensSoccerCoaching.com Issue 007 WOMEN’S SOCCER COACHING 2 FUN PRACTICE BALL MASTERY Lessons at the driving school Develop confidence on the ball in this foundation practice. By MEGAN ABBOTT Set up a playing area relative Place a number of large cones to the age and ability of your within the area. Each player players. needs a ball. Further instructions can be added to increase the challenge such as ‘amber light’ (turn), petrol Players dribble around the area when station (complete 10 toe-taps at a the coach says ‘green light’ and stop cone) and ‘swap cars’ (swap a ball the ball on the call of ‘red light’. with someone else). foot on the ball and ‘Green light’: Dribble. example, “When we are in a smaller space WHY USE IT When players are comfortable with this, you with lots of players around us, do we need This is a great ball-mastery practice for can add in more challenging instructions: big or little touches?” or “Who can show me players to develop confidence in having the ‘Amber light’: Do a drag-back turn. how to do a drag-back turn?”. ball at their feet, as well as incorporating the Try to encourage players to look up while ‘Windscreen wipers’: Pass the ball from side ABCs (agility, balance, co-ordination and dribbling, as well as keeping the ball close to to side with inside of feet. speed). The bumper cars round can also help their feet when space is tight, and bigger players interact with each other while having ‘Petrol station’: Every player must dribble touches when there is space in front of them fun. their ball to a dome cone and do 10 toe-taps to drive into. to refuel. SET-UP ‘Swap cars’: Leave the ball where it is, find ADAPTATIONS another and carry on dribbling. Set-up a playing area relative to the age and Challenge the players by making the area ability of your players. Each player needs a You can progress the session further by smaller to encourage closer control, or ball and the area should have a number of adding in a bumper cars round. Now, all the incorporate new skills, such as a more cones (large dome cones if possible) dotted cars magically transform into bumper cars. challenging turn for an amber light, like a around randomly. To score a point, players must bump Cruyff turn or inside cut. footballs with another player. Make the session easier by starting without a HOW TO DO IT ball. Players can perform star jumps for Players start in the area with a ball (‘car’) at TECHNIQUE petrol station and high knees instead of their feet – and they are going to learn to As you introduce players to new skills, ask toe-taps. You can then progress to having a drive! Players follow instructions from the them questions to keep them engaged, so ball involved but with the simple instructions coach, starting with: ‘Red light’: Stop with they remember what techniques to use.