Sub Sections
Coaching & Development
Seaforth FC Grading Info
Seaforth F.C. Player Assessment and Selections
At Seaforth F.C. we are continually planning for and considering ways of improving the manner in which we evaluate our players for selection into teams and divisions.
With a responsibility to place approximately 350 players (plus the addition of grading the ever-growing Ladies Divisions for the first time) into teams and divisions each year, a considerable commitment is made by our club to promote fairness, consistency and transparency in the selection process. As you can imagine, an enormous amount of time, planning and effort is put into this process by the player assessment committee, and as per every other facet of the Seaforth F.C., it is all voluntary. If you do have a query following your child's assessment, please try and bear the following information in mind. To assist with any questions that you may have, attached is a brief outline of the methods and processes used to select our players in the junior teams (U9 to U16). See attachment for additional information pertaining to U9 age group.
Eligibility
Any player wishing to attend selection trials must be registered with Seaforth F.C. for the 2009 season. Due to insurance purposes, there will be no exceptions made.
Player Assessments
Towards the end of each season, we distribute Player Assessment sheets to all our U8 to U16 coaches asking for an appraisal of the players' performance during that season. These assessments appraise and define a broad range of each player's skills and are expressed against the grade they are playing at the time. This is obviously different for U8 players, as they are not graded until U9.
Prior to the selection trials each year, U9 and U10 (2004)* assessments are considered and summarised. Based on the above, and factors such as the age, division and level previously played, groups of players of compatible ability and development (where possible) are formed for the selection trials. Subject to age, groupings for the trials generally range from between 30 to 40 players. These players are then placed in 4 to 6 groups. These groups in no way reflect or guarantee a player's selection in a certain team.. Each group is then drawn to play against groups of a similar standard at the selection trials.
*Please note U11 to U16 (2004) usually have less numbers for us to appraise and consequently groups are made up as evenly as possible in order to make them competitive.
Selection Trials
Our club's selection trials are generally held the week after the bulk of registrations is completed, usually in early February each year. At the selection trials, new players to our club are evaluated by placing them, with groups of players of similar experience and ability. An age group selection panel then considers a player's performance at the selections trials.
Age Group Selection Trials
Prior to selection trials, individual age group selection panels are formed. These panels are formed based on nominations that we receive from interested persons. Each panel generally comprises of the Coaching Director and age group selectors. These selectors mostly comprise of committee persons and coaches who have a background and experience in that age group. In addition to age group selectors, Seaforth F.C.'s player selection committee has two level 2 and two level 1 qualified coaches.
In the interest of obtaining a broad overview of players' standards in a specific age group, selectors will be able to assess all players of that age group over the course of the selection trials and if possible the preceding season.
At the conclusion of the trials, the player assessment committee then place players into draft teams.
Following confirmation of all registrations and the total number of players in each age group, final team compositions and a recommended division are determined. These teams and the division requested are then submitted for the approval of the Manly Warringah Soccer Association (MWSA).
The final decision with respect to the division of a team e.g. Division 1,2 or 3 etc. is made by the MWSA.
Queries
Like any other club or sport we naturally receive queries from parents and players in relation to team selections and grading. In order to provide an open selection process, we are always willing to hear from senior players, who are available to help with the selection process at our club. If a player is keen to be involved in the player assessment process, they must be prepared to make themselves available for all time slots pertaining to the age group they would like to assist with.
If you have any questions, require further information or are keen to assist, please feel free to contact Sharon Egger on 0421 475 840.
Information pertaining to U9 (U8 2003) player assessments & selection trials.
As mentioned previously, up until the age of U9 players are not graded, they generally start playing at the age of 6 and continue with that same team until the end of the U8 season. We quite often get queries from parents who question why grading and player assessments have to occur so young as they feel that their child is not ready or doesn't want to play in a more competitive environment. They would also like their child to continue playing with the friends they have played with for the last 3 years. These comments are very valid, and we acknowledge them, however, there are other factors that have to be taken into account.
The first is that whether we at Seaforth F.C. want to grade our players or not is not up to us, it is a decision made by the MWSA. Although fully graded the U9 age players do not know whether they are playing in Division 1,2 or 10, therefore the Divisions in U9 are entitled red, blue and yellow/green. No emphasis is put on divisions i.e. no competition tables are kept and no point scores or results are recorded by the MWSA. At the end of the season there are no finals or winners - the season culminates in a Gala Day held at Cromer Park.
By the time players get to the end of the U8 season, in most teams, it is possible to see that some players are developing faster than others and some players are struggling to keep up with their team mates. By placing players with others that are of a similar standard, we ensure that players do not stand out as either more or less advanced, and hence help prevent players lose interest or experience a loss of self confidence and possible low self esteem.
We quite often get requests from parents who tell us that their child wants to play with their best friend and visa versa. The problem arises when two best friends are a very different standard and to grade the lower player up is unfair on them as well as the remainder of the team. In our experience, whilst it may appear difficult to 'start all over again', it can be a very positive experience in that your child will be playing with players the same standard as them, and be playing against players of a similar standard. Not to mention the new friends that are made, some of which become life-long.
Special requests
Unlike the U6-U8 teams it is very difficult to comply with requests for a player to be placed in a specific team or with certain other players. However, Seaforth F.C. does wish to help wherever possible and, for example, if we have say an U10 Division 6 and an U10 Division 7 it can sometimes be possible for players in those teams to be placed together in one team or the other.
It is not possible for two players to play together in Division 1 if one of the players is not of the Division 1 standard. Please note that we have a duty to the M.W.S.A. to position players and teams according to ability in order to make all divisions competitive.
In the U9 age group, the players move up to play on a ¾ size field and there are 9 players on the field as opposed to 6 players in the sub juniors (U6-U8). Generally there are 11-12 players allocated to each team. The change in team numbers also dictates teams from U8s have to be changed. Due to the size of our club, we generally have 2 teams allocated to the red division, 2 teams in the blue division, and the remainder of the teams in the yellow/green divisions.
Goalkeeping
Goalkeeping trials will also be held for those who specifically wish to trial solely for that position.
The above information is available in Microsoft 'Word' format for download.
- to download, 'right click' on the file & choose 'Save target as...'
Seaforth Grading Info (Microsoft Word file, 28.5kb)
Sharon Egger
Coaching Director
Seaforth FC
Coaching Courses
NB: Courses for 2009 season are yet to be posted
Website links for Beginner Coaches and Officials
Every year, many people (parents in particular) find themselves appointed to the position of coach or official of a sporting team - often by default as there was no one else who would volunteer to do it.
To assist new coaches and officials in their role, the Australian Sports Commission, in conjunction with State Departments of Sport and Recreation, have developed a series of new web pages - Tools and Tips for New Coaches and Officials. Go to www.ausport.gov.au or click on the icon below:
The Tools and Tips for New Coaches and Officials web pages contain practical information and tools aimed at the beginner coach and official.
The web pages have been designed so that the coach or official can download and print the various documents to take away and use in their coaching or officiating role.
There is also information for clubs on ways that they can recruit and retain coaches and officials.
The web pages contain the following information:
:: 'Survival pack': information for new coaches - information on planning, managing groups, working with parents and managing children's behaviour, and more
:: 'Survival pack': information for new officials - information on officiating for the first time, safety, managing conflict when officiating, and more.
:: Templates for coaches: session plan template, player attendance and medical history forms, injury record form, and more
:: Templates for officials: incident report form, season planner, and more
:: Activity cards: game cards suitable for a range of sports.
:: Information for clubs: on recruiting and retaining coaches and officials
:: Further information: including articles and web links
So get on the web today, and help yourself to be a better coach or official!
Coaching Library
VIDEOS | BOOKS | DOWNLOADS | CD ROM | DVD
For more information please contact Sharon on 0421 475 840 or eggergj@bigpond.net.au
Hot Soccer – Soccer basics for young players with Graham Arnold. Graham Arnold coaches a group of young players – boys and girls – on the essential elements of junior soccer. From the basics of kicking, Graham then coaches his team on passing, dribbling, heading, tackling, throw-ins and other essentials of the world game. Well known goalkeeper Paul Henderson also features. Very appropriate for coaches just starting out with young age groups.
Coerver – ‘PLAY LIKE A SOCCER LEGEND´ – Is an excellent video for the Level 1 coach wanting some simple exercises to give players for ages 6 and up focusing on basic skills. Recommended by Soccer NSW, Soccer Australia and FIFA.
Coerver – ‘THE CREATIVE DRIBBLER´ – A step up from ‘Play like a soccer legend´, this video is more appropriate for 10 yr olds and up. This video builds on basic skills, hence the name Creative Dribbler. Recommended by Soccer NSW, Soccer Australia and FIFA
Coerver – ‘A NEW ERA´ – Coerver is widely regarded as the number one soccer skills teaching programme for young players. This video is number one in the ‘Master Class Series´ of Coerver videos. Introducing the Coerver Coaching Pyramid of player development. Applicable for players of all ages and abilities. Recommended by Soccer NSW, Soccer Australia and FIFA
Success in Soccer VOL 1 – Fun and Games, Basic training ages 6-10. Contents – improve ball skills, agility and coordination through games and exercises, applying training techniques to game situations, small sided games, 4v4 & 7v7 matches. Distributed by Soccer Australia . Made in Germany in conjunction with the German Soccer Association.
Success in Soccer VOL 2 – Fun and Games, Basic Training Ages 6-10. The sequel to VOL 1. This video provides concrete tips and advice on how to build a training program. Contents – interesting variations on how to start a training session, small sided games, alternating playing and practicing, examples for station training. Distributed by Soccer Australia . Made in Germany in conjunction with the German Soccer Association.
Success in Soccer VOL 3 – Advanced Technique Training Ages 11-14. Provides a comprehensive overview of coaching and competition for 11 – 14 yr olds. Coaches learn how to put together motivational and age-appropriate practice sessions from the basic ‘Building Blocks´ as well as how to demonstrate and make appropriate corrections. Also included are tips on organising your practice sessions. Contents – guidelines for coaching 11 – 14 yr olds, ball coordination training, individual training in soccer basics : dribbling, combination play, ball control, 1 v 1 attack and defense tactics, shooting variations, technical – tactical exercises for small groups and much more. Distributed by Soccer Australia . Made in Germany in conjunction with the German Soccer Association.
Success in Soccer VOL 4 – Advanced Technique Training Ages 11-14. Continuing on from Vol 3, contents – more ball coordination exercises, improving dribbling and combination play, heading, teaching fakes, playing at match speed, exercises for flexibility and strengthening, tips on building age-appropriate practice sessions. Distributed by Soccer Australia . Made in Germany in conjunction with the German Soccer Association.
Ready Set Goal! - Darcy Purac.
Former top flight European professional Darcy Purac is renowned in
Australia as a soccer wizard from top to toe. His amazing balance, ball
control and all-round brilliance is a joy to behold for all lovers of
soccer. In this instructional video, Darcy reveals the secrets behind
his fabulous array of skills and passes on hints that cannot be learned
from any coaching manual. Improve your juggling, passing, dribbling and
shooting skills by watching this tape which contains slow motion replays
and eye-catching graphics.
Coaching Junior Soccer – Denis Ford. ‘Coaching Junior Soccer´ is a valuable guide book for coaches of young children´s soccer teams, particularly those who have little or no knowledge of the game. Denis Ford is an experienced, well – known coach of coaches and his concise comprehensive book makes the game easy for newcomers to grasp. Packed with practical, jargon-free information, it contains chapters devoted to basic soccer skills such as dribbling, passing and shooting for the goal and how best to develop these skills in young children.
Developing Youth Soccer Players – Horst Wein. ‘Developing Youth Soccer Players´ is a clearly written, colourfully illustrated resource filled with useful guidance on age-appropriate coaching. The author provides tailor-made training and competition programs for the physical and mental maturity levels of players aged 7 – 14. These programs centre on simplified games and corrective teaching methods. This book perfectly illustrates how to introduce young players into soccer whilst keeping it fun. Distributed by Soccer Australia .
So, you want to be a coach - Les Murray and Richard Alagich. ‘If you are a beginner coach and you're coaching a squad of young people for your local community club or even a school teacher, this book will be invaluable. This book contains 12 basic structured coaching sessions, 3 phases of development tailored for each age group from 5 to 17 years, contains 24 technical-tactical drills, 12 shooting exercise, 12 conditioned tactical games, 16 helpful tactical games, 11 basic goalkeeping techniques and 118 photographs, contains history of the game, laws of the game, coaching equipment and first aid.
Soccer - winning through planning and testing - Richard Alagich. ‘Over many years, Richard Alagich has analysed the major technical and tactical elements of soccer and has refined a structured program of development for young people. This book has been written to meet the needs of youth coaches, be they professional or amateur, in the early identification and specialisation of players.
Soccer - winning through technique and tactics - Richard Alagich. ‘Over many years, Richard Alagich has analysed the major technical and tactical elements of soccer and has refined a structured program of development for young people. He presents it here in a six stage series of lessons, tailored to suit the needs of kids from 5 to 17 years. Forward by JS Blatter, General Secretary of FIFA.
Success in Soccer – VOL 2 Advanced Training Ages 14-18. Techniques and tactics for developing the serious player. Coaches of 14-18 yr olds and amateur adults will find all the information they need for their day to day coaching in this book. With practice games and exercises that are up to date, motivational and appropriate for a range of playing levels, this book shows how you can make your players physically stronger, tactically more versatile and technically perfect. Published by the German Soccer Association, recommended by FIFA and distributed by Soccer Australia.
Soccer Coaching for Juniors -This CD-Rom is the perfect resource for soccer coaches who wish to improve the game of their junior players. On the CD - Over 90 videos; over 100 animated diagrams; create, print and save your own player formations; over 180 printable pages of text explaining skills, drills and games; run your own 4x4 soccer tournaments; learn about player positions and team formations; laws of the game explained with easy to follow animations and diagrams.
Minimum System Specifications:
- Pentium 400 MHZ processor with MMZ or equivalent
- 128 MB RAM
- 16 bit sound card
- 8MB Video card
- 16x CD-Rom drive
- Microsoft Windows 95 or later
Sigi Schmid's Offensive Soccer Tactics - Success in today’s game requires a capable and consistent offense. Players need to know their roles and have the skill to capitalize when opportunities arise. In this DVD, one of the sport's top coaches reveals the key offensive concepts that all winning teams must have to maintain possession and score. Through live action demonstrations, small-sided games and position specific and team drills, Schmid covers offensive tactics like no other. Simply stated, it is all here... precision passing, combination play, finishing, masterful restart plays, and more.
Sigi Schmid's Defensive Soccer Tactics - Defense It is the cornerstone of soccer success. Players need to know their roles, organise quickly, work as a unit, and make snap decisions to shut down the opponent. In this DVD, one of the sport's top coaches reveals the key defensive concepts that all winning teams must have to stop an attack, win possession, and begin the counterattack. It is all here... zone defenses, pressure tactics, positional play, strategies to neutralize free kicks and corners and more.
Tip Top Coaching Rooball with Frank Farina - Covers all the basic elements of coaching grass roots football: U6 to U8. Lots of simple handy hints for the first time coach.
Tip Top Coaching U9-U12's with Frank Farina - Covers all the basic elements of coaching U9-U12 year olds. Lots of simple handy hints for the first time coach.
In this area you will find miscellaneous files, all to do with football!
A brief explanation appears under each file.
*NB: some files can be quite large & take some time to download.
To download, 'right click' on the file & choose 'Save target as...'
The Switch
(video - football trick - latest from Sean D'Arcy)
wmv file, 1.62mb
Courtesy of www.footballtricks.com
KickBack
(video - football trick - latest from Sean D'Arcy)
wmv file, 1.56mb
Courtesy of www.footballtricks.com
*Note: Seaforth FC is NOT responsible for content of external websites.
Please advise of any broken links, so they can be altered or removed.
Australian Sports Commission website
www.footballtricks.com - Sean D'Arcy: juggling tips & tricks website
www.soccercoaching.net - free trial
www.worldclasscoaching.com
Handy Web Sites
www.reedswain.com.au
- Australian company specialising in coaching DVDs, books & coaching software.
www.successinsoccer.com
- where you will find a variety of information to supplement the Success in Soccer magazine
www.coachingaus.org
- a general coaching website with great links to other sports
www.theworldgame.com.au
- the SBS website providing up-to-date news from around the world with great links to the world game's major leagues
www.TheFA.com
- the English Football Association Coaches Association website
www.fitnessnetwork.com.au
- the Australian Fitness Network website detailing the latest fitness industry trends
www.saqaustralia.com
- where you will find information about SAQ accreditation awards and training products
www.mindandsport.com
- this site offers a mix of articles, links and interviews dealing with sport psychology
www.mindtools.com
- this site offers a number of short practical articles on motivation, concentration, self-confidence and imagery
www.education.ed.ac.uk
- this site offers papers containing the latest findings of many leading sports science researchers
www.ais.org.au
- this site offers some insight into the strength and conditioning approach of the AIS
www.ais.org.au/nutrition
- this site provides a wealth of information on nutrition and hot links to other sports nutrition sites
www.strengthcoach.com
- an interesting site with feature articles and research summaries on fitness and strength training
www.athleticsearch.com
- this site provide full text articles coving areas such as strength training, nutrition and coaching
www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/sportsinjuries
- this site provides a range of sports-injury topics
www.smartplay.net
- this site provides information on sports injuries, prevention and statistics
www.news.bbc.co.uk
- BBC Sport