INTERVIEW WITH KARL DEWAZIEN
Coach Karl
About Karl :
Karl Dewazien is truly one of the pioneers of youth soccer in America today.
Having earned his U.S. Soccer Federation "A" license in 1974, he has been the coaching director for the California Youth Soccer Association since 1978.
Coach Karl developed the "modified Laws of the Game" for youth players adopted by the USYSA which has become the standard throughout the U.S. and Canada. He initiated the youth soccer camp movement on the west coast and has since been a clinician for thousands of youth soccer coaches throughout the U.S.
He has been a contributor to every major soccer publication in the U.S. and is a featured speaker at state and national soccer events. His book "FUNdamental Soccer Practice" has been translated into Spanish and Chinese and is currently the official handbook for youth soccer for the Peoples Republic of China.
Coach Karl holds licenses and certifications including USSF Referee instructor, FIFA International Youth Coaching Academies, Dutch coaching courses, and DFB German Football Association "A" license, among others.
Having earned his U.S. Soccer Federation "A" license in 1974, he has been the coaching director for the California Youth Soccer Association since 1978.
Coach Karl developed the "modified Laws of the Game" for youth players adopted by the USYSA which has become the standard throughout the U.S. and Canada. He initiated the youth soccer camp movement on the west coast and has since been a clinician for thousands of youth soccer coaches throughout the U.S.
He has been a contributor to every major soccer publication in the U.S. and is a featured speaker at state and national soccer events. His book "FUNdamental Soccer Practice" has been translated into Spanish and Chinese and is currently the official handbook for youth soccer for the Peoples Republic of China.
Coach Karl holds licenses and certifications including USSF Referee instructor, FIFA International Youth Coaching Academies, Dutch coaching courses, and DFB German Football Association "A" license, among others.
:* What are your youth soccer players formation principles? Karl :
At our coaching courses in California we have been teaching the 5-7-9-11 methodology. Over the past several years other states have include the 3 vs. 3 and 4 vs. 4 games.Our (5-7-9-11) methodology is based on the logical development of players chronological age, maturation and increasing pressure (opponents) accordingly. For example. We propose that The U-6 game is 5vs.5 or 4vs.4 on the field with or without goalkeepers. This takes into consideration that the player with the ball needs support -at least one in front -one to either left or right side - and one behind.
That is a total of four players and the beginning of positional play!
Two years older the U-8 brings Two more players onto the field - and the game is now recommended to being 7vs.7. The coach can now work on the 2-2-2 system. GK -2- Backs, 2 - Midfielders and 2 Forward. They can also work on players staying on the right or left channels of the field.
Two years later we add two more opponents. That is U-10 play 9vs.9. Now the coach and players can work on the eventual adult systems of play which force the coach to make a decision with the odd numbered players.
For example in the 4-3-3 system. In the 9 vs. 9 game we build on the 'the three lines' function of Backs, Midfielders and Forwards. They are positioned depending on the teams strength and weaknesses and the opposition. If the opponent is strong we would place more Backs on the field and play a possible 3-3-2 system and adjust accordingly.
This leads us to the U-12 age group where the child is 2 years older and with two more opponents placed on the field we find the adult version of 11 vs. 11 game.
However, we are finding that our players have not been developing as rapidly as we had expected. And we are now looking at possibly changing our strategy of numbers on the field.
We have found that 'bunch' ball prevails until about the age of 9 and that smaller numbers on the field would help with more ball touches. Making the fields smaller because of the smaller number of players would bring the goals closer to the players. With more goals there is more FUN and what more could we ask for!
The future will decide which direction we go with numbers on the field. Our goal today, is to teach players to play 1 vs. 1 at home/school/park so that no matter the numbers on the playing fields - the players will have individual skills to take on any number of opponents on the field - and be able to play with as many teammates as are given by the game.
: * How is organized the formation of the young soccer players in U.S ? Karl :
Unfortunately, we are actually overorganized. We have children at the age of six-seven-eight on 'traveling teams' driving hundreds of miles to compete in winner take all tournaments. On any given weekend thousands of children will travel for hours to win trophies... The result is coaches who want to win will 'force' children to play in position before they understand the game. We have players who are told to stay in a certain spot or in a certain area for the full game. These players learn how to play 'one role' rather than becoming soccer players.75% of the players in our country 'quit' playing soccer between the ages of 10-14. We have found that one reason is what has just mentioned.
They have experienced 'everything' by the age of 12. They have traveled throughout the state. They have won trophies. They have worn all the modern equipment. There are no new adventures to explore. And yet they have not learned how to play the game of soccer. They go to training sessions almost every day -under adult supervision. They may play league games at least twice during the week. And they may play as many as 5 games per weekend in a tournament.
All of this during the ages before becoming 10 years old. And to top it all off - in a position which the coach places the player into.
Our children have been exposed to the adult approach to soccer from the age of six. That is 'play in positions' and the team will succeed. What we are finding is that the younger age groups may have successful team records.
But, our older age players lack technical proficiency to play the game of soccer. We may have great positional players. But, we do not have any dynamic individuals with flair to play this wonderful game.
Our focus needs to change from team success to individual development. And our current goal - is to teach the children the 1 vs. 1 game. We are encouraging the coaches to teach the children to lay out their own environment in practice.
With the hopes that the players will take this knowledge home and practice same. That is, just like a piano student goes to the instructor for guidance. They must go home and practice for improvement.
That is our current goal - Less focus on positioning and more focus on individual development.
: : * What advises could you give to new coaches ?