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
