Philosophy

The aim of OSSA is to develop each player to the best of their potential. This goal is reached through combining a proven training curriculum with coaches able to teach the game and players with the work ethic and ability to push themselves to develop. This philosophy stretches from U13 players to U18 players looking to continue to play at all levels of the college game.

For information on our program geared towards helping our players with selecting the right college for them to play soccer please review our Colleges section.

Specifically we look to the US Soccer Federation and other leading soccer organizations and what they recommend while balancing that with the individual needs of our teams and players.

U13-U14

Development of Individual Skills - Individual & Small Group Tactics

Adult standards and formal rules become applicable. The pace of development quickens at this time due to the acceleration of physical and mental maturation. The demands of skill training as well as training loads should increase thus provoking improvement in mental toughness, concentration and diligence. Awareness of tactics within the game becomes an important facet of the learning process. Players tend to be self-critical and rebellious, but have a strong commitment to the team. Increase Tactical Speed (decision making under pressure)

Attacking: Keep possession; Encourage risk taking: taking players on in the proper areas of the field.
Defending: Proper pressure (in front and behind); Channel player; Immediate chase, angles of pressure.

Attacking: Keep possession: Support; Combination play: wall pass, take-over, overlap, double pass. Width, depth, penetration; Crossing with proper runs in the box; Simple set plays.
Defending: Angle and distance of cover. Balance. Delaying and pressing as a group.

Team:

Attacking: Keep possession. Play the ball away from pressure. Maintaining balance in the chosen system. Interchange of positions during the run of play. Encourage attackers to take defenders on in the final third. Keeper as an integral part of the attack (play balls back to the keeper). Players play a variety of positions.
Defending: Maintain good "shape". Zonal concepts. Knowing when to "delay" or "step." Clear decision on where the "line of confrontation" will be. Maintaining good "pressure & Cover" through all three thirds of the field.

Physical:
All fitness work with the ball.

Flexibility - Static Stretching and Dynamic Flexibility
Agility- Coordination with and without the ball.
Speed
Strength - non-weight bearing, core strength and stability
Endurance
Balance

Psychological:
The game should remain fun and enjoyable. Players should have a passion for the game.
Imagination/creativity
Increase demands
Establish training targets
Maintain discipline
Encourage players/teams to watch professional and national teams games on tv.

The Game: 11 v 11

U15 and U16

Individual Skill Development

Small Group Ideas - Moving forward together on attack, realistic pressure, and how to help your team win the ball back.

How Small Group Ideas Tie Into Larger Team Concepts - Similarities between high and low pressure, keeping your back line connected with attacking players during possession in your attacking half, or rhythm of play issues - when to speed up and when to slow down.

Basic Positional Responsibilities - How responsibilities as a team are interconnected. For example, how backs share defensive responsibilities, how decisions that the defending line makes are related to the decisions of the players in front of them, or the role of the holding midfielder in your team's possession.

Accountability For Their Execution And Decisions With The Ball - Players at this age must aspire to have technical precision, Players must understand how their ability to collect and pass a ball has a direct impact on all aspects of the game.

U17 and U18

Technical Proficiency and Precision

Games Insight

Playing Different Systems

Employing Tactics Based On Your Opponents Strengths

Game Management