Parents Education

U6 Development of Individual Skills

COACH: Must be enthusiastic. Must be able to give encouragement. Must be

understanding and fair. Must be able to give equal playing time and

rotate positions. Cannot be concerned with wins and losses. Must secure

safe environment. Should play with players.

TECHNIQUE: Every player should have a ball. No elimination games. Establish

fundamental motor skills like running, jumping and rolling. Focus

heavily on kicking the ball, stopping the ball, dribbling the ball and

stealing the ball. No heading what-so-ever. Encourage individual

success.

TACTICS: No tactics taught. The player only understands themselves and the ball

and cannot think in an abstract or tactical manner. Get players to move

in the correct direction to score or defend. In the game, everybody

moves up and down the field as a unit. Do not leave defenders standing

at the top of the penalty box.

PHYSICAL: Poor eye, hand and eye, and foot coordination at this age. Balance is

increasing. Must be given frequent but short rest periods. They will give

the activity 100% effort until fatigued. Not much physical difference

between boys and girls. Do not have players run laps.

MENTAL: Poor judgment in regards to safety. The focus is on themselves as an

individual. Must be fun. Need positive reinforcement and praise. Prone

to exaggerate. Need plenty of room to move.

U8 Individual Skill Development

COACH: Passionate about children. Enhancement of U6 soccer knowledge.

Know basic rules of corner kick, goal kick, indirect kick, kick-off, drop

ball and minor fouls. Encourage sportsmanship. Should play with

players. Coach must be enthusiastic and sensitive. Wins and losses do

not matter. Nurturing manner.

TECHNIQUE: Enhancement of dribbling skills using all foot surfaces. How to receive

and control the ball. Starting to learn how to pass. Don’t encourage

players to just kick the ball down field. Start to encourage controlling it

and trying to keep possession. Learn to shoot. Every player must have

their own ball. 75% of practice should be on technique. Left and right

foot with every activity. All activities are to be done with a ball.

TACTICS: Players begin to understand themselves and a friend. Rotate players in

different positions. Width and spreading out on the field. Move up and

down the field as a unit. Penetrate defenses with quick passes.

Understand restarts. Still heavy emphasis on individual technique rather

than group tactics. Lots of 1v1. 2v1 and 2v2 towards goal. Plenty of

repetitions.

PHYSICAL: Improved eye, hand and eye, and foot coordination is improving but not

completely mature. Can be self centered. Skeletal system is growing.

Need full rest periods and plenty of water. No separate running should

be done. All activities with a ball.

MENTAL: Need constant reinforcement. Focus is on them and their friend. They

are beginning to develop time and space relationships. Easily bruised

ego. Make it fun. They have a great need for approval and have a fear of

failure.

U10 Development of Skill and Small Group

Tactics

COACH: Coach must be enthusiastic and passionate. Must have the ability to

demonstrate. Must be keen and sensitive as well as enjoy children. The

coach must seek soccer education. Must respect the game and all who

are involved with it. Focus on development rather than the result. Know

more soccer rules.

TECHNIQUE: Continued development on individual technique. Ball juggling. All

players must have a ball. Control and receiving as well as passing skills

should be heavily emphasized. Continued work on shooting. Activities

must include lots of repetitions. Teach Goalkeeping skills. 75% of

practice should be on technique. Encourage mastery of the ball. Left and

right foot with everything.

TACTICS: Build on small group activities like 2v1, 2v2, 2v3, 3v3-both offensively

and defensively. Teach some positional responsibilities but don’t spend

a lot of time on it. Continue to rotate players in positions. Learn depth

and cover as well as width. Teach throw-ins. Encourage flair and risk

taking.

PHYSICAL: Introduce stretching and cool downs. They need full rest periods and

plenty of water breaks. Players are becoming stronger and faster. Prone

to over heating and heat related injury. Players gaining better control

over their bodies.

MENTAL: Recognizes basic concepts of time and space but not always certain

why. Their focus is on “me” and the “team.” Still in need of positive

reinforcement. Want to belong to a group. Enjoy friends. Adults outside

of the family are accepted. They will blame others. They are more

sensitive and serious about playing. Feelings get hurt easily.

U12 Development of Individual Skills and Individual

and Group Tactics

Hero worship, identification with high level players and teams and a hunger and passion for

imaginative skills are important at this age. Demonstration is very important and players learn

best by doing. It is very important to establish discipline and instill an attitude necessary to

compete and succeed.

COACH: Must be enthusiastic; Possess soccer awareness; A sensitive teacher; Ability to

demonstrate; Knowledge of the key factors of basic skills; Give

encouragement; Seek soccer education.

TECHNIQUE: Important to establish a good strong base. Increase technical speed. Develop

under pressure of time, space and opponent. The technical training must far

outweigh anything else in this age group.

1st Touch All surfaces and on the move.

Passing All surfaces and on the move. Proper timing, weight, accuracy and disguise.

Dribbling Encourage risk taking. They must be allowed to run at players and take them

on. We want players who can make things happen.

Shooting Proper striking technique-service from all angles, 1st touch, preparation to strike

and attitude to score

TACTICS: Play a variety of positions. Promote attacking soccer

Individual 1V1

Attacking Take players on. Encourage the creative risk taker. Shielding.

Defending Proper pressure (in front and from behind), How to jockey and how and when

to tackle.

Small group 2V1, 2V2, 3V1, 3V2, 3V3

Attacking Keep possession, support, combination plays

Defending Pressure/cover; marking

Play a lot of small-sided games and coach within the games. Join in

PHYSICAL: Flexibility-stress this aspect because it cuts down on injuries and increases

range of motion.

Speed, Strength, Agility

MENTAL: Must be kept fun

Encourage decision-making

Imagination/Creativity/Risk Taking

Discipline/Boots polished/On Time/Set Standards

Encourage them to watch high-level games

U12 Goalkeeper

TECHNIQUE: Set position

General handling / Basic shot stopping / Catching

Ground balls

Bouncing balls

Mid-range balls

Head Height balls

Dealing with Crossed balls

Flighted

Driven

Distribution

Throws

Roll

Sling

All kicks

Goal kicks

Volleys

Balls played to feet

TACTICS: Basic communication

1v1 Principals

1v1 with the defense

Beginnings of support for defense

PHYSICAL: Goalkeeping specific stretching and flexibility

Beginning stages of foot work skills

Increase speed in short distances (18 yards)

MENTAL: Have fun

Encourage effort/determination

Drill home basics for muscle memory

Watch older goalkeepers in games

U14 Individual Skills and Small Group Tactics

Adult standards and formal rules become the focal point. The demands of skill training

as well as training loads should increase thus provoking improvement in mental

toughness, concentration and diligence.

Coach: Strong personality; Soccer knowledge; Enthusiastic; Demonstrate

TECHNIQUE: Build on the base. Development of individual skill under pressure

Dribbling Encourage players to take players on 1v1; Moves; Shielding and Spin turns.

Receiving Quality 1st touch. Still highly emphasized. Take balls out of air/turning; all

surfaces.

Passing Short, long, bent, crosses, driven, chipped; all surfaces and on the move.

Shooting On the run; on the turn; from all angles; Volleys; 1/2 volleys

Heading To goal; To pass; To clear

Tackling Proper technique and timing; Slide

TACTICS: Increase tactical speed (decision making)

Individual 1V1

Attacking Encourage the creative risk taker; take players on in proper areas of the field

Defending Proper pressure (in front and behind); Channel player; immediate chase

Small Group 2V1, 2V2, 3V2, 3V3, 4V2, 4V3, 4V4

Attacking Keep possession; Support; Combination Play; Width, Depth, Penetration;

Crossing with proper runs; Simple set plays

Defending Pressure-Cover-Balance, Compactness, Delay, Tracking back; Simple set plays

Play a lot of small-sided games and coach within the games. Join in

PHYSICAL: Flexibility, Agility

Speed

Strength

Endurance

MENTAL: The game must remain fun

Imagination/Creativity/Risk Taking

Increase Demands

Establish Training Targets

Maintain Discipline

Encourage them to watch high-level games.

U14 Goalkeeper

TECHNIQUE: Set position

General handling / Basic shot stopping / Catching

All heights

Diving

Collapse

Step and save

Power step and save

Reaction save

Recovery save

Crosses – catching & punching

Chipped serve

Flighted serve

Driven serve

unopposed and opposed.

Distribution

Throws

Roll

Side arm

Overarm

All kicks

Goal kicks

Volleys & ½ Volleys

Dealing with the back pass unopposed & opposed –

– control and increase range with both feet.

TACTICS: Communication (for each 1/3)

1v1 Principals

1v1 with the defense

Distance / Angles / Availability to support the defense

PHYSICAL: Warm ups and cool downs

Plyometric exercises

Goalkeeping specific stretching, flexibility and mobility exercises

Footwork all directions/planting of feet for change of lateral direction

Speed – 18 yards max distance (penalty box)

Check height/weight and vertical jump 4 times per year

MENTAL: Match and training preparation

Growth and development – diet and nutrition – lifestyle

Dealing with positive & negative assessments (praise and criticism)

Dealing with selection and tryouts with positive & negative results.

Soccer terminology

U16 Development of Skill and Group Tactics

This is a critical time in a player’s development. Many stop playing due to other interests, lack

of success, shortage of playing opportunities, poor coaching or other interests. Players tend to

be mentally tougher and more self confident but with a need for attention, security and further

nurturing. There is a need for team spirit, leadership and discipline within the team.

COACH: Charismatic; Experienced; Knowledgeable; Articulate; Disciplinarian;

Managerial Know How; Thoughtful Communicator

TECHNIQUE: Skills should be mastered leading to artistry. Technique should be

trained on the move, done at speed and all with opposition. Strike balls cleanly

and maturely over distance with accuracy and pace and all under pressure.

TACTICS: Increase Tactical Speed (decision making)

Group 3V3, 4V4, 5V5, 7V7

Attacking Keep Possession but with a Purpose-e.g. Direction

Combination Play and 3rd Man Runs

Penetration

Mobility/Creativity

Crossing with Pressure and Proper Runs into the Box

Set Plays

Defending Pressure-Cover-Balance

Compactness

Delay

Tracking Back

Communication (how, efficient)

Hunting the Ball and Winning Back Possession

Set Plays

PHYSICAL: Flexibility-Before and After Training/Games

Agility-With and Without the Ball

Speed Work

Endurance-Aerobic and Anaerobic

Strength-Upper and Lower Body

Nutrition-Proper Diet-Pre-Game, Post-Game, Tournaments, etc…

Prevention and Care of Injuries

MENTAL: Increased Concentration, Goalsetting, and Relaxation Techniques

Leadership/Player Responsibilities

Discipline

Respect for the Game/Opponent, Watch High Level Matches

U16 Goalkeeper

TECHNIQUE: Footwork / Set position / General handling techniques

Shot stopping / catch or deflect / recovery saves

All Dives

Collapse / Step and save / Power step and save

Narrowing the angle

Crosses

Served from all areas/angles unopposed & opposed

Distribution –

Throws

Improved range / power / variation - all techniques

Kicks

Goal kicks / Volleys / ½ Volleys

Dealing with the back pass under pressure –control

& first touch with both feet, variation of

pass.

TACTICS: Support - Angles / Distance

Communication – working with the defensive unit - recognizing

pressure on and of the ball

Presence

Making adjustments to stay in line with the ball (footwork)

Organization in defending set plays - free kicks and corner kicks

PHYSICAL: Warm-ups and Cool-downs

Stretching, flexibility, mobility and strengthening exercises

Plyometric exercises

Recovery exercises

Agility exercises – low intensity / low repetitions

Weight training – low weights/high reps

Footwork all directions (all goalkeeping movements)

Speed – 20-yards maximum

Check height/weight and vertical leap 4 times per year

Check body fat

MENTAL: Training and match preparation

Lifestyles/discipline

Living away from home

Dealing with competition

Physical confrontations

Dealing with pressure – internal/external

Dealing with both success and failure

U19 Developmental of Positional and Team Play

Fulfillment of a player’s potential depends on his or her own efforts, the support of his/her

teammates and the unselfish guidance of his or her coach. He/she must be exposed to a playing

and training environment, which extends his/her mental, physical and technical capabilities to

the limit. He/she must have a sound understanding of the game’s principles and concepts.

Players should show emotional stability when confronted with pressure situations. Demanding

and Challenging training sessions and matches are a must!!!

COACH: Charismatic; Well Informed; Up to Date; Experienced; Articulate;

Disciplinarian-No Doubts about who is in Charge; Managerial Know How

TECHNIQUE: Mastered Skill Leading to Artistry. All at Speed under Match Conditions.

Individual Skill Covered during warm-up

TACTICS: Increase Tactical Speed (Decision making).

Increase Pressure and Competition

Team/Functional- Understanding the Three Lines in the Team and their Collective

Responsibilities

Attacking Possession with a Purpose

Combination Play with Tactical Implications

Penetration with Variety, Creativity and Disguise

Counter Attack

Wide/Flank Play

Target Play and Creating Chances

Crossing under Pressure with Proper runs into the Box

Set Plays

Defending Zonal marking & Man marking with Sweeper Behind

Pressing as a Unit in Different 1/3’s

Set Plays

PHYSICAL: Flexibility Work Before and After Practices and Games

Agility-With and Without the Ball

Speed

Endurance-Aerobic and Anaerobic

Strength-Upper and Lower Body

Nutrition-Proper Diet-Pre-Game, Post-Game. Tournaments, etc…

Care and Prevention of Injuries

Care of their Own Bodies. e.g. toenails, shower, sleep, footwear

MENTAL: Increased Concentration

Leadership/Increased Player Responsibilities

Discipline

Respect for the Game/Opponents

Self-Confidence/Self Motivation-GoalSetting

Mental Imagery

Fighting Spirit-Will to Win

Encourage to Watch High Level Soccer

U19 Goalkeeper

TECHNICAL: Footwork/set position/general handling

All Dives

Collapse save / Step and save / Power step and save

Narrowing the angle

Shot stopping / catch or deflect / recovery saves

Advanced reaction saves

Crosses

Unopposed & Opposed

Working with the defensive unit

Distribution

Throws – all techniques

Kicks – all techniques

TACTICS: Distance of support / Playing off your line

Recognizing pressure on and off the ball.

Decision-making - last line of defense & first line of attack

Presence.

Organization of the defensive unit for transition

Organization on set plays – corners and free kicks

PHYSICAL: Warm up/cool down

Goalkeeping specific stretching, flexibility and mobility

Footwork exercises

Recovery exercises

Agility exercises

Plyometric exercise

Weight training – low weights high reps

Speed 20 yards maximum

Check height, weight – weekly

Body fat and vertical leap – check monthly

MENTAL: Application / Attitude

Following a coach’s game plan

Composure / Temperament / Dealing with the pressure

Concentration

Confidence

Consistency

Courage

Criticism – internal / external

Desire / Determination/ Winning mentality

Personal goal setting — imagery

The Youth Soccer Coach

By Mike Berticelli

You donate your time for the good of our youth, but you scream and you yell and are often uncouth.

Soccer is different, not like baseball at all. We don't need positions, just give them the ball.

The ref is just twelve and still learning the game,    but you call him a jerk and say he's not sane .   

They first must learn skill; it's the meat of the game. If they can't dribble or shoot, then who should we blame?

The parents are screaming and follow your lead, as you sprint up the sideline at uncontrollable speed. 

Skill must be learned through repeated trials.  If motivation is present, you will see them run miles.

You jump as you yell, "Pass, pass the ball!" You turn red as you bellow, Ref, make the damn call!"    

Fun games are the answer to encourage repetition. They laugh and they scream and enjoy competition.

"You're the left back now, get in your position, if you don't, we might lose and ruin our tradition!"

Without the skill to dribble past an opponent at will,          your players will win, but their growth will stand still.

Positions are needed so we look like a team, Cause they're miniature pros, or so it does seem.

I dream of the day when the parents just cheer         and losing the game doesn't bring out a tear.

The fullback is bored, he picks at his nose,While the others run wild and kick with their toes.

When practice is fun, not dull and so boring, And playing the game means more than just scoring.

You scream for a goal, no matter how it goes in, the skill doesn't matter, just as long as we win!

 I know you mean well and you donate your time,    but bury your ego and try something sublime

The parents go crazy as the ball nears the goal, their advice and instructions will soon take their toll.

Call all the parents and ask for their aid,  you’re teaching their kids and not getting paid.

You see, Junior feels pressure, he's not having much fun,  We tell him to pass, when to shoot and to run.

Your goal's to develop a youngster with skill,  Not a team that must win or some fancy new drill!

He came here to play and to use his own mind, Cause soccer's the most creative game that you'll find.

You See, players are not judged by their wins and their losses, Instead they are judged by their shots, heads and crosses

Imagination is needed on the part of each child, Solving problems on the field is what makes them go wild.

Scholarships are given to players with great names,  Not those on youth teams who never lost games.

A week of long practice, while just standing in line, Waiting to shoot, using one ball at a time.                    

A pro player gets paid 'cause his skills are real fine, Not because his team never lost when he was just nine.

This just doesn't cut it, and for some it's too late    Make your practices fun, don't be the coach that they hate.

It's time to bring soccer to new heights in this nation, The future's in players, not a coaching citation

They come to "play" soccer, not to "work" at the game, Their excitement is something we don't want to tame.

Let's start to say "dribble" and stop yelling "pass!"You'll then see our players go to the head of the class.

Maradona has moves that are beyond comprehension,  No coach taught those moves while threatening detention.

I hope you're concerned, but not really offended, It's the need for more skill that I have defended

He learned from his friends and tried copying others While playing in games, without coaches or mothers.  

You're giving your all, from the good of the heart, Why not make sure the kids get the right start?