The ESS Way

The ESS Way 

Overview

Our focus is to support all players within East Select Soccer to develop them into high quality soccer players, while also providing players with qualities that will enable them to become successful in all walks of life.

ESS Development stages:

 Introduction (U9/U11) 

Learning Fundamentals  (U11/U12)

 Roles, positions and tasks of the team (U13-U14) 

Specific qualities for positions to maximize their contributions to the team (U15+).

Our coaches will support each player’s needs while also helping develop them in different areas of the game.

Technical: 

Our coaches will build the technical foundations of the East Select Soccer player starting from U9 through the use of one on one development with the ball, pool play practices, and direct instruction. 

Values:  EAST

Enthusiasm

We believe that each player, coach, and parent should come with an attitude that expresses interest, joy and eagerness to learn

Accountability

We believe that each player, coach and parent should hold themselves to the mission and values of the club. They should demonstrate these values in all parts of the community.

Sportsmanship

We believe that each player, coach, and parent should follow the golden rule of treating others the way you want to be treated. Coaches and parents should be the leading example of respect on and off the field. 

Teamwork

We believe that each player, coach and parent should work together as a team to achieve the mission as a club to develop each player to become the best soccer player they can be while gaining the skills to be successful in all walks of life.

4-8 years

• Sessions to create understanding of the game of football in a fun environment.

• Balance and coordination work.

• Multi area touches and skills

• Sessions to create understanding of the game of soccer in a fun environment

• Concentration of technique work with both feet

9-12 Years

• Speed/agility/balance and coordination

• Skills to beat opponents/attacking flair

• Receiving skills and movement to create time on the ball

• Introduction of position specific roles and responsibilities

• Reinforcement of wear foot passing/receiving/shooting

12-18 years

• Mental/physiological side of the game-as an individual and as a team

• Individual training programmes to succeed

• Match and Tournament preparation

• Leadership skills-gaining experience and qualifications in the laws and teaching of organization of the game.

The ESS Player

Role of the Goalkeeper (1)

• Strong shot stopping

• Demonstrate bravery and clear communication

• POsitional awareness (in relation to the ball)

• Decision making (When to play short/long)

• Be comfortable with the ball at their feet

• Concentration 

Role of the Full Backs (2 & 3)

• Strong in the tackle

• Effective defender 1 vs 1, 2 vs 2

• Speed (short and long distances)

• Ability to get up and down the pitch

• Knowledge of correct covering distances

• Able to get forward and support

• Effective delivery in the final third

Role of the Center Backs (4 & 5)

• Capable defender 1 vs 1, 2 vs 2

• Comfortable on the ball

• Range of passing

• Positional and tactical awareness

• Speed (short, medium and distances)

• Ariel threat

• Effective communicator and leader

Role of the midfielders (6 & 8)

• Can get forward and score goals

• Able to win the ball back

• High, consistent work rate

• Can receive on half turn and switch play

• Good awareness in and out of possession

• Clever on the ball and able to create

Role of the Midfielder (10)

• Clever and creates opportunities

• Can find positions in between opposition lines

• Long and short range finishing

• Comfortable in possession and able to beat players

• Links up play from midfield to center forwards

• Execute forward passes in behind opposition

Role of the center forwards (9)

• Able to score goals (variety of methods)

• Can run with the ball and beat players

• Speed (short, medium and distances)

• Quality passing and control

• Good work rate

• Hold up the ball and bring others into attack

• Intelligent movement

Role of the wide Midfielders (7 & 11)

• Can run with the ball and beat players 1 vs 1

• Speed and good acceleration

• Can create and score goals

• Understanding of the role (width, and when to play narrow)

The 5 C’s

Confidence

Describes a players self-belief in their skills and ability to achieve goals.

A confident player:

-wants the ball when the team is losing or underpressure 

-maintains positive body language at all times 

-Displays inventive or creative play, rather than playing cautiously

-Is opportunity focused and uses positive self talk to lead themselves forward through set backs and challenges 

Commitment:

Describes how motivated a player is

A committed player:

-Consistently gives high effort in training and matches

-Feels a sense of achievement from learning new skills and mastering tasks

-Believes that practice and hard work leads to improvement

-Takes on difficult challenges

-Is not afraid to make mistakes

Control:

Can describe how well a player can control and manage their emotions

A player with excellent control:

-Feels engaged with energy yet composed before game

-Keeps calm under pressure and helps to keep teammates focused

-Recovering quickly from mistakes or setbacks in the game, by putting energy into the next important task

-Does not dwell on disappointing performance 

Concentration:

Describes a players ability to focus their attention on the right thing at the right time

A player with excellent concentration:

-Is not easily distracted from their identified roles on the pitch, and never lets complacency set in

-Stays focused on what is relevant to their position

-Is aware of movements of teammates and use of space

-Refocuses with their head up after mistakes, goals and setbacks

Communications:

Describes how effectively a players listens, acknowledges and talks to coaches and teammates (verbally and non verbally)

A player with excellent communication:

-Encourages, motivates and composes team mates

-Listens to coaches and teammates instructions

-Shows respectful body language to coach, teammates and officials