Gaf is Back

[Unregistered]

He seems to have a following of some pretty good soccer players. Not sure why any parents would have an issue since they would simply not use him if they don't like him.

Sounds like you are jealous coach because Gaff is pretty successful and you are not.

You misunderstood. I'm saying that if he's doing cones, then it's probably because its because the kid needs better foot skills. To me it doesn't make sense to do other things if a kid isn't confident and skilled on the ball. So my point to the guy who says gaff only does cones is that he probably only did cones with that guys dd as she hasn't mastered basic skills.

And trust me, I've yet to be to a skills coach who doesn't do some cone work.

[Unregistered]

He trains to the deficiencies of the kid. Should tell you a lot.

Sorry it didn't work out for you. DD trained with Gaff. Off to a D1 Fall 2014. Loved him as coach and person, and is very happy he's back. It works for her - maybe not for everyone. Except perhaps Coach Wooden, I'm not sure there's a universally loved coach. Why the hate?

[Unregistered]

Sorry it didn't work out for you. DD trained with Gaff. Off to a D1 Fall 2014. Loved him as coach and person, and is very happy he's back. It works for her - maybe not for everyone. Except perhaps Coach Wooden, I'm not sure there's a universally loved coach. Why the hate?

Again. You didn't get my comment. It was a joke at the expense of the guy who was denegrating cone work. First cone work is good. Second he doesn't do that much cone work. Third I found him to be one of the best technical trainers around. He breaks down the elements of skills and really helps fine tune them.

[Unregistered]

Oh yes he is a fine technical trainer showing kids how to dribble around cones. Outstanding!

I watch Timbers and Thorns players dribble around cones during training sessions. What's your point?

[Unregistered]

I watch Timbers and Thorns players dribble around cones during training sessions. What's your point?

He has no point since he thinks cone work is of no value. When you see a player who can dribble and break down defenders while keeping their head up it is because they have done a lot of cone work.

[Unregistered]

Oh yes he is a fine technical trainer showing kids how to dribble around cones. Outstanding!

You might want to spend more time around higher level coaches and players. Maybe the link below will help you begin to understand what some of the best clubs, players, coaches and trainers in world soccer are doing on a regular basis. Both with their youth and pro players. Maybe not a bad idea to replicate the best i would suggest...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxPQQdiMk8I

[Unregistered]

You might want to spend more time around higher level coaches and players. Maybe the link below will help you begin to understand what some of the best clubs, players, coaches and trainers in world soccer are doing on a regular basis. Both with their youth and pro players. Maybe not a bad idea to replicate the best i would suggest...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxPQQdiMk8I

Another nice video of cone work. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3D6-8Zrk7w

20-30 minutes of cone work, even just 3 times a week, will pay off handsomely with kids. Cones are a few dollars, and you only need a small area. Cone work is indispensable training for kids.

[Unregistered]

Wow what you people get all stewed up about. It was one person making a comment about cone drills. Get over it

[Unregistered]

Wow what you people get all stewed up about. It was one person making a comment about cone drills. Get over it

No it one was person making an unfair comment about a trainer who clearly knows what he is doing. Several educated soccer folks on this forum decided to politely educate the poster. I would say that is a positive, soccer community educational effort.

[Unregistered]

No it one was person making an unfair comment about a trainer who clearly knows what he is doing. Several educated soccer folks on this forum decided to politely educate the poster. I would say that is a positive, soccer community educational effort.

Completely agree. Cone work is valuable. And if anyone went to one of his training sessions, you would understand the quality of instruction. Just attend a session to watch and listen to the instruction.

[Unregistered]

Cones do not breed creativity

Dribbling around cones is ok as individual work done at home. It should be limited to under ten percent of the total time at training sessions. Why? Because it does not work perception or decision making. We train too much in the United States using analytical rather than global (teammate, opponent, ball, space) Dribbling around cones does not allow for the development of the creative side of the brain. In Spain most training is global and their coaches make a huge deal to discourage analytical (dribbling around cones at training sessions)

[Unregistered]

Dribbling around cones is ok as individual work done at home. It should be limited to under ten percent of the total time at training sessions. Why? Because it does not work perception or decision making. We train too much in the United States using analytical rather than global (teammate, opponent, ball, space) Dribbling around cones does not allow for the development of the creative side of the brain. In Spain most training is global and their coaches make a huge deal to discourage analytical (dribbling around cones at training sessions)

Yes, I love the creativity that comes from a first touch that is three feet from the player so that the defender has time to close on the player such as to create a situation that causes the offensive player to come up with frantic creativity so as to even get a reasonable pass away to a fellow player, much less regain control, create space and beat the defender. Yes, I love the frantic creativity that comes from poor first touches and playing with your head down.

[Unregistered]

Dribbling around cones is ok as individual work done at home. It should be limited to under ten percent of the total time at training sessions. Why? Because it does not work perception or decision making. We train too much in the United States using analytical rather than global (teammate, opponent, ball, space) Dribbling around cones does not allow for the development of the creative side of the brain. In Spain most training is global and their coaches make a huge deal to discourage analytical (dribbling around cones at training sessions)

I guess Gareth Bale did not get your memo.

http://performance.fourfourtwo.com/t...-bale-part-two

[Unregistered]

What's the deal

Is the 'gaff' some kind of mystery individual trainer?

Been around the game here for 30 years never heard of him.

Was he a former local pro? Former college star for the area? Former HS star from Oregon?
Former PDX Timber or indoor Pride player? Did he coach at some local university? UofP, OSU UofO or Concordia? Did he head coach a HS team for a few years?

Seriously? This much discussion about some 'Gaff' from Europe? Did he do infomercials?

[Unregistered]

Is the 'gaff' some kind of mystery individual trainer?

Been around the game here for 30 years never heard of him.

Was he a former local pro? Former college star for the area? Former HS star from Oregon?
Former PDX Timber or indoor Pride player? Did he coach at some local university? UofP, OSU UofO or Concordia? Did he head coach a HS team for a few years?

Seriously? This much discussion about some 'Gaff' from Europe? Did he do infomercials?

Seems like this is someone stirring the pot as the discussion is now about the merits of different training techniques. I for one like this healthy debate and opinion on what good individual training should comprise of for players.

Do you know Chris Thurley from your 30 years in the game? Ask him for his opinion on his fellow Englishman.