U9/U10 |
DEVELOPMENT OF SKILL AND SMALL GROUP TACTICS |
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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. |
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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 |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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U9/U10 |
GOALKEEPER |
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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
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TACTICS: |
Basic communication
1v1 Principals
1v1 with the defense
Beginnings of support for defense |
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PHYSICAL: |
Goalkeeping specific stretching and flexibility
Beginning stages of foot work skills
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MENTAL: |
Have fun
Encourage effort/determination
Drill home basics for muscle memory
Watch older goalkeepers in games |
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U11/U12 |
DEVELOPMENT OF INDIVIDUAL SKILLS AND INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP TACTICS |
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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.
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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. |
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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.
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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. |
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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. |
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SMALL GROUP: |
2V1, 2V2, 3V1, 3V2, 3V3 |
ATTACKING: |
Keep possession, support, combination plays |
DEFENDING: |
Pressure/cover; marking |
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Play a lot of small-sided games and coach within the games. Join in |
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PHYSICAL: |
Flexibility-stress this aspect because it cuts down on injuries and increases range of motion.
Speed, Strength, Agility
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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
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U11/U12 |
GOALKEEPER |
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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
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TACTICS: |
Basic communication
1v1 Principals
1v1 with the defense
Beginnings of support for defense |
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PHYSICAL: |
Goalkeeping specific stretching and flexibility
Beginning stages of foot work skills
Increase speed in short distances (18 yards) |
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MENTAL: |
Have fun
Encourage effort/determination
Drill home basics for muscle memory
Watch older goalkeepers in games |
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U13/U14 |
INDIVIDUAL SKILLS AND SMALL GROUP TACTICS |
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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. |
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COACH: |
Strong personality; Soccer knowledge; Enthusiastic; Demonstrate |
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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 |
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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 |
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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
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DEFENDING: |
Pressure-Cover-Balance, Compactness, Delay, Tracking back; Simple set plays |
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Play a lot of small-sided games and coach within the games. Join in |
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PHYSICAL: |
Flexibility, Agility
Speed
Strength
Endurance |
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MENTAL: |
The game must remain fun
Imagination/Creativity/Risk Taking
Increase Demands
Establish Training Targets
Maintain Discipline
Encourage them to watch high-level games.
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U13/U14 |
GOALKEEPER |
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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.
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TACTICS: |
Communication (for each 1/3)
1v1 Principals
1v1 with the defense
Distance / Angles / Availability to support the defense |
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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 |
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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
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U15/U16 |
DEVELOPMENT OF SKILL AND GROUP TACTICS |
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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. |
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COACH: |
Charismatic; Experienced; Knowledgeable; Articulate; Disciplinarian
Managerial Know How; Thoughtful Communicator
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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. |
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TACTICS: |
Increase Tactical Speed (decision making) |
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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
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DEFENDING: |
Pressure-Cover-Balance
Compactness
Delay
Tracking Back
Communication (how, efficient)
Hunting the Ball and Winning Back Possession
Set Plays
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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
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MENTAL: |
Increased Concentration, Goalsetting, and Relaxation Techniques
Leadership/Player Responsibilities
Discipline
Respect for the Game/Opponent, Watch High Level Matches
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U15/U16 |
GOALKEEPER |
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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.
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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
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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
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MENTAL: |
Training and match preparation
Lifestyles/discipline
Dealing with competition
Physical confrontations
Dealing with pressure – internal/external
Dealing with both success and failure
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U17/U18/U19 |
DEVELOPMENT OF POSITIONAL AND TEAM PLAY |
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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!!! |
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COACH: |
Charismatic; Well Informed; Up to Date; Experienced; Articulate;
Disciplinarian-No Doubts about who is in Charge; Managerial Know How
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TECHNIQUE: |
Mastered Skill Leading to Artistry. All at Speed under Match Conditions.
Individual Skill Covered during warm-up
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TACTICS: |
Increase Tactical Speed (Decision making).
Increase Pressure and Competition
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TEAM/FUNCTIONAL: |
Understanding the Three Lines in the Team and their Collective Responsibilities |
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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
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DEFENDING: |
Zonal marking & Man marking with Sweeper Behind
Pressing as a Unit in Different 1/3’s
Set Plays
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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
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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
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U17/U18/U19 |
GOALKEEPER |
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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
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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
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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
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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
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