BSA Curriculum
Bellbrook Youth Soccer
U6 – U10 Curriculum
Purpose: This curriculum document is intended to standardize “best practice” soccer training for Bellbrook youth soccer coaches. The coaching population is constantly changing and more is needed to connect with coaches on a consistent basis. This document will serve as a guide for coaches to assist in focusing on the appropriate skills within an age group and developmental progression across age groups. The curriculum should be used to teach all coaches what is best for developing players. Every child varies in their development and these are strictly guidelines. Guidelines are meant to be flexible as all players of the same age are certainly not at the same developmental level. It is important we challenge all players at a level that befits their ability.
The information provided in this document was collected from many sources and is consistent with U.S. Youth Soccer. Licensure courses, club clinics and materials should be leveraged by all coaches to improve their knowledge.
Table of Contents
III. Instructional Division - Ages 4 & 5 (Under 6) Players. 4
IV. Passers Division – Ages 6 & 7 (U8) Players. 7
V. Wings Division - Ages 8, 9 & 10 (Under 9 and Under 10) Players. 11
Bellbrook Soccer Association Board, Dec. 2007
Bellbrook Soccer Curriculum
A. No player deliberately messes up. Each youth athlete aims to win approval for her actions on the game field. Criticizing technical errors (passing, receiving, shooting, etc.) destroys confidence and reduces enjoyment.
B. Tailoring an age-appropriate curriculum that includes a strong focus on individual development (mostly technical), and transferable skills will lead to healthy participation and player development.
A. Age Groups
1. U6: ball familiarity, coordination, running with the ball at feet, general game concepts
2. U8-10: ball mastery, speed dribbling, cutting and turning, passing/shooting
3. U12-14: ball mastery/juggling, 1 v 1 dribbling and defending, passing & receiving, shooting, tactical awareness
B. Ball Mastery- cutting (inside-outside), brakes, drag touch; cruyff, V-Cuts, roll-behind
C. Speed Dribbling- the ability to run with the ball at high speed. Technique: use a combination of the outside of the foot and the laces, with slight inward inversion of the lower leg dribbling foot) to advance the ball. Introduce feints and fakes at u8
D. Cutting and Turning- the ability to change direction using both outside and inside of the foot. Changing direction allows us to escape pressure, move the ball in a new direction to take advantage of some new opportunity, beat a player. Use words like “chop” to encourage the motion. It is easier to chop with the inside, but the outside is often neglected. Spend extra time on this movement.
E. Passing and Receiving- the good news is that both topics use the same technique: toe up, heel down, knee bent. For extra power on the pass, raise the knee don’t cross legs. For added accuracy “point your toe where you want it to go”; the toe referred to being the toe of the plant foot.
F. Shooting- the A-B-C’s include preparing the ball diagonally to mobilize hips, striking the ball on the “chin” or “neck”, and making contact with your big toe under the ball. If the ball spins sideways rather than backwards, then you’ve probably kicked the ball on the ear instead of the neck.
III. Instructional Division - Ages 4 & 5 (Under 6) Players
A. Things you can expect
1. Although sometimes we may mistake 4-6 year-olds for little adults, they are clearly not little adults. They have many years of childhood and development to enjoy before they are able to look at life in a similar fashion to adults. The reason for this is that they need time to intellectually, emotionally, and physically develop. Although we do live in the same world, when seen through our own eyes, the world both adults and children experience is quite different. In order to fully understand these wonderful children and to make practices run as smoothly and happily as possible, it is extremely important for us to understand the following characteristics about U6 children.
2. Tell me and I will forget, Show me and I will remember, Involve me and I will understand
3. Have FUN with them and enjoy it!
B. Characteristics of a U6 Player
1. Focused on themselves - reality to them is solely based on what they see and feel
2. Unable to see the world from another’s perspective - it is “the world according to me” time. Asking them to understand how someone else is seeing something or feels is unrealistic
3. Everything is in the here and now - forget about the past and future, they live in the moment.
4. Heating and cooling systems are less efficient than adults - we need to give frequent water breaks (every 8-10 minutes) or they may just run until they cannot run anymore
5. Enjoying playing, not watching - they feel no enjoyment from watching others play when they could be playing too. Make sure every player has a ball in practice so every player is always playing
6. Limited attention span (on average 15 seconds for listening, 10-15 minutes when engaged in a task) - keep your directions concise and to the point. When in an open environment, such as a park, their attention span will dwindle towards 10 seconds
7. Effort is synonymous with performance - if they have tried hard, they believe they have done well. This is a wonderful quality and we should be supportive of their enthusiasm
8. Active imaginations - if we utilize their imaginations in practice activities, they will love practice!
9. Look for adult approval - watch how often players look to you for approval or to see if you are looking. Also be encouraging when they say “Coach, look what I can do!”
10. Unable to think abstractly - asking them to think about spatial relations or runs off the ball is unrealistic
11. Typically have 2 speeds -- extremely fast and stopped
12. Usually unaware of game scores - we should keep it that way
13. Often like to fall down just because it is fun - they are just children having fun ☺
14. Often cannot identify left foot vs. right foot - they know which foot they use most and if they point to their feet you can help teach them left and right
C. Skill Priorities
1. Dribble with all sides of both feet
2. Dribble out of trouble
3. Dribble past someone
4. Soft first touch
D. Recommended Games
1. Tag - Every child dribbles a soccer ball I the space defined while trying to tag other players with their hand. Players cannot leave their own ball. Have them keep count of how many people they have tagged and, if playing twice in a row, see if players can tag more people than they did in the first game. Version 2: Players must tag other players on their knees.
2. Red Light/Green Light - All players have a ball and dribble in a limited space (or towards the coach). When coach says “red light”, players must stop ball and put foot on top of ball. When coach says “yellow light”, players must dribble very slowly. When coach says “green light”, players dribble fast. Coach controls this game with frequency of light changes and variety of changes. Once players catch on to this game, add light of other colors and affix different actions to them (i.e. purple light = hop back and forth over ball, orange light = run around the ball, black light = dance, blue light = hide behind the ball etc. etc.)
3. Freeze tag - Break up the group onto two teams. Everyone must dribble their soccer ball, but one team tries to tag (freeze) the other team. IF they do tag a player on the other team, that player must freeze, place their ball above their head and spread their legs. Another player on their team must kick his/her ball t through the frozen player’s legs to unfreeze the teammate. If all players are frozen, game ends and the frozen team becomes the taggers. Otherwise, stop game after a few minutes and have team reverse roles. Version 2: Coach can be the freeze monster and try to tag all the players with players unfreezing each other in same fashion.
4. Kangaroo Jack - All payers except two or three begin with a ball. Players without balls are kangaroo jacks and must hop like a kangaroo and try to tag players. If a player gets tagged, he/she becomes a kangaroo as well until all players are turned into kangaroos.
5. Snake - In an appropriate space for the numbers you have, all players dribbling soccer balls except for 2-3 players to start. These players hold hands and work together as one snake to tag the other players. The players with balls try to avoid getting tagged by the snake. If they are tagged, they join hands with players making up the snake; the snake grows until all players are part of the snake. The snake must stay together as one animal and not break off into little parts. Encourage fun by having the snake hiss.
6. Additional practice plan resources
a) http://www.bellbrooksoccer.org/coaches/TrainingTips/index_E.html
IV. Passers Division – Ages 6 & 7 (U8) Players
A. Things You Can Expect
1. Six, seven and eight-year-old players are a bit more compliant than their U-6 counterparts. They will be able to follow 2 or 3 step instructions and are starting to have a good understanding about what it means to play a "game". They are also starting to cooperate more with their teammates. In fact, they now will recognize that they even have teammates by the fact that they occasionally, and I mean occasionally, will pass the ball to a teammate, on purpose. Often, they will repeat the phrase "I can't do that!", but, will quickly run to you to show you that they can, even when they only think that they can. Some other things that you can expect to happen during a season with this age group are:
2. There will be at least 200-300 falls during the season, but now they will usually pick themselves back up.
3. The puddle in front of the goal is still too tempting to resist.
4. Keep a spare pump in your bag, as the players usually do not realize that their ball is flat until they try to kick it, or the coach tells them that it is flat.
5. Some of the girls are a lot tougher then the boys.
6. They will still want to wear a pinnie, even when the color is identical to their shirt.
7. It will be impossible to remember who is whose best friend as you try to make up teams.
8. School conflicts will come up... please, let them go (they must face their teachers five days a week).
9. They will wear their uniform to bed.
B. Characteristics of the U8 Player:
1. Attention span is a not at a "competitive" stage.
2. Inclined towards small group activities.
3. Always in motion: scratching; blinking; jerking; rocking.
4. Easily bruised psychologically. They will remember negative comments for a long time. Shout praise.
5. They want everybody to like them.
6. Developing physical confidence.
7. Starting to imitate older players or sports heroes. Want the same "gear" as them.
8. Lack sense of pace. They go flat out until they drop.
9. Skeletal system growing rapidly. Often results in apparent lack of coordination.
10. Cardiovascular and temperature regulation system is not developed. Their heart rate peaks quickly and they overheat quickly. Make sure that they get adequate water breaks.
11. Limited understanding with personal evaluation. "If they try hard, they performed well" regardless of the actual performance. Thus, they need to be encouraged constantly, and asked "Now, can you do this?"
12. Better at recognizing when the ball is out of play, and remembering what goal they are going for, but in the heat of battle, they will sometimes still forget. They still find it difficult to really be aware of more than one thing at a time.
13. Tell me and I will forget, Show me and I will remember, Involve me and I will understand
C. U8 Soccer Coaching Objectives (7 Year Olds):
1. Developing a general understanding of the basic rules of the game
a) Goal-Kick
b) Corner-Kick
c) Kick-Off
d) Throw-In
e) Ball In and Out of Play - throw-in, "goal," corner kick, etc.
2. Teach the correct method of the throw-in; but don¹t over do it, encourage players to shoot the ball with both right/left feet; how to dribble the ball; how to stop the ball. Show players that passing is another option to dribbling.
3. Encourage the players to cooperate - examples through passing; helping in defense by running back towards goal.
4. Do not expect the players to grasp the concept of moving out on attack and defense right away.
5. Do encourage the defensive players to come off the goal area when play is at the other end of the field to support the attack. The back player can also serve to reduce the amount of space between the goal and an opponent attempting to shoot. This provides a smaller view of the goal for the shooter.
6. Do emphasize and encourage the idea of a team triangle when attacking and defending
D. Skill Priorities
1. Dribble with all side of both feet
2. Dribble out of trouble
3. Dribble past someone
4. Shielding
5. Soft first touch
6. Introduce proper shooting technique
7. Introduce passing
E. Overriding Consideration:
1. The game is for all players - everyone should be encouraged to participate, particularly the "non- assertive" player(s). Always encourage in practices & games the use of skill, creativity & decision- making. Don¹t expect youngsters to play a "passing game", don¹t get caught up in tactics & formations or positions. KEEP IT SIMPLE! Systems of play at young ages will only lead to "Agriculture Soccer" since they dictate those players are "planted" rather than "playing".
2. Also never stifle the creative, gifted dribbler. Eventually all players will learn to pass as they get older. This is the time for players of all abilities to experiment & learn from trial and error. Encourage talking in practices & on the field, let them know this is their game and that they own it. If you believe that the difference between kicking and passing is thinking, and the difference between drills and activities is thinking, then you should understand the premise that "Soccer Is A Player¹s Game" and your sessions should give players as many opportunities to both play, think & communicate as possible!
F. Recommended Games
1. Free Dribble - Everyone with a ball, use inside, outside, and sole of the foot. Have players dribble with speed (outside of foot), change direction, and perform moves. Coach calls out moves or changes in direction and sets the pace as the manipulator of the session; kids carry the ball towards someone and try a move. Version 2: As players get comfortable, coach can walk around and put pressure on players as they are performing dribbling tasks. This adds fun and interaction.
2. Knock Out - In same space as previous activity, have players dribble balls while trying to knock other player’s balls outside of the grid. Players can never leave their own ball. If their ball gets knocked out, have them retrieve it quickly and get back into the game. (You may wish to have them perform a skills task before re-entering such as 10 toe touches or juggling 5 times).
3. Shield Steal - Half of players in the group have a ball and half do not. If you do not have a ball you need to steal one from someone who does. If ball goes out of bounds, person who touched it last does not get possession. You can teach players the technical points of shielding as a group at start of activity. Show technique with body sideways, arm providing protection, ball on outside of foot, knees bent, turning as defender attacks, using feel to understand where defender is going. Fix technical shielding errors throughout this activity and make sure entire group knows how to properly shield.
4. Gates Passing - Players are paired up and must successfully pass the ball through the cones to their teammate to earn a point. Players try to accumulate as many points as possible in the time allotted. Have players pass only with their left foot or right foot, or the outside of their foot.
5. Get Outta Here - Place two small (2 yard) goals at the end of a field 15 x 10 yards. Place half of team behind each goal and coach stands at halfway line with all balls. When coach plays out a ball the first two players run out and try to score on each other’s goal. If the ball goes in the goal or out of bounds, the coach yells “get outta here” and plays in a new ball immediately for the next two players. Version 2: Coach can stop yelling “get outta here” after a while and see if players recognize when balls go out and are attentive. Version 3: Coach can vary service of ball. Sometimes play it to one player, sometimes toss the ball up in the air. Version 4: Have the first two or three players from each group come out each tie a new ball is played and play 2 vs 2 or 3 vs 3.
6. Clean your Backyard - Break group into two teams and have each team stay only on their half of the field. Place a 6 yard buffer zone between halves that no one can enter or cross. Each player needs a ball. Place three small (2-3yd) goals at the far end of each side of the field. Have both teams shoot balls at other team’s goals in an attempt to score through anyone of the small goals (below knee height). Players cannot cross the buffer zone or go into the other half. Balls get recycled naturally in the game. Play 2 or 3 games and have teams re-strategize between each game. Teams can play defense though no hands. Only shots with laces count as goals.
7. 2 vs. 1 keep away - In a grid 10 x 15 yds, three players play 2 v 1 continuous keep away. Two attackers combine to keep the ball away from one defender. When the defender wins the ball, he or she immediately combines with the attacker he or she did not win the ball from and the attacker who lost the ball becomes the defender. Balls out of play are dribbled in or passed in.
8. Additional practice plan resources
a) http://www.bellbrooksoccer.org/coaches/TrainingTips/index_E.html
V. Wings Division - Ages 8, 9 & 10 (Under 9 and Under 10) Players
The number one goal of Wings Division is to develop players. Players grow and develop at different rates. Just because a player isn't the strongest, fastest or most technical player today, does not mean they cannot grow and develop into the great player of the future.
A. Training Focus
1. All training should be fun.
2. Sessions should be devoted to 1v1, 2v2, 3v3 games to develop technique with the main focus on attacking.
3. All training should involve transition
4. Players should be going to goal as often as possible.
5. Begin keeping score throughout the year to make games competitive.
B. Psychological
1. Create fun practice environment.
2. Introduce competition to training environment.
3. Begin to create students of the game. Encourage players to attend professional games, or watch them on TV, take your team to college games or to watch older teams in the club.
C. Physical
1. All fitness is done with the ball or is agility based.
2. Focus on developing player coordination and balance with ball.
D. Technical Skills
1. Passing (long, short, inside of foot, crosses)
2. Receiving (balls on ground, balls in air)
3. Dribbling (beating challenges from front, behind, side)
4. Finishing (instep, inside of foot, volleys, half volleys, headers)
5. Heading (basic introduction to proper technique)
6. Individual Defending (very basic introduction).
E. Tactical
1. 1v1 - 3v3 games to develop technical skills.
2. First defender (role of pressure) and Second Defender (role of cover)
3. Combination play (wall pass, takeover, overlap)
4. Angles of Support
5. Possession (small games 2v1, 3v1, 4v2).
F. System of Play
1. Choose a system and organization of system that best suit qualities of players.
2. Style should be attractive attacking soccer, attempt to focus on keeping possession as much as possible. Winning is NOT important, having fun and playing good soccer is.
3. All players should have experience during the season playing in back, midfield, forward, and goalkeeper positions.
G. Recommended Games
1. Free Dribble - Everyone with a ball, use inside, outside, and sole of the foot. Have players dribble with speed (outside of foot), change direction, and perform moves. Coach calls out moves or changes in direction and sets the pace as the manipulator of the session; kids carry the ball towards someone and try a move. Version 2: As players get comfortable, coach can walk around and put pressure on players as they are performing dribbling tasks. This adds fun and interaction. Version 3: Make the game a knockout game in which players try to knock each other’s balls out of the grid while maintaining possession of their own. Note: You may wish to have them perform a skills task before re-entering such as 10 toe touches or juggling 5 times. You do not want players sitting out.
2. Shield Steal -Half of players in the group have a ball and half do not. If you do not have a ball you need to steal one from someone who does. If ball goes out of bounds, person who touched it last does not get possession. You can teach players the technical points of shielding as a group at start of activity. Show technique with body sideways, arm providing protection, ball on outside foot, knees bent, and turning as defender attacks, using feel to understand where defender is going. Fix technical shielding errors throughout this activity and make sure entire group knows how to properly shield.
3. Gates Passing - Same set up as previous game. However, players are now paired up and must successfully pass the ball through the cones to their teammate to earn a point. Again, players try to accumulate as many points as possible in the time allotted. Similar to previous game, have them pass only with their left foot or right foot, or the outside of their foot.
4. 1 vs 1 To Lines - In a grid 10 x 10 yards, players line up on opposite sides. The first player in each line alternates attacking the player opposite them. When the attacker dribbles over the line they score a goal. If the defender winds the ball he or she can counter attack to the opposite line to also score a goal. The players switch to the opposite line if a goal is scored or the ball goes out of bounds. The coach rotates the lines so all players get to compete against each other. Version 2: Make the grid larger and make this a 2 v 2 or a 3 v 3 game.
5. 1 vs 1 To Two Small Goals - Same grids as above except now there is a three foot goal in the middle of each line. Attackers try to score by passing the ball through the goal. Defenders can counter attack to the opposite goal if they win the ball. Players switch sides after a goal or the ball goes out of bounds. The coach rotates the lines so all players get to compete against each other.
6. 2 vs 2 to Four Cross Goals - Teams defend one goal and have the opportunity to score on the other three, you must dribble through a goal to score a point. The goals are on the ends of a large cross in a square grid roughly 10 yd x10 yd. Have one team of 2 on deck, they come on when a team gets scored on twice. Game is continuous, they must run on immediately.
7. 2 vs 2 To Four Small Goals - In a 15 x 15 yard grid with a small goal in each corner teams of two attack the two opposite goals and defend their two goals. The coach will set up as many grids as needed to accommodate the players. When the ball goes out of bounds it can be passed or dribbled in to play. The teams should be rotated every three minutes until all groups have played against each other. Version 2: 3 vs 3 in a 20 x 25 yard grid - Teams should show a triangle shape in attack.
8. 4 vs 4 End zone Game - Teams comprised of 4-6 players depending on numbers and space. To score you must pass the ball to a teammate into the opponent’s end zone (created with discs). The player cannot go into the end zone until after the ball has been passed. Stress recognizing opportunities and timing of passes.
9. Triangle Goal Game - Make a triangle with three cones in the center of the field. The sides of the triangle each serve as a goal mouth so teams can shoot at three different goals. Place 2 goalies in the triangle and the 2 goalies must protect the three goal mouths. Two even teams pay a normal soccer game, except they both can score on any of the three faces of the triangle for a point. The game is continuous and if a goalie catches the ball he just throws it out so the game continues. Version 2: Use two balls at the same time.
10. 4 vs 4 to Four Small Goals - In a 30 x 35 yard grid, the same rules as 3 vs 3, but now players must show a diamond shape in attack.
11. Additional practice plan resources
a) http://www.bellbrooksoccer.org/coaches/TrainingTips/index_E.html
The activities are organized by three topic areas: Dribbling, Passing and Shooting.
A. Dribbling
1. Beehive
a) Mark off a 10 yd. x 10 yd. square with cones. Each player has a ball. Players dribble inside the grid using correct techniques and avoiding other players. Now impose restrictions to encourage players to work on particular skills. Provide new instructions every 30 to 60 seconds. Try these variations:
(1) Vary speed ("1st gear", "2nd gear", etc.);
(2) Right or left foot only;
(3) Cones - put as many cones around the square as there are players; on command everyone must find an unoccupied cone and dribble to it (or try it with one less cone than the number of players - the player who is left without a cone receives a fun "penalty", such as a "leaper" [jumping high in the air and trying to pull both knees to the chest]);
(4) Obstacle course - 6 to 12 cones placed randomly within the square; players concentrate on dribbling without knocking over the cones;
(5) Shark - players must turn, change speed and direction to avoid the shark (the coach or a player); if caught, the player must freeze and count slowly to 10 before resuming his or her dribble.
(6) Now invent your own restrictions - the possibilities are endless!
2. Bridges
a) Scatter half of the team widely around the field with instructions to stand with legs spread apart (they are the "bridges"). The remaining players, each with a ball, dribble to a bridge, pass their ball under it, retrieve the ball and advance to another bridge. Players may not pass under the same bridge twice in a row. Players keep track of the number of bridges they can negotiate in 1 minute, then switch bridges and dribblers and repeat.
3. Cone Dribble
a) Set up a number of cones arranged in two straight lines. Split the team into two groups and have them weave through the cones by dribbling. Start out slowly then turn it into a race. Dribblers can be restricted in how they dribble - right foot only, inside of feet only, etc.
4. King of the Ring
a) Provide a 10 yd. x 10 yd. grid where each player has a ball. One player or the coach is "it" without a ball. Players start to dribble in the grid while trying to avoid having their ball kicked out of the grid by the player who is "it". Players can reenter the grid after retrieving their ball and completing some type of small skill penalty activity, like juggling the ball twice on their feet or knees or dribbling around a nearby tree before returning to the grid.
5. Pacman
a) Two players are selected to be pacmen and stand outside the grid until the game begins. All other players dribble a ball inside the grid. Pacmen try to tag players who are dribbling the balls. If tagged, the player is frozen until another player passes a ball through the frozen player’s legs. Game ends when all players are frozen.
6. Get Your Ball
a) Divide your team into two groups, one at each end of the practice field. On the midline place two fewer balls than there are players. On command all players sprint to the midline and try to get a ball. The object is to retrieve a ball and dribble it back over the endline from which you started. Players without a ball challenge the dribblers and try to kick their ball away.
7. Pass, Sprint and Dribble
a) Players in pairs face each other about 5 yd. apart; one player with a ball, the other standing with legs spread apart. The player with the ball passes it with the inside of the foot through the legs of his partner. As soon as the ball passes between his legs, the partner turns, sprints to catch up with the ball, turns it 180 degrees back to his starting position; he is now the passer.
8. Shielding
a) Use of body position. Play 1 v 1 in an open area. Player A has the ball at his feet and has to keep possession for a specified time, say 15 seconds. Player B tries to take the ball away from A by getting a toe to the ball. The idea is for player A to keep his body between player B and the ball, keeping the boxer’s stance with both feet in line with the ball and player B’s feet, with his knees slightly bent for flexibility and a low center of gravity. After each player has taken a turn at shielding, increase the time he must shield the ball to score a point. Try these variations:
(1) Get player B to play the ball to player A to start the game (realistic restart)
(2) Restrict the area used
(3) Limit the player on the ball to his weaker foot
(4) Have player on ball look up after every touch on ball
(5) Get the player on the ball to feel for the marker with his arm - this will allow the player with the ball to anticipate his markers movement, while still keeping an eye on the ball.
9. 1 v 1 with Direction
a) Play 1 v 1 in a 10 x 15 yard grid. Provide direction by giving player A two target players (on corner cones) at one end of the grid and player B two target players at the opposite end. One of the end players plays the ball to player A who has to dribble past player B in order to make space to pass the ball to one of his target players. If he does so successfully he scores a point, retreats to his end line and then becomes the defender. Swap pairs in middle frequently.
10. Coerver feints/moves
a) For the coaches who have not seen or heard of Wiel Coerver, he is an ex-professional player and coach from the Netherlands who introduced a program emphasizing 1 v 1 moves to beat an opponent. His videos and books break down each move and explain it in simple terms. You will be amazed at what the under 8 player in Holland can do with the ball! The great thing about these moves is that you can practice them inside on a rainy day, because you don't need a ball to quicken foot speed. Try faking the dog or cat out! Here are a couple of the moves explained
(1) The Scissors
Standing behind the ball, swing your left foot around the front of the ball from left to right, put toes on ground, bend the left knee, drop the left shoulder, then quickly move the right foot to the left side of the ball and push it forward diagonally with the outside of the right foot. Remember that the first 3 steps after a move have got to be at pace so the defender does not catch you! Repeat, increasing speed and agility, and practice move with both feet.
(2) The Roll-Over
Standing behind the ball, roll the ball across the body with the inside of the right foot so ball is moving, then swing the right leg back around the front of the ball from left to right, bending right knee and dropping shoulder, then take ball away with the outside of the left foot. Again, remember that after the move, the player on the ball has got to get away quickly
(3) The Matthews
Move the ball with the inside of your right foot to your left side and then fake to go to your left by leaning to the left. Bend your knees and move your right foot quickly behind the ball. Accelerate away with your right foot to push the ball forward and past the marker. Repeat, increasing speed and agility, and practice move with both feet.
11. American Football (Dribbling)
a) Create a playing field of 15 x 30 yards, but make the last 5 yards of each end an end zone. A touch down is scored by keeping possession and creating an opportunity to dribble into the end zone. If this is done with the ball under control, then a touch down is scored
12. Turning
a) Changing direction is an important skill that young players need to know. Here are six basic turns that are used at the highest levels of soccer. Each turn will take many hours of practice to master, but once learned will greatly improve his/her game. For the younger players, the Stop Turn and the Drag Back should be taught. Older age players should master all the turns.
13. Stop Turn
a) Move the ball in one direction. Stop the ball with the sole of the right foot. Continue past the ball. Turn quickly, play the ball with the same foot in the opposite direction. Bend your knees. Accelerate away after the turn. Repeat, increasing speed and agility, and practice move with both feet.
14. Drag Back
a) Move the ball in one direction. Turn the ball under the body by dragging the ball in the opposite direction with the sole of your right foot. Turn quickly, play the ball with the same foot in the opposite direction. Bend your knees. Accelerate away after the turn. Repeat, increasing speed and agility, and practice move with both feet.
15. Inside Hook
a) Move the ball in one direction. Reach and hook the ball with the inside of your right foot and move in the opposite direction. Bend your knees. Accelerate away after the turn. Repeat, increasing speed and agility, and practice move with both feet.
16. Outside Hook
a) Move the ball in one direction. Reach and hook the ball with the outside of your right foot and move in the opposite direction. Bend your knees. Accelerate away after the turn. Repeat, increasing speed and agility, and practice move with both feet.
17. Step Over
a) Move the ball in one direction. Step over the ball low and quickly with your right foot. Swivel your hips and play the ball in the opposite direction with the inside of your other foot. Bend your knees. Accelerate away after the turn. Repeat, increasing speed and agility, and practice move with both feet.
18. The Cryuff
a) Move the ball in one direction. Fake a kick with the right foot. Turn your right foot inward with your toe down and push the ball behind and away from you in the opposite direction. Turn quickly and play the ball in the opposite direction with the opposite foot. Bend your knees. Accelerate away after the turn. Repeat, increasing speed and agility, and practice move with both feet.
B. Passing
1. Cone Game
a) Players pair up and stand across from each other around a circle. Set up 6 or 8 cones in the middle of the circle as targets. Partners try and knock over the cones in the middle with accurate passes.
2. Keep Away Circle
a) Players pair up and stand across from each other around a circle of cones. One player or the coach stands inside the circle and tries to intercept passes made between the players. Passes completed between partners count as goals. Change the player inside the circle after a pass is intercepted or after a short time interval.
3. Triangle Pass
a) Set up a three-player triangle. Each group has one ball. Players pass to each other around the triangle shape. Make sure they reverse the direction of their passes from time to time. After a certain level of proficiency is reached, add a defender to the center of the triangle who will try to intercept the ball.
4. Four Corner Pass
a) Set up a 10 yd. x 10 yd. grid with cones at each of the four corners. Four players work with one ball, one player on each side of the grid. A fifth player defends inside the grid. Players may only run between the cones on their side of the grid as they attempt to pass the ball across the grid. Change the middle player often to keep the play crisp and fast.
5. Pass and Run to the Cone
a) Place cones at the corners of a large square; 3 players and 1 ball per square. Position the players at 3 of the corners. The player with the ball passes to either of her teammates, then runs to the empty cone. The player receiving the ball controls it, passes to her remaining teammate, and runs to the new empty cone. Repeat this cycle for 3 or 4 minutes, then switch feet or exchange players. The kids should work on passing accurately and moving after making a pass, rather than standing and watching the ball.
6. Pass and Receive
a) Position the players in two lines, single-file, facing each other about 5-10 yd. apart. The first player in line A serves the ball to the first player in line B, then runs in a wide arc to the end of line B. The first player in line B controls the serve, passes crisply back to the next player in line A, then runs in a wide arc to the end of line A. Repeat for several minutes. Vary the serve (with the hands, with the feet, high, low, rolling, bouncing, etc.). (Tip: it is important that the players run wide to the end of the opposite line so as not to interfere with the next pass).
7. Keep-Away
a) This is an excellent exercise for warming up. Instead of having players standing around in a line waiting to shoot at goal before a game, have them gently warm up playing 3 v 1, or 5 v 2 keep-away for 15-30 second intervals. This gives players a lot more touches on the ball and produces a good feel for the particular playing surface, while alternating aerobic and anaerobic exercise. When an opposing coach sees this happen, he knows that the other coach knows what he is doing and begins to worry!
8. Possession Game (4 v 2)
a) Set up 2 adjacent squares of 15 x 15 yards and pick two teams of four players. Start with 4 v 2 in one of the squares, with the other 2 staying in the adjacent square. The 4 try to keep possession in their area. If one of the 2 wins the ball they play the ball into the adjacent square to their teammates and then join them in the square to keep possession. When the transition takes place, the nearest two opposing players also move across the center line to become the 2 trying to win the ball back from the 4. Play continues.
9. Wall Pass (2 v 1)
a) In a 10 x 15 yard grid play 2 v 0 to get the feel of a one-touch wall pass. Then, add one defender into the grid, and make the offensive pair play 2 v 1 and produce a wall pass to beat the defender and score by stopping the ball on the end line under control. The players with the ball turn round and repeat the exercise, trying to score as many times as possible by utilizing the wall pass. Get player A with the ball to dribble at speed at the defender to start the move. Player B then must read the visual cue and create an appropriate angle to either side of the defender in order to allow the opportunity for the wall pass. As the players get better technically, and more used to the players around them, the coach should point out further visual cues. For Example, if Player A wants to play a wall pass to the left, then he may want to run to the right of the defender (as he faces him). This will not only open up space on that side by drawing the defender away, but it can also be read as a cue for a teammate to create an angle for a wall pass on that side.
10. Overlaps (2 v 1)
a) In a similar vein, overlaps can be created down the flanks. In an open space, practice Player A dribbling at an opponent, with player B making an overlap from behind the player with the ball. He must communicate which way he is coming from to the player with the ball who cannot see him. In a game situation, communication of direction is probably unnecessary as the player will be running towards the nearest touch-line to the ball, but communication that the player with the ball has a player open on the flank is still vitally important. Again, as the players get better technically, and more used to the players around them, the coach should point out further visual cues. For instance, if Player A wants to play an overlap pass to the left, then he may want to run to the right (as he faces him). This will not only open up space on that side by drawing the defender away, but it can also be read as a cue for a teammate to create the overlap on that side.
C. Shooting
1. Four Goal Game
a) Set up four cone goals about two yards wide in each corner of a 20 yd. x 30 yd. grid, Divide players into two equal teams. Players may score at any of the four goals. This game encourages teamwork and results in lots of shooting.
2. Shoot Between Cones
a) Set up a cone row with cones spaced 3 to 5 yards apart. Pair up players and position one player on each side of the cone row facing the cones and each other. Players should start close to the row of cones at first, striking the ball between the cones. The partner receives the ball and strikes it back between the cones. Move players farther away from the cones as their technique and accuracy improve.
3. Go For Goal
a) Players form two lines on either side of the coach who is standing about 18 to 20 yards from a goal of any size. The coach serves the ball toward the goal while one player from each line races to win the ball and shoot. As skills progress, add a goalkeeper. The coach should encourage correct shooting technique and a good first touch on the ball.
4. Dribble Cones and Shoot
a) Set up two cone lines for a dribble weave about 30 yards long with a 2 yard goal at the end. Divide players into two lines or teams. Players must dribble through the cones and score at the goal at the end before the next player in line starts.
5. Turn and Shoot
a) Divide the team into two groups; have an assistant work with one half of the team while you work with the other half. Position the players with their backs to the goal (about 20 yd. away) and their legs spread apart. Each player places her ball between her feet. Go down the line stopping briefly in front of each player. When you tap the ball between the player’s legs, the player turns, sprints to the ball, and shoots on goal. Repeat the process with each player in succession. The players shag their ball and circle wide to return to the line. Switch the position of the players periodically so that they are attacking the goal from a different angle. Increase the pace on the ball as you tap it to make it more challenging. The game can also be played with a keeper in goal.
6. First to the Ball
a) Players line up on opposite sides of the goal post. Each line is a team. The goalkeeper serves the ball into the field 15 to 20 yards from the goal. When the ball is server, the two players at the front of the line race to the ball. Both players try to win the ball from each other and score on the same goal. Keep score. This is a great game - it becomes very competitive !
7. Three Shots
a) A line of attackers forms at least 25 yards out from the goal. Two servers are positioned on either side of the goal posts with a supply of balls. The player at the front of the line starts with a ball, dibbles a few yards, then shoots on goal. After the shot, the player receives a pass from the first server. After the shot, the player receives a pass from the second server. Variations: 1) play with a goalkeeper. 2) vary the type of serves. 3) limit the number of touches the player has
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