Coach must be: Charismatic,
experienced, knowledgeable, articulate, a disciplinarian, have
managerial know-how, a thoughtful persuader.
Development of individual skills
– individual, group and team 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 or need to be more
competitive. There is a need for attention and security. A great focus
on team spirit, leadership and discipline within the team.
Technique:
- Skills should be mastered leading to artistry and
improvisation, all under match conditions
- Individual skill covered during the warm-up and/or
in competitive situations
- Increase technical speed. It is important that
technique is still highly emphasized at this age.
- Strike balls cleanly over distance with accuracy
under pressure
Tactics:
- Increase tactical speed (decision making)
- Individual: Decisions based on thirds of the field
- In attack: There must be an application of varied
technical abilities in order to increase tactical options. There must
be an aggressive attacking mentality in final third. Emphasis should be
placed on predicting what the game will need next. Knowing what each
player’s specific roles and responsibilities are lends to greater
understanding of the big picture.
- In defense: There should be a clear understanding
of how the quality of pressure affects team defending success. There
must be an ability to take options away from the attacker.
- Small group: 4 v. 4, 7 v. 7, 9 v. 9
- In attack: Players must understand the balance of
needing possession and penetration. Continued work on combination play
(wall pass, take over, overlap, double pass, third player running
etc.). Playing for penetration and creativity in solving problems
becomes important.
- Mobility – movement without the ball
- Crossing – picking out a runner rather than putting
it in the box
- Box organization – penetration, width and support
for every ball played in the box
- Attacking as a group of three (forwards,
midfielders and defenders)
- Set plays (80 percent success rate: where we get:
1) goal; 2) shot on goal; or 3) corner kick
- In defense:
- Compactness
- Cover, delay, dictate and recover
- Communication (who, what, when, where)
- Defending as a group of three (forwards,
midfielders and defenders)
- Enjoy winning possession of the ball and dictating
the play
- Set plays
- Team: Clearly defined team tactics, how the team
decides to play as a group.
- In attack:
- Comfort with direct and indirect styles
- Sustained possession as a means to break down the
opponent’s defense
- Understanding how to counterattack
- Decisions based on thirds of the field
- In defense:
- Comfort with “high pressure” and “delayed high
pressure” styles
- Understanding of zonal and man-to-man marking play
- Goalkeeper as the last defender
- Keeping good team compactness
- Stopping the counterattack
- Decisions based on thirds of the field and
different systems of play
- System: The recommended system to expose players to
various systems using a 4-4-2, 3-4-3 and a 4-3-3.
Note: A great deal of coaching/teaching within 7 v. 7 and 9 v. 9 games.
Physical:
- Fitness should take place with and without the
ball.
- Flexibility – static stretching after
training/matches.
- Dynamic flexibility – partner stretching
- 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
- Nutrition – Proper diet pre-game, post-game, at
tournaments
- 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 players’ urge for
competition
- Establish pre-practice and pre-game routine (as
individuals and team).
- Encourage players/teams to watch professional
and
National Team soccer
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