U12

Foundation Phase - The Romance                                 

Development of Individual Skills

Individual and Small Group Tactics

The effect of the model is very important at this stage of development.  Hero worship, identification with successful teams/players and a hunger for imaginative skills typify the mentality of this age.  This is a time of transition from self-centered to self-critical.  Players of this age have a high arousal level in relation to the training of basic skills.  This is the ‘golden age of learning” and the most important age for skill development.  Demonstration is very important and the players learn best by doing.  This is also an important time to introduce and teach the basic principles of play.  It is important to establish discipline from the beginning.

Coach:

Sensitive Teacher; Enthusiastic; Possess soccer awareness; Ability to demonstrate or utilize someone who can paint a good picture (older player, assistant coach); Knowledge of the key factors of basic skills; Give encouragement.

License:

‘D’ License or higher.

Technique:

Important to establish a good strong solid base.  Development of individual skills under the pressure of time, space, and an opponent. Increase technical speed.

Dribbling:       Encourage risk taking! Moves to beat an opponent; Keeping possession of ball-shielding spin turns; Change of speed and change of direction.

Receiving:      Ground and air balls.  All surfaces, from a partner, on the move.

Shooting:        Proper striking technique, partner serves from all angles, turns, cut backs; Volleys.

Passing:          Proper technique- Laces, inside, outside- Short and long; Crossing.

Heading:         Self serve => partner serve- jumping to head, turning the ball; Partner juggling.

Tackling:          Proper technique.

Tactics:         “Dawn of tactical awareness”. 

                        Basic principles of play.

                        Play a variety of positions => Develop an awareness=> Complete player.

                        Promote attacking soccer- possibly play 3-4-3.

Individual => 1v1.

Attacking:       Keep possession; Encourage risk taking => Take players on 1v1 in proper areas of the field.

Defending:     Proper pressure (in front and behind); Channel player; Immediate chase.

Small Group => 2v1, 2v2, 3v1, 3v2, 3v3

Attacking:       Keep possession => Support, combination play => wall pass, take over, overlap, double pass.

Defending:      Pressure/Cover, marking.

A Great Deal of Coaching/Teaching Within 4v4 Games

Physical:      All fitness work done with ball.

                        Flexibility- Static Stretching.

                        Agility- Coordination on the ball.

                        Speed.

                        Strength.

                        Endurance.

                        Balance/ Proprioception.

Psychological: Keep it fun and enjoyable to foster a desire to play (Intrinsic motivation)

                        Encourage decision making.

                        Imagination/ Creativity.

                        Increase demands.

                        Discipline.

                        Encourage to watch high level soccer.

The Game:  8v8 or 9v9.

U14

Formal Phase- The Commitment                                  

Development of Individual Skills

Individual and Small Group Tactics

Adult standards and formal rules become applicable.  The pace of development quickens at this time due to the acceleration of physical and mental maturation.  The demands of skill training as well as training loads should increase thus provoking improvement in mental toughness, concentration and diligence.  Awareness of tactics within the game becomes an important facet of the learning process.  Players tend to be self-critical, rebellious but have a strong commitment to the team.

Coach:

Strong personality; Soccer knowledgeable; Enthusiastic; Patient but demanding.

License:

‘C’ License or higher.

Technique:

Build on the base.  Development of individual skills under the pressure of time, space, and an opponent.  Increase technical speed.

Dribbling:        Encourage to take players on 1v1- Feints/moves; Keep possession- shielding and spin turns.

Receiving:      Quality first touch- take balls out of the air/turning => All surfaces, on the run.

Shooting:        On the run; On the turn; From all angles/crosses, volleys.

Passing:          Short, long, bent, crosses, driven, chipped =. All surfaces, ALL on the run.

Heading:         To goal (Shoot/glance), to pass, to clear.

Tackling:          Proper technique, slide.

Tactics:          Increase Tactical Speed (Decision Making)

Individual => 1v1.

Attacking:         Keep possession; Encourage risk taking => Take players on in the proper areas of the field.

Defending:       Proper pressure (in front and behind); Channel player; Immediate chase, angles of pressure.

Small Group => 2v1, 2v2, 3v1, 3v2, 3v3, 4v2, 4v4

Attacking:       Keep possession => Support; Combination play => wall pass, take over, overlap, double pass. Width, depth, penetration; Crossing with proper runs in the box; Simple set plays.

Defending:     Pressure/Cover, marking.

A Great Deal of Coaching/Teaching Within 4v4 => 7v7 Games

Physical:      All fitness work done with ball.

                        Flexibility- Static Stretching and Dynamic Flexibility.

                        Agility- Coordination on the ball.

                        Speed.

                        Strength, especially core strength and stability.

                        Endurance.

                        Balance/ Proprioception.

Psychological: The game should remain fun and enjoyable. Players should have a passion for the

game.

                        Imagination/ Creativity.

                        Increase demands.

                        Establish training targets.

                        Maintain discipline.      

                        Encourage to watch high level soccer.

The Game:      11v11.

U16

Fervid Phase- The Dedication                          

Development of Skills and Group Tactics

This is a critical time in the player’s development.  Many stop playing due to other interests, lack of success, shortage of playing opportunities, poor leadership, or other reasons.  Players tend to lack mental toughness and self confidence.  They tend to be self-critical and struggle with their desire to be competitive which is not always accepted by their peers.  There is a need for attention and security.  There is a need for team spirit, leadership and discipline within the team.

Coach:

Charismatic; Experienced; Knowledgeable; Articulate; Disciplinarian; Managerial know how; Thoughtful Persuader.

License:

‘B’ License or higher.

Technique:

Skills should be mastered leading to artistry and improvisation => All under match conditions. 

                        Individual skill covered during warm-up.

                        Increase technical speed.

                        It is important that technique is still highly emphasized at this age.

                        Strikes ball cleanly over distance with accuracy under pressure.

Tactics:         Increase Tactical Speed (Decision Making)

Group => 3v3, 4v4, 7v7.

Attacking:       Keep possession with a purpose- Width, depth, support.

                        Combination play => wall pass, take over, overlap, double pass, third man running.

                        Penetration.

                        Mobility/ creativity.

                        Crossing with proper runs in the box.

                        Set plays.

Defending:     Compactness.

                        Delay.

                        Tracking back.

                        Communication (who, what, when, where).

Teach to enjoy winning possession of the ball and dictating the play with defending set plays.

A Great Deal of Coaching/Teaching Within 7v7 Games

Physical:      Fitness work with and without the ball.

                        Flexibility- Static stretching before and after training/matches.

                        Dynamic Flexibility (especially before matches and training).

                        Importance of discipline for warm-up and cool-down.

                        Agility- with and without the ball.

Footwork- keeping the feet active when moving/ playing.          

                        Endurance- Aerobic and anaerobic.

                        Strength- Upper and lower body. Core strength and stability.

                        Balance/ Proprioception.

                        Nutrition- Proper diet- pre-game, post-game, tournaments, etc.

                        Prevention and care of injuries.

                        Importance of rest/recovery- schedule issues relative to the physical demands.

Psychological:

                        Increased concentration.

                        Leadership/ player responsibilities.

                        Discipline.

                        Respect for the game.

                        Goal setting.

                        Vary program- Satisfy player’s urge for competition.

                        Encourage to watch higher level soccer.

The Game:      11v11.

U19

Final Phase- The Fulfillment                 

Development of Positional and Team Play

Fulfillment of a player’s potential depends on his or her own efforts, the support of his or 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 games’ principles and concepts.  Players should show emotional stability when confronted with pressure situations.  Demanding and challenging sessions and matches are a must!

Coach:

Charismatic; Well-informed; Up to date; Experienced; Knowledgeable; Articulate; Disciplinarian; No doubts about his/her authority; Managerial know how.

License:

‘B’ License or higher.

Technique:

Mastered skills leading to artistry => All at speed under match conditions. 

Demanding excellence. 

Individual skill covered during warm-up.

Tactics:         

Increased tactical speed (Decision making). 

Increased pressure and competition. 

Gamesmanship- ability to change and adapt to game dynamics, up or down goals, management of the clock.

Team/ Functional =>

Understanding of lines and linkage. 

Positional technical needs.

Attacking:       Possession with purpose.

                        Combination play with tactical implications.

                        Penetration.

                        Counter attack.

                        Wide flank play.

                        Target play and creating chances.

                        Crossing with proper runs in the box.

                        Set plays.

Defending:     Man to man marking with sweeper behind and in front.

                        Zonal defending, reading service.

                        Pressing (Winning possession of the ball as an attacking concept).

Set plays.                                

A Great Deal of Coaching/Teaching Within 9v9 => 11v11 Games

Physical:      Fitness work with and without the ball.

                        Flexibility- Static stretching before and after training/matches.

                        Dynamic Flexibility (especially before matches and training).

                        Importance of discipline for warm-up and cool-down.

                        Agility- with and without the ball.          

                        Endurance- Aerobic and anaerobic.

                        Strength- Upper and lower body. Core strength and stability.

                        Balance/ Proprioception.

                        Nutrition- Proper diet- pre-game, post-game, tournaments, etc.

                        Prevention and care of injuries.

                        Importance of rest/recovery- schedule issues relative to the physical demands.

Psychological:

                        Increased concentration.

                        Leadership/ increased player responsibilities.

                        Discipline.

                        Respect for the game.

                        Self confidence, self motivation- Goal setting.

                        Vary program- Satisfy player’s urge for competition.

                        Will to win. Mental Toughness/ Competitive Mentality.

                        Accountability.

                        Encourage to watch higher level soccer.

The Game:      11v11.