Coaching Tool Kit

1. Stop/Freeze. With "Stop/Freeze" you identify something important from your session topic that needs to be coached. You first stop play and ask your players to freeze in their positions. Then communicate the situation to your team. Try to use a “picture” to demonstrate what a better option might be. Then give your players an opportunity to rehearse your idea. Finally restart play from the moment you originally stopped play. In other words: Stop/Freeze, Demonstrate, Rehearse, Restart. This method should be used sparingly as it is the most intrusive to the session. Be objective with your words and do your best to “get in and get out" of the stoppage.
   

Natural Stoppage. With this method you use natural stoppages of play such as corner kicks, goal kicks, throw-ins, substitutions etc. to halt play and pass along some information. This tool can be really valuable because it does not disrupt play. Remember, be clear and objective with your words. Stay on your session topic and try to pass on actionable items.

In The Flow. With "In the Flow" you communicate with your team as play continues, similar to what you might do on game day. This can be a really valuable tool. As with "Natural Stoppage", be sure to communicate in concise and meaningful ways. For example, telling a team to “spread out” can be interpreted many different ways. Focus instead on conveying specific actions such as telling players to “move up to the midfield line." 

Individual Reference. This method is similar to "In the Flow" but you communicate with only one player without stopping play. This tool can be very useful when there is information to pass on to one person rather than the entire team. This also helps us accomplish our goal of keeping intensity high and avoiding unnecessary stoppage. This is a great tool for delivering some individualized coaching or for just offering some encouragement to a player.