QSFC 2016.17 Season Training Outline U8

Page 1


INTRODUCTION

Organization of player development by age and stage 2. BASIC STAGE – 9 TO 12 YEARS OLD

Children do not learn in the same way as adults, especially when the learning process involves both intellectual and physical activity. Age conditions the way a person perceives and interacts with the world and with others. In any learning process, age is the key component in selecting appropriate content and methodology. Soccer is no different. For this reason we must not train 6 year old players the same way as 13 years old players. Training sessions must be adapted to the age of the players. Taking into consideration the characteristics of human and player development, we have structured the curriculum into four age groups. The first two age groups are: 1. INITIAL STAGE – 5 TO 8 YEARS OLD

At this age children do not have the same capacity as adults to analyze the environment. They explore and have an egocentric conception of the world. Children are still gathering the experience necessary to interact with their surroundings and with others. Also, empathy and the capacity to consider the thoughts and feelings of others is very low. In order to help children build their own experience, many exercises will be individual (e.g. each player will have a ball). The tactical component of the game will be reduced to small-sided games with basic explanations about space distribution. Training sessions will be treated more as physical education than specifically as soccer training. U.S. SOCCER CURRICULUM > Age Group Organization

At this stage, the structure (but not the content) of the training sessions will be similar to that of older players. The main component of the training session will be technical. It is sensible at this age to develop technique and basic tactical understanding. Children’s capacity to solve problems increases significantly. Therefore players will begin working on basic and dynamic tactical scenarios. At this stage, players are pre-pubescent and have important physical limitations in terms of strength and endurance. 3. INTERMEDIATE STAGE – 13 AND 14 YEARS OLD

Players at this age develop a good understanding of the game. However, these players are limited by their physical size and the significant changes, which arise with puberty. Safety should be the number one priority for the coach. The coach must be cautious to avoid overtraining should focus more on tactical and technical elements of the game and less on the physical aspects. Tactical training plays an important role at this age. 4. ADVANCED STAGE – 15 TO 18 YEARS OLD

Players at this age have completed most of their physical and mental development. All components of training can be combined and organized with the purpose of developing the highest potential of the player. The strength of the muscles helps to develop technique at high speed and this speed helps the player to react faster to tactical situations. This stage is crucial for combining all the components of soccer in order to increase the players’ soccer knowledge. These are some of the facts in terms of human development adapted to soccer. In this document these facts are used to develop the most appropriate training methodology for each age group.

37


PLAYER STAGES

Age groups organized by stage

PLAYER STAGES 1. INITIAL STAGE

2. BASIC STAGE

3. INTERMEDIATE STAGE

4. ADVANCED STAGE

5. SPECIFIC STAGE

U6 U7 U8 U9 U10 U11 U12 U13 U14 U15 U16 U17 U18

U19 U20

6. PERFORMANCE

U.S. SOCCER CURRICULUM > Age Group Organization

Senior

38


PRINCIPLES OF AGE APPROPRIATE DEVELOPMENT Training characteristics based on human development STAGES

AGE GROUPS U6

CHARACTERISTICS Very young players from 5 to 8 years of age love to play. Therefore, all practices should be based on fun games. Players must spend the maximum time possible in contact with the ball and experiment by themselves.

INITIAL

U7 For the first time the player has to build a relationship with other players. Give different responsibilities to the players in order to develop a sense of team. U8

Basic motor skills like walking, running or jumping have to be combined with ball handling and ball control.

U9

Pre-pubescent players from age 9 to 12 years have a special ability to learn. Therefore, this is the right age to work on specific soccer techniques and skills. Developing good technique is essential at this age.

U10 BASIC U11

1v1 and 2v1 attacking and defending situations are important to develop individual skills as well as the passing techniques to develop the necessary team game. Use small-sided games to develop basic attacking and defensive principles. Other important aspects of tactical training are possession, combination play, transition and finishing in the final third, as well as zonal defending. Players will rotate in two or three different positions to avoid early specialization.

U12

Speed, coordination, balance and agility are the main physical aspects to improve at this stage.

U13

At this stage, training sessions are orientated more toward tactics and the player will practice in bigger spaces. Players must practice all different types of techniques at this stage. Strength and endurance should be part of the fitness training. Coaching methods have to consider and preserve players’ health since they will be experiencing many changes due to puberty at this stage. Warm-ups and cool downs are essential as is dynamic flexibility.

INTERMEDIATE

U14

Players must develop discipline at this stage by following the instructions of the coach both during and outside training sessions.

U.S. SOCCER CURRICULUM > Age Group Organization

39


PRINCIPLES OF AGE APPROPRIATE DEVELOPMENT Training characteristics based on human development STAGES

AGE GROUPS U15

U16 ADVANCED U17

Tactical training and small-sided games are an essential part of the training at this stage. Attacking and defending principles must be part of all games. Important aspects of the tactical training are speed of play, quick transition, counter attacking and finishing in the final third, as well as pressing. Technique will focus on speed and accuracy. Passing and finishing are two of the main techniques emphasized at this stage. Part of the technical training will be position-specific (e.g. defender: passing, center midfield players: receiving to turn and strikers: finishing). The physical aspect of the game is key at this stage: endurance, strength and speed will be part of the weekly training routine.

U18

Players should be expected to show commitment to the team, concentration in training sessions and competitiveness during the game.

U19

All tactical aspects of the game must be covered. Strategy and set pieces are now a major part of the training sessions.

U20

The technical and physical work is based on explosive actions.

SPECIFIC

PERFORMANCE

CHARACTERISTICS

SENIOR

Training methods will be adapted to the type of players and level of competition.

U.S. SOCCER CURRICULUM > Age Group Organization

40


WORKLOAD KEY

1 2 1

3. Pressing

4. Retreat & Recovery

5. Compactness

U.S. SOCCER CURRICULUM > Age Group Organization

2

2. Zonal Defending

2

1. Defending Principles

1

3

2

3

4

1= VERY LOW

1

2

1

2

3

3

1

8. Finishing- Final Third

2

4

3

2

3

1

4

7. Playing out from the back

1

5. Switching Play

3

3

4

4

U11

1

2

4. Combination Play

2

3

3

U10

BASIC

6. Counter Attacking

1

3. Transition

U9

2

U8

2. Possession

U7 3

U6

INITIAL

1. Attacking Principles

TACTICAL

1

3

2

3

4

4

4

1

3

5

4

5

4

U12

2= LOW

2

4

3

4

5

5

5

2

3

5

5

U13

2

4

3

4

5

3

4

5

U14

INTERMEDIATE

STAGE AND AGE GROUP

CONTENT DISTRIBUTION BY AGE: TACTICAL

ATTACKING

DEFENDING

3= MID

3

5

4

5

5

4

5

U15

3

5

4

5

5

4

5

U16

4

5

5

4

4

5

5

4

5

4

4

5

U18

4= HIGH

U17

ADVANCED

5

4

3

3

4

U19

2

3

41

Senior

5= VERY HIGH

3

4

U20

SPECIFIC


1

1

WORKLOAD KEY

U.S. SOCCER CURRICULUM > Age Group Organization

12. 1v1 Defending

11. Crossing and Finishing

1

2

1

1

10. Receiving to Turn

4

1

3

3

5

9. Shielding the Ball

2

6. Ball Control

5

3

4

5

5. Shooting

2

4

2

1

4. Turning

5

3

8. 1v1 Attacking

5

3. Dribbling

3

5

U8

1

2

2. Running with the Ball

5

U7

INITIAL

7. Heading

5

U6

1. Passing and Receiving

TECHNICAL

1

2

2

2

5

1

5

5

4

4

4

5

U9

2

3

3

3

4

3

5

5

5

3

4

5

U11

1= VERY LOW

2

2

2

2

5

2

5

5

5

3

5

5

U10

BASIC

3

3

3

3

4

4

5

5

4

2

3

5

4

3

4

2

4

4

4

5

2

2

5

U13

2= LOW

U12

5

3

5

4

5

3

5

2

1

5

U14

INTERMEDIATE

STAGE AND AGE GROUP

CONTENT DISTRIBUTION BY AGE: TECHNICAL

3= MID

4

4

5

3

4

5

2

5

U15

4

4

3

3

5

2

5

U16

3

2

5

1

5

5

5

U18

4= HIGH

U17

ADVANCED

5

U19

5

42

Senior

5= VERY HIGH

5

U20

SPECIFIC


2

3

U13

2

2 3 5 5

Coordination & Balance

Agility

Basic Motor skills

Perception & Awareness

5

5

4

3

1

WORKLOAD KEY

5

5

3

3

1

U.S. SOCCER CURRICULUM > Age Group Organization

1

Flexibility & Mobility

3

5

4

4

4

2

4

1

Acyclic Speed

1

4

1

1

3

Speed Endurance

Maximal speed

2

5

2

5

5

3

2

2

5

1= VERY LOW

5

3

5

5

2

5

2

1

5

5

1

4

4

3

2

2

5

4

2= LOW

5

3

4

3

2

5

5

1

4

Acceleration

4

4

1

2

Reaction

2

3

1

1

3

Anaerobic Alactic

2

3

1

1

2

Anaerobic Lactic

Aerobic Power

2

3

1

2

U12

Aerobic Capacity

2

U11

1

1

U10

Maximal Strength

1

U9

3

U8

5

3

4

3

2

5

5

3

2

4

4

1

3

2

U14

INTERMEDIATE

Explosive Strength

U7

BASIC

1

U6

INITIAL

Strength Endurance

PHYSICAL

STAGE AND AGE GROUP

CONTENT DISTRIBUTION BY AGE: PHYSICAL

STRENGTH

ENDURANCE

SPEED

3= MID

5

2

3

2

3

4

4

2

3

5

1

4

3

U15

5

1

3

3

4

1

4

3

U16

5

2

2

5

2

5

3

5

1

2

3

U18

4= HIGH

U17

ADVANCED

5

1

2

U19

5

43

Senior

5= VERY HIGH

5

U20

SPECIFIC


1 1

Cooperation

Decision/Determination

U.S. SOCCER CURRICULUM > Age Group Organization

WORKLOAD KEY

5

1= VERY LOW

5

5

3

2= LOW

5

4

3

5

3

2

Respect & Discipline

2

2

1

1

Communication

4

3

4

3

5

U13

1

4

3

2

3

4

5

U12

Self Control

3

3

2

3

4

5

U11

5

2

2

1

2

4

5

U10

1

2

1

2

4

5

U9

5

4

3

=

2

4

3

4

=

5

U14

INTERMEDIATE

Commitment

5

1

1

1

5

5

U8

BASIC

1

5

1

1

1

5

5

U7

INITIAL

Concentration

5

5

Self Confidence

Competitiveness

5

U6

Motivation

PSYCHOSOCIAL

STAGE AND AGE GROUP

CONTENT DISTRIBUTION BY AGE: PSYCHOSOCIAL

BASIC

ADVANCED

SOCIAL

3= MID

5

5

4

3

4

4

5

5

U15

5

5

4

3

4

4

=

5

U16

5

4

4

4

5

4

5

5

3

4

4

5

4

5

U18

4= HIGH

U17

ADVANCED

5

=

5

5

5

5

5

U19

5

5

44

Senior

5= VERY HIGH

5

=

=

=

=

5

U20

SPECIFIC


OBJECTIVES 12

Players per team

25’ 5’

Scrimmage Cool Down & Debrief

8. 1V1 Attacking 9. Shielding the Ball

8. Finishing in the Final Third

1. Defending Principles

12. 1V1 Defending

7. Heading

7. Playing Out From the Back

4. Retreat & Recovery

6. Ball Control

6. Counter Attacking

11. Crossing and Finishing

5. Shooting

5. Switching Play

10. Receiving to Turn

4. Turning

4. Combination Play

3. Pressing

3. Dribbling

3. Transition

2. Zonal Defending

2. Running With the Ball

2. Possession

TECHNICAL 1. Passing and Receiving

U.S. SOCCER CURRICULUM > Age Group Organization

5. Compactness

-

40’

Game time

Size of the practice Time of the practice Intensity of the practice Rules Number of players Time of contact with the ball

ASPECTS TO CONSIDER

75’

Session time

1

1

2

4

1

4

5

3

4

3

5

CONTENT

1 3 4 5 5

5. Coordination & Balance 6. Agility 7. Basic Motor Skills 8. Perception & Awareness

3 4. Flexibility & Mobility

Acyclic Speed

Speed Endurance

1

3 Maximal Speed

3 Acceleration

SCRIMMAGE 35%

INITAL STAGE

Reaction

Anaerobic Alactic

Anaerobic Lactic

Aerobic Power

Aerobic Capacity

Maximal Strength

Explosive Strength

Strength Endurance

PHYSICAL

Comments Collective games are essential for the player to start interacting with teammates. Match: We strongly recommend 7v7 games.

25’

15’

Physical Technique

15’

Warm-up

SESSION STRUCTURE

2

Sessions per week

ORGANIZATION

CURRICULUM – U8 – SEASON PLAN

1. Attacking Principles

TACTICAL

By the end of the season the player must be capable of: 1. Stopping and running with the ball at speed 2. Moving forward when attacking and retreating when defending 3. Basic quick movements with and without the ball

PSYCHOSOCIAL: Interact with teammates during the training session

PHYSICAL: Develop speed, coordination and basic motor skills with and without the ball

TECHNICAL: Individual and collective basic soccer techniques

SCRIMMAGE: Balance in relation to the ball and teammates during the game

ATTACKING

DEFENDING

STRENGTH ENDURANCE SPEED

10. Respect & Discipline

9. Communication

8. Self Control

7. Commitment

5

1

5. Competitiveness 6. Concentration

1 1

3. Cooperation 4. Decision/Determination

5

2. Self confidence

PHYSICAL 30%

5

PSYCHOSOCIAL

TECHNIQUE 35%

1. Motivation

TACTICS 0%

CONTENT DISTRIBUTION

BASIC ADVANCED SOCIAL

47


Aerobic power

Physical

Possession Playing out from the back Pressing

Tactical

Passing & receiving Shooting

Aerobic capacity

Physical

Technical

Passing & receiving, shooting

Technical

Possession

Coordination & balance

Physical

Tactical

Possession

Passing & receiving

Coordination & balance

Dribbling

2 WEEKS

Tactical

Technical

Physical

Technical

TYPE

U.S. SOCCER CURRICULUM > Planning and Training

ADVANCED U15 to U18

INTERMEDIATE U13 & U14

BASIC U9 to U12

INITIAL U6 to U8

STAGE

Glycolytic power

Shooting Ball control

Combination play

Receiving to turn, shooting

Perception & awareness

Passing & receiving

2 WEEKS

Transition & combination play

Speed & agility

Glycolytic power

Passing & receiving, dribbling and RWB

Specific speed

Receiving to turn Passing & Receiving

General strength

Anaerobic alactic

1v1 defending Turning

Speed of play & defensive principles

Transition Switching play

Speed & agility

Turning & 1v1 defending

Perception & awareness

Playing out from the back

Perception & awareness

Attacking principles Combination play Transition Transition Defending principles

Aerobic power

Shooting, running with the ball & ball control

Transition

Turning, Dribbling & 1v1 attacking

Basic motor skills

Ball control & turning

2 WEEKS

Attacking principles: 2v1, 3v1, 3v2, 4v3

Attacking principles

Speed & agility

Playing out from he back

Shooting & RWB

Generic speed & agility

Shooting & RWB

2 WEEKS

Explosive strength

Crossing & finishing Aerial control & heading

Finishing in the final third Zonal defending

General strength

Aerial control & heading

Finishing in the final third

Coordination & balance

Finishing in the final third

Ball control, turning & 1v1 defending

Speed (acceleration + acyclic) and agility.

1v1 attacking

2 WEEKS

Acyclic speed

Passing & receiving, ball control & shooting

Counter attack Retreat & recovery

Reaction & acceleration

Receiving to turn & shooting

Defending as a team – zonal defending

Reaction & acceleration

Defending principles

60

RWB, shielding the ball, shooting

Perception & Awareness + BMS

2v1 attacking

2 WEEKS

Main objectives for the 12-week program in the different stages are indicated in the sample below. The arrow indicates the main objective in that stage:


STRUCTURE OF THE TRAINING SESSION For the initial, basic, intermediate and advanced stages

Sessions for all age groups cover tactical, technical, physical and psychosocial objectives. The exception to this are the sessions for players in the initial stage, which cover only technical, physical and psychosocial objectives because of the age and developmental characteristics of this group. The session is organized into three blocks: Warm-up, main part (which includes technical, physical and tactical exercises) and scrimmage or free play. Training sessions follow the structure indicated below. However, the three parts of the session can be shorter or longer in duration and the sections within the main part can be interchanged depending on the type of exercise. Please note that any of the explanations below are recommendations and not prescriptions. INITIAL STAGE U6-U8 Sessions per week

2

Duration of the session

60 to 75 min

Players per session

12

Duration of the match

30 to 40 min

WARM-UP (10 to 15 min) Physical (15 min) TRAINING SESSION STRUCTURE

MAIN PART

Ball familiarity practices to develop basic skills Exercises oriented mainly to develop speed, agility and basic motor skills

Technical simple (10 to 15 min)

Unopposed practices based on simplicity of the movements, repetition and high-tempo

Technical complex (10 to 15 min)

Unopposed or basic opposed practices with a small tactical component based on perception and/or decision-making

SCRIMMAGE (20-25 min)

Simple small-sided games to develop the team concept

BASIC STAGE U9-U12 Sessions per week

3

Duration of the session

90 min

Players per session

14

Duration of the match

50 to 60 min

WARM-UP (10 min)

TRAINING SESSION STRUCTURE

MAIN PART

Fun & dynamic games, passing & possession practices, stretching & dynamic movement

Physical (15 min)

Exercises based on agility, speed, coordination & balance

Technical (20 min)

Unopposed practices to develop quality and opposed practices to develop competitiveness. Opposed practices are more realistic and force players to make decisions as they would in the game

Tactical (15 min)

Practice games based on basic understanding of the game (attacking principles), possession, combination play, playing out from the back & finishing

SCRIMMAGE (25 min)

U.S. SOCCER CURRICULUM > Planning and Training

Games based on position specific, quick movement of the ball and distribution of space

63


STRUCTURE OF THE TRAINING SESSION For the initial, basic, intermediate and advanced stages INTERMEDIATE STAGE U13-U14 Sessions per week

3 or 4

Duration of the session

90 min

Players per session

16

Duration of the match

70 min

WARM-UP (10 min)

TRAINING SESSION STRUCTURE

MAIN PART

Passing, possession & transition practices, stretching & dynamic movement

Technical (20 min)

Unopposed practices to develop speed of play and opposed practices to develop competitiveness. Opposed practices are more realistic and game oriented. Unopposed practices must have time restriction

Physical (15 min)

Exercises based on agility, various types of speed (reaction, acceleration & acyclic speed), aerobic capacity & explosive strength

Tactical (20 min)

Use the contrast of small spaces to develop speed of play and big spaces to develop the understanding of how to work in units

SCRIMMAGE (25 min)

Free game based on speed of play, movement off the ball & quick defensive-offensive transition

ADVANCED STAGE U15-U18 Sessions per week

4 or 5

Duration of the session

90-120 min

Players per session

18

Duration of the match

80-90 min

WARM-UP (10 min)

TRAINING SESSION STRUCTURE

MAIN PART

Passing, possession & transition practices, stretching & dynamic movement

Technical (20-25 min)

At this stage technique can be developed in small spaces through collective games & simple opposed practices

Physical (10-20 min)

Exercises based on agility, various types of speed (reaction, acceleration & acyclic speed), glycolytic power, aerobic power & explosive strength

Tactical (20-30 min)

Use the full size or specific areas of the field to develop tactical understanding of the game. Keep it realistic and related to the game.

SCRIMMAGE (25-30 min)

U.S. SOCCER CURRICULUM > Planning and Training

Free game including the concepts worked in the session

64


TITLE subtitle

Session Examples INITIAL STAGE


INITIAL STAGE TRAINING SESSION EXAMPLE Date:

Age group: U8

Duration: 75 min

Workload (1 to 5): 3

OBJECTIVES Technical

Part 1 – Shooting; Part 2 – Passing

Physical

Agility and basic motor skills

Psychosocial

Self confidence ORGANIZATION

TIME

Arrival: One ball per player. Players can dribble, shoot and keep the ball in the air.

5 min

WARM-UP: Dribbling in different spaces – Practice 4 – Dribbling Stretching: Mobility in a circle – Practice 1 – Flexibility and mobility Ball control: In the same big circle, with one ball per player and one pole in the middle. 1) Three consecutive aerial touches with left foot – three with right foot; 2) Ball in the air and control with sole of the foot; 3) Three touches forwards – three drags backwards; 4) One number per player. On coach’s command, dribble at speed around the pole.

5 min 5 min 5 min

MAIN: Physical: Agility, changing of squares – Practice 3 – Agility Technical simple 1: Agility and shooting – Practice 4 – Shooting – first individually then numbers game Technical simple 2: Passing in a square – Practice 3 – Passing and receiving Technical complex: 3v1 – Practice 10 – Passing and receiving

15 min 15 min 5 min 5 min

SCRIMMAGE: 6v6 free game Cool down: Gather the players and debrief

20 min 5 min SETUP

Half of a full size field

WORKLOAD KEY

1= VERY LOW

U.S. SOCCER CURRICULUM > Planning and Training

2= LOW

3= MID

4= HIGH

5= VERY HIGH

66


INITIAL STAGE

DRIBBLING

UNOPPOSED

Practice 4: Different size squares*

TECHNICAL

OBJECTIVE: Improve dribbling and close control in spaces of different sizes. AREAS

STRUCTURE

Technical

Dribbling

Space

40x30 yards

Tactical

Transition

Time

5 min

Physical

Perception and coordination

Age Recommended

U6+

Psychosocial

Self-confidence

Difficulty (1 to 5)

1

ORGANIZATION Players

12 players – 2 teams

Time

3 min working periods – 30s rest for explanations

Equipment

20 cones (4 colors), 4 high cones or poles, 2 sets of pinnies and 1 ball per player

Description

Dribbling in squares indicated by the coach (e.g. small red, long multicolor, small blue, outside squares). Variation 1: Assign spaces to teams Variation 2: Assign colors instead of shapes to improve perception

KEY POINTS 1. 2. 3. 4.

Perception Close control Body shape Coordination and agility

* Can be used during the warm-up

U.S. SOCCER CURRICULUM > Planning and Training

67


INITIAL STAGE

FLEXIBILITY AND MOBILITY

UNOPPOSED

Practice 1: Mobility in a circle*

PHYSICAL

PHYSICAL/PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECT: Prepare the body for high-intensity exercise. AREAS

STRUCTURE

Technical

Flexibility & mobility

Space

20x20 yards

Tactical

-

Time

5 min

Physical

-

Age Recommended

U6+

Psychosocial

-

Difficulty (1 to 5)

1

ORGANIZATION Players

8+

Equipment

1 ball per player

Description

Make a circle around the coach, leave the ball and take two steps backward. Different types of exercises for flexibility and joint mobility: ankles, knees, hips, calf, hamstrings, abductors, adductors, hip flexor, wide dorsal muscles and neck.

Justification

A variety of exercises to prepare muscles and joints for game speed and constant change of direction. Young players do not need to stretch intensively before the activity. However, it is essential for players to be familiar with these types of exercises.

WORKLOAD 1. 8 seconds per exercise and 1 or 2 repetitions * Can be used during the warm-up

U.S. SOCCER CURRICULUM > Planning and Training

68


INITIAL STAGE

AGILITY

OPPOSED

Practice 3: Reach the square*

PHYSICAL

PHYSICAL/PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECT: Improve agility and make quick and efficient decisions to avoid defenders and reach targets with and without the ball. AREAS

STRUCTURE

Physical

Agility

Space

32x20 yards

Tactical

Transition

Time

15 min

Technical

Dribbling

Age Recommended

U6+

Psychosocial

Competitiveness

Difficulty (1 to 5)

3

ORGANIZATION Players

12 players – 4 teams of 3 players

Equipment

24 cones (2 sets of colors); 9 balls

Description

On the coach’s command, every player must change to a square at the other end - first without the ball, then with the ball. The team in the middle tries to regain the ball in the process and dribble to one of the original squares. If this happens the player will be eliminated. The first team with no players in the game takes the defending position. Variation 1: No more than one player per team per square Variation 2: Three players maximum per square

WORKLOAD 1. Keep the game active and at high-intensity for 3 to 4 min periods. Rest periods for 30 seconds to 1 minute * Can be used during the warm-up

6x6 yards boxes

7 yards distance between boxes

20 yards distance between both ends

U.S. SOCCER CURRICULUM > Planning and Training

69


INITIAL STAGE

SHOOTING

UNOPPOSED

Practice 4: Middle, back and forward

TECHNICAL

OBJECTIVE: Improve reaction, speed, change of direction, acceleration and running with the ball before shoot-

ing in a competitive environment. AREAS

STRUCTURE

Technical

Shooting

Space

25x15 yards

Tactical

Finishing in the final third

Time

15 min

Physical

Speed and reaction

Age Recommended

U6+

Psychosocial

Competitiveness

Difficulty (1 to 5)

3

ORGANIZATION Players

12 players – 2 teams of 5 outfield players and 1 goalkeeper per team

Time

4 min working periods – 30s rest for explanations

Equipment

16 cones (2 sets of colors); 10 balls

Description

The coach will call a number from 1 to 5. On coach’s command, one player from each team runs to the middle square then changes direction toward the square close to goalkeeper to receive the ball. When receiving the ball, the player runs at speed toward the other goal to score. Variation 1: The player runs with the ball to the middle square, then turns to shoot on goal Variation 2: Pass the ball to the goalkeeper from the middle square before running to the second square

KEY POINTS 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Reaction speed Change of pace Body position to receive First touch on the ball Shooting with laces for power

1

2

3

4

5

30 yards distance between goals

20 yards distance between the 2 groups 1

U.S. SOCCER CURRICULUM > Planning and Training

2

3

4

5

70


INITIAL STAGE

PASSING & RECEIVING

UNOPPOSED

Practice 3: Passing in a square

TECHNICAL

OBJECTIVE: Develop receiving and passing technique by changing the angles. AREAS

STRUCTURE

Technical

Passing and receiving

Space

6x6 yards

Tactical

Possession

Time

10 min

Physical

Perception

Age Recommended

U6+

Psychosocial

Self-confidence

Difficulty (1 to 5)

2

ORGANIZATION Players

4+

Time

2 min working periods – 30s rest for explanations

Equipment

4 cones, 1 ball

Description

One player behind each cone. The player receives the ball and passes to teammate behind the cone. Variation 1: Change direction using right or left foot Variation 2: Bigger distances between cones receiving the ball with the inside of the foot and keeping the ball in movement Variation 3: Receiving the ball with the outside of the foot and moving to the side Variation 4: Five players per group. One extra player behind the player with the ball. Player passing the ball follows his/her pass.

KEY POINTS 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Creating space behind the cone Control with different parts of the foot; sole of the foot, inside/outside Keeping the head up and perception of distance with the ball Angles: non-kicking foot pointing to the target Receiving with the inside of the furthest foot and passing with opposite foot

Square 6x6 yards

U.S. SOCCER CURRICULUM > Planning and Training

71


INITIAL STAGE

PASSING & RECEIVING

OPPOSED

Practice 10: 3v1**

TECHNICAL

OBJECTIVE: Develop perception, support play and passing in short periods of time. AREAS

STRUCTURE

Technical

Passing and receiving

Space

6x6 yards square

Tactical

Possession

Time

12 min

Physical

Perception

Age Recommended

U7+

Psychosocial

Decision

Difficulty (1 to 5)

5

ORGANIZATION Players

4 players - 3v1

Time

4 reps, 2 min – 30s rest

Equipment

4 cones, 1 ball

Description

Keep possession of the ball away from the defender. The players keeping possession can move to support the player in possession of the ball. Develop the basic concept of triangle passing and movement to create two passing options in a game. Variation 1: Limit the number of touches to two or three Variation 2: One-touch play

KEY POINTS 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Receiving the ball with the inside of the foot for better control Keeping the head up - perception Quick decision-making Passing with inside of the foot Moving to free space - support

** Can be used for the technical complex part of the training session

Passing Option 1

6 yards

Passing Option 2

U.S. SOCCER CURRICULUM > Planning and Training

72


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.