U9-10 AFC LIGHTNING PROGRAM The goal is development of a progressive non-result oriented based, fun, learning experience that will focus on developing a love for the game, individual technical range, and the development of coordination. Characteristics of the coach: Can effectively make decisions on what is best for the children. The modern coach has the qualities of empathy, imagination, enthusiasm and an open mind, a high sense of fairness and fair play, a sense of humor and a ton of patience! Recommended License: Minimum of an US Soccer E/D license or US Youth Soccer U6/U8 Module or U10/ U9 Module Technical Development: 100% of the training time The four phases of technical development for the U10 program: Phase 1: Continued Mastery with the ball Ball Control Passing and Receiving Receiving to Turn Shielding the Ball Running with the Ball Dribbling Shooting Heading Crossing and Finishing 1v1 Attacking/Defending 1v1 Defending All sessions will end with a small-sided game. Passing and shooting will become fixed elements within each training session. Juggling of the ball with the 14 body points will be introduced. Defense pressure, positioning, patience and recovery runs will be introduced. Body awareness and simple coordination movements will be stressed as our youngsters are not getting this education in the public schools anymore. Phase 2: Along with continuation of the above elements, the players will focus on taking and controlling the ball with an emphasis on passing with the laces and the inside of both feet. The dribbling emphasis will be on taking players on and running at top speed with the ball when in open space.
Players will experiment with the qualities of a bouncing ball and running with the ball, passing with the inside and outside of the foot (emphasis on quality push pass), instep drive, receiving ground balls with the instep and outside of foot (body behind the ball), receiving bouncing balls with the instep (cushion) and the sole, inside and outside of foot (wedge), fakes in dribbling and turning with the ball. Phase 3: Along with the above progressions, the players will focus on passing and solo runs. Introduce heading and crossing. Practice throw-ins. Phase 4: The perfecting of the above elements and the additions of turns with the ball and body feints will be central. Goalkeepers: Footwork exercises Ready stance Getting the feet set How to hold a ball after a save Diamond grip Catching shots at the keeper Punting Recovery from down to the ground and up to set position and Introduce goal kicks and throwing Tactical Concerns: Very little emphasis will be placed in this topic for the U9/10s. The major tactical concern will be in recognizing where the open space on the field is and where the player can dribble. At the U9 level positions will be explained and demonstrated on the field with simple things like pushing up (how and when) and the cooperation between lines. At 6 v6, the club may play out of a 1-2-2-1 or 2-2-1 building to a 1-2-3-2 formation at the 8v8 stages. Coaches will introduce simple width and depth and the diamond formation. The emphasis will be on 1v1 defending, roles of the first attacker and defender, what it means to get goalside, 2v1 attacking, small group shape in pairs and threes (emphasize support on both attack and defense), playing on and around the ball as a group with purpose, playing a variety of positions to develop the complete player, and the introduction of the principles of attack/defense and set plays. Physical Development: No training time set aside strictly for fitness. However, some basic body movement/awareness activities will be included daily in order for the player to begin to move like an athlete. Competitive games such as ball wrestling, push up tag, etc will be used. Psychological development: Psychological development will be modified through training, games, and festivals. The emphasis is on: 1. The child having fun! 2. The child feeling good about himself and about adults. 3. The child enjoying the game of soccer and wanting to play again both next season and at home. 4. The child learning at least one new thing each training session. 5. The coach having fun The Game: 1 v 1, 2 v 2, 3 v 3 and 4 v 4 with Monday s in house Skills Training/Soccer Festivals
AFC LIGHTNING U11/U12 PROGRAM The Golden Age of Learning The Romance The Development of Individual Skills/Individual and Small Group Tactics for the Age Groups of U11 and U12: The effect of the role model is very important at this stage of development. Hero worship, identification with successful teams/ players and a hunger for imaginative skills typify the mentality of this age. This is a time of transition from self-centered to self-critical. Players of this age have a high arousal level in relation to the training of basic skills. This is the golden age of learning and the most important age for skill development. Demonstration is very important and the players learn best by doing. This is also an important time to introduce and teach the basic principles of play. It is important to establish discipline from the beginning. Technical Development: At least 75 % of all training time. Continued pursuit of technical proficiency. Development of individual skills under pressure of time, space, and opponent. Increase technical speed. Skill development/proficiency in the following areas through technical repetition: Dribbling-Moves to beat an opponent, keeping possession, change of speed/pace, risk taking, feints with the ball Shielding-Spin turns, change of direction, change of speed/pace. Receiving-Dealing with pressure, ground and air balls, different surfaces, master the qualities of a bouncing spinning ball, receiving bouncing and air balls with the thigh and chest, first touch receiving, Master the qualities of a bouncing spinning ball, receiving with either foot Shooting-Proper striking technique, different surfaces, finishing vs. shooting, outside of foot passing, Introduce half volley and volley shooting, chipping to shoot or pass Passing with different surfaces, weight of passes, short and long passes, varying types, experiment with the qualities of a flighted ball, short passing with both feet, bending shots, crossing to near post space and penalty spot area, heel and flick passing Heading-Proper technique, jumping to head, heading to score goals and for clearances while standing or jumping Tackling- In balance, no fear. Moving throw-in, and slide tackling Goalkeepers: W grip Footwork Underarm bowling, side-arm throwing to targets Taking own goal kicks, Low and forward diving Angle and near post play Introduce deflecting and boxing.
If you put a plant in a jar, it will take the shape on the jar. But if you allow the plant to grow freely, twenty jars might not be able to hold it. Tactical Development: No more than 25% of all training time. Mike Krzyzewski-Duke University Head Basketball Coach Initial tactical ideas and awareness. Understanding individual and small group ideas. Increase tactical speed Tactical development/introduction in the following areas through training and game situations: 1v1 situations in attack and defense. Small Group-2v1, 2v2, 3v1, 3v2, 3v3, 4v2, 4v3, 4v4. Players play varying positions-development of the complete player. Attacking Keeping possession. Risk taking in appropriate areas of the field. Support. Basic combination play-wall Pass, Takeover, Double Pass. Promote attacking soccer 2v2 attacking Roles of 2nd attacker combination passing, playing on and around the ball as a group with purpose, verbal and visual communication for all positions, halftime analysis, general work on all restarts, wall pass at a variety of angles, passing combinations on the move and rotation of all players through the team everyone plays in each position. Reinforce the principles of defense. For goalkeepers: positional play, basic angle play, in to and down the line of the flight of the ball, commanding the goalmouth for the goalkeeper and positioning during a penalty kick and communication. 2. Defending Proper pressure Proper body position Proper cover. Understanding danger and risk man-to-man defense 2v1 defending Role of second defender 3. Team tactics are not the priority at this age. Focus on playing skillful soccer. 4. Recommended system of play 4-4-2 or 3-4-3 (depending on qualities of players). This begins to develop an understanding for team shape and helps players learn how to use combinations to attack. Physical Development: No training time set aside strictly for fitness. Physical development in the following areas through training and game situations:
All fitness should be built into the session with a ball. No organized fitness. Coordination Flexibility Change of speed/pace. Balance Strength Endurance Psychological Development: Psychological development through training, game experience, and organized team activities: Keep it FUN! Develop a passion in the players. Encourage decision making. Imagination/Creativity Increase demands-value of hard work. Establish discipline and accountability. Encourage players/teams to watch professional and national team games live or on TV. The Game: 8v8 There are many people, particularly in sports who think that success and excellence is the same thing and they are not the same thing. Excellence is something that is lasting and dependable and largely within a person s control. In contrast, success is perishable and is often outside our control. If you strive for excellence, you will probably be successful eventually. People who put excellence in first place have the patience to end up with success. An additional burden for the victim of the success mentality is that he/she is threatened by the success of others and resents real excellence. In contrast, the person fascinated by quality is excited when he/she sees it in others. Author Unknown