U10 Challenger Sports Curriculum Key Coaching points to the u10 Curriculum The base of this curriculum is similar to that of the u8 as we as coach should still look to work on these fundamental skills, however I have added a Tactical coaching points stage below each drill in which the coach should look to implement into the drill. At u10 the players should begin to learn the tactical elements of the drills and try to recognise them in a game specific scenario. Week 1 - Dribbling Bulldog Similar to the normal childhood game however children must dribble a ball to the other end of the grid instead of simply running there. 1. Weak Foot Only 2. Increase Defenders Small touches when in tight areas Longer touches out of feet when space to run into Head up to see defenders and other players Players should look for space in the grid to run into, instead of following a crowd Highlight the width of the grid Question the players on what type of touches should be used, and when? I.e short touch control when in a crowded area, and larger touches into space when there is room. Numbers Game Each player will have a ball in the grid and will change action on coaches call. Coach will call number and players will shout out action 1. Number one On the Run (Players dribble ball around) 2. Number two On the Shoe (Players perform toe taps) 3. Number three On the Knee (Players put alternating knees on the ball) 4. Number Four On the Floor (Players jump on the floor and back up) 5. Number 5 Staying Alive (Players dance and sing to the Beejee s song Staying Alive ) 6. Number 6 Do some tricks (Players perform tricks they have learnt) 7. Number 7 Soccer Heaven (Players throw the ball to the sky and either head or control it) 8. Number 8 Pass to a mate (Players exchange passes with another) Slalom Race Coach puts players into teams and sets up a slalom course including a turn at the end. Players will take it in turns to dribble a ball through the slalom in a race. After each go they will hi 5 their partner and they will go. Weak foot only Make course harder 1. Close ball control 2. Head up when dribbling 3. Quick turn at the end of the slalom Tactical
How many different parts of the foot can the player use (Inside, Outside, Laces, Sole, Heel). When dribbling through the slalom, can the player use right foot, left foot, right foot, left foot continuously. Coach the players to imagine the cones as static defenders... This will help to give the skill more emphasis. Gates Coach sets up gates around the grid consisting of two cones. Each player will have a ball and when the coach says Go the players will have an allotted time to dribble through as many gates as they can. Most gates wins! Make gates smaller for better control Smaller grid for closer control 1. Head up 2. Close ball control 3. Accelerate out of gates Tactical When a player sees a free gate, they should imagine it as a free space in a game and accelerate into it. Use the outside of the foot when dribbling fast so that the ball is away from the body Week 2 Passing Marbles (Similar to popular childhood game) Players will get into pairs or three s. First player will pass ball anywhere inside grid, with the next player aiming to hit that ball with their pass. If you hit the ball you gain a point and start again, passes are played until point in scored. First to five points wins Coaching points: 1. If ball is chipped onto target ball via pass 3 points 2. If weak foot is used 3 points Inside of foot for passing and accuracy Head over ball to keep ball grounded Lean back to chip Follow through in direction of target for accuracy Have an open body stance and use the side of the foot Imagine the target soccer ball is a key pass in a game situation, this way they could replicate that motion in a match. Cops and Robbers Coach stands outside the grid with a ball whilst the players each have a ball and attempt to dribble from one end to the other without being hit by the coach with the ball below the waist. If the player is hit then they go to the outside of the grid and become a cop. 1. More cops to begin with 2. Decrease width of the grid Coaching points: Close ball control Head up to see cops on the outside
Tactical Can the players judge the running pattern of the players? Imagine as a through ball Judge the pace of the run, does it need a side foot pass or a driven pass? Battleships Coach sets up 4 equal teams and gives each player a number. Players will stand opposite each other making a square shape and in front of each team will be 3 cones with soccer balls balanced on the top. The coach will throw a soccer ball into the middle of the grid and call a number. (example No.3). All number 3 s will then run to get possession of the ball and attempt to knock another teams ball off of their cone whilst defending their own (Battleship). Winning team is the last team with a ball on their cones. 1. Call more numbers at one time 2. More than one ball in play Head up to see other players and free spaces Close ball control to keep away from defenders Keep attacking players away from your own cones Tactical This game has all elements of usual gameplay and is brilliant to work on all aspects of play. Can the players realise where the free space is and look to move into it? Can they work as a team and communicate to keep someone as a defender? Different Types of Passing Players get into pairs with one ball between two. The coach will call out a type of pass and they practice by passing to each other, whilst staying on their cones to work on accuracy. 1. Short side Foot 2. Short laces 3. Short outside foot 4. Long Laces (Driven) 5. Long Chipped Lean back when chipping Head over ball when driving low shots Follow through foot in direction of pass Tactical Short passes would be for a central midfielder in a congested area Long passes could be to a wide position or to a forward A chipped pass could be over the defensive line Week 3 Shooting Shooting through gates Players work in pairs with one ball each. Similar to passing through the gates however they will look to either powerfully drive the shot through the gates or place the ball through looking for the corners with their sidefoot. Whichever pair can make the most goals in the allocated time, wins! 1. Weak foot only 2. No chipped shots
Control power for accuracy Head over for power Follow through with foot in direction of shot Shooting through gates with Goalkeeper Similar set up to the above game, however the players are now split into two teams, goalkeepers and shooters. Shooters will play the game as normal with a ball each but the goalkeepers will run around trying to prevent goals scored through their gates. Team with the most goals, wins! 3. Weak foot only 4. No chipped shots Control power for accuracy Head over for power Follow through with foot in direction of shot Shoot across the keeper and into the space Open the body to curl into far corner Can the players realise when a shot should be played with the right and when with the left? Four goals Players split into two teams. The drill requires four goals being placed in the four corners of the grid instead of the usual two. This drill looks to increase the options of getting shots off, whilst using the normal rules of a conditioned game. 1. Goalkeepers in the goals 2. No chipped goals 3. Only chipped goals 4. Weak foot only Use all of the space Shoot across the goalkeeper Keep the shots low and in the corner Positions? Use full width of the grid Communicate Sectioned Goal Players stay in the same teams and take it in turns to shoot at the goal. The goal is sorted into sections using cones and pinnies in order to create targets. The coach decides how many points are rewarded for each section scored in. Team with most points, wins! 1. Smaller target areas
Use inside of the foot for accuracy Lean back to reach the high targets Head over the ball for low targets Tactical coaching points To reach the top corners, lean back To keep the ball low, get head over the ball Body positioning for each shot? Week 4 Shielding King of the Ring Each player has a ball in the grid, the aim is for the players to knock everyone else s ball outside of the grid whilst keeping control of theirs, last one inside the grid wins. 1. Defender enters ring without a ball Shield ball away from opponents to guard ball Small touches to keep under control Squat into a sitting position to guard ball from defender Be on toes to shuffle around the ball and keep away from defender Choose times to tackle wisely Bulldog Similar to the normal childhood game however children must dribble a ball to the other end of the grid instead of simply running there. When the defender comes towards the player they need to shield their ball away from the defender in order to stay in the game. 1. Weak Foot Only 3. Increase Defenders Small touches when in tight areas Longer touches out of feet when space to run into Head up to see defenders and other players Stuck in the mud Players dribble around the grid with a ball each. One defender is chosen to try and tackle the players. If a player is tackled, then they must put their ball above their head and wait for another player to kick the ball through their legs in order to free them. If a defender comes towards the player and they can shield the ball for 5 seconds without being tackled, then they are free to carry on. 1. More defenders 2. Smaller Grid for control Small touches to keep away from the defender Shield the ball from the defender Keep low and make body as large as possible
Week 5 Ball Control and Receiving King of the Ring Each player has a ball in the grid, the aim is for the players to knock everyone else s ball outside of the grid whilst keeping control of theirs, last one inside the grid wins. 2. Defender enters ring without a ball Shield ball away from opponents to guard ball Small touches to keep under control Receiving the ball in the air Players get into pairs with one player outside the grid and their partner inside. The players in the middle will move around the grid asking for the ball off of the people on the outside. When a player approaches the people on the outside will pass the ball into them in a variety of ways and receive the ball back. Players inside will then move to another person and go again. 1. Simple Pass in 2. Chipped pass in 3. Throw ball to knee 4. Throw ball to Chest 5. Throw ball to Foot 6. Throw ball to head Adjust body position to deal with a higher throw To pass it back, use the side foot (Wider surface) Call for ball when arriving at player on outside Receiving the ball with a defender present - Players get into pairs with one player outside the grid and their partner inside. The players in the middle will move around the grid asking for the ball off of the people on the outside. When a player approaches the people on the outside will pass the ball into them in a variety of ways and receive the ball back. Players inside will then move to another person and go again. However, the next stage for this drill is to put defenders into the grid who will put pressure on the players receiving the passes to make it more game specific. Defender can tackle the player, if tackled the player must perform 20 toe taps Week 6 Dribbling Traffic Lights Coach will have three different coloured cones to resemble traffic lights and each player will have a ball in the centre of the grid. Green cone Run fast with the ball around the grid, bigger touches. Yellow cone Player dribbles around slowly performing as many skills as they know. Red cone Stop the ball dead and perform either toe taps, side to sides etc.. Weak Foot only Smaller grid 1. Close ball control 2. Head up when dribbling around grid 3. When dribbling fast, dribble into space
Stuck in the mud Each player has a ball inside the grid with maximum of three defenders being the tagger. (These players can be given any persona, e.g Shrek ). Players have to dribble around the grid with their head up trying to stay away from the defenders. If a player is tagged by the defender then they have to hold their soccer ball above their head and are then free if another attacker puts their ball through their legs. Weak foot only More defenders Smaller Grid 1. Head up 2. Small touches 3. Shield ball from defenders 4. Communicate with teammates Gates Gates are set up around the grid using cones, each player with a ball. This is a timed competition and the winner will be the player which dribbles through the most gates during the allocated time. If the player hits a cone, then that gate doesn t count. 20 toe taps after each gate passed through Weak foot only Perform a skill through each gate Coaching points: 1. Head up 2. Close control when dribbling around grid 3. If there is space in front, have bigger touches to move faster Steal the ball Players are split into four equal teams, with each team positioned in different corners of the grid. In the centre of the grid, ALL the balls are positioned in a cluster. The aim of the drill is for the players to run one from a team at a time to the middle, steal a ball and take it back to their corner. The team with the most balls, wins! 20 Toe taps before returning with the ball Perform a turn after getting the ball Perform a skill move before tagging partner Weak foot only 1. Bigger touches for speed Accelerate out of turn Quick feet to perform toe taps quicker Week 7 Passing Rondos Team sorts themselves into a big circle form, with one ball. A defender is placed in the middle of the circle attempting to get the ball back whilst the rest of the team aim to pass the ball across the circle and away from the defender. If the defender gets the ball, then the middle person is replaced.
More defenders Only two touches allowed Only 1 touch allowed Coaching points: 1. Keep the ball on the ground 2. Look up to see options 3. Angles of passes Taking less touches will make it harder for the defender to reach the ball Communicate with teammates for best passing option Angle of passes (Triangles) Gates Similar to the gates game used for dribbling, however the players will now be in pairs and scoring by passing successfully through the gate to their partner. Most gates passed through in allotted time, wins! Smaller Gates Smaller Grid Less Time 1. Head up to see free gate 2. Use side foot to pass for accuracy 3. Follow through with kicking foot for accuracy Pass to partner how you would like to receive the pass Imagine the gate as defenders and you and your partner passing between them Gates in teams Similar to the above game, however instead of pairs, the players are now put into two teams. The drill is now more game specific and the players will work as a team to pass through as many gates as possible. Three teams Smaller Grid Smaller Gates 1. Communication 2. Small passes 3. Angle of passes Tactical Keep to positions Use full size of the grid COMMUNICATE Week 8 Shooting
Battleships Coach sets up 4 equal teams and gives each player a number. Players will stand opposite each other making a square shape and in front of each team will be 3 cones with soccer balls balanced on the top. The coach will throw a soccer ball into the middle of the grid and call a number. (example No.3). All number 3 s will then run to get possession of the ball and attempt to knock another teams ball off of their cone whilst defending their own (Battleship). Winning team is the last team with a ball on their cones. 3. Call more numbers at one time 4. More than one ball in play Head up to see other players and free spaces Close ball control to keep away from defenders Keep attacking players away from your own cones Stink Box Teams set out into two teams on the edge of the box, facing the same goal. One team will be positioned to the left edge of the box and the other to the right edge. The coach will create two (Stink box s) box s, behind the goal, one for each team. The players will take it in turns to shoot at the goalkeeper, with the coach passing the ball into them before they shoot. If you score you can either send a player from the other team into the stink box or you can free one of your own players from the stink box. Aim of the game is to put all of the opposition team into the stink box. 1. Shoot from further back 2. First time shot Head over the ball when shooting Use side foot for placement Take a touch if you need Use the touch to set up the perfect shot angle Shoot across the keeper Keep the shot low Circle around the goal Players get in a long line and run in a circle form around the box and behind the goal. The coach will randomly select a player by calling their name and pass them the ball once they are facing the goal. If they score then the person behind them is out, if they miss the goal then they are out, if it is saved by the goalkeeper then no forfeit is given. 1. Players run other way, using left foot 2. Coach plays faster passes into shooter Coaching points: Head over the ball when shooting Use side foot for accuracy Numbers game Players split into two equal teams and are each given a number. The teams will be positioned on either side of the grid, both facing a centre goal. The coach will call a number and place a ball in the middle of the grid i.e No. 2. Both number 2 s will then compete for the ball and shoot on goal.
1. More numbers called at once 2. Throw ball into the air to test players control also Week 9 Shielding Captain America and the Red Skulls Defenders are the red skulls and the attackers are Captain America. The aim of the game is to stop the Red Skulls from touching your ball. Captain America s need to shield their ball in order to prevent the Red skulls from touching their ball. If Captain America shields the ball for 5 seconds, then the Red Skull must move on. 1. More Red Skulls 2. Smaller Grid Keep ball close to body Use body to Shield ball Make body as big as possible Steal the ball Players split into two teams with a grid split in half. Each team will have a half of the grid as their home base with equal number of balls in each half. Aim of the game is to get all of the balls into one home base! If you cross the half way line into opponent s home base and manage to get one of the soccer balls and shield it from the opponent for 5 seconds, then they have a free pass to return the ball to their home base. 1. No Free pass Have to shield all the way into own half Make body as big as possible Be on toes to change direction quickly to shield Close ball control Numbers game Players split into two equal teams and are each given a number. The teams will be positioned on either side of the grid, both facing each other. The coach will call a number and place a ball in the middle of the grid i.e No. 2. Both number 2 s will then compete for the ball and the winner will shield the ball from their opponent for 5 seconds and receive a goal! 1. More numbers called at once 2. Throw ball into the air to test players control also Make body as big as possible Be on toes to change direction quickly to shield Close ball control Week 10 Ball Control and Receiving Slalom Race Coach puts players into teams and sets up a slalom course including a turn at the end. Players will take it in turns to dribble a ball through the slalom in a race. After each go they will hi 5 their partner and they will go. Weak foot only Make course harder
4. Close ball control 5. Head up when dribbling 6. Quick turn at the end of the slalom Passing and Receiving Slalom Race Two players from each team will go at the same time. Instead of dribbling through the slalom they will have to pass to each other, back and forth, throughout the slalom whilst moving towards the end cone. When they reach the end cone they must play 5 small and quick passes to each other before passing back to the beginning of their line and the next pair begin. Weak Foot only Smaller Slalom Gaps 1. Soft Touches 2. Use side foot 3. Cushion the pass onto your foot Less touches would mean a quicker time Head up to see the slalom pattern in front Communicate Keep ball Players split into two teams, with one ball and no goals between them. This is a more game specific drill in which one team simply needs to keep the ball away from the other. If five consecutive passes are made without the opposition getting the ball, then a goal is awarded! Smaller Grid Less touches allowed 1. Use width to create space 2. Angle of passes 3. Use inside of the foot for accuracy Use full width of grid Keep to positions COMMUNICATE Angles of passes Movement off of the ball