In this section you will learn about new initiatives for 2008-2009 season. These initiatives reflect a year long process of research, self-reflection, and collaboration amongst our professional coaches and adminstrators.
The PSA has been hard at work in an effort to provide the best possible soccer experience for every player in the club. This past year we have re-evaluated all aspects of our program. Through research of many of the "Best Practices" programs from around the country, we are actively implementing new initiatives that will promote long-term development of our players, coaches, and administrators.
In 2008-2009, PSA will take a collaborative approach to training, coaching, and player development. Our Professional Staff will create a training environment that is of the highest quality regardless of skill level or talent.
Below are a couple of Questions and Answers about some of the new Travel Program Initaitives.
1. What is a Director of Coaching and what is this person responsible for?
Answer: A Director of Coaching (DOC) is a soccer professional whose main job is to identify the needs of players and coaches and to help improve their level of knowledge and skill.
We believe that one of the missing pieces of PSA in the past has been the lack of meaningful, consistent, and timely evaluation of player and professional coaching performance. Our new DOC will be in charge of making sure that each coach in PSA is provided with guidance and mentoring in order to increase that persons ability to serve the needs of the players in their charge. The DOC will also have direct contact with players and parents to address specific concerns that directly effect the players performance on the field.
The DOC is responsible for the implementation of the Princeton Soccer Association Curriculum. A curriculum is useless without a person/persons who can model and teach its content. The DOC will work with the professional and volunteer coaching staff through clinics, model training sessions, classroom sessions, and during team training to teach the curriculum. This is important to PSA because it provides a uniform progression for all players in the club. It also allows for more fluid player and coach movement as each team is pulling in the same direction.
2. What types of changes will we see in the training program at PSA?
Answer: This year PSA took a hard look at its training program and determined that some part were not working in the best interest of player development. In the past, PSA assigned a coach or trainer to a team and then left that person to "sink or swim" on his or her own.
In 2008-2009, PSA will take a collaborative approach to training. Each week our DOC will hold professional staff meetings to discuss what training methods are working and which are not. He will be working with our staff to create a training environment that is of the highest quality regardless of skill level or talent. Our DOC in conjunction with our professional coaches will create a vision for our entire travel team program, not just one elite team or selected group of players.
We will continue to offer pool sessions, however, these sessions will not be "supervised play" but rather another opportunity for player development. We will provide quality instruction with an emphasis on individual skills.
PSA has partnered with SOURCE Institute for Human Performance to provide our players with Speed and Strength Training Clinics. Follow the link to learn more about SOURCE and the programs it provides to PSA.
3. Who will the coaches be in 2008-2009*?
We are hard at work looking for the most talented and dedicated professional staff to help provide your children with the best professional soccer coaching and training. Here is a list of staff that will be in place for 2008-2009*:
Michael Poller, Executive Director- United States Soccer Federation National "B" Coaching License, NJ Youth Soccer Coaching School Staff Member, NJYSA ODP Coach and Evaluator, NCAA Division 1 player, NJYSA ODP Player
Christain Sanje, Director of Coaching- NJYS National "D" Coaching License, Former Member of the NY/NJ Metro Stars, NCAA Division 1 player, High School All-American, US Youth Soccer ODP National Team Pool Player, US Youth Soccer National Champion
Christopher Mayer, Director of Training - Former Princeton University Men’s Assistant Coach, NJYSA ODP Coach and Evaluator, NCAA Division 1 player
Jennifer Marcella, Director of Travel Development Academy- US Youth Soccer National Youth Coaching License, NCAA Division 1 player, NJYSA ODP player
Paul Campbell, Director of Goalkeeping- Technical Director for Jamaican National Program Goalkeepers, Earned 10 Full International Appearances for the Jamaican National Team leading up to World Cup 1990, Former Professional Player, Former NCAA Division 1 Coach
Oscar Cantu- United States Soccer Federation National "C" Coaching License, NCAA Division 1 player
Brain Ruddy- Former PSA player turned coach, NCAA Division 3 player
Fred "Chuck" Cook- Former PSA player turned coach
We will be adding to our 2008-2009 Coaching Roster. Please check back for updates and additions.
* subject to change
4. How important is competition for results?
Answer: Competition is a central element in a young player’s development. At the Under 7- Under 12 level a competitive environment is NOT a result oriented environment. The differences is very clear to every coach working within these age groups. A competitive environment at this level encourages decisions from players and the coach that focus the player on performance rather than outcome. The coach must foster an environment that favors inventiveness and creativity over the score or outcome.
Competition amongst children will exist whether or not the coach is present. It is up to the coach to foster this fundamental part of soccer in a positive and healthy way. Scoring goals and winning games are essential to build self-esteem and confidence in young players. Let them compete, but don’t allow the outcome to be the focus.
PSA believes in Small Sided Games (SSG) for player development. If it were up to us, players at Under 12 and below would all be playing (SSG).
As players get older (Under 13 and above),results become more important but are still not the focus.
5. What other initiatives does PSA have planned?
Answer: We have many new initiatives planned. You can rest assured that all of our initiatves will be in the best interest of player development and the continued success of the PSA. We are looking at strategic partnerships on the local and international level to provide the best possible services to our players. We will continue to examine our programs and work towards our goal of being the best full service soccer club in NJ.
