Delta Youth Soccer League Youth Module Instructor Chris Gaughan
People who can help you in Delta Youth Soccer League CalNorth Instructor DYSL Instructors Bartlebaugh Will Linville
Chris Gaughan Scott
Under 8 Director Under 6 Director MacCallister
James Benton Kelly
DYSL President
Jim Bonwell
Pre-season Parent Meeting Introductions Player Development Goals Core coaching values Player Expectations Parent Expectations Role of Parents (cheer only, not coach) Coach coaches, Refs ref and Parents cheer Arrival time and finish time for Practice and Games
Coach Qualities
Empathy Imagination Enthusiasm Sense of Fairness Clear Communicator Ability to relate with children in the age group you are coaching
Coach Practice Checklist Arrive early for practice If players are moving, balls are moving, players are having fun then learning is taking place Keep practice positive, upbeat and fun If parents volunteer to help, let them Finish on time Leave practice only when all players have been collected
Typical U6 Training Session No lines, no laps, no lectures Should not exceed 60 minutes Every child should have a ball Warm-up should include movement education (approximately 20 minutes) Games activities: 20 minutes 3v3 game to small goals (no GK’s) 20 minutes
Typical U8 Training Session Should not exceed 1 hour. Warm-up, each player with a ball, (15 mins. ) Introduce partner activities. A mixture of individual and partner activities. Add more maze-type games, introduce target games. (20 min.) Conclude with small-sided game 4v4 to two goals, no GK’s. (20 min.)
No Lines, No Laps, No Lectures & A FAB GAME A = Age Appropriate F = Fun A = Active (movement of players) B = Ball touches, plenty of GAME = Let the game be the teacher. Too much instruction can interfere with the learning process & can de-motivate the player
Youth Curriculum AGE U6 U8
THEME Me and my ball – So lean toward dribbling and shooting games Sharing the ball – So increase passing and receiving games
The Coach and Game Day Pregame Arrive early Starting line-up ready Warm-up routine All players at least 50%, different positions and keeper (if age group has a keeper) Team cheer, pep talk = “go and have fun� Half Time No lengthy speeches Positive feedback 2nd half adjustments, starting line-up
The Coach and Game Day Full Time Shake hands with opponents and coaches Compliment the players No long winded post game speeches Post game snack “See you at practice�
Basic Soccer Rules If the ball goes out over the goal line kicked by the attacking team it is a 'goal kick' If the ball goes out over the goal line kicked by the defending team it is a 'corner kick' Foul (kicking, pushing, handball) is penalized by an 'indirect free kick' in Under 6 and Under 8 games Not all physical contact is a foul (most parents don't understand this)
Field Session and Next Steps The following are age appropriate games If you have other games that work well, then use them Always finish off with a scrimmage 3 vs. 3 or 4 vs. 4 Check the DYSL website for more games and suggestions Have a great season and see you in the “F� class. Questions before we go to the field?
Bunnies warm-up
Dribbling Bunnies warm-up
Battleships (for short passing)
Dinosaur Catch
Dinosaur catch (continued)
Zombie Tag
Ghostbusters
Freeze Tag
Team Ghostbusters
Red light, green light
Outta Here
Pool Soccer
Funny Bones
Organization: Each player moves around the grid with a ball at their feet. The coach gives instructions regarding how he wants the players to dribble, “slow”, “fast”, “twisty”, “straight” etc. The coach then calls out a specific part of the body such as “Elbow” or “Knee” and the players must come to a complete stop and put that part of their body on the ball. Young players can be encouraged to dribble like certain animals and can make the relevant noises as they move around the grid. Coach Notes: These types of games are a great help in developing balance and coordination in addition to dribbling skills.
Treasure Hunt
Organization: The players places all of his cones at one end of a 20yd x 25yd grid. The players (pirates) each have a ball and stand at the other end of the grid making suitable pirate noises. When the coach shouts go. The players dribble down and pick up one piece of treasure and bring it back to their ship. They give the treasure to the captain (coach) and then go back for more.