Coach must be: A 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.
Development of individual skills
— individual and small group tactics:
The effect of the role model is very important at this stage of
development. Hero worship, identification with successful teams and
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.
Technique: It is
important to establish a good strong solid base. The coach must develop
individual skills under the pressure of time, space and an opponent and
increase technical speed:
- Dribbling: Encourage risk taking. Teach moves to
beat an opponent and to keep possession.
- Shielding: Spin turns, change of speed, change of
direction.
- Receiving: Ground and air balls — all surfaces from
a partner and on the move.
- Shooting: Proper striking technique, partner serve
from all angles, turns, cut backs, volleys.
- Passing: Emphasize the proper technique by using
the laces; inside and outside of the foot and short and long crossing.
- Heading: Start with self serve, then add a partner
to serve. Teach jumping to head, turning the ball and partner juggling.
- Tackling: Teach the proper technique with emphasis
on balance and having no fear.
Tactics: The dawn of
tactical awareness
- Individual: Start with 1 v. 1 situations in attack
and defense. Play 1 v. 1 frequently.
- Small Group: Continue with 2 v. 1, 2 v. 2, 3 v. 1,
3 v. 2, 3 v. 3, 4 v. 2, 4 v. 3, 4 v. 4.
- Positions: Players must play a variety of
positions. They must develop an awareness of the game. Emphasize the
complete player and the basic principles of play
- Attacking: Encourage keeping possession and risk
taking. Have players take opponents on 1 v. 1 in proper areas of the
field. Teach the concept of support, basic combination play (wall pass,
takeover). Promote attacking soccer.
- Defending: Emphasize the proper pressure both in
front and behind. Teach the concepts of channeling the player,
immediate chase, cover and marking.
- Team: Team tactics do not take priority at this
age. Focus is placed on maintaining balance and playing skillful
soccer. Players play a variety of positions and emphasis is placed on
player development instead of getting results as a team.
- System: Put players out on the field for the love
of the game, without spending much time coaching a system. Focus on
teaching principles of play as opposed to systems. If playing 8 v. 8,
then play a 2-3-2. If playing 9 v. 9, play a 3-3-2. Most importantly,
players should enjoy the great game.
Physical: All fitness
work should be done with the ball, with partners, and using fun and
engaging activities. Physical activities should include the following
components:
- Flexibility
- Agility with and without the ball
- Speed
- Strength
- Endurance
- Balance
Psychological:
- Keep it fun and enjoyable to foster a desire to
play (intrinsic motivation)
- Encourage decision-making
- Imagination/creativity
- Increase demands in training
- Emphasize discipline
- Encourage players/teams to watch professional and
National Team games on television
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