TOPSoccer

Using The Buddy System

Auke Wiersma

TOPSoccer Chair Region I

husp11@hotmail.com

(201) 362-7164

Who is a TOPSoccer Buddy?

• Facilitator

• Participates with TOPSoccer players in

training and matches

• Buddies can be teenagers or adults

• Buddies can be anyone who desires to

enable TOPSoccer players to be successful

and to have FUN!

Buddy Recruitment

• Local High Schools

• Community Colleges

• Universities

• Older Club Teams

• Other Special Needs Programs

• Scouts/Religious Groups/Community

Service Organizations/YMCA/Boys’ and

Girls’ Clubs

Buddy Recruitment

• Friends of current Buddies

• Volunteer Fairs

• Siblings of Players

• Local Youth Group

Ask Everyone!

The Role of the Buddy

– Create opportunities for the player to be successful

– Assist in a FUN and safe learning environment

– Buddy doesn’t need to be on the field all the time. Let the players go on their own when possible.

– Mirror Play

The Role of the Buddy

• Player Safety

• Be aware of safety zones around the player

• Interact with coaches and/or parents concerning likes/dislikes of the player

• Continuously monitor the player for:

– Fatigue

– Frustration/melt-downs

– Water breaks

The Role of the Buddy

The Buddy Can:

• Guide the player to the ball

• Position the ball for the player

• Stop a ball from going out of bounds

• Shield around the player

The Role of the Buddy

* Assist the player getting * Create opportunities for play:

into position to play

• Safety zone especially for: - Ball retrieval and control

- Crutches - Keep the ball close to the

- Walkers player

- Wheelchairs - Balance

Buddy Role for Hearing Impaired

– Safety awareness

– Demonstrate the activity

– Ensure the player understands instructions

– Use touch, sign language or pictures to guide

– Direct the ball to the player for contact and touches

Buddy Role for players with

walker or wheelchair – Push the wheelchair for participation if necessary

– Check on walker or wheelchair safety (equipment check)

– Safety awareness

• Field surface

• Environment

– Create opportunity for walker or wheelchair player to participate

• Keep ball close to “feed” the player

• Ball retrieval

Buddy Role for visually

impaired players – Describe the activity and environment

– May provide a balance and mobility role with the player by holding the Buddy’s forearm

– Use voice, hands and arms to guide

– Direct the ball to the player for participation

– Safety awareness

• Field surface

• Environment

Buddy Role for players

with cognitive needs

• Model desired skill

• Provide instruction directly during play

• Help define the space and “strategies”

– “We are the blue team.”

– “We are going in this direction.”

– “This is how we stop the ball.”

Buddy Role players with

Behavioral/Sensory Needs

or Attention Issues

• Provide 1:1 assistance to model behaviors

• Assist the player to focus on the activity

• Use a quiet “time out” as needed without being negative

• Mirror Play or create space around the player

• Provide stability in a chaotic environment

• Guide and direct, often not touching the player directly, but being in close proximity

The TOPSoccer Buddy

• The TOPSoccer Buddy does not score goals!

The purpose of the Buddy is to assist the TOPSoccer

players, not to participate as players themselves!

How to keep the buddies involved?

• Buddies must feel what they are doing is

helpful and important

• Recognize accomplishment

• Allow them to attend at their convenience,

but make them aware of consistency

• Be flexible

How to keep the buddies involved?

• Coach (Field Marshal) instructs the Buddy prior to the training session

• Safety for the Buddy:

*Risk Management

*Education

*Relax, smile and have FUN

• Give Buddies awards, certificates and recognition for their participation

• Thank Buddies at the end of the season

Reason for becoming a Buddy “I love kids in general and when I am older I actually hope to be involved with them in a future career I may take part in. When I hear it was disabled kids, it also interested me because I knew it would be a good learning experience and something that I could take away from. I also thought that I could help them in whatever way possible and try to let them have some fun. Another thing was that it had to do with soccer which is another activity that I do and am interested in. Overall it sounded like a great learning experience and a fun time. That is why I would like to be a Buddy for TOPSoccer!” -Kim Lindquist

“I chose to become a TOPSoccer Buddy because I love to coach soccer, and I enjoy teaching kids how to play and learn about soccer. I have a great passion for the game, and I would love to be there for someone in need of teaching, and helping them have fun while learning the game. I would also like to get involved in coaching one day in the future, and I feel like this would be a productive step to that goal.” -Tim DiBisceglie

"I wanted to give back to other kids the same fun experience I've had playing sports and feeling good about being on a team.” -Brendan Lawlor

"I've love playing on different sports teams and making friends and I wanted these kids to have the same great experience.“ -Gillian Lawlor

Remember that we all have disabilities, in

some of us they show!

Questions?

References

• Dr. Marianne Torbert

– Temple University

• The Football Association

– Football Development Programme – Coaching Disabled Footballers

• US Youth Soccer – The Novice Coach

• The US Youth Soccer TOPSoccer Committee

• The Outreach Program for Soccer

– Program Manual