Our Curriculum & Principles

Core Technical Development Curriculum

Here at The Training Pitch we’ve developed a distinct way of how we develop players as a supplement to their club or school’s development. The curriculum was heavily influenced by Coerver Coaching Methodologies, Bourdeau Skill School’s Player Playbook, and My Personal Football Coach Courses. We will work to get the best out of players while supporting their club or school coach’s direction. These are the core parts to our technical curriculum.

Whole body development. Both left and right feet, thighs, chest, and head (if age appropriate) will all be worked.

Technical Rest. When players catch their breath they are focusing on ball control and accurate touches.

Combination play. The appropriate options and techniques for 2v1, 2v2, and 3v2 game scenarios. 

Ball Mastery. Inside of foot, outside of foot, laces, soles, tow pokes and backheel development. Movement while juggling, shielding, fast feet, lifts, turns are all important aspects to drill and develop.

Aggressive Dribbling. For top speed, control in tight spaces, to unbalance your defender, to get out of pressure, and to break the line of defense 

Attacking Prowess. Feints, moves, acceleration into space, reading/feeling the defense, crossing, and cutting in will all be thoroughly covered.

Defensive Solidarity.  Tracking runners, last second clearances, hooking the ball wide, delaying the first runner, transition to defense, headers from crosses and high lofted balls and getting stuck in are all critical parts for strong defenders.

Precision Passing and Receiving. Driven off the grass, Driven to switch the point of attack, chipped into space, first touches on ground and in the air with the inside, outside, sole and laces of foot will be relentlessly trained.

Clinical Shooting. From distance, from cutbacks, off the half volley, off of the full volley, off of the dribble, one touch from crosses, two touch receive and shoot, and headers will be drilled.

Principles of Training

SESSION PRINCIPLES

  1. Constant Improvement - You have never reached your full potential. Push yourself every session to be better

  2. Learnability - You can learn how to do anything. All it takes is time and focus

  3. True Effort - Effort is between you and you. You’re the only one who knows if you gave it your all

  4. Enter the Arena - Push yourself to play against the top players and those above your age group

  5. Imitate your Heroes - Imitation is the greatest form of flattery so in your position, practice and master their techniques

  6. Train to Exhaustion. When you’re tired your technique gets lost. Train for quality when you’re legs are heaviest

  7. Live is Live - Everything after warm up on the training ground is to be done at full speed

  8. Destroy Glass Ceilings - Nothing in this world is predetermined. Push your game through all preconceived notions

GAME PRINCIPLES

  1. Want the ball. You play to desire the ball at your feet from the first minute til the whistle blows

  2. Find a Way - Understand what you’re up against and find your competitive advantage

  3. Play by your Instincts  - Get out of your head and let your training determine your play

  4. Stay Humble - Let your game do the talking for you

  5. Be Unpredictable - The opposition should always be guessing and on their backfoot

  6. Chippichawa (Passion) - Show the Fire in the Eyes. Take pride in your style