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Coaching resources

Skills Training Sessions - Spring 13

 

Weeks:
Preschool - First Grade
Second - Third Grade
Fourth - Eighth Grade
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    U.S. Soccer’s Coaching Education Department has released a new publication designed to give youth and junior level soccer coaches in the United States a set of fundamental tools to help open up the game of soccer to young players in ways that celebrate the sport’s spontaneous qualities. The 70-page “Best Practices for Coaching Soccer in the United States” coaching book serves as the sport’s definitive new player development guidelines and is available now as a free download.

 

US Youth Soccer Introduces Practice Guides for the U6-U8, U-10 and U-12 Age Groups

FRISCO, Texas (May 1, 2013) — The US Youth Soccer Coaching Department has introduced its latest coaching resources with three age-specific practice activity guides. The three guides — for the U6-U8, U-10 and U-12 age groups — give coaches an idea of what should be covered throughout a season while highlighting activities that focus on development in a low-stress, fun-filled environment.
 
Each resource covers multiple types of practice activities, from warm-ups and individual training to small-sided and group games. The exercises are tailored to meet the cognitive and physical characteristics of each age group.
 
The guides each contain individual activity descriptions with accompanying coaching points, so coaches are aware of what to watch for during each exercise. With 20 sessions broken down in each guide, there are more than enough activities to meet the needs of any youth soccer season.
 
US Youth Soccer U6-U8 Practice Activities
- Provides a list of varying characteristics of Under-6 and Under-8 players in regards to sports.
- How to play Small-Sided Games with "large" rosters.
- Activities focus on individual soccer skills that build on one another.
 
US Youth Soccer Under-10 Practice Activities
- Provides a list of characteristics of Under-10 players.
- Advice on how to connect with the youth athlete.
 
US Youth Soccer Under-12 Practice Activities
- Information on inserting tactics into training.
- Activities geared toward development and decision-making.
 
The practice activity guides can be very beneficial to those new to coaching youth soccer and act as a useful resource for experienced youth coaches. You can download all three practice activity guides below, as well as other useful resources from the US Youth Soccer Coaching Department.
 
US Youth Soccer U6-U8 Practice Activities [.pdf]
US Youth Soccer U-10 Practice Activities [.pdf]
US Youth Soccer U-12 Practice Activities [.pdf]
 
Coaches Document Center [link]
Includes the Player Development Model, Vision Document, Skills School and Coaching Manual
 
Training Session Template [link]
 
Coaches Section:  http://www.usyouthsoccer.org/coaches/

 

 

 

TactFOOT Exercises - Courtesy of the NSCAA (www.nscaa.com)

 

Shooting

This shooting drill focuses on controlled heading, a sharp turn from the striker, the timing and weight of pass from feeder and controlled shooting from striker.

TO VIEW THE DRILL, CLICK HERE.

 

Passing

 This passing drill incorporates a wall pass. It can be used as part of a warm-up. The focus should be on the weight of pass, the quality of the lay-off, the timing of the runs and the change of pace to join back of next group.

TO VIEW THE DRILL, CLICK HERE.
Sharp Turn and Pass
 A drill that emphasizes close control when dribbling, change of direction, the weight and accuracy of the pass and change of pace to join the back of the next line in rotation.
TO VIEW THE DRILL, CLICK HERE.
Through Legs Shooting
 This shooting drill encourages good weight on the pass from the feeder and sharp reactions from the striker to get a controlled and accurate shot on goal.

TO VIEW THE DRILL, CLICK HERE.

 

Warm-up with Ball

Players make a short pass before jogging around the marked area. This drill can be used as a warm-up, with the players instructed to carry out different movements when moving around the area, such as sidestepping, backwards running or jumping.

TO VIEW THE DRILL, CLICK HERE.