NSCAA Convention

January every year brings the National Soccer Coaches convention.  It is a time to meet with other professionals, view new products, and attend educational sessions. This year the convention returned again to Philadelphia.

Some highlights from sessions this year:

1. Ian Barker - Director of Coaching for the NSCAA - opened up the convention with a session on different tactical ideas when attacking. "Look as far away from possession as we can first to see if we can get there."

2. Sam Snow - Director of Coaching for US Youth Soccer - presented a session on crossing and the importance of getting players not only to recognize the spaces they are in but also to be more detailed with them.

3. Janet Rayfield - Head Coach at the University of Illinois - presented a session on the 5 pillars of soccer and using them in small-sided games. What is the 5th pillar? Character. She presented another session on possession in the attacking third and how the purpose obviously is to score goals but just because we penetrated doesn't mean we have to shoot right away.

4. Exos who has been the performance-training group for the German National team presented an interesting session on warm up and speed development that can be used with youth players.

5. April Heinrichs from the National team presented a session on a progression to teach the national team style of play with a focus on partner awareness.

 Overall lots of great information to take back and use! Continuing coaching education is so important to stay up with the modern game.