Talking points from the Newfoundland Labrador Soccer Associations Grassroots Workshop a few years back.

1. Coaching With
Small-Sided games
Larry Paul
Four Stages of Learning
Prepared for the Newfoundland Labrador Soccer
1
Association

2. Coaching With
Small-Sided games
Introduction
When using
small-sided
games think of
four different
stages of
learning.
2

3. Coaching With
Small-Sided games
Introduction
Each stage
offers different
challenges and
opportunities.
Players will
move through
these stages at
different speeds.
3

4. Stage One
Orientation
Learn the Game by Playing the Game
The first stage is the
orientation or warm
up.
Take as little time as
possible to get the
game going.
No lectures.
4

5. Stage One
Orientation
Learn the Game by Playing the Game
What do you need
to know to start a
game?
1. Teams.
2. The field.
3. The goals.
4. Any special
rules. 5

6. Stage One
Orientation
Learn the Game by Playing the Game
Now, let them go
and observe how
they interact.
With the game
and each other.
Don’t “coach” the
players.
Instead “coach” the
game.
6

7. Stage One
Orientation
Learn the Game by Playing the Game
The bottom line
is, you can’t fix
the player’s if
they are playing
in a broken form.
Fix the game, then
fix the players.
7

8. Stage One
Orientation
Learn the Game by Playing the Game
Coach the field.
The Goldielocks
rule.
This field is too
big.
This field is too
small.
This field is just
right.
8

9. Stage One
Orientation
Learn the Game by Playing the Game
It’s only on a “just
right” field that
the game is going
to work.
Experience will
teach you what
size is best.
9

10. Stage One
Orientation
Learn the Game by Playing the Game
Bigger fields
benefit attackers
and make for
slower games.
Smaller fields
benefit defenders
and and make for
faster games.
10

11. Stage One
Orientation
Learn the Game by Playing the Game
Coach the goals.
Change the size.
Change the number.
Change the position.
Change the type.
11

12. Stage One
Orientation
Learn the Game by Playing the Game
Coach the teams.
Evaluate the
balance.
Are they set up for
what you want?
12

13. Stage One
Orientation
Learn the Game by Playing the Game
Coach the rules.
How are they
affecting the
lesson?
Do they add or
distract?
Change the
resistance.
13

14. Stage Two
Structure
Insight and Communication
Look for the
biggest problem
inside the game.
Focus on the team
that’s struggling.
By comparison,
their opponents
are doing well.
14

15. Stage Two
Structure
Insight and Communication
Do the player’s
understand the
objective of the
game?
Do they have a
plan?
Are they working
together?
15

16. Stage Two
Structure
Insight and Communication
After you address
their biggest
problem see if it
changes the
balance of power.
16

17. Stage Three
Refine, Increase Resistance
Technique and Speed of Play
Fine tune an
already well played
game.
Increase the level
of difficulty and
demands.
Introduce new
problems and
solutions.
17

18. Stage Four
Answers Have Been Internalized
A Permanent Change in Behavior
The player’s response to
the problem has been
internalized.
The solution is transferred
to different games.
“Learning is a permanent
change in behavior.”
18

19. The End
Thank you.
19