Lake City Soccer Club

Mod Soccer Coaching Tips

2012 Modified Soccer Coordinator

Gregg Morrow, 206-660-2007,

COACHING OBJECTIVES U-8

Developed by Dave Schumacher, WSYSA Coaching Director

When coaching players 6,7, and 8 years of age, your main role should be one of a facilitator. Emphasis needs to be placed on playing at this age. Your practices should include fun activities where each player has a ball as well as plenty of opportunity to play 3 v 3 games.

The optimal teaching system approved by WSYSA recommends that players of 7 years of age play3 v 3. I suggest you devote the end of each practice to playing3 v 3. It's important to focus on 3 v 3 play for 7 year olds, even though your club or association may not be playing3 v 3 for your league games.

Further Developments of U-7 Objectives

· Developing a general understanding of the basic principles of play.

o Appreciation of space - width, length, and depth

o Understanding of the team triangle

o Support in attack-the big triangle

o Support in defense-the small triangle

· Develop the role of the Goalkeeper

o How to use hands to defend the goal

o Coming out to narrow the angle on shots

o Moving out to clear long kicks with feet when necessary

o Moving out to edge of goalkeeper zone and beyond, encourage goalkeeper to join in attack.

· Greater cooperation by the field players - collective attacking and defending. Rotation of all players to play in all roles.

· Further appreciation of space in team play by:

o Attacking shape on goal kicks and throw ins

o Use of the width of the field

o When in possession of the ball, stretching the opposition by the most advanced player pushing deep toward opposition goal.

· Encouragement to use both feet

· Continued practice in technique of the throw in.

· Development of attacking opportunities from corner kicks, throw-ins, and free kicks.

· Encouragement in practices and games of the skills of dribbling, passing, and ball control.

Overriding Consideration - The game is for all players-everyone should be encouraged to participate, particularly the "non-assertive" players(s).

COACHING OBJECTIVES U-9

Developed by Dave Schumacher, WSYSA Coaching Director

The optimal teaching system approved by WSYSA recommends that players of 8 years of age play4 v 4. I suggest you devote the end of each practice to playing4 v 4. It's important to focus on 4 v 4 play for 8 year olds, even though your club or association may not be playing4 v 4 for your league games.

Objectives

· Further Development of U-7 and U-8 Objectives

· Development of the appreciation of space through the fourth player in what is called "third man play"

o Diamond shape at goal kicks and throw ins must be continually emphasized

o Continued encouragement to use the width-both sides of field

o Encourage the most advanced player to stretch the opposition by pushing toward the opposition goal-when own team is in possession.

· Encouragement in practices and games of the importance of team support-particularly in 3 v 3 and 4 v 4 games and practices.

· Encourage all players to be "two-way players" Suggest all players should recover to help defend after losing possession; all players should look to contribute to every attacking play (even where their "role" is as covering rearmost defender.)

· Development of the role of the Goalkeeper

o Basic catching techniques

o Coming out to narrow angle on shots

o Distribution by throwing

o Moving out to edge of goal area and beyond to support attack and using the feet

· Continued development of basic techniques such as dribbling (to keep possession and to beat opponents), accurate passing and ball control. Introduction or reinforcement of longer passing.

Summary

· Appreciation of space - through the diamond shape

· Use of width; stretching opposition from end to end (length)

· Continued development of basic skills

· Encouragement of "two-way play"

· Awareness of "Third Man" when on attack

Overriding Consideration

Let the games and practices be the teachers; encourage use of space and support.

COACHING OBJECTIVES U-10

Developed by Dave Schumacher, WSYSA Coaching Director

When coaching players 9, 10, and 11 years of age, your main role as a coach expands from one of facilitating to teacher of technique. Playing at this age is still very important; however, your emphasis should shift to skill development. Players at this age start to move from the How (technique) to "when", "where", and "with whom", and "against whom" (skill). Your practices should still focus on small sided games so players have the opportunity to recognize the pictures presented by the game.

The optimal teaching system approved by WSYSA recommends that players of 9 years of age play6 v 6. I suggest you devote the end of each practice to playing4 v 4 and 5 v 5. You may continue to play games involving smaller numbers 2 v 2, 3 v 1, and 4 v 2, leading up to your final activity. It's still important to lay this foundation and exposure to the game prior to adding more players to the field.

Objectives

· Further Development of U-7, U-8 and U-9 Objectives

· Cooperative attacking - all players involved but with an awareness of cover (by the goalkeeper and a least one covering field player). Develop an understanding of the roles that players have in supporting the attack: player with ball, players providing immediate support of ball and other players who create length and unbalance the defense. All this needs to be shown inaenvironment with greater numbers of teammates and opponents on a larger playing field.

· Cooperative defending-all players participating, even the most advanced players getting "goal side" of opposing players. Continue to develop the principles of defense so all players gain the understanding of all the roles when defending. The role of the players that delay and put pressure on the ball; the players that provide support (cover) and the players that provide balance (width).

· Triangles and diamonds are still the dominating team shapes but morecomplexbecause of the larger team numbers.

· Continue development of the basic skills-passing, dribbling, shooting, ball control, and goalkeeping. The introduction of light heading.

· Developing an understanding of team shape when attacking, and balance when defending.

Summary

· Continued emphasis on the concept of triangular supporting play

· Continued emphasis on combining with teammates (3rd man running)

· Cooperative attacking (all players)

· Cooperative defending (all players)

· Continued development of the basic skills

Overriding Consideration

Encourage all players to provide good support whether attacking or defending

COACHING OBJECTIVES U-11

Developed by Dave Schumacher, WSYSA Coaching Director

The optimal teaching system approved by WSYSA recommends that players of 9 years of age play9 v 9. I suggest you devote the end of each practice to playing4 v 4 and 5 v 5. You may continue to play games involving smaller numbers 2 v 2, 3 v 1, and 4 v 2, leading up to your final activity. It's still important to lay this foundation and exposure to the game prior to adding more players to the field.

Objectives

· Further Development of U-7, U-8, U-9 and U-10 Objectives

· Developing a basic understanding of the concept and rule of offside or modified offside.

· Continued concentration at this age on the more important developments at this age of:

o The triangle in team play

o The diamond in team play

o Third man running

o Appreciation of the team principles of play and their roles when the team is in attacking or defending.

o High concentration on basic skills in cooperative play, i.e. passing, control, shooting, and introduction to heading; goalkeeper techniques and role.

· Continued development of the techniques (basic skills) with limited pressure but in a challenging environment.

· Continued emphasis on the principles of play, and the roles of the players when attacking and defending introduced at U-10. Players need to understand their particular role on the team in supporting the attack and regaining possession of the ball when defending. The players will need guidance in the performance of these roles due to the greater number of players on the field and the increased size of the field. The players should have a basic understanding of how to interchange roles during the course of play.

Summary

· Basic understanding of the offside rule

· For tactical play triangles and diamonds plus further development of basic skills.

Overriding Consideration

Avoid over-coaching at this transitional time as players move into 11 per side.

http://www.soccerhelp.com/

Example of tips from soccerhelp.com.

1. "Don't get thrown over" (When the other team has a throw-in). (During the game, be specific when giving instructions. For example, "John, move back 10 steps so you don't get thrown over"). See No. 3 below for the next step.

The mistake many coaches, and players, make is to try to intercept the opposing team's throw-ins. That isn't the critical thing, the critical thing is to avoid giving up a goal. If you play me and try that, I'm going to kill you, because that's what I hope you try to do. I will simply have my receivers move close to the thrower, which will pull your defenders close to the sideline, and then make a long throw toward goal if we're on the half of the field that your goal is on, or down the line if on my Defensive Half. My players (the attackers) will know what to expect and all but my Fullbacks (who will stay back to prevent a counterattack) will break toward goal so we will outnumber your defenders, and your defenders are then chasing the ball toward your goal, which is also problematic for your team, since they are going the wrong way.

Instead, teach your players to mark BEHIND an opponent (about 2 or 3 steps behind). If you mark in front they will simply throw over you toward goal and score; the Danger is getting thrown over. You allow the opponent to inbound the ball, but you don't give up a dangerous throw or a fast break on your goal. You control their field position. If the opponent makes a bad throw, your player is in position to steal the ball. Or, your player can allow the receiver to receive the ball and THEN move close behind and try to steal the ball or kick the ball away when the attacker turns.

If you mark in front you aren't keeping "multiple layers of defenders" between the ball and your goal.

Trust me on this, thousands of coaches have tried it. Or, try it both ways and observe.

Remember the Rule: "Don't get thrown over."

http://www.soccerhelp.com/

Example of tips from soccerhelp.com.

2. "Don't get goal kicked or punted over" (by the other team). (Be specific if giving instruction. For example, "John, run back to the halfway line").

3. "On the other team's goal kicks, punts, throw-ins & free kicks, mark up behind an opponent & then step in front & steal the ball, or, if the ball goes past you, box out the opponent and win the ball". (A progression from 1 & 2 above). (An exception to this would be when the other team has a free-kick near your goal, where if there is room, you should have your players stay away from your goal so you create an "offside trap" which will keep the other team away from your goal and make it harder for them to score on a header or off a rebound).

4. "Where will the other team score from?" Answer: "In front of our goal." (See "Where....From?" in Dictionary of Soccer Terms, Concepts & Rules).

5. "If the other team has the ball & you are the closest, you must be the "First Defender" & slow down their attack & try to block any shots. Teach your players the meaning of these terms "First Defender" & "Second Defender". Demonstrate how the Second Defender supports the First Defender. How to teach "First Defender and Second Defender" is explained in No. 3 of Quick Team Improvement Program.

6. "If the other team has the ball & you are second closest, you must be the "Second Defender" & back up the First Defender & stay between the ball & the goal. (Stay 5-7 steps behind the First Defender). How to teach "First Defender and Second Defender" is explained in No. 3 of Quick Team Improvement Program.

7. "If you have a pass, take it. Only dribble if you don't have a pass or if you can dribble & score".

8. "Don't pass or dribble across the front of our goal".

9. "Why isn't your pass staying on the ground?" Answer: "You are contacting it too low. Strike the ball half way up & follow through".

10. "No straight legs. Knees should always be bent" (I can't think of a single instance when a player should have straight legs).

11. "When waiting for a pass, stay on your toes & move as soon as you see which way the ball is going". (A quick first step is very important).

12. "You should always be shifting with the ball". (When the ball moves, so should you).