Long-Term Player Development
(Toronto,ON)- The Ontario Soccer Association (OSA) has officially embarked on their Long-Term Player Development (LTPD) program, which aims to establish an innovative foundation for players and coaches for years to come.
This new coaching curriculum, developed by the Canadian Soccer Association (CSA), focuses on nurturing the development of the player- by engaging, teaching and training each individual youngster to their particular needs.The program’s vision entails a ‘player-centred’ approach by providing players with the necessary man-management skills they require.
The OSA conducted their first “Active Start” and “FUNdamentals” coaches’ workshops in Ottawa and York Region (Woodbridge) and the response has been incredibly positive from those who attended the sessions.
By focusing on the player, the program is aiming to improve the individual soccer development of every boy and girl across the province. The program is designed to identify each players’ strengths and weaknesses and thus allows for greater attention to be placed on the areas which need improving.
The development stage-specific coaching uses adult education principles such as facilitated learning, self-directed modules and the thorough evaluation of both coaches and facilitators.
In these all-important early learning stages—Active Start (up to U6), FUNdamentals (U6-U9 for boys, U6-U8 for girls) and Learning to Train (U9 to U12 males and U8-U11females)- the coaches will focus on distinct activities and/or training methods that are suited to young players at each of those respective stages.
In these new coaching courses, the overall teaching approach is mentorship and facilitation-based, to help participants learn in a supportive environment.The workshops are designed to allow participants to practice the core skills required in each different coaching situation and to enable them to reflect on how they can apply what they have learned in their own programs later on.
If you wish to sign up for an upcoming coaching course, please do so at (http://www.ontariosoccer.net/Coach/CourseClinicCalendar.aspx)