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My Experience at the NSCAA Premier Course |
by Paul Kabacinski, Director, SoccerPlus
 FT.
LAUDERDALE, FL – If anyone ever wanted a crash course in
advanced level coaching, the Premier Coaching Diploma from the
National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) is the
course for you. Never before have I been so mentally and
physically drained after a week of soccer. The NSCAA annually
offers the National, Advanced National and Premier coaching
diplomas in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, along with other locations
across the states and world. The facility offers great fields,
food, service, and most importantly top level instructors from
all over the globe.
I had to privilege of learning a variety of systems of play from
some of America’s best teachers. FC Dallas Head Coach, Schellas
Hyndman, started off the week teaching us the FC Dallas 4-4-2.
Hyndman treated us as one of his players. He clearly explained
our roles as player as he layered in his formation from the
backs forward. With the one exception of course, having leniency
for our lack of technical proficiency compared to the MLS
players. Hyndman was very strong on training for the worst and
hoping for the best throughout his lecture and field session.
Training different situations prior to matches is key: tactical
changes, down a man, set pieces, etc…
Barry Gorman, Penn State’s Men’s head coach, followed with a
crash course in the 3-5-2; strengths, weakness, and player
tendencies in development. Gorman also stepped away from
traditionally dividing the field of play into thirds. Instead he
divided his field into fourths.
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Gorman used comedy, video clips and quotes to get his points
across. His teaching style was definitely unique. Among the vast
number of quotes from successful coaches and players of
different sports, there was one that has stuck with me, “The
hardest pass to hit is the easiest one. The hardest player to
hit is the open one. The game is the greatest teacher, why over
complicate it?” – Barry Gorman
SoccerPlus CEO and World Cup winner, Tony DiCicco taught his
famous 4-3-3 and gave first hand information about what went
into creating and developing the 2008 US Women’s U20 World Cup
Championship team and their climb towards success. DiCicco also
went into explaining how he develops his own youth teams in the
4-3-3. “The 1-4-3-3 is a system that develops players. It is an
open system that does not easily allow for “play-not-to-lose”
soccer. The 4-3-3 is a system in which players all over the
field have to be able to possess the ball, make decisions based
on tactical cues, perfect 1v1 defending, defend with even
numbers or number down, send players forward into the attack and
require players to play multiple positions.” -Tony DiCicco
David Gregson, Embry-Riddle Men’s head coach, wrapped up the
systems with 3-4-3. Though Gregson personally runs the 3-4-3
system at his institutions, we were privileged to learn it the
UNC Tarheel’s way. Anson Dorrance shared video clips of 3-4-3
ran successfully. Gregson also went into depth with team
management. Management can be summed up with the 6 P’s: Prior
Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance. Though he was talking
about match preparations, it can be applied to everyday
activities as well.
The NSCAA did a great job in explaining the differences between
systems and styles of play without preaching that one is better
than another. One controversial question thrown into group
discussion was; who decides the system, the players or the
coach, or both? They were receptive to personal opinions and
forced us all to think way outside the box. My evaluating
instructor, Paul Marco, Binghamton University Men’s head coach,
wrapped it up well during my 1v1 examination. He imposed a
scenario of my 4-3-3 team verse his 3-5-2, who wins? After
blurting out every possible situation and how my team would
adjust to his attacking strengths and over powering his
defensive weakness, he simply said, “NO! The team with the
better players wins. It’s not the system you run that wins the
games; it’s the players within the system and their abilities
that win the game. Once that game starts your system does not
exist.”
Though these courses are great for learning new concepts, ideas,
and tactics, it is also a great networking tool for coaches.
This year there were roughly 250 coaches participating in the
three programs, included coaches from professional, amateur,
college, high school, youth and soccer enthusiasts. Where else
are you going to find such a mix of coaches in one location, all
seeking the same thing? How can I be better in order to make my
players better? Even the most experienced coaches, who have
spent the most time in the game, pick up something new. It may
be player psychology, training sessions, organizations,
management, match analysis, communication skills or something
else, but you will leave the week better then you started it.
I highly recommend this course to anyone who is serious about
their coaching profession and looking for a reality check into
how much they really know. Despite how extremely mentally and
physically draining it was, I would go back and do it again in a
heartbeat. |
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