Best beach for pre-season

[Martin Tyler]

In the opinion of other junior coaches, which local beach is the best for taking kids to summer pre-season sessions? I'm not talking about the Snakepit at Largs to toughen up 18 year olds, but more relaxed facilities for 14 year olds.

Criteria:

1. Firm, flat sand for running
2. Gradual water depth with few rocks and little seaweed
3. Grass area alongside for setting up small sided games
4. Reasonable parking and toilets nearby
5. Not too far from CBD (ie. not Christies, Silver Sands, etc.) - metro beaches

Any opinions and commentary would be greatly appreciated.

[Nova]

I always use Glenelg! RHS of jetty
The beach sand is cleaned every morning!
It's got firm sand for running!
It's got nice deep soft sand for resistance work, sprints!
Plenty of room for beach soccer!
A nice run from Glenelg to Brighton!
Parents don't mind coming because of the coffee shops on Jetty rd
Scenery is good for coaches
Usually some sort of entertainment there after training, good for bonding team

[glebe]

I always use Glenelg! RHS of jetty
The beach sand is cleaned every morning!
It's got firm sand for running!
It's got nice deep soft sand for resistance work, sprints!
Plenty of room for beach soccer!
A nice run from Glenelg to Brighton!
Parents don't mind coming because of the coffee shops on Jetty rd
Scenery is good for coaches
Usually some sort of entertainment there after training, good for bonding team

You're there right now aren't you?

[Nova]

I always use Glenelg! RHS of jetty
The beach sand is cleaned every morning!
It's got firm sand for running!
It's got nice deep soft sand for resistance work, sprints!
Plenty of room for beach soccer!
A nice run from Glenelg to Brighton!
Parents don't mind coming because of the coffee shops on Jetty rd
Scenery is good for coaches
Usually some sort of entertainment there after training, good for bonding team

You're there right now aren't you?

No you know where I am and the scenery aint no where as good
It's the place I want to be right now

[Left Right Out]

Why do kids need to run on a beach?

I think this is very outdated, I know theres a change of scenery and its good to vary training BUT what does running in the sand or water do? Whats the logic behind it?

Just trying to be the Devils Advocate.

Kids would be better off learning how to use both feet and MOST kids should be naturally fit.

[Nova]

Why do kids need to run on a beach?

I think this is very outdated, I know theres a change of scenery and its good to vary training BUT what does running in the sand or water do? Whats the logic behind it?

Just trying to be the Devils Advocate.

Kids would be better off learning how to use both feet and MOST kids should be naturally fit.

Running on hard sand is no different to running anywhere else and is purely a change of scenery, agreed!
Sprints and playing small games in soft sand is fantastic for developing strength and balance and most importantly is a hell of a lot of "FUN" for the kids
Also the outing in it self lets them know that this is definantly a "TEAM" thing they are a part of!

[TheWingBack]

Wouldn't FUN be the key word here?

Changing things up in a fun way, like the beach, keeps the enjoyment in training for the boys and I agree about the TEAM component too.

My pre-season plans always include a couple of beach sessions and in coaching adults it's great to be somewhere where you can have a coffee afterwards and get that team bonding and friendship going.

[Martin Tyler]

Why do kids need to run on a beach?

I think this is very outdated, I know theres a change of scenery and its good to vary training BUT what does running in the sand or water do? Whats the logic behind it?

Just trying to be the Devils Advocate.

Kids would be better off learning how to use both feet and MOST kids should be naturally fit.

Purely and simply as a fun alternative for the warmer months. No extra benefit except for the possible resistance effect of doing some work in the water and the option to bond and have a swim after the session.

This is why I mentioned no "snakepit runs" like we were tortured with as young players. Agree about the skills, but its a long cold season on the normal pitches, so some summer fun stuff is a great benefit IMO.

[Martin Tyler]

I always use Glenelg! RHS of jetty
The beach sand is cleaned every morning!
It's got firm sand for running!
It's got nice deep soft sand for resistance work, sprints!
Plenty of room for beach soccer!
A nice run from Glenelg to Brighton!
Parents don't mind coming because of the coffee shops on Jetty rd
Scenery is good for coaches
Usually some sort of entertainment there after training, good for bonding team

All sound reasons, and I'm the first one to love the Bay. Just think the rocks and seaweed in the shallows there are a little counter-productive.

Probably right about keeping parents happy though.....thanks!

[pulse]

I always use Glenelg! RHS of jetty
The beach sand is cleaned every morning!
It's got firm sand for running!
It's got nice deep soft sand for resistance work, sprints!
Plenty of room for beach soccer!
A nice run from Glenelg to Brighton!
Parents don't mind coming because of the coffee shops on Jetty rd
Scenery is good for coaches
Usually some sort of entertainment there after training, good for bonding team

I remember doing this pre-season with you Nova in 2006.

[swannsong]

post # 4992

Maui.

[Martin Tyler]

post # 4992

Maui.

I was there 2 years ago. Find me a sponsor who will pay the airfares for all the team and we're there! Pre-season surf camp.....

[soccer_fan]

i play womens prems reserves n each preseason we go to tennyson run up n back the lookout about 6 to 10 times then run to grange n back then do more sprints followed by doing stuff in the water n wid the sand dunes and its really good it makes us girls push ourselves to do better, this is as well as runing about 6 kms twice a week so its a good to have that little bit of variety and once the fitness is built up we introduce the ball in about early feb

[swannsong]

i play womens prems reserves n each preseason we go to tennyson run up n back the lookout about 6 to 10 times then run to grange n back then do more sprints followed by doing stuff in the water n wid the sand dunes and its really good it makes us girls push ourselves to do better, this is as well as runing about 6 kms twice a week so its a good to have that little bit of variety and once the fitness is built up we introduce the ball in about early feb

Why not build up your fitness with a ball at your feet ?

[Nova]

i play womens prems reserves n each preseason we go to tennyson run up n back the lookout about 6 to 10 times then run to grange n back then do more sprints followed by doing stuff in the water n wid the sand dunes and its really good it makes us girls push ourselves to do better, this is as well as runing about 6 kms twice a week so its a good to have that little bit of variety and once the fitness is built up we introduce the ball in about early feb

I think womens football needs to get rid of old school coaching if this is what they put you through :?

[rossonero]

you guys should actually go to south america and europe and see how youth teams do preseason, training at the beach is not the answer to get them match fit...
the kids havent been doing much training in the offseason so getting them to have as many touches as they can with the ball is the best thing for them and u can incorporate fitness while doing it with the ball....
sorry but any coach who does preseason at the beach hasnt updated his coaching knowledge in the last 30 yrs...

[Squizzy]

you guys should actually go to south america and europe and see how youth teams do preseason, training at the beach is not the answer to get them match fit...
the kids havent been doing much training in the offseason so getting them to have as many touches as they can with the ball is the best thing for them and u can incorporate fitness while doing it with the ball....
sorry but any coach who does preseason at the beach hasnt updated his coaching knowledge in the last 30 yrs...

Hmm.... Do you perhaps mean, "any coach that only makes his charges run during a pre-season beach session hasn't updated his coaching knowledge in the last 30 yrs..."?

I say this because;

1) It's a great team building activity in a different environment.
2) It does allow for resistance training - with and without the ball.
3) Is great fun for the players.

And the list goes on.

I agree that lots of touches with the ball should be encouraged but it depends on the age group, where abouts the fitness levels of the group are and how often they train. I believe that, regardless of age, every session should end with using the ball (min. 30 minutes) but if you want them fit fast, then it helps to seperate out and out fitness training from ball based fitness work - that's just common sense.

It would seem pointless for an U11 side to be doing sand sprints, though.

[Nova]

you guys should actually go to south america and europe and see how youth teams do preseason, training at the beach is not the answer to get them match fit...
the kids havent been doing much training in the offseason so getting them to have as many touches as they can with the ball is the best thing for them and u can incorporate fitness while doing it with the ball....
sorry but any coach who does preseason at the beach hasnt updated his coaching knowledge in the last 30 yrs...

Ok I'll do that, might go to Hungary or Serbia, oh poo they dont have beaches

What about Brazil (that's who most think are the be all and end all of soccer education in the world), I might go there, no beach soccer there :?

Oh wise one, sorry, but I think the beach is great for all ages, if not just for bonding and fun but the benifets to muscles (I could go on about muscular kinetics but I wont bore you with it) while playing soccer in soft sand

But end of the day, you row your boat and I'll row mine

[Bomber]

Henley is good. AU use it for post match days. Nice surroundings there too.

[rossonero]

im not going to sit hear and bother to argue....end of the day soccer is a sport of different opinions.... now please dont think im bagging you as a coach or something.... i have updated my youth coaching courses, i have collected programs from some top youth overseas clubs and state/sasi coaches on the way they do preseasons and they are all against preseason training at the beach.....now they all must be wrong and you must be right.....
my personal opinion is that if you use the beach session as a fun thing or for team bonding its a great idea but thats about it....theres many exercises you can do with the ball and games you can play that strengthens your muscles and gets you really fit.....

[Martin Tyler]

It's not about getting huge benefits from running at a beach, its about a change of scenery for players to break up monotony of same pitch week in, week out, a fun environment for bonding and a chance to jump into cold water after a hot session in January/February pre-season temps.

Maybe you set up a wading pool at your ball-only trainings, but reckon the kids would prefer the sea.

Nobody suggested the odd session at the beach should replace regular training, and why cant you have the ball at your feet, either on the sand or nearby grass? And what can you do with the ball to replicate the positive resistance-value of moving through water?

Beach trainings are for fun and doing a few different things, regardless of what coaches overseas are doing. Variety is the key.

No point comparing pre-season plans of AC Milan first squad and a local Adelaide U11 side......! Sometimes we try to be too clever without considering the target audience. Fun is the operative word, and my experience says you'll keep smiling players at your club longer than bored robots.

And that hasn't changed in the last 30 years.....

[Nova]

im not going to sit hear and bother to argue....end of the day soccer is a sport of different opinions.... now please dont think im bagging you as a coach or something.... i have updated my youth coaching courses, i have collected programs from some top youth overseas clubs and state/sasi coaches on the way they do preseasons and they are all against preseason training at the beach.....now they all must be wrong and you must be right..... my personal opinion is that if you use the beach session as a fun thing or for team bonding its a great idea but thats about it....theres many exercises you can do with the ball and games you can play that strengthens your muscles and gets you really fit.....

So if they told you it was good, you would agree then!

All I can say, I use it for fun and a couple of times a year and mainly because they love it!
And while they are having fun, they are getting a workout that is "NOT" harmfull and is a change from a long and repetitive preseason

[rossonero]

for that reason fellas theres no harm and its good.... i was referring towards those coaches (wont mention names but i know plenty) that take teams of under 12s-under 14s to do preseason running at the beach.... now those guys should be shot and that type of training does more harm than good to the kids....

[aufc_123]

you guys should actually go to south america and europe and see how youth teams do preseason, training at the beach is not the answer to get them match fit...
the kids havent been doing much training in the offseason so getting them to have as many touches as they can with the ball is the best thing for them and u can incorporate fitness while doing it with the ball....
sorry but any coach who does preseason at the beach hasnt updated his coaching knowledge in the last 30 yrs...

Hmm.... Do you perhaps mean, "any coach that only makes his charges run during a pre-season beach session hasn't updated his coaching knowledge in the last 30 yrs..."?

I say this because;

1) It's a great team building activity in a different environment.
2) It does allow for resistance training - with and without the ball.
3) Is great fun for the players.[/b]

And the list goes on.

I agree that lots of touches with the ball should be encouraged but it depends on the age group, where abouts the fitness levels of the group are and how often they train. I believe that, regardless of age, every session should end with using the ball (min. 30 minutes) but if you want them fit fast, then it helps to seperate out and out fitness training from ball based fitness work - that's just common sense.

It would seem pointless for an U11 side to be doing sand sprints, though.

Bullshit it's great fun for the players, if there is one thing I hate about playing is when preseason comes along and you train at the beach, I'd much rather just train on grass with a ball.

[swannsong]

It can be fun ?