Coaching Handbook

U10

Thank you for choosing to be a coach! Without your help, BASA would not be able to provide our youth with the opportunity to play soccer. Thank you for your support!

The BASA U10 Coaching Handbook is meant to help coaches create an optimal environment for players to develop. It is designed to guide you through basic soccer instruction for the youngest age groups and contains components and activities from various soccer resources.

Age Group Overview – U9-U10 Players

(Adapted from USYSA Player Development Model, 2012 & WDMSC Coaching Department, 2011)

Coaching Philosophy:

  • Soccer is about having fun with the ball and encouraging the players to want to have the ball at their feet. The numbers should still be one and two players to a ball.
  • Be positive, patient, encouraging, and enthusiastic.
  • Encourage risk taking and applaud effort – mistakes are an integral part of learning development.
  • Communicate with the players, AND the parents. Parents need to be informed so they understand.
  • SUCCESS = effort, sportsmanship, hard work, individual improvement, having fun.

General Training Guidelines:

  • Set the tone in the warm-up. Get them moving with the ball immediately.
  • No lines. Divide players in small groups and keep them active.
  • Acquisition of skill comes from constantly dealing with the ball in a dynamic/moving setting. Lots of technical repetition is essential at this age.
  • Don’t over talk, the kids want to play, not listen.
  • Prepare session in advance, and have alternative activities to account for fewer players than anticipated.
  • Adjust the parameters if the kids are not successful: size of grid, # of players, time, # of goals, etc.

Goals for Player Development:

Emphasize these often to so players start thinking about them and incorporating them! Successful players do these without thinking about them when they become older.

Offensive:

  • First touch away from defensive pressure
  • Look over your shoulder
  • Accelerate after a move or after a pass
  • Use both feet for passing and shooting
  • Get head up quickly
  • Get body in between defender and ball

Defensive:

  • Closedown space as the first defender as the ball is moving to the attacker
  • Understand roles of 1stof defender (pressure the ball, push one direction, delay attack and close down: high to low, fast to slow, and big to small)
  • Tackle with the front foot and know how to slip in between the attacker and ball to maintain possession
  • Understand roles of 2nddefender (support the 1st defender, protect against the dribble, protect against the pass, and protect against the shot)
  • Understand switching between roles of 1stand 2nddefenders…when the ball gets behind the defender “on the ball” (1st defender), then they hustle back to get behind the ball and support (2nd defender) the new defender “on the ball” (new 1st defender).

Principles of Play

In the Attack

Penetration

Depth- support (angle/distance)

Mobility- unbalancing (off-the-ball runs)

Width-switching the point of attack and support

Improvisation

Finishing

On Defense

Pressure- immediately on ball

Delay

Depth- supporting cover

Balance-protect weak side

Compactness- concentration of numbers

Control/Restraint

Player RolePrinciple

1st AttackerPenetration

2nd AttackerSupport

3rd AttackerWidth/Depth

1st DefenderPressure/Delay

2nd DefenderDepth/Cover

3rd DefenderBalance

The Tactical Field

U9-U10 System of Play (Formations)

(Adapted from USYSA Player Development Model, 2012 & WDMSC Coaching Department, 2011)

Systems of play (formations) are terms used in soccer that refer to how a team organizes players on the field during a game. At the U9-U10 age groups, players should be encouraged to understand the basic shape and organization of play within the 7v7 format (6 field players and a goalkeeper). Teaching players about the basic principles of formations will lay the foundation for future development in this area.

Key Points about Systems of Play:

1. The System is organized from back to front with the first number indicating the goalkeeper, the number of defenders, then midfielders and then attackers.

2. Players are not positioned to a specific spot but more towards a general area of the field.

3. Players must move relative to the ball, their teammates, their opponents, and the goal. For example when a striker is moving forward to score, the defenders must also adjust (move forward to support). Similarly, when the opposition move towards your goal the team all must drop back to defend. Do not limit your defenders to moving up to the half line and that is it. Encourage them to stay behind the play, but be in a position to offer support for a pass if needed.

4. Players should be encouraged to play a variety of position (including goalkeeper) as this will facilitate a more comprehensive understanding of the game.

Recommended System of Play: 1-3-2-1 OR 1-2-3-1

The 1-3-2-1 formation has a goalkeeper, 3 defenders, 2 midfielders, and 1attacker/forward. The 1-3-2-1 formation has a goalkeeper, 2 defenders, 3 midfielders, and 1 attacker/forward. Tactics and formations should not be a major part of your practice sessions and coaches should not sacrifice a player’s technical development in order to win games.

General Roles and Responsibilities

Goalkeeper (GK):

Defensively: Be aggressive and come out to close shots and to collect the ball inside the box. Provide cover to last defender on through balls.

Offensively: Distribute by throwing and kicking to wide areas of the field.

Central Defender/Center Back:

Defensively: Mark attackers in your area of the field. Stay between attacker and the goal (i.e. goal side). Stay central and provide cover for LD and RD. This does not mean not going beyond the half line. Push up and support when possible as long as staying goal side of highest attacker.

Offensively: Play passes forward and wide to attackers. Be available to switch the play/point of possession. Stay central and behind the last attacker to prevent counter attacks.

Outside Defenders/Outside Backs (Right andLeft)

Defensively: Mark attackers in your area of the field – stay between attacker and the goal (i.e. goal side). Provide cover/balance when ball is on opposite side of field by dropping back and sliding towards the middle of the field. Force attackers to the outsides away from goal.

Offensively: Provide good support to central players by moving into space on the outside. Look to make forward runs without the ball (i.e. overlaps).

Midfielders:

In a formation using 2, they would work closely together centrally. In a formation using 3, they would set up as right, center, and left.

Defensively: Protect the back line from being attacked and match up against the other team’s midfielders.

Offensively: Link between the defense and the attack. They help get the ball forward to score and support the frontline in this effort.

Attacker/Forward:

Defensively: Pressure the ball-force defenders to play towards their own goal. Take advantage of defenders mistakes.

Offensively: Shoot when near the goal. Movement off ball into space to receive a pass.

Training Objectives

(Adapted from USYSA Player Development Model, 2012 & WDMSC Coaching Department, 2011)

The U9-U10 age group is critical stage in player development. Without question, technical skill training is the most critical element of player development and should be the primary focus at training. Failure to develop a sound technical foundation will have long-term ramifications and will limit players in their ability to reach their performance potential. Coaches must work to create a practice environment that is fun, while challenging the players to improve their technical skills.

Technical Training Objectives:

Dribbling:

  • The ability to dribble with the ball using all surfaces and both feet.
  • The ability to change direction and turn away from pressure, while dribbling.
  • The ability to shield/protect the ball through good ball control and use of the body.
  • Expand players’ vision while dribbling so they can see more of the field and the various options.

Passing:

  • Proper passing technique and mechanics (e.g. placement of standing foot, selection of surface etc.,) when passing over varying distances.
  • Encourage players to work in small groups (i.e. 2v1’s, 2v2’s, 3v2’s). This helps to develop teamwork and an appreciation for how to solve problems using teammates.

Receiving:

  • Improve player’s ability to cushion/control the ball on contact using various surfaces.
  • Control the ball away from pressuring opponents or into space.
  • Teach players to open their body up to the field, which increases their vision.

Shooting:

  • Young players love to score goals, so design sessions that provides players with lots of technical repetition in striking the ball with their laces from various distances.
  • Strike the ball with the laces (i.e. toe down, ankle locked, follow through etc.).
  • One-time when close to goal – both feet
  • Pass for accuracy (inside), laces for power (instep)

Defense:

  • Goalside ofballhandler 1v1 – no dive in - close enough to keep eyes down
  • Stay on ball if 1stdefender
  • No turn if ballhandler “back to”
  • Close ground while ball in route – steer away - stop in front
  • Begin to understand 2nd defender for off-ball players

Goal Keeper: (everyone plays)

  • Basic skills with hands
  • Quick distribution to side defenders
  • Punt if in trouble

Throw-ins:

  • Quick restart - Legal throw to feet of teammate
  • Moving without ball – “show” for thrower (move away, check back)
  • Begin to control ball thrown to feet – pass back to thrower or turn

Tactical Training Objectives

Individual:

  • Place players in 1v1 situations regularly. Teach how to use their skills to beat defenders.
  • Teach them to be creative and brave enough to try to dribble past defenders.

Small Group:

  • Players need to master the 2v1 (two attackers vs one defender) situation.
  • Improve player’s decision making of when to pass, dribble and shoot.

Team:

  • Players still have challenges with understanding team shape and positioning and movement without the ball.
  • Players can now be asked to play in a position and should be exposed to different playing positions throughout the season. However, coaches must remember that positions are fluid not fixed and that developmentally, many children will still have a difficult time playing a position.

Build Out Line: US Soccer is now mandating a build-out line. For BASA/DASC the build-out line will be the halfway line.

  • When the GK has the ball, either during play (from the opponent) or from a goal-kick, the opposing team must move behind the build-out line until the ball is put into play.
  • Once the opposing team is behind the build-out line the GK can pass, throw, or roll the ball into play. (Punting is NOT allowed) ---- The GK does not have to wait until the opposing team is behind the build-out line, they can start a quick counter attack if the situation presents itself.
  • After the ball is put into play by the GK, the opposing team can cross the build out line and play resumes as normal.

Restarts: (corners, goal kicks, indirect kicks, kick-offs)

  • Rules and keeping possession on kick-off
  • Receiving goal kick – take up side
  • Indirect restarts close to goal and far away
  • Corners simplified – pass to our player, not keeper – 1 touch shot
  • Defending corners – move to ball - quick clear to side

Misc:

  • Clear ball to side, not in front of own goal or across end-line
  • Don’t play with ball in front of own goal if pressure – pass to our team
  • Defenders push up when we control ball
  • Take chances when behind, play conservatively when ahead
  • Back pass – when and how - when NOT
  • Change of fields (switching ball from one side to other) – when and how

Practice Preparation and Organization

Practice organization is one of the most important attributes of a successful coach. A coach’s ability to move through well thought out and fun activities without players standing around is a very important attribute at U9-U10 ages. Follow the suggested progression below to get the best results. As you become more experienced this aspect of coaching will become easier and easier.

Session Topic

Every training session should have a theme. For example, “Dribbling & Turning”, “2v1 Combination Play”, “Passing”, etc. This should be your first decision when planning a training session.

Choosing Activities

Choose activities that will focus on your session’s theme and allow for lots of touches. Well thought out activities will indirectly teach your players the session’s theme. NO LINES OR PROLONGED STANDING!

Session Plan

Once you have activities, put them into a practice plan from simple/easy to complex/difficult starting with a warm-up and ending with a 5v5 scrimmage. Have your grids/cones for each activity set prior to practice beginning and use water breaks to finalize them.

Arriving at the Field

Be there first! Being the first person at the field sets a great example to your parents and players. Be there to welcome to the session. It also allows time to set up your session so that you can start immediately.

Introducing Activities

Introducing activities should be done through an explanation and demonstration. Explanation of activities should be done as quickly as possible. Most players at this age learn better by doing rather than listening. Let the players try the activity a bit before jumping in to correct. Give them a chance to problem solve before jumping in immediately, then stop them and explain the activity again while demonstrating what you want them to do.

Make Coaching Points

At this age, it is important that the activity you are playing does most of the teaching. When stopping players and making coaching points, do it in the form a question; avoid barking instruction or giving long lectures. Questions involve the players in the process and will distract them from getting bored while you talk. When asking questions, be sure to keep them simple and short.

Positive Reinforcement

Keep everything you say to players positive. Make sure to praise everything that the players do well.

Final Remarks

Recap the theme and coaching points. Send players away with some form of soccer homework.

Basic Ball Work for Dribbling

(Exercises to improve touch, balance, agility, comfort level with ball. Incorporate some into each practice.)

Foundation -- Knock ball back and forth with the inside of feet keeping it under you and controlled. Stay in one place. Bend knees

Inside Roll -- Roll the ball across your body from outside to inside with the inside and sole of the foot and stop the ball with the inside of the other foot.

Outside Roll -- Roll the ball across your body from inside to outside with the outside and sole of the foot and stop the ball with the inside of the same foot.

Squirts -- Roll ball to outside with the sole by stepping lightly on the ball, then tap ball back to the inside with the inside of the foot.

Side to Side Front Roll(Triangles)--Tap ball back and forth with inside of feet (foundation), push ball slightly forward with one foot then pull the ball across your body with the front part of the sole of the other.

Pull Instep Push (Snake Eyes) -- Push ball forward and pull it back with the sole, then tap ball forward with the instep of the same foot and pull it back with sole of opposite foot.

Turns (180 degrees)

Pull Back --pull ball back with the sole of the foot and across body (open your hips) to go the other way.

Inside of the Foot Cut -- Push ball forward, move past ball and turn toward ball and take it with the inside of the foot in the opposite direction.

Outside of the Foot Cut -- Push ball forward, move past ball and turn toward ball while taking it with the outside of the foot in the opposite direction.

Cruyff -- Fake a shot but go over the ball, cock foot so that you can pass it behind you and between your legs with the inside of the foot. Turn towards planted foot to turn body the other way and explodewith the ball. Bend knees and use arms to sell move and for balance

180 -- Stop ball with sole of foot while hopping over ball, then take ball in the opposite direction as quickly as possible.

Moves to Beat an Opponent

Scissors -- Starting with the ball to one side, step over or in front of ball so that the ball ends up on the other side of

you. Take the ball in the opposite direction with the outside of the other foot.

Hip Swivel -- Fake with inside of one foot by swiveling hips toward ball, then reverse direction and take the ball with the inside of the other foot.