We couldn't have said it any better.
Player Development Guidelines for Coaches and Trainers
(Thanks to Ted
Spitaleri of the
Sacramento United Soccer Club, a program of
Sacramento Youth Soccer League,
for its explicit permission to reprint this monograph.)
Authors: Gary Messing,
USSF A
John Perez, Staff Coach, USSF B
Joe Blaylock, Staff Coach, USSF C, NSCAA National
The following guidelines have been established by the Sacramento United coaching
staff to help
our coaches focus on training and activities that we think will best provide for
the individual
development of our young soccer players. The guidelines are based on the
experience of the
authors and the CYSA Olympic Development Program recommended training
progression.
These are only guidelines and are not intended to dictate to coaches what they
must teach or how
to teach it. We hope you will integrate the suggestions here with your personal
coaching style,
technique and ideas, and that as a result, all of our teams will be better for
it.
Sacramento United encourages all coaches and trainers to continuously work at
improving their
own knowledge of the game. This includes the latest concepts in tactics and
techniques, and how
to teach these. Too many coaches become complacent in their knowledge of soccer,
but the
game and how to teach it are changing continuously and rapidly. You must seek
opportunities to
continue to improve as a coach- just as you ask your players to constantly seek
ways to improve
as players. Why should players work hard to improve if their coaches are
unwilling to do the
same?
There are numerous ways that we can learn as coaches. The most important of
these is the US
Soccer Federation coaching schools. These courses teach the latest techniques
and concepts in
soccer training that are currently used nationally and internationally. Also,
the licenses they issue
are required at the various levels you may coach (an E/D license is required to
be a head coach
at Sacramento United), and the Sacramento United and SYSL programs will help pay
for the
courses. Other excellent courses are available from the National Soccer Coaches
Association of
America (NSCAA), and other coaching organizations/camps. Another good way to
enhance
your knowledge of the game is through books and tapes. Be careful that they are
not too old,
however, as any materials over four or five years old are rapidly becoming out
of date.
Another
excellent way to learn new ideas is through association with other coaches and
trainers. This
interfacing of different ideas and perspectives from different coaches is very
beneficial and can be
found at the courses and camps mentioned above, or through our own Sacramento
United
coaching sessions held monthly.
Whatever ways you use to continue your soccer education, the important thing is
that you make
self improvement a regular part of your schedule. Don't be complacent because
you think you've
achieved a high level of playing or coaching in the past. Complacency is the
first step towards
decline and that's not acceptable for a coach at Sacramento United.
All of the coaches involved in writing this document agree on the following. At
the earlier ages
(U-10 to U-13), winning is not the primary emphasis of this program. At those
ages individual
development of the players is much more important. We believe that taking the
short track to
winning at the early ages, i.e., stressing 11v11 tactics, will win games at that
age, but cheats the
players in their long term development. By stressing individual development at
the early ages we
will produce far superior players of technical ability who can later easily be
taught tactics, and our
teams will be the better for it.
The above concept is based on the idea that learning soccer technique requires
children to master complex motor skills that are more easily, and with greater depth, incorporated
at the ages of
8-13. These have been referred to as the "Golden Years of Learning". Tactics, on
the other
hand, are strictly mental skills that can be learned at any age, but in fact
more easily as youngsters
mature mentally.
U-10 -The FUN STAGE
The emphasis at the U-10 level should be on teaching them to enjoy the game.
Practices should consist almost entirely of fun activities that will help the players learn
technique while playing games. Time should be spent on demonstrating and practicing technique, then
games should be
played that stress the particular technique. Ideally the kids should be playing
and having fun with
various games making use of the soccer ball, and maybe not even realizing
they're learning how
to play the game. Practice at this level should not be work, or the kids will
soon find something
they would rather do than play soccer! Kids at this age want to have fun.
Practice length: 60-75 minutes
Emphasis:
Fitness 10% (U-10s don't need fitness training, this is warm-up/stretch to
develop good
habits)
Technical 70%
Tactical 20%
Technical
Juggling (at this age may allow one bounce between juggles)
Ball tapping (with pulls and turns)
Coerver moves
Pulling the ball
Dribbling, inside and outside the foot
Passing, inside the foot (accuracy) and instep (power and distance)
Shooting
Receiving with feet
Goalkeeper fundamentals
Throw-ins
Tactical
1v1, 2v1, 2v2, 2v3, 3v2, 4v2, 5v2, 3v3, minimal 11v11 (3v3 games should be
stressed)
Individual defense- delay
U-12 -The FOUNDATION STAGE
Kids at this age still want to have fun more than anything else, but some will
begin to show a desire to learn about the game. Emphasis is still on technique and fun, but more
complex tactics
can be introduced. Use primarily 3v3 to teach movement and support, but also up
to 7v7 to help
players learn to see more around them, and begin to understand more complex
situations. 11v11
should only be taught sufficient to allow team to be competitive. Begin to
incorporate increasing
pressure so that players will start to learn to perform technique and tactics
under limits of space
and time.
Practice length: 75-90 minutes
Emphasis:
Fitness 20%
Technical 60%
Tactical 20%
Technical
Juggling (introduce European and Latin styles)
Ball tapping (increase moves, i.e., Cruyff, rolling with sole of foot)
Coerver moves and other fakes (increase repertoire)
Dribbling, with speed
Passing
Shooting
Tackling
Receiving with feet, thighs, chest, head
Introduce Heading
Goalkeeper (should have sound understanding of fundamentals, some specialized
training
with keeper trainer, or at keeper camp might be appropriate)
Tactical
1v1, 2v1, 1v2, 3v2, 3v3, 4v2, 5v3, 4v4, plus up to 7v7, minimal 11v11 (3v3 to
7v7
should be stressed while teaching movement and support)
2 and 3 touch games
Team defense introduced (pressure, cover, balance; goal side/ball side)
Re-starts
U-14 -The FORMAL STAGE
By this age kids become very competitive, begin to better understand the need
for team
cooperation in order to succeed (rather than just "what's in it for me?"), and
are more interested
in learning the game. Girls may tend to become team oriented earlier than boys.
Many players
will have decided by this age that soccer will be their number one sport, or
even their only sport.
In general, the players who have made this decision will develop a higher level
of skill than those
who still split their time between more than one sport.
If players at this age level have had the proper emphasis on technique in their
earlier years, by
now they will be quite skilled technically; comfortable with a ball at their
feet and under pressure,
receive with good control, proficient in 1v1 situations, good at juggling, and
they'll know several
good moves that help them create time and space, and beat opponents. If not,
you'll need to
spend more time on technique than recommended below. Tactically, they should be
quite good at
3v3 to 6v6 and keep-away games.
Now, players should be able to perform all training under pressure of the
opponent.
Practice length: 75-90 minutes
Emphasis: Fitness 20% Technical 40% Tactical 40%
Technical
As in above age groups, plus:
More Coerver moves and other fakes
Finishing
Heading (attack and defense)
Slide tackling
Goalkeeper (more advanced technique, tactics, should attend camps)
Tactical
Same as above through 7v7, plus 6v4 and more 11v11 stressing simple systems of
play,
i.e., 4-4-2 and 4-3-3
1,2, and 3 touch games
Combination play (wall pass, overlap, takeover)
More defense (pressure, cover, balance; goal side/ball side)
Shadow soccer
Offside trap
U-16 -The FULL ADULT TRAINING STAGE
Players in this age group are highly competitive, serious soccer players. They
often develop
strong personalities and will attempt to assert themselves. More structure and
discipline is
required of the coach. Understanding each player's psychology and good
communication skills
are also important.
Technique should be solid at this age, but it must still be practiced regularly.
Now, coaches can
stress tactics, including 11v11. Fitness requires more attention as players have
developed
physically. Strengthening programs may include ply metrics.
All training under pressure of the opponent.
Practice length: 90-120 minutes
Emphasis: Fitness 25% Technical 30% Tactical 45%
Technical
As in above age groups, plus:
More Coerver moves and other fakes
Finishing
Slide tackling
Goalkeeper (advanced technique, advanced tactics, should attend camps)
Tactical
Continue 3v3 to 7v7, 8v8 to teach tactical concepts, more 11v11 stressing
multiple
systems of play. Familiarize with 3-5-2.
Playing numbers even, numbers up, and numbers down (attack and defense)
1 and 2 touch games
Combination play (wall pass, overlap, takeover)
More defense (pressure, cover, balance; goal side/ball side; low pressure/high
pressure)
Shadow soccer
Offside trap
Short, short, long
Transition play 3v3+3
Near and far post runs
Group and team tactics 5v3, 6v4, 9v9
Patterns of play, making space, multiple player combination play
Zonal games/tactics in all thirds of the field
Functional training (position specific technique and tactics)
U-19 -The FULL ADULT TRAINING STAGE
These players share the characteristics of the U-16s, but are more mature;
nearly adults.
Continue to practice technique, but most time will be spent on tactics. Fitness
becomes more
important, also.
All training under pressure of the opponent.
Practice length: 90-120 minutes
Emphasis: Fitness 25% Technical 25% Tactical 50%
Technical
As in above age groups, plus:
More Coerver moves and other fakes
Finishing (you always need more of this!)
Goalkeeper (advanced technique, advanced tactics, should attend camps)
Tactical
As in above age groups
Fitness
Endurance and strength, plyometrics
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