TRAINING PRIORITIES | St Johns Soccer Club

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This page outlines the training priorities by player age group.

U9/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.


U9/U10	GOALKEEPER

TECHNIQUE:	Set position General handling / Basic shot stopping / Catching Ground balls Bouncing balls Mid-range balls Head Height balls Distribution Throws Roll All kicks Goal kicks

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

MENTAL:	Have fun Encourage effort/determination Drill home basics for muscle memory Watch older goalkeepers in games


U11/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, 1^st 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


U11/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


U13/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 1^st 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.


U13/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


U15/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


U15/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 Dealing with competition Physical confrontations Dealing with pressure – internal/external Dealing with both success and failure


U17/U18/U19	DEVELOPMENT 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


U17/U18/U19	GOALKEEPER

TECHNIQUE:	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