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.
Coach must be:
Charismatic, experienced, knowledgeable, articulate, a disciplinarian, have managerial know-how, a thoughtful persuader.
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, takeover, 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
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 bread 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: Expose players to various systems
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:
• 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
The Game:
• 11 v. 11
