9-11 YEAR OLD PLAYERS

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1 STAGE 3 ACTIVITIES 9-11 YEAR OLD PLAYERS NSCAA Foundations of Coaching Diploma NSCAA Foundations of Coaching Activities Stage 3: 9-11 Year Old Players

2 4V1 TO 4V2 IN THIRDS This game provides attackers with many opportunities to pass and receive in a game like environment that is great for working on technique and problem solving. The attacking team are rewarded for maintaining possession and the defending team must attempt to press the ball and force a turnover. This set-up is a 44x20 yards rectangle divided into 2x15 yards end zones and a 10 yards wide central zone. Three teams with 4 players occupy a zone each and the coach stands on the sideline with a supply of balls. The coach can decide based on the competency of the players whether to begin the activity with three, four or five players per team. The team in the central zone are the defenders and must attempt to win the ball and pass it to a teammate. On receipt of the ball the players in the end zones must attempt to make five consecutive passes to win a point. As the activity progresses the coach can adjust the number of defending players attempting to force a turnover and allow the attacking teams in the two end zones to connect with a longer pass over the central zone. + Coaching objectives Work with the attacking players to maximize their numerical advantage by utilizing the space available in their zone. The closer the attacking players are to each other the easier it will be for a single player to defend. + Coaching tips This activity provides a great illustration of the importance of spacing and starting positions. The tendency will be for players to edge close to the line separating the zones and in so doing closing the available attacking space. + Less challenging: Start with three players on each team and only send one defender until the attacking players have experienced some success at keeping possession. + More challenging: Reduce the size of the zones and allow the attacking players to play over or through the central zone to the other attacking team. Top 3 themes: Passing, receiving and support. Top 3 competencies: Short passing, receiving with the feet and movement off the ball. 15yds 10yds + In the second diagram the coach has progressed the activity and sent 2 defenders to win possession. + The same rules apply and the attackers must move to provide angles of support for the player in possession. + If the blues are able to make five consecutive passes they win a point. 15yds + In the first illustration the coach passes the ball to one of the blue players in the end zone. + A defender from the white team sprints into the area and applies pressure to the player on the ball. + The red team players wait patiently and prepare themselves in case of a turnover. + In the final illustration the white defenders have been successful in forcing a turnover. + A pass is made into the central zone for a point. + The whites then transfer the ball into the end zone for the red team to repeat the sequence. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED NSCAA BY NSCAA 15

3 4V4 WITH FOUR GOALS This is a terrific small-sided game that can be used at the end of the session that focused on passing, movement and supporting the attack. This set-up is a 40x25 yards rectangle with 2 teams of 4 players starting in the area. A line is drawn across the field to separate a team s attacking and defending halves, and two goals are placed in the corners at both ends. The coach can introduce a number of conditions and rules that will increase the intensity and challenge. The wide goals encourage players to play with width and shape of the field encourages the team to play with depth. Play a regular game without corners and add conditions as the game progresses. + Coaching objectives The coaching objectives include spreading the field in attack and providing good angles of support wide and long. + Coaching tips In most countries young players are competing in small-sided game formats. One of the greatest benefits of smallsided games is the need for teams to transition most of the players from defensive positions to attack. Rarely in small-sided games will you see 2-3 players standing on the edge of their own penalty box when the ball is in the opponents half. + Less challenging: The coach can reduce the number of players and/ or add one or two all-time offensive players. + More challenging: reduce the size of the field to test the players technique. Top 3 themes: Passing, receiving and shooting. Top 3 competencies: Short to medium passing, receiving and movement off the ball. 40yds + In the first illustration the yellow team play 2v1 in the defensive zone and 2v3 in the attacking zone. + The numerical advantage for yellows in defense allows them to pass the ball into the attacking end of the field. + A lovely interchange of passes results in a goal for the yellow team. + In the second sequence the coach has added a new condition. + To score a goal the attacking team must all enter into the attacking half before the ball enters the goal. + The yellow team are successful in supporting the attack and a point is won. + In the final diagram the coach introduces another modification to the rules. + With the help of an assistant the coach enters the field and steps in front of the goal forcing the yellow team to switch play to the other goal. If the red team forces a turnover they must attack the opposite end. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED NSCAA NSCAA Foundations of Coaching Activities Stage 3: 9-11 Year Old Players 19

4 6 BALL GAME Players thoroughly enjoy this competitive game between 3 teams, emphasizing individual defending technique. Many opportunities to teach defending will be presented to the coach as players rush in and attempt to win possession of the ball. Equally the coach may wish to focus on the attackers support positions and use of width and depth. This set-up is a 20x15 yards rectangle with 3 players inside the area and two teams of 3 starting in the corner. The coach stands on the sideline with 6 balls. The objective for the defending team is to win possession of the ball by kicking it out of the area or passing it to the coach. A successful interception and subsequent pass reduces the defenders overall time by 2 seconds. As soon as the 1st ball is won by the defenders the coach plays the next ball into the area and this sequence continues for 6 consecutive attacks. As soon as the last ball leaves the area the coach stops the clock and records the time. Each team should have multiple opportunities to record the lowest score. + Coaching objectives Work with the young defenders on the initial approach to the ball, defensive positioning when confronting an attacker and decision-making. + Coaching tips Knowing when to press and when to be patient is an important skill to teach young players. All too often they will charge at the ball, leave their feet, turn their back and make it easy for attackers to play around them. + Less challenging: To make the activity less challenging for the defenders the coach can reduce the size of the area and send two or more defenders. + More challenging: To make the activity more challenging for the defenders the coach can persist with one defender against 3 or 4 attackers. Top 3 themes: Defending individually, defending in pairs and passing. Top 3 competencies: Pressure defending, passing over short distances and receiving. + In the 1st diagram the coach makes a pass to any of the blue attacking players. + As soon as the pass is made a red defender sprints to close the space and apply pressure. + The attackers must attempt to keep possession and add valuable seconds to the overall time period. + The 2nd illustration demonstrates the next progression in the activity. + Once every team has had an opportunity to play against a single defender, the coach increases the challenge by sending 2 defenders. As before, each group defends 6 consecutive attacks. + Finally, the coach has progressed to sending 3 defenders for a very competent group of attackers. + With 3 defenders the players can adopt a shape to apply pressure, cover and balance defending positions. + For each ball passed to the coach by the defenders, the coach can reduce the overall time by 2 seconds. 15yds 18 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED BY NSCAA NSCAA LEVEL 1 DIPLOMA STAGE 3 ACTIVITY YEAR OLD PLAYERS

5 BANDIT This is a fast-paced and continuous activity that emphasizes attacking and defending. This set-up is a 20x20 yards square with a triangular goal approximately 6 yards wide in the center. A team of four attackers spread out inside the square, three goalkeepers protect each side of the triangular goal and one defender attempts to apply pressure to the attackers. The attackers must take every opportunity to shoot at goal and move into positions where they can retrieve a misguided shot. The defender is significantly outnumbered, but should do his/her best to apply pressure to the attackers and not allow any players have a free shot at goal. There are several ways to manage this activity including employing a time limit of 3 to 4 minutes or limiting the attacking team to 10 soccer balls - once a ball leaves the area a new ball is introduced. + Coaching objectives The coaching objective is to assist the attacking team to find time and space in the area and make good decisions on when to shoot and when to pass. + Coaching tips As players enter the third stage of development they start to become more aware of their surroundings and their responsibilities when they do not have possession of the ball. The coach can help players to identify and react to visual cues, such as, sprinting to support their teammate when a defender starts to close down space. + Less challenging: To make this activity less challenging for the attackers the coach can increase the size of the goals, remove the goalkeepers and open the area to provide more time and space. + More challenging: The coach can add an additional Bandit defender. Top 3 themes: Passing, receiving and shooting. Top 3 competencies: Short to medium passing, receiving and shooting technique. + In the first illustration the blue attacker has time and space to pick out a perfect shot and scores for a point. + A teammate moves quickly behind the goal to retrieve the shot and return a fierce drive into the goal. + The Bandit works hard but is unable to prevent either goal being scored. + The yellow player has done well to press the ball and force the attacker into making a pass. + With only one bandit inevitably a blue attacker is open and is able to shoot and score. + As the ball passes through the goal a blue teammate sprints to retrieve the shot before it leaves the field of play. + In the final diagram the bandit wins possession and passes to the coach for a point. + The coach immediately finds a blue attacker in space who transfers the ball wide. + Another well placed shot in the corner of the goal goes past the yellow s goalkeeper. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED NSCAA NSCAA Foundations of Coaching Activities Stage 3: 9-11 Year Old Players 17

6 END LINES This emphasizes the importance of forming triangles to maintain possession of the ball and movement off the ball by teammates. This set-up is a 30x20 yards rectangle with three teams of three players starting inside the area. A 6v3 numerical advantage is provided to the attacking team who attempt to travel from one end of the rectangle to the other. The team of three must work hard to close down space and press the team in possession as they attempt to force a turnover. In addition to emphasizing passing patterns, the activity also provides a coach with an opportunity to teach players how to transition from attack to defense and from defense to attack. + Coaching objectives The coaching objective is to work with players to create width and depth and maximize the space available to stretch the defense. + Coaching tips One of the variables the coach can manipulate to create a favorable outcome is the number of players on each team. In this example an attacking overload should result in an overwhelming advantage for the attacking team. As the activity progresses the coach can add more players to provide more balance for the defenders. + Less challenging: To make this activity less challenging for the attackers the coach can start without defenders but limit the number of touches for each player to 2-3. Once the attackers achieve some rhythm and success the coach can add in the defenders. + More challenging: To make this activity more challenging the coach could reduce the number of attackers and increase the number of defenders. Another option is to add a second ball which increases the degree of challenge and enhances the confusion for the attackers. Top 3 themes: Passing, receiving and support. Top 3 competencies: Short passing, receiving with the feet and movement off the ball. 30yds + In the first illustration the blue and white teams are attacking the reds to create a 6v3 advantage. + A white player moves centrally and receives a pass from the blue attacker. + The red defenders are spread and the attackers find it easy to pass between them. + In the second diagram the white team combine to play a double wall pass around the red defenders. + A series of one touched passes releases the player originating the sequence into space. + Although not involved directly in the play the blue team create width and depth. + In the final illustration a player switches the point of attack with a firm pass across the area. + The white team fail to recover into a goal side positions and surrender a point. + Without delay the red player makes a great pass and an attack starts in the opposite direction. 16 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED BY NSCAA NSCAA LEVEL 1 DIPLOMA STAGE 3 ACTIVITY YEAR OLD PLAYERS

7 STEAL THE BACON There are numerous variations of this popular activity that can be used regularly with young players and occasionally to change the pace of the session with older players. The coach can select from a number of attacking and defending themes including beating an opponent 1v1, passing, support and individual defending. The set-up is a 20x20 yards square with three 2 yard triangles evenly spaced in the area. 3 teams with 3 players are dressed in different colored training vests and each team starts with 3 balls in their home-base. In this variation of the activity each team has three balls in their home-base to start the game and the 3 teammates stand adjacent to the area. On the command of GO all players are active and can attack the opponents area with a view to stealing a ball or to defend their own home-base. If a player steals the ball they must attempt to dribble the ball back to the area and stop it with the sole of their foot. A player can only attempt to steal one ball at a time and cannot kick balls out of the opponent s area. Play for 2 minutes and the team with the most balls in their home-base at the end of the game are the winners. + Coaching objectives The coaching objective from an attacking perspective is to penetrate into space on the dribble or make a firm pass along the ground to a teammate. Defensively, the coach may wish to teach players individual techniques and progress to working collaboratively in pairs. + Coaching tips There are several ways to differentiate this activity to the ability levels of the players. For example, the coach can number all the players and call on just one player at a time. Reducing the number of players simplifies the environment and provides less able or younger players with an opportunity to experience some success. + Less challenging: Increase the size of the area to create more time and space and provide extra soccer balls in the center of the area at the beginning. + More challenging: Progress to a team-based challenge similar to the way this activity is illustrated. Stages 2 & year old players. Top 3 themes: Passing, receiving and support. Top 3 competencies: Short passing, receiving with the feet and dribbling. + In the 1st illustration the red team decide to prevent the blue and yellow teams stealing their balls. + Conversely, all the blue team players disperse and attempt to steal balls from the red and yellow team areas. + The yellow team commit 2 players to attack and leave 1 player to defend the home-base. + As the activity progresses the coach allows players to pass the ball in addition to dribbling. + A red team steals the ball from the yellow s area and passes to his/her teammates. + An exciting 1v1 situation occurs between a yellow attacker and a blue defender. + In the final sequence the coach has removed 3 balls and changed the rules of the game. + Now each team must attempt to return 3 balls from the center area to the home-base for victory. + 1v1 duels are occurring all over the field. 14 NSCAA NSCAA Foundations LEVEL 1 DIPLOMA of Coaching STAGE Activities 3 ACTIVITY Stage - 3: YEAR Year OLD Old PLAYERS Players

STAGE 4 ACTIVITIES YEAR OLD PLAYERS

STAGE 4 ACTIVITIES YEAR OLD PLAYERS STAGE 4 ACTIVITIES 12-14 YEAR OLD PLAYERS NSCAA Foundations of Coaching Diploma NSCAA Foundations of Coaching Activities Stage 4: 12-14 Year Old Players 3V2 TO 6V5 SMALL SIDED GAME This activity provides