A Tribute by Alfred Galustian and Charlie Cooke
A Tribute by Alfred Galustian and Charlie Cooke
Posted on April 22, 2011 by coerver
Wiel Coerver R.I.P (3 December 1924 – 22 April 2011)
Wiel Coerver was a Football Genius and was nicknamed “the Albert Einstein of Football”.
He died 22 April in his birthplace Kerkrade.
A History
In the late 1970s, Dutch European Championship winning coach Wiel Coerver led a revolution in football coaching. He was dissatisfied with the lack of individual skills and emphasis on defensive play in the professional game. An emphasis that many thought, was stifling the more exciting, attacking style of play necessary to score goals and attract fans.
Up to that point, little attention had been given to individual skill development, because no one knew quite how to teach these skills. It was also widely assumed that the great players of the game were innately gifted far beyond the capabilities of the average player.
Wiel Coerver challenged the widely held belief that talent was innate and could not be produced or improved by correct coaching methods. He then set up establishing such programs.
Coerver’s early focus was on teaching ball mastery and 1 v 1 skills by encouraging players to emulate the “moves” of football’s all-time greats, such as Sir Stanley Matthews, Cryuff, Beckenbauer and Pele.
Part of Wiel’s legacy is that over one million players and thousands of Coaches have attended Coerver Programs all over the World since 1984, and the way Football has been taught around the World has changed because of Wiel.
What Wiel meant to us by Alfred Galustian, Coerver Coaching co-founder
In 1983, a football conference in Philadelphia changed everything for us. We happened to walk past a room where Wiel Coerver was showing four kids some turns with the ball. We went and sat down to watch and he kept us captivated. I had never seen anybody teaching 1v1 skills before, neither had Charlie.
The concept was something we were really excited about. Focusing on teaching individual skills to young players as a priority before any team or tactical concept. It just made sense. Wiel agreed that Charlie and I could use his name, and in 1984 Charlie and I began what is now Coerver Coaching.
Wiel was a tough teacher over these 30 years, and constantly pushed us to add and improve our Coerver programs. Even two weeks ago when I was with him in the hospital, he took out his note pad and drew some new drills! We experienced this passion and energy for almost 30 years, and it made Charlie and I more determined to continually improve Coerver Coaching.
For all of us involved in Coerver Coaching in more than 22 countries for almost 30 years, Wiel Coerver changed our lives and inspired us to expand his philosophy all over the world.
Kelyn Rowe Trials at Rennes
ROWE EXCITED FOR RENNES TRIAL
Brian Sciaretta - Wednesday, April 20, 2011
As one of the top players in NCAA soccer, UCLA midfielder Kelyn Rowe is currently on trial at French club Stade Rennes this week as he contemplates turning professional.
Rowe, 19, arrived in France over the weekend and began training on Tuesday with the Ligue 1 club that is currently in fifth place but only two points out of third place. So far he is happy with his first two days which included a scrimmage today.
"My first two days at Stade Rennes have been great," Rowe told YA from France. "The club and players have been nothing but welcoming. I had a good training the first day [Tuesday] with a fitness test after, and a scrimmage today [Wednesday] that I showed myself fairly well."
The jump from NCAA soccer to European soccer is indeed a high jump but Rowe believes that his trial will give him an idea of what aspects of his game he needs to improve and he is confident in his ability to eventually get there.
"After these two days I know I have much more to work on to get to the highest level in Europe," Rowe explained. "But that is why I am here doing what I am doing. I want to train myself at a high level and learn from the players above me to hopefully soon be playing aside them."
At UCLA, Rowe is part of a program that has been one of the building blocks of US Soccer. Since soccer first began rising to prominence in the United States beginning with the 1990 World Cup, many of the best American players have come through UCLA.
The tradition began with players like Brad Friedel, Paul Caligiuri, Frankie Hedjuk and Cobi Jones but has continued with current national team regulars like Carlos Bocanegra, Jonathan Bornstein, and Benny Feilhaber.
After completing his freshman year at UCLA, Rowe has enjoyed his time at UCLA and is satisfied the storied program has prepared him for a professional career in the same manner it has with many of its alumni.
"UCLA has prepared me to be a professional the most in my maturity on and off the field," Rowe discussed. "I was lucky enough to have my parents raise me well enough to know right from wrong more times than not, but UCLA took that to the next level and forced me to grow up a little. The mental part of the game is so important and UCLA and the coaches have helped me obtain a high level of mental maturity."
On his trial at Rennes which will be followed by a stop in Germany, Rowe has not lost his NCAA eligibility as he will be paying his own way and has not signed an agent. The Federal Way, Washington native admits that returning to UCLA for his sophmore season is an option.
Whether it is after these current European trials or in the future, Rowe will eventually have to make a decision as to where to begin his career. Rowe does not have dual citizenship with any other country so some European options may be limited.
In addition to Europe, Rowe is also open to beginning his career in MLS where he would likely be one of the top draft picks. One of the biggest factors in his decision will be the level of interest from clubs and his ability to get playing time.
"As for when I am going to make the jump from college to being a professional, I am leaving all the doors open at college, MLS, and Europe." Rowe said of his future. "I don't have to choose right now and I can just play and enjoy the opportunity I have been blessed with."
"Like I said I have kept all doors open, playing in the MLS would be just as much as a dream-come-true as playing in France or Germany," he added. "I want to play at a club that wants me to play for them, if that is in Germany, great, or if it is in Seattle, great. I just want to play. I do not have dual citizenship so it does make Europe a little more difficult, but I don't mind a challenge."
Rowe arrived in France on the heels of the most difficult experience of his career. In March he was selected to the US U-20 World Cup qualifying roster and after winning their group games, they fell to hosts Guatemala in a winner-take-all game. The stunning upset meant that the promising team would miss out on the U-20 World Cup.
While Rowe is eager to put the experience behind him, he looks forward to representing the US again and fees that the many of the players on the U-20 team will be solid contributors on the international level.
"Not qualifying was the worst feeling I have felt in my soccer career and I will do anything to not have that feeling again," Rowe concluded. "[Next time, it will make me] rise to a big occasion and know how to handle the pressure. Coach Rongen was great as well, if anyone could get me to understand the system it would be him, and he did it in a day my first camp. Overall it was a great experience that I hope to have again with the Olympic team or the full team."
Scottish launch of the Coerver Coaching Youth Diploma
Scottish launch of the Coerver Coaching Youth Diploma
Posted on April 19, 2011 by coerver
We are delighted to announce the Scottish launch of the Coerver® Coaching Youth Diploma Course with Coerver Coaching co founder & Chelsea great Charlie Cooke, in association with our global partner adidas® and our presenting partner FourFourTwo Performance. The Coerver® Coaching Youth Diploma has been developed from 27 years of knowledge and work with the leading federations, clubs, managers and star names in International Football. It will provide coaches with drills and games for their seasons sessions.
Dates: May 21st & May 22nd
Venue: Stirling Albion Football Club
Instructor: Coerver Coaching Co -founder & Chelsea great, Charlie Cooke
Cost: RRP £239. Scottish launch price £199
LIMITED PLACES. TO BOOK CALL 08448080442
For further details on the course curriculum and package go now to http://www.coerver.co.uk/youth.htm
Charlie Cooke bio: Charlie played for Aberdeen and Dundee in the Scottish First Division before joining Chelsea in the English First Division in 1966 where he played for the next 11 years. He made 380 league and Cup appearances for the Blues and played in four Cup Finals, winning the English F.A. Cup in 1970 against Leeds and the European Cup Winners Cup in 1971 against Real Madrid. He also played 16 times for the Scottish National Team and a World Select Team in 1979. He shares the Chelsea club record of three Player of The Year awards with Gianfranco Zola and in 2005 Chelsea’s Centenary celebration year he was selected for the Chelsea All Time XI. Along with co creator Al- fred Galustian Coerver® Coaching International Director Charlie has been a Director of Coerver® Coaching in the Americas since its creation in 1983.
Gordon Craig, Coerver Coaching Scotland Director, bio: Director of Coerver Coaching Scotland for over 20 years. He has worked and presented to U.E.F.A groups, The Scottish Football Association, Sunderland FC, Rangers FC , Heart of Midlothian FC, Livingston & SL Benfica. Gordon is recognized as a top coach educator consulting for the S.F.A in such projects as the new advanced children’s coaching License. He is also a Head coach at the S.F.A youth academy in Graeme High School in Falkirk.
NEW Coerver Coaching Youth Diploma
NEW Coerver Coaching Youth Diploma
Posted on April 1, 2011 by coerver
We are delighted to announce the UK launch of the Coerver® Coaching Youth Diploma Course, in association with our global partner adidas® and our presenting partner FourFourTwo Performance. The Coerver® Coaching Youth Diploma has been developed from 27 years of knowledge and work with the leading federations, clubs, managers and star names in International Football.
The purpose of the Coerver® Coaching Youth Diploma is to give attendees, whether you are a professional academy coach, junior coach, teacher or parent a greater understanding of how to plan & deliver more effective coaching sessions. This will be made possible by learning to use the New Coerver® Coaching Session Planner which will provide a quick & easy solution for all attendees who would like to construct weekly, monthly or even season long programmes using proven, high quality drills & games from Coerver® Coaching, “The Worlds’s Number 1 Soccer Skills Teaching Method”.
