La Liga Methodology Coaching Courses Developed by US Club Soccer
US Club Soccer has announced the formation of three LaLiga methodology coaching courses that will kick off in March. LaLiga signed a technical partnership with US Club Soccer with the goals of progressing development techniques within the organization as well as creating new resources for coaches. Spain’s La Liga has been the top league in Europe for many years and is the home league to Barcelona FC and Real Madrid FC.
US Club Soccer News: US Club Soccer – a prominent member of the U.S. Soccer Federation and the leading organization developing soccer clubs across America – today announces the first three LaLiga formation methodology coaching education courses, kicking off March 11-13, 2016 in College Station, Texas.
When LaLiga signed a long-term technical partnership with US Club Soccer in August 2015, the international league instantly became a staple of the new platform. The partnership promised involvement in US Club Soccer player development initiatives, as well as the creation of new coaching education resources.
Beginning this spring, LaLiga methodology experts will present coaching education courses to American audiences and share curriculum used across LaLiga academies to train some of the world’s best athletes.
The full 2016 schedule is still in development, but the first three courses have been confirmed:
LaLiga Formation Methodology Level 3 Course – Hosted by United Soccer Club (USC)
March 11-13; Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas
Course web page | Registration
LaLiga Formation Methodology Level 3 Course – Hosted by NorCal Premier Soccer
June 3-5; Location TBD
LaLiga Formation Methodology Level 3 Course – Hosted by Virginia NPL
July 29-31; Location TBD
“USC is excited to partner with US Club Soccer to bring this first-of-its-kind course to our club members,” says Pat O’Toole, USC President and Challenge SC Director of Coaching. “We hope that this course will help every coach in our league become better in developing players in their teams and clubs, and will help us continue to raise the bar across Texas in club expertise and professionalism.”
Next on the docket is a course to be hosted by NorCal Premier Soccer, June 3-5. The organization’s President, Benjamin Ziemer, was one of four US Club Soccer officials who traveled to Spain in December in preparation for the launching of LaLiga Formation Methodology.
“Having attended the course in Spain, I can enthusiastically recommend that anyone interested in youth development should attend,” says Ziemer, adding an endorsement for LaLiga clinicians Gari Fullaondo and Hugo Blanco. “Gari and Hugo: they have a leg up in academia and a leg up on the field. That’s one of the things that makes these courses so powerful.”
The following month, Virginia NPL is slated to host another LaLiga Formation Methodology course, July 29-31.
“Virginia NPL is committed to development of its member clubs through player development and coaching education programs,” says Mike Cullina, Prince William Courage Technical Director and US Club Soccer Board of Directors member. “LaLiga is the standard for player development in the world, and we are thrilled to provide this extraordinary opportunity to our coaches.”
About the Course
LaLiga Formation Methodology courses outline the philosophy and methods used across LaLiga to train, develop and form some of the world’s top players. There are three levels, with Level 3 serving as an introduction to the comprehensive development strategies used by the top professional league in the world. Level 2 will serve as the intermediate stage, and Level 1 expands further on coaching education methods with time in Spain working directly with Spanish academies. Level 1 and 2 courses will be made available in 2017.
The 2½-day Level 3 course includes theory and practical sessions both on and off the field. Topics include: 1) Methodological Foundations of Training, 2) Structure of Training, 3) Development of the Training Model, 4) Training Tactical Concepts, 5) Training Technique, 6) System Development and Strategy and 7) Training Physical Elements.
The course fee also includes a one-year license for each attendee to Kimet Sport – the software for design, control, evaluation and periodization of training sessions used as for the course and by LaLiga academies, including Real Madrid C.F., FC Barcelona, Atlético Madrid, Athletic Bilbao and Sevilla FC.
Follow-up webinars are also included post-course for continued learning.
Players First is a branded, holistic club soccer experience for parents and players, which emphasizes the development of each individual to his or her full potential, and helps parents make better choices about where their children should play. It is focused on five pillars: Club Development, Coaching Development, Player Development, Parent Engagement & Education and Player Health & Safety.
Technicians and LaLiga Leadership
LaLiga methodology expert Gari Fullaondo is the Technical Advisor for the Committee of Football Coaches of the Royal Spanish Football Federation, the Director at Kimet Sport, which advises sport methodology and offers consulting services. Fullaondo is a UEFA-PRO coach with a master’s degree in physical training, and was previously the Director of Methodology at Athletic Bilbao.
Hugo Blanco is LaLiga’s Sports Projects Coordinator and an expert in methodology training. He has extensive experience with the Galician Football Federation and Galician School of Coaching, among other organizations. Blanco holds a Ph.D. in Science of Physical Activity and Sport from Universidad de A Coruña and has researched and published several articles relating to top-level soccer performance.
Fernando Sanz is the LaLiga General Director Middle East & North Africa and International Projects. He oversees the US Club Soccer/LaLiga partnership. Sanz played at Real Madrid C.F. from 1994-99, winning UEFA Champions League, Super Cup, Intercontinental Cup and Spanish League titles. He concluded his playing career with Málaga C.F., playing in 205 games from 1999-2006. After retiring, he became the club’s president (2006-10) and consequently saved it from economic turmoil. During the same time, Sanz was also a member of the Royal Spanish Football Federation.
Source/Photo Credit: U.S. Club Soccer
