Rush Way

Rush Way
The Rush Way: Senior Division U16 – U19

*Clique aqui para a versão em português deste documento – The Rush Way Senior Division (Portugues)

*Clicca qui per la versione italiana di questo documento– The Rush Way Senior Division (ITALIA)

THE RUSH WAY AGE GROUP GUIDES

The Rush Way Age Group Guides provide a more in depth look at Rush Soccer’s Developmental Blueprint, covering technical, tactical, physical, and psychosocial considerations, as well as guiding on how to apply Rush Way philosophies effectively to each age group.

THE RUSH WAY PHILOSOPHY

The Rush Way is the embodiment of all that is Rush Soccer; the rules and manner in which Rush members hold themselves and how they expect other Rush members to conduct themselves. This is not inherent in all people, but can be learned. The Rush Way encourages passion, leadership, respect and, above all, quality. Before reading this document and complementary to any age group curriculum, every coach should read the entire Rush Way Philosophy.

Formation: Rush Soccer uses the 1-3-5-2 as its preferred formation and starting point to implement its style of play. However, the Rush Way understands soccer is dynamic with constant movement. A formation represents simply a starting point related to a certain moment of the game. 

Rush Soccer encourages coaches to vary approaches depending on a deep understanding of their players’ strengths and weaknesses as well as the rival’s. What Rush Soccer sustains at all times is its style of play. 

Rush teams are proficient in readapting this base formation within the game onto 1-5-3-2 and 1-4-3-1-2 depending on the needs and situations encountered. 

As we want our players to be adaptable, experiencing these alternatives and other popular base schemes like 1-4-3-3 and 1-4-2-3-1 is important for their development, therefore encouraged.

6-3-1: Even if these are performance age groups, the 6-3-1 still acts as a measuring stick. A team that’s getting much better results than this is probably competing at a lower level than it should. Contrary to that, if the team results are too far below this record, it’s probably competing at a higher level than it’s prepared to.

70 Games & Playing Time: Playing time for any individual is completely at the coach’s discretion. Rush encourages that playing time at all levels should be equal throughout the season. Limiting team roster size will aid in increased playing time for all players. Remember the spirit of the 70 Games Philosophy stated at The Heart Of The Rush: One of the main objectives of a Rush club must be to provide opportunities and environments for the players to elevate the overall number of playing hours as much as possible. At this stage, we believe it is a cornerstone of our player development approach to provide 70 11v11 learning instances along a calendar year. This is also explained in further detail at The Heart Of The Rush.

Core Values: There are 11 players on the field and so Rush Soccer has 11 core values as well. Highlight them all at this stage.

  • Accountability
  • Advice
  • Empathy
  • Humility
  • Enjoyment
  • Leadership
  • Passion
  • Respect
  • Safety
  • Tenacity
  • Unity

Player Position: By this stage, players are fully specializing in the positions that maximize their abilities and don’t overexpose their weaknesses. We still suggest to develop players in two positions, having at least one alternative to their main role on the team.

Substitutions: When possible and regardless of the state of the game, all players should exchange courtesy with their replacement. This will promote team spirit and give confidence to the players entering the field.

Pre-game / Warm Up Routines: For this age group, the Rush Way suggests pre game routines that include a global body warm up, followed by an activity to review a concept fresh on the player’s minds. Leaving at the end a few minutes for the players to warm up freely is also advisable. Keep the entire warm up period between 15 and 30 minutes.

During the Match: Games are a great coaching opportunity, but caution, don’t over do it. Coach actively but don’t misunderstand that with constant narrating and interventions. Actively means engaged. Make sure your coaching is positive and builds confidence, like stated in the Rush Blue Thread, and make most of your comments when off the ball and preferably in natural stoppages.

Half Time: Rush encourages players to analyze problems and discuss solutions on their own before coach intervention. Players should be given a couple of minutes away from the coaching staff to voice opinions and discuss solutions. The coach should then bring their views and knowledge to the group. The Rush Way expects our coaching to be positive and build confidence, like stated in The Rush Blue Thread.

Post Game: Once again, the Rush Way expects our coaching to be positive and build confidence. Take the opportunity to promote core values like Humility & Respect when winning, and Tenacity & Unity when losing. Keep it brief and don’t go on profound game analysis. Let both the players and yourself cool down and take some time to analyze the match objectively.

Greeting: Players are expected to greet the staff with a handshake for all local, national and international staff. The Rush staff across the country expect their players to shake their coaches hand each time they meet. Why?…respect, build social skills, break down barriers, learn culturally accepted behavior, the list goes on.

Practice and Game Attendance: Is optional for all levels of player within the Rush Organization. Playing other sports and multiple sports at the same time is the choice of the family and zero repercussions will be administered the coaching staff. Players who wish to become better and succeed within the game will attend all practices and games with the attitude of wanting to leave a better player. This is a reflection of our core value Accountability. The Rush Tutor Program promotes and encourages players who wish to push themselves the opportunity to practice with any other team within the club on any given day.

Acknowledgement: When a coach addresses a player during training or competition, it is important the player acknowledges. Communication is two-way.

Player First, Team Second: Similar to the European youth club structure, Rush encourages the player to be first before his or her individual team. For example, we encourage:

  • The player to play with the adult team before his own team’s game.
  • The player to train with older, experienced teams in place of his own teams.
  • The player to guest play with an older team in place of their own game.

This enables players to be comfortable playing on teams that are in line with their ability regardless of age but based on performance in training and game days. Players are encouraged to train with higher level teams to accelerate their development.

Team Photos: The Rush has a certain style of their pictures, learn it and apply it. Take a photo of your rotating starting 11, and a whole team picture to promote Unity.

R.E.A.C.H.: All players should be aware of the R.E.A.C.H., Rush Equipment Assisting Children program and understand the importance of social responsibility. In a nutshell, this program provides the opportunity for our players to turn in their old uniform in order to donate to our less fortunate Rush clubs and players around the globe.

Coaches’ Sideline Behavior: From the outside, the conduct of the coach on the sideline can be perceived as a reflection of the conduct of all coaches within Rush Soccer. Coaches are a reflection of their players and should conduct themselves with respect for the officials, the opponents and the game of soccer. Remain positive when at all possible but motivational throughout. Coach actively but don’t misunderstand that with constant narrating and interventions. Actively means engaged. Education and being a first class role model are the paramount reasons that a coach has been given the honor to coach for Rush. It is always important to remember this.

Parents’ Sideline Behavior: Rush parents are expected to be positive, motivational and supportive to all players and officials. Learning the Rush chants is encouraged. Parents are expected not to coach from the sidelines but enjoy the experience of the game.

Players’ Sideline Behavior: Players are encouraged to support other Rush teams and give their full-hearted support. Learn the Rush song; be as loud but respectful as possible and help educate the rest of the country in the way soccer should be supported, as it is in the rest of the world.

Risk Management: Accepting a coaching position means accepting responsibilities. Exercise reasonable care, have a first aid kit, take a CPR course, as well as make sure every player departs with their parents or designated individuals, never leave a player alone after practice, among others.

The Rush Blue Thread

In Soccer as in life, most things are not black or white and common sense can’t be replaced. Exceptions aside, the Rush Blue Thread pursues the application of the following eight principles at all levels and ages. Rush Soccer has a player centered approach.

  1. The coach uses conditions to encourage competition.
  2. There is an ongoing cycle of feedback and reflection between the coach and the player.
  3. Each activity contains decision making elements.
  4. The design of the season, week, and training session meets the needs of the players and teams.
  5. Coaching points are based on visual cues.
  6. The ball is rolling at least 70% of the time in the session.
  7. A minimum of 75% of the session is game based and opposed.
  8. Coaching is positive to encourage and build confidence.

THE RUSH WAY: U16-U19 SENIOR DIVISION

OBJECTIVE: Focus on Tactical Development, Adoption Of High Performance Habits, And Lead The Players In Their Specialization Stage.

Age Group Considerations: We’ll repeat this same statement for all age groups: When you coach a team or a player, the most important thing is always to understand who you are coaching.

By this stage, players should have a solid technical foundation. Their development is now directed to maximizing their strengths and managing their weaknesses. This is the key driver of specialization as a soccer player.

Coaches should focus now on developing their players’ game understanding, so as to make the most out of the technical foundation already acquired. We do recommend having an alternative position for each player, as this favors their future versatility on the field.

In pursuance of developing game understanding, video analysis is highly recommended, complementary to training.

Unopposed training is discouraged by this stage, unless used for short period of times (normally at the beginning) and never as the core of the training session.

Teams should be training a minimum of three times a week, preferably four or five.

Coaches might still find some marked differences in the biological ages of the players, but these should be less notorious as we get closer to the older age groups.

It is very important to pay attention to these teenagers influence groups and their behaviors outside the field. One of the key aspects for coaching this stage is to support the player and encourage the adoption of healthy, high performing habits. Examples of these are: appropriate nutrition and rest, personal hygiene, warming up, applying recovery strategies, competitiveness, discipline, concentration, resilience, among others.

From a Physical standpoint, we should focus on the capacities that have the higher relevance in the game: Explosive Strength, Speed & Strength Endurance, Agility, and Aerobic & Anaerobic Lactic valences are fundamental.

Warm ups are now a must do. We recommend routines that move from global muscle groups to specifics to start, followed by a second stage in which they perform an activity that intends to review a concept trained during the week. A third part, free for the player to prepare for competition on his own is also highly recommended. You will encounter players with very different routines. Examples are players that juggle, others that walk or jog slowly around the field, others that listen to music, etc. This is perfectly acceptable and respects the individuality of the player.

Cooling down routines are also highly recommended and encouraged. This is another component of adopting high performance habits. Passive stretching, raising the legs against a wall or a fence, ice patches, or a regenerative jog after the game are some easy, practical routines that can be applied. Choose wisely using common sense, respecting the players’ preferences and considering their moods, especially after victories or defeats.

Maximal strength, as in all of the other age groups, is still discouraged, mostly for it’s irrelevance.

As always, try to be as soccer specific as possible when you train these valencies.

From a Technical standpoint, all of the technical gestures can be trained. Some skills that we frequently find technical flaws in by this stage are Heading, Crossing, and Shielding.

Technique is important but now is not oriented to the overall development of the player but from a position specific perspective. We have to be careful, however, about misunderstanding this statement. This doesn’t mean that center backs, for instance, would only work on heading and clearing. Finishing in the opponents’ box, for example, is a desired technical skill for all of the positions on the field, as players might certainly find themselves (even if only sporadically) in need of it.

As the focus of the stage is to work on tactical aspects, technical development is preferred within an Individual Development Plan agreed upon with the player that complements team training.

From a Tactical standpoint, players should already be effective in multi-lines (or small sided groups) concepts. Playing out of the back is an example of a training topic that implies multiple lines to work together. As the players evolve, we want to include more players towards performing team actions.

As we mentioned before, coaches should focus now on developing their players’ game understanding, so as to make the most out of the technical foundation already acquired. We do recommend having an alternative position for each player, as this favors their future versatility and capacity to adapt to different styles of play.

Meeting Parents

Empathy is one of Rush Soccer’s core values, and we believe it requires little empathy to understand parents’ love for their children and their desire to stay involved. That doesn’t mean parents know exactly how to be involved. Talk to them, guide them, present this curriculum before the start of the season and explain what you will do and why you will do it. Give them feedback and be open to listening to their concerns. Share expectations and use “we” rather than “I”. Parents and coaches need each other to optimize the development and experience of the players.

January 7, 2020

Rush Way
The Rush Way: Junior Division U14 – U15

*Clicca qui per leggere la versione italiana di questo documento – The Rush Way Junior ITALIA

*Clique aqui para a versão em português deste documento – The Rush Way Junior PORTUGUES

THE RUSH WAY AGE GROUP GUIDES

The Rush Way Age Group Guides provide a more in depth look at Rush Soccer’s Developmental Blueprint, covering technical, tactical, physical, and psychosocial considerations, as well as guiding on how to apply Rush Way philosophies effectively to each age group.

THE RUSH WAY PHILOSOPHY

The Rush Way is the embodiment of all that is Rush Soccer; the rules and manner in which Rush members hold themselves and how they expect other Rush members to conduct themselves. This is not inherent in all people, but can be learned. The Rush Way encourages passion, leadership, respect and, above all, quality. Before reading this document and complementary to any age group curriculum, every coach should read the entire Rush Way Philosophy.

Formation: Rush Soccer uses the 1-3-5-2 as its preferred formation and starting point to implement its style of play. However, the Rush Way understands soccer is dynamic with constant movement. A formation represents simply a starting point related to a certain moment of the game. 

Rush Soccer encourages coaches to vary approaches depending on a deep understanding of their players’ strengths and weaknesses as well as the rival’s. What Rush Soccer sustains at all times is its style of play. 

Rush teams are proficient in readapting this base formation within the game onto 1-5-3-2 and 1-4-3-1-2 depending on the needs and situations encountered. 

As we want our players to be adaptable, experiencing these alternatives and other popular base schemes like 1-4-3-3 and 1-4-2-3-1 is important for their development, therefore encouraged.

6-3-1: The 6-3-1 philosophy is in place to ensure that all teams are progressing and improving consistently, as well as experiencing the emotions of winning and losing through manipulating six wins, three losses and one tie throughout the year. If a team is winning all the time, they are encouraged to schedule a scrimmage against tougher competition to be sure they are being pushed. Likewise, if a team is in a losing slump, then a scrimmage is encouraged against an opposition that they should beat, to regain a positive attitude, develop a goal scoring mentality and create confidence in defense.

70 Games & Playing Time: Playing time for any individual is completely at the coach’s discretion. Rush encourages that playing time at all levels should be equal throughout the season. Limiting team roster size will aid in increased playing time for all players. Remember the spirit of the 70 Games Philosophy stated at The Heart Of The Rush: One of the main objectives of a Rush club must be to provide opportunities and environments for the players to elevate the overall number of playing hours as much as possible. At this stage, we believe it is a cornerstone of our player development approach to provide 70 11v11 learning instances along a calendar year. This is also explained in further detail at The Heart Of The Rush.

Core Values: There are 11 players on the field and so Rush Soccer has 11 core values as well. Highlight them all at this stage.

  • Accountability
  • Advice
  • Empathy
  • Humility
  • Enjoyment
  • Leadership
  • Passion
  • Respect
  • Safety
  • Tenacity
  • Unity

Player Position: As of this age group, players start specializing in the positions that maximize their abilities and don’t overexpose their weaknesses. We still suggest to develop players in two positions, having at least one alternative to their main role on the team.

70 Games & Playing Time: Playing time for any individual is completely at the coach’s discretion. Rush encourages that playing time at all levels should be equal throughout the season. At the younger developmental ages, players should be exposed to as much of the game as possible. Limiting team roster size will aid in increased playing time for all players. Remember the spirit of the 70 Games Philosophy stated at The Heart Of The Rush: One of the main objectives of a Rush club must be to provide opportunities and environments for the players to elevate the overall number of playing hours as much as possible. At this stage, we believe it is a cornerstone of our player development approach to provide 70 11v11 learning instances along a calendar year. This is also explained in further detail at The Heart Of The Rush.

Substitutions: When possible and regardless of the state of the game, all players should exchange courtesy with their replacement. This will promote team spirit and give confidence to the players entering the field.

Pre-game / Warm Up Routines: For this age group, the Rush Way suggests pre game routines that include a global body warm up, followed by an activity to review a concept fresh on the player’s minds. Leaving at the end a few minutes for the players to warm up freely is also advisable. Keep the entire warm up period between 15 and 30 minutes.

During the Match: Games are a great coaching opportunity, but caution, don’t over do it. Coach actively but don’t misunderstand that with constant narrating and interventions. Actively means engaged. Make sure your coaching is positive and builds confidence, like stated in the Rush Blue Thread, and make most of your comments when off the ball and preferably in natural stoppages.

Half Time: Rush encourages players to analyze problems and discuss solutions on their own before coach intervention. Players should be given a couple of minutes away from the coaching staff to voice opinions and discuss solutions. The coach should then bring their views and knowledge to the group. The Rush Way expects our coaching to be positive and build confidence, like stated in The Rush Blue Thread.

Post Game: Once again, the Rush Way expects our coaching to be positive and build confidence. Take the opportunity to promote core values like Humility & Respect when winning, and Tenacity & Unity when losing. Keep it brief and don’t go on profound game analysis. Let both the players and yourself cool down and take some time to analyze the match objectively.

Greeting: Players are expected to greet the staff with a handshake for all local, national and international staff. The Rush staff across the country expect their players to shake their coaches hand each time they meet. Why?…respect, build social skills, break down barriers, learn culturally accepted behavior, the list goes on.

Practice and Game Attendance: Is optional for all levels of player within the Rush Organization. Playing other sports and multiple sports at the same time is the choice of the family and zero repercussions will be administered the coaching staff. Players who wish to become better and succeed within the game will attend all practices and games with the attitude of wanting to leave a better player. This is a reflection of our core value Accountability. The Rush Tutor Program promotes and encourages players who wish to push themselves the opportunity to practice with any other team within the club on any given day.

Acknowledgement: When a coach addresses a player during training or competition, it is important the player acknowledges. Communication is two-way.

Player First, Team Second: Similar to the European youth club structure, Rush encourages the player to be first before his or her individual team. For example, we encourage:

  • The player to play with the adult team before his own team’s game.
  • The player to train with older, experienced teams in place of his own teams.
  • The player to guest play with an older team in place of their own game.

This enables players to be comfortable playing on teams that are in line with their ability regardless of age but based on performance in training and game days. Players are encouraged to train with higher level teams to accelerate their development.

Team Photos: The Rush has a certain style of their pictures, learn it and apply it. Take a photo of your rotating starting 11, and a whole team picture to promote Unity.

R.E.A.C.H.: All players should be aware of the R.E.A.C.H., Rush Equipment Assisting Children program and understand the importance of social responsibility. In a nutshell, this program provides the opportunity for our players to turn in their old uniform in order to donate to our less fortunate Rush clubs and players around the globe.

Coaches’ Sideline Behavior: From the outside, the conduct of the coach on the sideline can be perceived as a reflection of the conduct of all coaches within Rush Soccer. Coaches are a reflection of their players and should conduct themselves with respect for the officials, the opponents and the game of soccer. Remain positive when at all possible but motivational throughout. Coach actively but don’t misunderstand that with constant narrating and interventions. Actively means engaged. Education and being a first class role model are the paramount reasons that a coach has been given the honor to coach for Rush. It is always important to remember this.

Parents’ Sideline Behavior: Rush parents are expected to be positive, motivational and supportive to all players and officials. Learning the Rush chants is encouraged. Parents are expected not to coach from the sidelines but enjoy the experience of the game.

Players’ Sideline Behavior: Players are encouraged to support other Rush teams and give their full-hearted support. Learn the Rush song; be as loud but respectful as possible and help educate the rest of the country in the way soccer should be supported, as it is in the rest of the world.

Risk Management: Accepting a coaching position means accepting responsibilities. Exercise reasonable care, have a first aid kit, take a CPR course, as well as make sure every player departs with their parents or designated individuals, never leave a player alone after practice, among others.

The Rush Blue Thread

In Soccer as in life, most things are not black or white and common sense can’t be replaced. Exceptions aside, the Rush Blue Thread pursues the application of the following eight principles at all levels and ages. Rush Soccer has a player centered approach.

  1. The coach uses conditions to encourage competition.
  2. There is an ongoing cycle of feedback and reflection between the coach and the player.
  3. Each activity contains decision making elements.
  4. The design of the season, week, and training session meets the needs of the players and teams.
  5. Coaching points are based on visual cues.
  6. The ball is rolling at least 70% of the time in the session.
  7. A minimum of 75% of the session is game based and opposed.
  8. Coaching is positive to encourage and build confidence.

THE RUSH WAY: U14-U15 JUNIOR DIVISION

OBJECTIVE: Sustain A Balance Between Technical & Tactical Development While Leading The Players Towards The Specialization Stages.

Age Group Coaching Approach & Psycho-Social Considerations: We’ll repeat this same statement for all age groups: When you coach a team or a player, the most important thing is always to understand who you are coaching.

By this stage, we encounter players that have full capacity of understanding abstractions and hypothesis. Their span of attention is longer and starts to resemble the adults one. This is the main reason why the presence of more advanced tactical concepts is encouraged now, to a point in which it balances the technical loads.

Coaches should still keep a close eye at the biological ages of the players, as they might still find some big differences in development. Make sure you don’t judge your players’ abilities by confusing skill with physique. This is the most common coaching mistake at this stage: to associate the effectiveness of an action to a skill rather than a temporary physical advantage that will not be sustained in time. Make sure you support your players that are developing later from a biological standpoint, as well as create the right environment to challenge those that have developed early, so that they find themselves in need of developing skills rather than rely on a constant usage of their physical advantages.

Remember that is frequent to find players that have grown a lot in a short period of time. This growth is not always organized, what might result not only in the new adolescent suffering from physical pain and a declining coordination (they seem to be “clumsy”), but this also might generate a lot of stress on the player that’s encountering a new, different body, as well as experiencing multiple hormonal changes.

It is important to pay attention to them and support them through these changes. It is frequent to observe mood changes. These players enter into their adolescence, that is a complicated stage characterized by insecurities, sensitivity, a constant search and discovery of one’s personality and in which our teammates and coaches have a strong influence on us. This highlights the importance of coaching positively.

From a Physical standpoint, Adding components of Agility, Flexibility, Mobility, Balance, and Coordination to our sessions can help “reorganize” the body of the athlete after the pubertal stage. Apart from that, agility, explosive strength, acyclic speed, and aerobic powers are good valences to focus on, with an increasing participation of speed and strength endurance.

Warm ups, as they grow, become more important from a biological standpoint. It is adequate now that players perform global warm up routines before going on a second stage in which they perform an activity that intends to review a concept trained during the week. This is also an ideal stage for the player to start adopting the habit of warming up by himself/herself.

Another important thing to consider by this stage is that now players can already perform long aerobic and lactic anaerobic training with effective results, what was discouraged for pre-pubertal groups, as it was explained on the previous age groups, in which the increase of these valencies was mainly a result of metabolic development. Maximal strength is still discouraged, mostly for it’s irrelevance, contrary to explosive strength and aerobic power.

As always, try to be as soccer specific as possible when you train these valencies.

From a Technical standpoint, all the technical gestures can be trained.

Past the small sided stages, the Tactical aspect starts to overcome the technical as the main focus. Now, the players should already be effective in groups of threes and fours, performing soccer concepts associated to lines (defenders, midfielders, and forwards), so as to focus on multi-lines (or small sided groups) concepts . For example, playing out of the back would be a training topic that implies the coordination and collaboration of more than one line, not necessarily involving the 11 side players at this stage.

Recommended activities: If the foundation of previous stages has been solid, activities that involve more than one line like 6v5, 6v6, 7v6, or 7v7 are very useful, with full sided scrimmages 11v11 (remember our 70 games philosophy).

Preferred Training Approach: At this stage, we want to limit unopposed activities. If any, using these short analytical activities preferably at the beginning of the session for short periods of time. Remember the principle from The Rush Blue Thread: We want at least 75% of the session to be game based and opposed. Always avoid having analytical stages as the core of your session.

Meeting Parents

Empathy is one of Rush Soccer’s core values, and we believe it requires little empathy to understand parents’ love for their children and their desire to stay involved. That doesn’t mean parents they know exactly how to be involved. Talk to them, guide them, present this curriculum before the star of the season and explain what you will do and why you will do it. Give them feedback and be open to listening to their concerns. Share expectations and use “we” rather than “I”. Parents and coaches need each other to optimize the development and experience of the players.

January 6, 2020

Rush Way
The Rush Way: Youth Division U11 – U13

*Clicca qui per leggere la versione italiana di questo documento – The Rush Way Youth ITALIA

*Clique aqui para ler a versão portuguesa deste documento – The Rush Way Youth (Português)

THE RUSH WAY AGE GROUP GUIDES

The Rush Way Age Group Guides provide a more in depth look at Rush Soccer’s Developmental Blueprint, covering technical, tactical, physical, and psychosocial considerations, as well as guiding on how to apply Rush Way philosophies effectively to each age group.

THE RUSH WAY PHILOSOPHY

The Rush Way is the embodiment of all that is Rush Soccer; the rules and manner in which Rush members hold themselves and how they expect other Rush members to conduct themselves. This is not inherent in all people, but can be learned. The Rush Way encourages passion, leadership, respect and, above all, quality. Before reading this document and complementary to any age group curriculum, every coach should read the entire Rush Way Philosophy.

Formation: At the 9v9 level, the formation 1-2-4-2 presented below also favors a smooth transition onto the 1-3-5-2 utilized for our 11v11 teams, by once again displaying a similar shape and function for all roles and already introducing the role of the attacking midfielder. 

Set Pieces: We recommend to frequently use the following schemes to play out of the back and defend corner kicks. Vary to other schemes as well, especially for players to learn both zonal and man to man marking (in corners) and to play long in goal kicks. These are simply presented to favor an easy transition to the 11v11 scenarios.

9v9 Playing out of the back initial shape
9v9 Defensive Corner Kick Shape – Zonal

6-3-1: The 6-3-1 philosophy is in place to ensure that all teams are progressing and improving consistently, as well as experiencing the emotions of winning and losing through manipulating six wins, three losses and one tie throughout the year. If a team is winning all the time, they are encouraged to schedule a scrimmage against tougher competition to be sure they are being pushed. Likewise, if a team is in a losing slump, then a scrimmage is encouraged against an opposition that they should beat, to regain a positive attitude, develop a goal scoring mentality and create confidence in defense.

Core Values: There are 11 players on the field and so Rush Soccer has 11 core values as well. At these age groups, our players, coaches, and supporters should focus on nine of the 11 core values as highlighted below:

  • Accountability
  • Advice
  • Empathy
  • Humility
  • Enjoyment
  • Leadership
  • Passion
  • Respect
  • Safety
  • Tenacity
  • Unity

Player Position: Rush believes that under the age of 14, every player should have the opportunity to experience different positions on the field. Players should not be stereotyped into specific positions because of speed, size or other qualities, but should experience the emotion and functions of all positions on the field. These experiences allow them to advance their soccer knowledge, raise their technical ability, and gives them opportunities to think as a field player, all of which raise the level of their position-specific demands.

70 Games & Playing Time: Playing time for any individual is completely at the coach’s discretion. Rush encourages that playing time at all levels should be equal throughout the season. At the younger developmental ages, players should be exposed to as much of the game as possible. Limiting team roster size will aid in increased playing time for all players. Remember the spirit of the 70 Games Philosophy stated at The Heart Of The Rush: One of the main objectives of a Rush club must be to provide opportunities and environments for the players to elevate the overall number of playing hours as much as possible.

Substitutions: When possible and regardless of the state of the game, all players should exchange courtesy with their replacement. This will promote team spirit and give confidence to the players entering the field.

Pre-game / Warm Up Routines: For this age group, the Rush Way suggestion is to take the warm up opportunity to review a concept trained during the week on a quick activity. By the higher end of the age group, you’ll find pre and post pubertal players, what represents the most complex part to administrate as their bodies experiment many changes. We’ll explain in further detail below, but it is important to mention this as post pubertal players do need to warm up from a biological point of view, what was not needed in the younger age groups.

During the Match: Games are a great coaching opportunity, but caution, don’t over do it. Coach actively but don’t misunderstand that with constant narrating and interventions. Actively means engaged. Make sure your coaching is positive and builds confidence, like stated in the Rush Blue Thread, and make most of your comments when off the ball and preferably in natural stoppages.

Half Time: Rush encourages players to analyze problems and discuss solutions on their own before coach intervention. Players should be given a couple of minutes away from the coaching staff to voice opinions and discuss solutions. The coach should then bring their views and knowledge to the group. The Rush Way expects our coaching to be positive and build confidence, like stated in The Rush Blue Thread.

Post Game: Once again, the Rush Way expects our coaching to be positive and build confidence. You can use the 4:1 approach as a tool. Take the opportunity to promote core values like Humility & Respect when winning, and Tenacity & Unity when losing.

Greeting: Players are expected to greet the staff with a handshake for all local, national and international staff. The Rush staff across the country expect their players to shake their coaches hand each time they meet. Why?…respect, build social skills, break down barriers, learn culturally accepted behavior, the list goes on.

Practice and Game Attendance: Is optional for all levels of player within the Rush Organization. Playing other sports and multiple sports at the same time is the choice of the family and zero repercussions should be administered by the coaching staff. Players who wish to become better and succeed within the game will attend all practices and games with the attitude of wanting to leave a better player. This is a reflection of our core value Accountability. The Rush Tutor Program promotes and encourages players who wish to push themselves the opportunity to practice with any other team within the club on any given day.

Acknowledgement: When a coach addresses a player during training or competition, it is important the player acknowledges. Communication is two-way.

Player First, Team Second: Similar to the European youth club structure, Rush encourages the player to be first before his or her individual team. For example, we encourage:

  • The player to play with the adult team before his own team’s game.
  • The player to train with older, experienced teams in place of his own teams.
  • The player to guest play with an older team in place of their own game.

This enables players to be comfortable playing on teams that are in line with their ability regardless of age but based on performance in training and game days. Players are encouraged to train with higher level teams to accelerate their development.

Team Photos: The Rush has a certain style of their pictures, learn it and apply it. Take a photo of your rotating starting 9 or 11, and a whole team picture to promote Unity.

R.E.A.C.H.: All players should be aware of the R.E.A.C.H., Rush Equipment Assisting Children program and understand the importance of social responsibility. In a nutshell, this program provides the opportunity for our players to turn in their old uniform in order to donate to our less fortunate Rush clubs and players around the globe.

Coaches’ Sideline Behavior: From the outside, the conduct of the coach on the sideline can be perceived as a reflection of the conduct of all coaches within Rush Soccer. Coaches are a reflection of their players and should conduct themselves with respect for the officials, the opponents and the game of soccer. Remain positive when at all possible but motivational throughout. Coach actively but don’t misunderstand that with constant narrating and interventions. Actively means engaged. Education and being a first class role model are the paramount reasons that a coach has been given the honor to coach for Rush. It is always important to remember this.

Parents’ Sideline Behavior: Rush parents are expected to be positive, motivational and supportive to all players and officials. Learning the Rush chants is encouraged. Parents are expected not to coach from the sidelines but enjoy the experience of the game.

Players’ Sideline Behavior: Players are encouraged to support other Rush teams and give their full-hearted support. Learn the Rush song; be as loud but respectful as possible and help educate the rest of the country in the way soccer should be supported, as it is in the rest of the world.

Risk Management: Accepting a coaching position means accepting responsibilities. Exercise reasonable care, have a first aid kit, take a CPR course, as well as make sure every player departs with their parents or designated individuals, never leave a player alone after practice, among others.

The Rush Blue Thread

In Soccer as in life, most things are not black or white and common sense can’t be replaced. Exceptions aside, the Rush Blue Thread pursues the application of the following eight principles at all levels and ages. Rush Soccer has a player centered approach.

  1. The coach uses conditions to encourage competition.
  2. There is an ongoing cycle of feedback and reflection between the coach and the player.
  3. Each activity contains decision making elements.
  4. The design of the season, week, and training session meets the needs of the players and teams.
  5. Coaching points are based on visual cues.
  6. The ball is rolling at least 70% of the time in the session.
  7. A minimum of 75% of the session is game based and opposed.
  8. Coaching is positive to encourage and build confidence.

THE RUSH WAY: U11-U13 YOUTH DIVISION

OBJECTIVE: Sustain A Focus On Technical Development While Gradually Increasing The Tactical Component And Supporting The Players As They Start And Go Through The Maturation Process.

Age Group Coaching Approach & Psycho-Social Considerations: We’ll repeat this same statement for all age groups: When you coach a team or a player, the most important thing is always to understand who you are coaching.

By this stage, we encounter players that are elevating their capacity to understand abstractions and hypothesis, progressively as they reach the higher end of the age group. Their span of attention also increases considerably. This growth should correlate with the introduction of more advanced tactical concepts. The focus on these is still relegated by the technical aspects but distances between the two are shorten as they grow.

A vital aspect to coach this age group relies on a deep understanding of the biological age of the players, which might defer vastly from their chronological age. Therefore, coaches might find players that enter pubertal stages years before some of their teammates. This creates a complex situation for both the groups of players that grow early and those that grow late. Women normally go through puberty earlier than men.

It is frequent to find players that have grown a lot in a short period of time. This growth is not always organized, what might result not only in the new adolescent suffering from physical aches and a declining coordination (they seem to be “clumsy”), but this also might generate a lot of stress on the player that’s encountering a new, different body, as well as experiencing multiple hormonal changes.

It is not easier for the players that grow late, who tend to find themselves feeling behind, and physically weaker that their teammates.

The coach role is crucial in this stage to support them through this period, from all soccer, physical, and psychological points of view.

From a Soccer standpoint, the early ones might find physical advantages in their games and over-relay on them, depriving the development of other skills. This is a problem as the “advantage” is not sustainable over time when the late group catches up. A common case that exemplifies this is a player that becomes much faster athletically than his teammates so relies on solving 1v1’s by playing long balls into space and running, instead of developing better dribbling skills. A good solution for the coach is to have this player practice frequently with older teams in which he doesn’t count on these advantages, so as to find himself/herself in need of developing alternative solutions.

For the late group, it is important to support the player and help him/her recognize that the disadvantages he/she is experiencing are only temporary and not purely soccer related, but rather physical.

It is also fundamental that the coach distinguishes between real skills and this temporary physical advantage. Phenomenons like the relative age effect, that has shown that players born in the first quarters of the year have higher rates of success and continuity in their youth careers suggest that coaches tend to pick these players for their teams by confusing real skills with physicality derived from early maturation.

From a Physical standpoint, the key for the coach is to understand that he/she is dealing with two different biological stages. Post pubertal players should warm up and can already perform long aerobic and lactic anaerobic training with effective results, what is discouraged for pre-pubertal groups, as it was explained on the previous age groups. However, and as mentioned above, the players that are facing rapid changes normally feel “disorganized”, what suggests training with a focus on their coordination, balance, agility, and reaction. Maximal strength should not be trained (apart from being irrelevant for the sport), only explosive strength and closer to the upper end of the age group.

As always, try to be as soccer specific as possible when you train these valencies.

From a Psycho-Social standpoint is important to pay attention to them and support them through these changes. It is frequent to observe mood changes. These players, especially the early group, enter into their adolescence, that is a complicated stage characterized by insecurities, sensitivity, a constant search and discovery of one’s personality and in which our teammates and coaches have a strong influence on us. This highlights the importance of coaching positively.

From a Technical standpoint, all the technical gestures can be trained, always following your local soccer federation regulations about heading.

From a Tactical standpoint, as this component increases it’s participation over the ages involved, the players evolve into collaborating in larger numbers, normally being effective in groups of threes and fours, what favors the progression into soccer concepts associated to lines (defenders, midfielders, and forwards).

Recommended activities: To learn small groups and lines concepts, games in relevant numbers like 3v3, 4v3, 3v4, 4v4, 5v4, or 5v5 are great, with scrimmages in the numbers they’ll experience during competition (9v9, or 11v11).

Preferred Training Methodologies: Small Sided To Extended Sided, or Analytical to Global can be good approaches in these age groups if well applied, and can even be combined with some eventual OLI sessions (Orientation, Learning, Implementation) by U13, once they play full sided. For the second method, we recommend to focus on the global stages, only using analytical activities for short periods of time and preferably at the beginning of the session. Remember the principle from The Rush Blue Thread: We want at least 75% of the session to be game based and opposed. Always avoid having analytical stages as the core of your session.

Highlight The Core Values Safety, Passion, Humility, Accountability, Respect, Tenacity, Unity, Empathy, and Enjoyment!

Meeting Parents

Empathy is one of Rush Soccer’s core values, and we believe it requires little empathy to understand parents’ love for their children and their desire to stay involved. That doesn’t mean parents they know exactly how to be involved. Talk to them, guide them, present this curriculum before the star of the season and explain what you will do and why you will do it. Give them feedback and be open to listening to their concerns. Share expectations and use “we” rather than “I”. Parents and coaches need each other to optimize the development and experience of the players.

January 6, 2020

Rush Way
The Rush Way: Bantam Division U9 – U10

*Clicca qui per trovare la versione italiana di questo documento – The Rush Way Bantam Division (ITALIA).

*Clique aqui para encontrar a versão em português deste documento – The Rush Way Bantam Division (Português).

THE RUSH WAY AGE GROUP GUIDES

The Rush Way Age Group Guides provide a more in depth look at Rush Soccer’s Developmental Blueprint, covering technical, tactical, physical, and psychosocial considerations, as well as guiding on how to apply Rush Way philosophies effectively to each age group.

THE RUSH WAY PHILOSOPHY

The Rush Way is the embodiment of all that is Rush Soccer; the rules and manner in which Rush members hold themselves and how they expect other Rush members to conduct themselves. This is not inherent in all people, but can be learned. The Rush Way encourages passion, leadership, respect and, above all, quality. Before reading this document and complementary to any age group curriculum, every coach should read the entire Rush Way Philosophy.

Formation: We believe that, for 7v7, the formation 1-2-3-1 presents a good base to smoothly transition into our 9v9 formation (1-2-4-2) and ultimately into our 11v11 base scheme (1-3-5-2).

This is fundamented on the similarities that the roles presented will have in terms of playing actions. In this initial display, the roles of center backs, holding midfielders, wing backs, and forwards adequately resemble the ones of the expanded 11v11 1-3-5-2 formation.

This formation has value added as it also tends to be the base of other popular 11v11 setups like 1-4-3-3.

Set Pieces: We recommend to frequently use the following schemes to play out of the back and defend corner kicks. Vary to other schemes as well, especially for players to learn both zonal and man to man marking (in corners). These are simply presented to favor an easy transition to the 9v9 and 11v11 scenarios.

7v7 Playing out of the back starting shape.
7v7 Defensive Corner Kick Shape – Zonal

6-3-1: The 6-3-1 philosophy is in place to ensure that all teams are progressing and improving consistently, as well as experiencing the emotions of winning and losing through manipulating six wins, three losses and one tie throughout the year. If a team is winning all the time, they are encouraged to schedule a scrimmage against tougher competition to be sure they are being pushed. Likewise, if a team is in a losing slump, then a scrimmage is encouraged against an opposition that they should beat, to regain a positive attitude, develop a goal scoring mentality and create confidence in defense.

Core Values: There are 11 players on the field and so Rush Soccer has 11 core values as well. At these age groups, our players, coaches, and supporters should be focusing on the seven highlighted below:

  • Accountability
  • Advice
  • Empathy
  • Humility
  • Enjoyment
  • Leadership
  • Passion
  • Respect
  • Safety
  • Tenacity
  • Unity

Player Position: Rush believes that under the age of 14, every player should have the opportunity to experience all positions on the field. Players should not be stereotyped into specific positions because of speed, size or other qualities, but should experience the emotion and functions of all positions on the field. These experiences allow them to advance their soccer knowledge, raise their technical ability, and gives them opportunities to think as a field player, all of which raise the level of their position-specific demands.

70 Games & Playing Time: Playing time for any individual is completely at the coach’s discretion. Rush encourages that playing time at all levels should be equal throughout the season. At the younger developmental ages, players should be exposed to as much of the game as possible. Limiting team roster size will aid in increased playing time for all players. Remember the spirit of the 70 Games Philosophy stated at The Heart Of The Rush: One of the main objectives of a Rush club must be to provide opportunities and environments for the players to elevate the overall number of playing hours as much as possible.

Substitutions: Regardless of the state of the game, all players should come off the field and exchange courtesy with their replacement (when possible). This will promote team spirit and give confidence to the players entering the field.

Pre-game / Warm Up Routines: For this age group, the Rush Way suggestion is to take the warm up opportunity to review a concept trained during the week on a quick activity. Promote the excitement of playing, and remember that kids at this age don’t need any type of warm up from a biological point of view, so routines like stretching are not needed.

During the Match: Games are a great coaching opportunity, but caution, don’t over do it. Make sure your coaching is positive and builds confidence, like stated in the Rush Blue Thread, and make most of your comments when off the ball and preferably in natural stoppages.

Half Time: Rush encourages players to analyze problems and discuss solutions on their own before coach intervention. Players should be given a couple of minutes away from the coaching staff to voice opinions and discuss solutions. The coach should then bring their views and knowledge to the group. The Rush Way expects our comments to apply the 4:1 positive to instructional coaching method. Once again, understand the 4:1 ratio as a tool to coach positively, not as a unbreakable rule. Don’t over-coach in this period, remember that kids’ span of attention is limited and they don’t understand abstract concepts at this age, so focus on the motivational aspects and the enjoyment of playing.

Post Game: Once again, the Rush Way is to coach positively, encourage players, and build confidence. Take the opportunity to promote core values like Humility & Respect when winning, and Tenacity when losing.

Greeting: Players are expected to greet the staff with a handshake for all local, national and international staff. The Rush staff across the country expect their players to shake their coaches hand each time they meet. Why?… Respect, build social skills, break down barriers, learn culturally accepted behavior, the list goes on.

Team Photos: The Rush has a certain style of their pictures, learn it and apply it. Take a photo of your rotating starting seven (four in the back, three in the front), and a whole team picture to promote Unity.

Player First, Team Second: Similar to the European youth club structure, Rush encourages the player to be first before his or her individual team. This enables players to be comfortable playing on teams that are in line with their ability regardless of age but based on performance in training and game days. Players are encouraged to train with higher level teams to accelerate their development.

R.E.A.C.H.: All players should be aware of the R.E.A.C.H., Rush Equipment Assisting Children program and understand the importance of social responsibility. In a nutshell, this program provides the opportunity for our players to turn in their old uniform in order to donate to our less fortunate Rush clubs and players around the globe.

Coaches’ Sideline Behavior: From the outside, the conduct of the coach on the sideline can be perceived as a reflection of the conduct of all coaches within Rush Soccer. Coaches are a reflection of their players and should conduct themselves with respect for the officials, the opponents and the game of soccer. Remain positive when at all possible but motivational throughout. Coach actively but don’t misunderstand that with constant narrating and interventions. Actively means engaged. Education and being a first class role model are the paramount reasons that a coach has been given the honor to coach for Rush. It is always important to remember this.

Parents’ Sideline Behavior: Rush parents are expected to be positive, motivational and supportive to all players and officials. Learning the Rush chants is encouraged. Parents are expected not to coach from the sidelines but enjoy the experience of the game.

Players’ Sideline Behavior: Players are encouraged to support other Rush teams and give their full-hearted support. Learn the Rush song; be as loud but respectful as possible and help educate the rest of the country in the way soccer should be supported, as it is in the rest of the world.

Risk Management: Accepting a coaching position means accepting responsibilities. Exercise reasonable care, have a first aid kit, take a CPR course, as well as make sure every kid departs with their parents or designated individuals, never leave a player alone after practice, among others.

The Rush Blue Thread

In Soccer as in life, most things are not black or white and common sense can’t be replaced. Exceptions aside, the Rush Blue Thread pursues the application of the following eight principles at all levels and ages. Rush Soccer has a player centered approach.

  1. The coach uses conditions to encourage competition.
  2. There is an ongoing cycle of feedback and reflection between the coach and the player.
  3. Each activity contains decision making elements.
  4. The design of the season, week, and training session meets the needs of the players and teams.
  5. Coaching points are based on visual cues.
  6. The ball is rolling at least 70% of the time in the session.
  7. A minimum of 75% of the session is game based and opposed.
  8. Coaching is positive to encourage and build confidence.

THE RUSH WAY: U9-U10 BANTAM DIVISION

OBJECTIVE: Focus On Technical Development While Sustaining An Enjoyable Environment.

Age Group Coaching Approach & Psycho-Social Considerations: We’ll repeat this same statement for all age groups: When you coach a team or a player, the most important thing is always to understand who you are coaching.

This age group is considered by many soccer schools the golden stage of technical development, based on an overall organized body and stability in growth from a biological standpoint that favors the adoption of new moves. It is important that the coach understands that by recommending a focus on the technical component we are not eliminating the development of the others, we are just giving it a higher priority and focus from a proportional standpoint.

Psycho-socially, children’s self concept and image are important, they are less sensitive but still dislike failure in front of peers, what highlights the importance of coaching positively.

They begin to initiate play on their own, they want to play and are becoming more serious about their play. They are inclined more towards small group and team activities than their predecessor age group and can usually work cooperatively in groups of 3-6. Peer group attachment and pressure becomes more significant. Adults outside family are becoming even more influential.

This new capacity to collaborate with a small number of elements favors the development of passing. Therefore, the focus remains on motivation and self confidence, but the cooperation, commitment, and competitive components start gaining ground. It’s not a performance stage yet so let’s go slow, but there will be no sin if we start making a difference between winning and losing.

The span of attention is still short even if it has risen in comparison to previous years. Kids now have concrete and sequential thoughts and actions, they are beginning to think in advance of the ball and anticipate things happening. They have the ability to remember or follow more complex instructions and solve high level problems and guided discovery questions. They are developing the ability to focus and stay on task as well as understanding time, space, and collaboration with teammates. This is an evolution from the Micro Division stages, but keep in mind that their abstract thinking is still not fully developed, so when you coach make sure you’re not talking about too complex, hypothetical situations. Brief explanations, using visual, auditive, and kinesthetic channels (you want them to see it, to hear it, and to do it) are more effective. “Show me” are still two great words to use with these age groups.

Last but definitely not least, keep it FUN!

Safety is always very important, understanding it from a holistic point of view. Children needs to feel safe in their environment to open up and experiment. Pay attention to signs like kids with their arms behind their back that show disengagement or fear. Sometimes children are misplaced in environments that are too challenging for them. Remember, if children don’t feel safe, they don’t open up to experience, and if they don’t experience they don’t learn.

Preferred Training Methodologies: Focus on game based methodologies that integrate long free play periods. Play Practice Play is still recommended but others that progress from Small Sided to Extended Sided, and/or from Analytical to Global Stages (unopposed-passively opposed-actively opposed) can be good too if they are well applied. When you use the third method, ensure the global stages are proportionally longer than the analytical. Remember the principle from The Rush Blue Thread that says: We want at least 75% of the session to be game based and opposed. Always avoid having analytical stages as the core of your session.

Highlight The Core Values Safety, Passion, Humility, Accountability, Tenacity, Unity, and Enjoyment!

So here is a Psycho-Social Cheat Sheet.

  • Motivation: 4:1 Coaching Positive to Instructional Comments and other tools to build confidence.
  • Self Confidence: Remember that praising by the effort rather than the skill helps children develop a growth mindset.
  • Small Groups Collaboration Capacity: There’s an evolution from the previous age groups.
  • Apply The Rush Blue Thread in session design and execution.
  • Concrete/Abstract Thinking: This age group is more developed that the Micro Division in their understanding of abstractions, but still not fully developed. Short and concrete is more effective. Visual, auditory, and kinesthetic through demonstration.
  • Respect & Discipline
  • Enjoyment: Keep it fun!

Physical Fundamentals: Physically they are getting stronger, more endurance and power related to body size and muscle mass, motor performance includes a variety of motor tasks that require speed, balance, flexibility, explosive strength and muscular endurance; pace factor is developing well. Gross and small fine motor skills are becoming refined, children in these age groups are growing head to toe.

These boys and girls go through a period of stability in their bodies development until they reach puberty. These years represent a stage of motor coordination, that is more developed than the previous years, in which the kid was working on their segment development and basic motor skills.

One important thing you always need to consider is that they do not need to work on aerobic ranges for long periods, as aerobic capacity develops mainly as a metabolic result until puberty is past. Having your players work on pure aerobic ranges for too long will only create an excess of cortisol (the stress hormone). This will result in your child associating training with a stressful experience and wanting to skip it, so NEVER have children doing training like running around the field for long periods of time. NO LINES, NO LAPS, NO LECTURES.

This way, the main physical components of the stage are to promote acceleration, reaction, agility, and acyclic speed. Add exercises that result in some safe physical contacts with others; Soccer is a contact sport, so we want children to get used to this, and remember our overall principles when planning: If you can do it though soccer specifics, is always much better!

Physical Cheat Sheet:

  • Acyclic Speed
  • Acceleration
  • Reaction
  • Agility
  • NO Pure Aerobic Activities
  • NO Pure Anaerobic Lactic Activities

Technical Fundamentals: The stability period mentioned above provides a wonderful opportunity to focus on technical development. That’s why this stage is commonly understood as the “golden stage” of soccer coaching. A strong technical focus in this stage is responsible of a major part of the overall technical capacity the player will have in the future.

Contrary to the Micro Division stage, you can focus on any technical skill now, just take into account your country’s soccer government body regulations when it comes to heading. We recommend a limited number of repetitions and the usage of appropriate balls like volleyballs or even balloons. Also, don’t take this as a one-size-fits-all, remember that biological and chronological ages might defer vastly.

Children emulate easily, so using videos of famous players performing moves, as well as cartoons to promote their imagination tends to have a great impact.

Tactical Fundamentals: Children this age have evolved from the Micro Division but remember that their capacity to understand abstractions is still not fully developed. Remember, as well, that Tactics has a foundation and dependency on psychological, physical, and technical development, and that this last area (technique) is the main priority of the stage. Tactically they are introduced to the 1v1, 2v1 and 1v2 roles of attacking and defending.

Both from a technical and tactical point of view, the Rush soccer player at these ages should be able to turn, dribble, shoot, spread out, create passing options, support the attack, create 1v1 or 2v1 situations and change the point of attack. In defense they should be able to protect the goal, steal the ball, make it compact, keep it compact, pressure, cover, balance and try to outnumber the opponent.

Obviously, when you explain these things, do it in simple, concrete way.

Recommended activities: Spend lots of time in small numbers like 4v4 to sustain a higher level of repetitions and promote creativity., and play many 7v7 scrimmages. Small sided games 1v1, 1v2, 2v1, 2v2, 3v2, 2v3 are ideal in this stage to progressively build their game understanding in numbers. You can still use some fun games, just don’t make these nor analytical activities the core of your session.

Meeting Parents

Empathy is one of Rush Soccer’s core values, and we believe it requires little empathy to understand parents’ love for their children and their desire to stay involved. That doesn’t mean parents they know exactly how to be involved. Talk to them, guide them, present this curriculum before the star of the season and explain what you will do and why you will do it. Give them feedback and be open to listening to their concerns. Share expectations and use “we” rather than “I”. Parents and coaches need each other to accomplish the overall objective of the age group: focus on technical development while sustaining an enjoyable environment.

January 5, 2020

Rush Way
The Rush Way: Micro Division U6 – U8

*Clicca qui per trovare la versione italiana di questo documento – The Rush Way Micro Division (ITALIA)

*Clique aqui para ver a versão em português deste documento – The Rush Way Micro Division (PORTUGUESE)

THE RUSH WAY AGE GROUP GUIDES

The Rush Way Age Group Guides provide a more in depth look at Rush Soccer’s Developmental Blueprint, covering technical, tactical, physical, and psychosocial considerations, as well as guiding on how to apply Rush Way philosophies effectively to each age group.

THE RUSH WAY PHILOSOPHY

The Rush Way is the embodiment of all that is Rush Soccer; the rules and manner in which Rush members hold themselves and how they expect other Rush members to conduct themselves. This is not inherent in all people, but can be learned. The Rush Way encourages passion, leadership, respect and, above all, quality. Before reading this document and complementary to any age group curriculum, every coach should read the entire Rush Way Philosophy.

Core Values: There are 11 players on the field and so Rush Soccer has 11 core values as well. The four highlighted are considered the main ones for these age groups.

  • Accountability
  • Advice
  • Empathy
  • Humility
  • Enjoyment
  • Leadership
  • Passion
  • Respect
  • Safety
  • Tenacity
  • Unity

Player Position: Rush believes that under the age of 14, every player should have the opportunity to experience all positions on the field. Players should not be stereotyped into specific positions because of speed, size or other qualities, but should experience the emotion and functions of all positions on the field. These experiences allow them to advance their soccer knowledge, raise their technical ability, and gives them opportunities to think as a field player, all of which raise the level of their position-specific demands.

70 Games & Playing Time: Playing time for any individual is completely at the coach’s discretion. Rush encourages that playing time at all levels should be equal throughout the season. At the younger developmental ages, players should be exposed to as much of the game as possible. Limiting team roster size will aid in increased playing time for all players. Remember the spirit of the 70 Games Philosophy stated at The Heart Of The Rush: One of the main objectives of a Rush club must be to provide opportunities and environments for the players to elevate the overall number of playing hours as much as possible.

Substitutions: Regardless of the state of the game, all players should come off the field and exchange courtesy with their replacement (when possible). This will promote team spirit and give confidence to the players entering the field.

Pre-game / Warm Up Routines: For this age group, the Rush Way suggestion is to take the warm up opportunity to review a concept trained during the week on a quick activity. End this period with a fun, engaging activity. Normally this is achieved by simply shooting at goal. Promote the excitement of playing, and remember that kids at this age don’t need any type of warm up from a biological point of view, so routines like stretching are not needed.

During the Match: Games are a great coaching opportunity, but caution, don’t over do it. Make sure your coaching is positive and builds confidence, like stated in the Rush Blue Thread, and make most of your comments when off the ball and preferably in natural stoppages.

Half Time: Rush encourages players to analyze problems and discuss solutions on their own before coach intervention. Players should be given a couple of minutes away from the coaching staff to voice opinions and discuss solutions. The coach should then bring their views and knowledge to the group. The Rush Way expects our comments to apply the 4:1 positive to instructional coaching method. Once again, understand the 4:1 ratio as a tool to coach positively, not as a unbreakable rule. Don’t over-coach in this period, remember that kids’ span of attention is limited and they don’t understand abstract concepts at this age, so focus on the motivational aspects and the enjoyment of playing.

Post Game: Once again, the Rush Way is to coach positively, encourage players, and build confidence. In this age group, stay very positive independently of results and always highlighting the enjoyment of playing the sport.

Greeting: Players are expected to greet the staff with a handshake for all staff local, national and international. The Rush staff across the country expect their players to shake their coaches hand each time they meet. Why?…respect, build social skills, break down barriers, learn culturally accepted behavior, the list goes on.

Coaches’ Sideline Behavior: From the outside, the conduct of the coach on the sideline can be perceived as a reflection of the conduct of all coaches within Rush Soccer. Coaches are a reflection of their players and should conduct themselves with respect for the officials, the opponents and the game of soccer. Remain positive when at all possible but motivational throughout. Coach actively but don’t misunderstand that with constant narrating and interventions. Actively means engaged. Education and being a first class role model are the paramount reasons that a coach has been given the honor to coach for Rush. It is always important to remember this.

Parents’ Sideline Behavior: Rush parents are expected to be positive, motivational and supportive to all players and officials, period. Parents are expected not to coach from the sidelines but enjoy the experience of the game.

Players’ Sideline Behavior: Players are encouraged to support other Rush teams and give their full-hearted support. Learn the Rush song; be as loud but respectful as possible and help educate the rest of the country in the way soccer should be supported, as it is in the rest of the world.

Risk Management: Accepting a coaching position means accepting responsibilities. Exercise reasonable care, have a first aid kit, take a CPR course, as well as make sure every kid departs with their parents or designated individuals, never leave a player alone after practice, among others.

The Rush Blue Thread

In Soccer as in life, most things are not black or white and common sense can’t be replaced. Exceptions aside, the Rush Blue Thread pursues the application of the following eight principles at all levels and ages. Rush Soccer has a player centered approach.

  1. The coach uses conditions to encourage competition.
  2. There is an ongoing cycle of feedback and reflection between the coach and the player.
  3. Each activity contains decision making elements.
  4. The design of the season, week, and training session meets the needs of the players and teams.
  5. Coaching points are based on visual cues.
  6. The ball is rolling at least 70% of the time in the session.
  7. A minimum of 75% of the session is game based and opposed.
  8. Coaching is positive to encourage and build confidence.

THE RUSH WAY: U6-U8 MICRO DIVISION

OBJECTIVE: Develop Healthy Players With A Strong Passion For Soccer.

Age Group Coaching Approach: At this age group our role as a coach is to introduce the game of soccer to these young players. Our main focus is to provide players with an understanding of the game and the rules of the game. Many coaches take it upon themselves to physically do everything for their players (chase balls that go out of bounds, set balls for kick-ins, goal-kicks, and kick-offs). It is the job of the coach to show or demonstrate to the players how to execute these functions and then allow the player on their own to implement these rules of the game. Allow these young players to learn by trial and error, use the game as the teacher.

All training should be structured around the technical side of the game, emphasizing fun. Even if all technical skills can be introduced along the process, we focus on dribbling. Encourage players to be creative, take chances, to dribble, and to go at opposing players. Too often coaches emphasize passing and clearing the ball. We want our players to be comfortable with the ball not clear it away every time they get the ball. Encourage players to control, dribble, and score goals.

During practice each player should have a ball. This will allow them to get much needed repetitions. That doesn’t mean that every activity should be thought out to have every player with a ball, obviously the real game is played with only one. Guard against having lines. Rule of thumb, no more than 2 players should be waiting to participate in an activity. When possible have everyone participate. Keep exercises and activities short, this will prevent the players from becoming bored and disinterested. Keep your coaching short and to the point, at this age players struggle to comprehend. Have players participate in activities and play the game.

It is extremely important to stay 4:1 on the positive (“Good job”, “well done”, “outstanding”, etc.) to instructional comments (“Dribble with the inside and outside of the foot”) through out the session. Once again, remember that the 4:1 is a tool to coach positively, not an unbreakable rule. Encourage players to enjoy the game and have fun! It is each coach’s job to create this environment.

Psycho-Social Foundations: When you coach a team or a player, the most important thing is always to understand who you are training. Players in this age range have very short attention span so give instructions very briefly and concisely. Their brains don’t understand abstraction. SHOW ME is a very important word for our training. In addition, they do not have the ability to collaborate with many elements: Players of this age are in a very egocentric phase. Always me and my ball.

Safety: It is the most important thing here, understanding it from a holistic point of view. Players have to feel safe in their environment to feel free and experiment. Pay attention to signs, such as when a player has both arms behind their back as a sign of lack of motivation or fear. Sometimes children are placed in the wrong environment that is too challenging for them. Remember, if the player does not feel safe he/she will not participate in the activity and if they do not participate they will not learn.

Preferred training methodologies: Game-based methodologies that integrate long periods of play without interruption. Play-Practice-Play is a good approach.

So here is a Psycho-social Cheat Sheet.

  • Motivation: Coach positively, build confidence, encourage. 4:1 Coaching Method
  • Self Confidence: Remember that praising by the effort rather than the skill helps children develop a growth mindset.
  • Small Numbers Collaboration Capacity: Don’t expect them to pass the ball or collaborate with many elements, it’s a me and the ball stage, and that’s fine. That’s why dribbling is the focus.
  • Apply The Rush Blue Thread in session design and execution.
  • Concrete Thinking: Avoid abstractions. Short and concrete. Visual, auditory, and kinesthetic (‘show me’) through demonstration.
  • Respect & Discipline
  • Enjoyment: Always, always, always keep it FUN! We want these age groups to develop a passion for the game, and that results from future association of these experiences with positive feelings.

Physical Fundamentals: Kids at this stage don’t possess anaerobic lactic capacity, that is the body’s capacity to produce energy for long high intense efforts. Aerobic capacity, at the same time, increases as a result of metabolic changes that derive from growth rather than from training. On the other hand, the kids anaerobic alactic capacity is good, which is the capacity to make short, high intense efforts and recover quickly.

All of this is telling us that we should avoid demanding our kids to run laps or similar approaches towards developing aerobic capacity until they are past puberty, as this increase will purely result from growth. On the contrary, if demanded, this would create a lot of stress in the kids body, which could result in a negative association with the activity for the future. Repetitions of long distance high speed runs are also not recommended. Short sprints are good, and the kids recover quickly from them.

Based on these facts, science recommends that we focus on the development of basic motor skills and coordinative capacities. If you can do it through soccer, it’s always better. Think of it as: Throwing and Catching are BMS’s that could be developed through goalkeeping games.

Physical Cheat Sheet:

  • Coordinative Capacities
  • BMS’s: Running, Jumping, Throwing, Catching, Rolling Over
  • NO Pure Aerobic Activities
  • NO Pure Anaerobic Lactic Activities

Technical Fundamentals: Technical development is the primary component for this age group. Once again, make an emphasis on dribbling. The others can be introduced but shouldn’t be the focus.

Heading starts at U12 in the USA. However, correct technique can be introduced with a balloon or volleyball at younger ages so players can experiment.

Tactical Fundamentals: The fact that children at this stage can’t interpret abstractions limits the tactical scope vastly. That’s ok, there will be other stages to focus on this. Remember that Tactics has a foundation and dependency on psychological, physical, and technical development, and that this last area (technique) is the main priority of the stage.

Therefore, only focus on basic principles of the game. Examples are:

  • Defending: Positioning. Standing between the ball and our goal when defending. Chase the ball down!
  • Attacking: Spread Out!

Obviously, when you explain these things, do it in the most simple possible way.

Recommended activities: Keep the game in small numbers, focus here on 1v1, 2v1, 1v2, 2v2, 3v2, 2v3, 3v3. Don’t go past 4v4.

Fun Games: Crab soccer, crazy box dribble, marbles, moving goals, among others, and a lot of scrimmages!

Meeting Parents

Empathy is one of Rush Soccer’s core values, and we believe it requires little empathy to understand parents’ love for their children and their desire to stay involved. That doesn’t mean parents they know exactly how to be involved. Talk to them, guide them, present this curriculum before the star of the season and explain what you will do and why you will do it. Give them feedback and be open to listening to their concerns. Share expectations and use “we” rather than “I”. Parents and coaches need each other to accomplish the overall objective of the age group: developing healthy children that become passionate soccer players.

January 4, 2020

Rush Way
Rush Way – How We Coach Checklist

RUSH WAY – HOW WE COACH CHECKLIST

This document presents a simple checklist to evaluate compliance with The Rush Blue Thread. It is encouraged that every Director Of Coaching uses this checklist on a periodic basis. 

This checklist is based on the document Rush Way – The Heart Of The Rush

Request a copy of this checklist by emailing coachdevelopment@rushsoccer.com

February 19, 2019

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