Coaching Positional Soccer: Perfecting Principles and Skills

Coaching soccer can be challenging to both the beginner and advanced coach. However, at any level, a modern and adaptive soccer playing style can be developed as players progressively acquire specific tactics and technical skills. Step-by-step, essential soccer lessons can be learned and then combined to build up a complex playing method. This positional coaching approach teaches players how to create, exploit, and defend spaces on the soccer field by using core playing principles. Players who understand these principles will have the ability to quickly adjust from one game moment to the next regardless of circumstances, strategy, or formation. The provided comprehensive practice plans, which include diagrams and sketches, will make practice planning a straightforward process throughout the season. Using the best teaching approaches and coaching interventions will also improve coaching confidence and accelerate player and team development.

Michael Curless has coached and participated in all levels of youth soccer for the past 35 years. He grew up playing soccer at a high level in the US before moving to Europe to play. After returning to the US, Michael earned his doctorate in clinical psychology, as well as his USSF A coaching soccer license. Currently, Michael splits his time between soccer coaching and his private psychology practice.