Keep Away Project

Penn United Soccer Academy –The Keepaway Project (KAP)- Winter 2017/18

The Concept:

The Penn United coaching directors have spent close to 10 years working with kids from the North Central PA region. Coaching methodologies have been tried, tested and measured in that time-indeed the coaching structure is continuously being evaluated. During the hundreds of camps, clinics and college preparation sessions there remains a thirst for improvement and testing from the staff.

During many discussions during the summer of 2011 & 2012, Penn United’s coaching staff became eager to experiment with a unique training opportunity. The process comes from the Barcelona Academy and the versatility and teaching that comes from “keepaway” sessions in training. Keepaway sessions come with a purpose and a focus, but also relate immediately to game day scenarios, giving the player and the coach the feedback loop needed for correction and improvement.

The Question:
Would training sessions that only consisted of keepaway activities lead to faster improvement in players?

What can be accomplished/dealt with during a well structured keepaway session?

Technical improvement

Movement

Individual Defending

Group defending

1-2s (wall passes)

Combos

Overlapping

Reading of the game

Support

The ability to play faster

Through balls

Communication

Fitness

Individual 1v1 attacking skills

Pressure Play

Winning mentalities

Coping with losing

Recovering quickly

Improved habits

Shielding

Responsibility to keep the ball

Some elements of the game that a keepaway game might not cover:
11 v 11 field positioning. Goalkeeping. Shooting/Finishing.

Summary:
For the most part, the game of soccer is played in sections on the field that can easily be simulated in a keepaway environment. While the most advanced teams will follow a tactical shape and formation based on 11 players, the nuts and bolts of being a good player can be found in a keepaway training session.

How will we know if it works?
This is a difficult question. We plan on a thorough evaluation of the players in the first session and then re-testing at the end of the training program. As a minimum, the players will receive the very same keepaway training that professional players take part in everyday. As a staff, our question will be the rateof progression vs “regular” training sessions or just scrimmaging. While we won’t try to claim that the project will be scientifically sound, we will be drawing our own conclusions based on our current methodologies. During the KAP program last year, our staff saw dramatic improvement in all players involved.

Sample 60 Minute Training Session:
1. 10 minute free dribble warm up, stretch and move.

4v1 Rondos (from the Barcelona Academy).

–2 touch

-1 touch

-3 touch mandatory

-Weak foot

5v2. Focus pro-active first touch away from pressure and looking for players to know where they’re going before they get the ball.
–2 touch

-Both feet

7v2 (Used daily by Manchester United).
-Transition Exercise – focus on fitness and speed of support
Cool down & Stretch

The Program:
State College KAP – December – March | Tuesday Evenings
Mifflin KAP – January – March | Wednesday Evenings

Project Staff Directors & Bios

Danny Orton

Penn United Soccer Academy, Director of Soccer Operations
Penn United Soccer Camps Director
English FA Prelim Badge (USSF B Equivalent), USSF D
British Universities National Champion 1996
NSCAA Director of Coaching Diploma
Full time soccer professional in North Central PA for 10 years
State College High School Boys Coach
Has a college coaching network and showcased hundreds of players, helping them go on to successful college careers.
Andrew Beverly

NSCAA National Diploma (Distinguished Pass), USSF D, E & Youth Modules
NSCAA State Goalkeeping Diploma
NSCAA Advanced National Diploma
NSCAA Director of Coaching Diploma
Central Mountain High School Girls Asst. Coach

Additional Staff…click here

Fee:
State College KAP $130 per player.
Mifflin KAP $90 per player.
Fee covers: 10 sessions, t-shirt, gym rental & insurance.

Registration & Eligibility Requirements

Age groups offered:
Boys & Girls U10-U18 Click here for age group chart
(Players separated based on age and ability)

Dates/Times:
State College KAP – Tuesdays 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Dec 5, 12
Jan 2, 16, 23
Feb 6, 20, 27
March 6, 13, 20, 27

Mifflin KAP – Wednesdays 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm, depending on group (one hour time blocks)
Jan 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
Feb 7, 14, 21, 28
March 7, 14, 21

Player Requirements:
We’re asking that players have played one season of competitive travel soccer.

Process:
Register online through Team Snap. 32 Players Max. Space Limited.
State College KAP Registration
Mifflin County KAP Registration

Quote from Xavi while at the Barcelona Academy:
Some youth academies worry about winning, we worry about education. You see a kid who lifts his head up, who plays the pass first time, pum, and you think, ‘Yep, he’ll do.’ Bring him in, coach him. Our model was imposed by [Johan] Cruyff; it’s an Ajax model. It’s all about rondos [piggy in the middle]. Rondo, rondo, rondo. Every. Single. Day. It’s the best exercise there is. You learn responsibility and not to lose the ball. If you lose the ball, you go in the middle. Pum-pum-pum-pum, always one touch. If you go in the middle, it’s humiliating, the rest applaud and laugh at you.