For those who don't know me, my name is Simon Perkins and I am the Technical Director for the Helena Arsenal Soccer Club. I have reorganized this site in an attempt to provide you with an online library of useful training exercises and games from insidesoccer.com (in case you are unfamiliar with the website, insidesoccer.com is an incredible, vast online resource that presents 3-5 minute video clips of coaches from the top professional clubs around the world working with their youth teams on specific tactical and technical elements of the game). Many Arsenal coaches seemed to enjoy and utilize the videos and the commentary that I share via weekly emails. So I have taken all the insidesoccer videos from previous emails and categorized them by themes that are easy to navigate.
Please note, insidesoccer has become so popular recently that they now charge a subscription to use their website. To take advantage of all of their helpful coaching resources, you can buy the "Bootroom Subscription," or if you want to save some money, choose the "Coach Subscription" (only $7.95 a month and gives you access to all of the coaching videos). To browse subscription options, go to https://www.insidesoccer.com/is-web/subscription.
The idea is for you to use this website as a place to borrow and explore ideas in order to create a productive and enjoyable practice plan for your players. Within the last year, insidesoccer has added many, many new videos, all comprised of great content. The best thing you can do as a coach is take the time to browse their website using their search engine that allows you to refine searches based on specific tactical and technical themes. You will find a ton of great stuff. But if you find the site a little overwhelming, please use this blog as a tool to help you become comfortable with the insidesoccer experience. Use the categories on the right to browse a brief list of examples demonstrating different exercises you can run with your team.
Once practices begin, I will continue to send out emails introducing new insidesoccer videos or possibly revisiting old clips that I think are highly beneficial (all new material will be added to this site in a "new videos" section before being appropriately categorized).
Please keep several things in mind while viewing the insidesoccer videos on this site. Remember that the kids you are watching are the top players in the world for their age, and therefore you need to adjust your expectations, and possibly certain formats of the exercises, accordingly. As coaches, your aim should be to focus on the technical and tactical ideas that are illustrated in the videos and observe how these professional coaches use specific exercises and games to teach these concepts. I have included my own notes with each video link that should help demonstrate how best to mimic or adapt these exercises with our Helena Arsenal teams. But keep in mind that each of these exercises and games can be progressed and stretched in many ways, allowing them to be beneficial and interesting to younger kids all the way up to very experienced players (college and professional teams often practice elementary concepts in advanced ways in order to reinforce proper technique and habits).
Also, watch and observe the coaches in the videos in terms of their coaching methods and behavior. The bottom line is that we as coaches are trying to create a positive learning environment for our players--one that is supportive in promoting proper technical and tactical concepts, as well as allowing players to explore the game and learn for themselves within the flow of play. It is easy to fall into the habit of "over-coaching" during a practice, but try to be tactful and timely with your interjections (don't stop play too often) and give the players an appropriate amount of feedback (don't overload them with things they need to correct, but rather pick the one or two ideas that are most important).
Thanks and please don't hesitate to contact me with any questions, comments, ideas or feedback. I really enjoy interacting and connecting with all the teams, coaches and players and I hope to be helpful in any way you see fit. I can be reached through email at simonrperkins@gmail.com or on my mobile (802 598 5256) or home (422 5750). I look forward to spending time with all of you on the pitch.
Simon
