The following is a part of a lecture given by Gerard Molenaars at the MSYSA's International Week in 2001.

A Training Session According to the Dutch Vision

1) A training session must include typical soccer objectives.

- Scoring and preventing goals. There must be a competition between two teams and both teams must have a chance to score. This can be accomplished by using goals, i.e., the basic 4v4 game, or objectives such as 7 consecutive passes for one team and dribbling the ball over an end line for the other such as in the 5v2 game.
- Buildup. The team in possession must have the opportunity and challenge to buildup it's attacks.
- Transition. With both teams having a means to score they both learn about the benefits and consequences in a change of possession. The training doesn't stop when a team loses the ball.
- Playing to win. Winning is important, it is the objective for both teams. By carefully controlling the elements the coach can keep the emphasis on the learning process. In this way real learning can take place.

2) Many repetitions. The coaching moment must be repeated often with attention paid to the proper work/rest ratio.

3) Group considerations.

- Age. A training session for u-14's may be inappropriate for u-9's and vice versa.
- Ability. A high level u-12 travel teams capabilities are different then a rec. team of the same age. Training must take into account the real abilities of the children and not the wished for ones.
- Motivation. Training should take into account what the CHILDREN want and expect. Too often they serve as a tool for the adults vision.

4) Correct coaching

- Don't talk too much. Over coaching, like micromanagement, leads to decreased motivation, learned helplessness and disrupts the flow of play. It is better to make one or two correct and timely observations in a practice then 100 poor and irrelevant ones.
- Let them play. A well constructed game with motivated players can achieve remarkable results.
- Give the right advice. Stay on topic, pick the moments carefully and when in doubt remain quiet. When players recognize poor advice their respect for the coach can crumble.
- Ask the children. Do they understand what you are talking about? Do they understand the objective, the why, what, where, when and how? Don't take it for granted when they nod in agreement that that is the case.

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