Amity AC Soccer Development Academy. Introduction

Development Academy

Introduction Amity AC Soccer has elected to adopt a club wide development program for its players in the U4 U7 age groups. The purpose of this document is to provide guidelines to all the players, parents and coaches in Amity AC Soccer to implement a club-wide development plan and programs for our youth players. When a club-based development plan is missing, continuity of training is lost. There needs to be a relationship between what is taught at, say, the U-7 age to that which is being taught at the U-8 age, and so on. Age-specific training priorities should be established, with a building block approach, which provide the players with the technical foundation before exposing them to advanced tactics. Without a master plan, coaches become mainly concerned with preparing their team for tomorrow s game, without taking the long-term developmental needs into consideration. At the youth level, the player must come first! Every decision made by the club and the coach should be in the best interest of the individual players and not the team. The aim is to offer a systematic, progressive club-wide approach that will create the best possible environment for optimum player development while having tons of fun.

Individual Concept vs. Team Concept As parents, naturally you are mainly concerned with the welfare and development of your child. When your child goes to school, you are really only interested in how he/she is progressing in school. Do you really care how the class is doing as a whole? As long as your child is doing well and the teacher is keeping pace with the required academic standards for his/her age, you are happy. You don t go around boasting that your child s class average was higher than the class next door. The class concept in school is seen as a logistical convenience where children of like-age are grouped together to learn academics and social skills within the dynamics of a group. Nothing more, nothing less. The same concept should be applied to youth sport. Just like a classroom, a youth team should be seen as a convenient way to group players of similar age and ability together, to learn how to play soccer, as well as develop social skills. Nothing more, nothing less. But parents and coaches seem to have a hard time accepting this notion. They let the team concept take over and become the focus of the soccer activity. It s no longer my son is going to play today. It s become OUR TEAM is playing against THEIR TEAM today. People want to be part of a team. They feel safe and comfortable. There are many positives in a team environment, such as building lifelong friendships, sharing common goals, learning to trust and depend on others. But when the team assumes too much importance or consumes your life, it can lead to tension and conflicts. Games become more stressful. The mood of the family unit for the rest of the day hinges on the game result. What s best for the team overrides what s best for the individual players. The negative aspects of the team concept manifest themselves in many ways: The amount of playing time players get, rivalry between teams spilling over into arguments and even hostility, coaches fighting over players, referee abuse, etc. As parents, you should only be concerned with one thing: Is your child having fun? And is he/she being given the opportunity to play and learn the game? How the team is doing has absolutely no impact on the future well-being of your child. Mia Hamm did not play for the National Team because her U-10 team won the state championship. She is in the national team because she has developed into a skillful and athletic player. Your child might develop into a high level player or he/she might not. A lot of this depends on the genes and is predetermined before your child was even born. As long as he/she is having fun and developing a lifetime habit of healthy participation in sport, that s all you can ask for. Remember: The team is there to serve your CHILD S needs. Your child is not there to serve the team s needs. If the team s performance produces strong emotions in you, you need to step back and take a deep breath and suppress these emotions. The team is just a logistical expediency to engage a bunch of kids in play. Nothing more, nothing less. Tomorrow, your child will be part of another team.

The ASDA Curriculum follows the US Soccer Coaching Curriculum The diagram below is from the Full US Soccer Coaching Curriculum. It defines where the focuses should be on player development. We will base our curriculum off of this diagram and then supplement it with detailed lesson plans.

U4 Curriculum Main objectives: Week 1-2: Dribbling {See Lessons Plans for U4-U5} Week 3-4: Shooting & RWB (Running With Ball) {See Lessons Plans for U4-U5} Week 5-6: Ball Control & Turning {See Lessons Plans for U4-U5} Week 7-8: Dribbling {See Lessons Plans for U4-U5} Week 9: Shooting & RWB (Running With Ball) {See Lessons Plans for U4-U5} U-4 Group Skill Priorities 1. Dribble 2. Footskills (Just teach the proper movement) 3. HAVE FUN!

U4 Curriculum Week 1-2: Dribbling {See Lessons Plans for U4-U5}

ASDA U4 U5 Week 1 2 Dribbling Circle time to review each other s name. Get them to state their favorite color. Review how to dribble, NO NO MR. BIG TOE and then begin to dribble around in circle. Toe Touches and Tick Tock/Pendulum (Penguin) Walk the Dog: The Coach will tell the players to walk their dog by dribbling slowly around the practice area. The coach will yell Oh no, My dog got loose and the players will kick their ball hard and chase it. But they need to be quick or the Dog Catcher (coaches) will get their dog. Once the players have their ball again the Coach will tell the players to walk their dog.repeat several times Dribbling and Kicking: Players will dribble from one end of the field to the other and kick (Shoot) the ball into the goal. Repeat at least three times. If they are having fun do it more. Use a cone as a reward for shooting a goal if necessary. Kick the Coach and Parents! Players will dribble around the field and chase the parents. The parents need to be silly and go slow enough so that the players can kick the ball at them. Let them know that you only use your feet; that you kick the ball, and that you dribble the ball with your feet to get it from one end of the field to the other and that the object of the game is to score goals. We want to have fun. You will need to act silly with this. The objective here is get the kids used to have the ball at their feet. This will develop into a foot skill later on (about U 6). THEY WILL HAVE TROUBLE WITH THIS.IT S OKAY. Get them used to dribbling around traffic (Other players), Lift their head up or they will run in to each other. Have Fun. Get them used to dribbling around traffic (Other players), Lift their head up or they will run in to each other. Now we are adding the finishing component of scoring. Have fun! All the previous objectives apply. This adds to the congestion by having multiple parents running around and it helps the parents become involved in the child s development. Dribbling by keeping the ball close, look up to see where they are going. This will probably be the children s favorite game of the season. So be prepared!

ASDA U4 U5 Week 1 2 Dribbling Circle time to review each other s name. Get them to state their favorite color. Review how to dribble, NO NO MR. BIG TOE and then begin to dribble around in circle. Toe Touches and Tick Tock/Pendulum (Penguin,Monkies, etc) (EASY FOOTSKILLS) Dribbling and Kicking: Players will dribble from one end of the field to the other and kick (Shoot) the ball into the goal. Repeat at least three times. If they are having fun do it more. Use a cone as a reward for shooting a goal if necessary. Egg Hunt Scatter the balls at one end of the field. Have the players line up along the end line of the opposite end. On GO they run and find their egg (ball) and dribble back and put it in the basket (score in the goal). Attempt to do a 3 v 3 scrimmage. If that fails, jump to the Kick the Coach and Parents game. Ask the players their names(tell them you forgot (you probably did) and repeat it to them. Talk about the game of soccer again by asking questions: Do you score points by throwing the ball into the goal? Do you use your hands? Do we use our feet? Ask them if they remember how to kick and let them show you. This will develop into a foot skill later on (about U 6). THEY WILL HAVE TROUBLE WITH THIS.IT S OKAY. Get them used to dribbling around traffic (Other players), Lift their head up or they will run in to each other. Now we are adding the finishing component of scoring. Have fun! Awareness, Running, Dribbling, Scoring: Egg Hunt Get them used to dribbling around traffic (Other players), Lift their head up or they will run in to each other. Have Fun.

U4 Curriculum Week 3-4: Shooting & RWB (Running With Ball) {See Lessons Plans for U4-U5}

ASDA U4 U5 Week 3 4 Shooting & Running With Ball (RWB) Review how to dribble, NO NO MR. BIG TOE and then begin to dribble around in circle. Toe Touches and Tick Tock/Pendulum (Penguin), Pull Back, Sole Drag Awareness/dribbling: Lost Dogs This helps with using other peoples balls Scatter the balls at one end of the field. Have the players line up along the end line of the opposite end. On GO they run and find a lost dog (ball), but not their dog and dribble back and find the dog s owner. And Pass the ball to the owner. BUT watch out for the Dog Catchers! Dribbling/Kicking: Marbles 5 7 minutes± Each Team will try and kick their ball into the Larger ball such that the large ball is knocked into the goal. They cannot kick the large ball with their feet. If they do the ball is put back to start. Coaches will need to retrieve balls from the net if they are accidentally kicked in. Attempt to do a 3 v 3 scrimmage. If that fails, run another small sided game of their choice. Talk about the game of soccer again by asking questions: Do you score points by throwing the ball into the goal? Do you use your hands? Do we use our feet? Ask them if they remember how to kick and let them show you. This will develop into a foot skill later on (about U 6). THEY WILL HAVE TROUBLE WITH THIS.IT S OKAY. This will teach controlling their kicks with direction and force and help with teamwork. Repeat several times Look to see how well the kids are dribbling in free play/match play.

ASDA U4 U5 Week 3 4 Shooting & Running With Ball (RWB) Review how to dribble, NO NO MR. BIG TOE and then begin to dribble around in circle. Toe Touches and Tick Tock/Pendulum (Penguin), Pull Back, Sole Drag Traffic Light or Red Light, Green Light: Players start on one end of (Soccer city) grid with their soccer balls (car). Coach is the traffic cop. Coach shouts red light or green light and players try to drive their soccer cars to Soccer town at the other end of grid. On command red light players need to stop their car with the sole of the foot and not move. If they move they return to soccer city and start again. Play to see who reaches Soccer town first. Traffic Light Expanded: (Add in additional calls) Red Light Stop with Soccer Pose Yellow Light dribble real slowly Green Light Dribble at comfortable speed Super Highway Dribble as fast as you can Attempt to do a 3 v 3 scrimmage. If that fails, run another small sided game of their choice. Talk about the game of soccer again by asking questions: Do you score points by throwing the ball into the goal? Do you use your hands? Do we use our feet? Ask them if they remember how to kick and let them show you. This will develop into a foot skill later on (about U 6). THEY WILL HAVE TROUBLE WITH THIS.IT S OKAY. Coaching Point: Stopping the ball with the sole of the foot could also be called the Soccer Pose. Focus on getting the players to stop and control the ball. This will teach controlling their kicks with direction and force and help with teamwork. Repeat several times Demonstrate the change of pace/speed and makeup different locations to dribble to like Disney, Ice Cream Shop, Playground, etc. Look to see how well the kids are dribbling in free play/match play.

U4 Curriculum Week 5-6: Ball Control & Turning {See Lessons Plans for U4-U5}

ASDA U4 U5 Week 5 Ball Control & Turning Review how to dribble, NO NO MR. BIG TOE and then begin to dribble around in circle. Toe Touches and Tick Tock/Pendulum (Penguin), Pull Back, Sole Drag Game: What s the time Mr Wolf Coach starts as the big bad wolf. Each little pig has a brick house (a cone) The Pigs shout What s the time Mr Wolf and the wolf shouts back a time. Each player advances the ball the number the wolf shouts out. Pigs ask again and repeat. When the Wolf shouts Dinnertime, the pigs have to dribble their soccer balls back to their house and the wolf chases and tries to kick their ball away. Traffic Light or Red Light, Green Light: Players start on one end of (Soccer city) grid with their soccer balls (car). Coach is the traffic cop. Coach shouts red light or green light and players try to drive their soccer cars to Soccer town at the other end of grid. On command red light players need to stop their car with the sole of the foot and not move. If they move they return to soccer city and start again. Play to see who reaches Soccer town first. Attempt to do a 3 v 3 scrimmage. If that fails, run another small sided game of their choice. Talk about the game of soccer again by asking questions: Do you score points by throwing the ball into the goal? Do you use your hands? Do we use our feet? Ask them if they remember how to kick and let them show you. This will develop into a foot skill later on (about U 6). THEY WILL HAVE TROUBLE WITH THIS.IT S OKAY. Running With Ball in a controlled environment. Keep the ball close to their feet. Teaching points: Use soft touches to keep away from Wolf, and then dribble at speed and stop ball with feet only. Progressions: Put cones in the way as trees that players avoid. Use multiple wolfs, or place wolf close to houses so pigs have to get past. Coaching Point: Stopping the ball with the sole of the foot could also be called the Soccer Pose. Focus on getting the players to stop and control the ball. This will teach controlling their kicks with direction and force and help with teamwork. Make them follow you and you should perform several turns. Make sure they control the ball and keep the ball close to them as they turn to avoid obstacles. Progressions: Add yellow light and make players do a stationary tictoc Repeat several times Look to see how well the kids are dribbling in free play/match play.

ASDA U4 U5 Week 6 Ball Control & Turning Review how to dribble, NO NO MR. BIG TOE and then begin to dribble around in circle. Toe Touches and Tick Tock/Pendulum (Penguin), Pull Back, Sole Drag Game: Shark Attack Set up 3 Islands. Divide players onto the 3 Islands. Each player with a ball. Coach starts as the shark in the middle of the ocean. The shark holds a cone on his/her head, or hands to designate a shark fin, so everyone knows they are the shark. When Coach shouts shark attack the players have to swim (dribble) their balls to either of the other 2 islands. The shark attempts to kick soccer balls away. Any soccer balls kicked away, then that player also becomes a shark. Play until 1 person left. Traffic Light or Red Light, Green Light: Players start on one end of (Soccer city) grid with their soccer balls (car). Coach is the traffic cop. Coach shouts red light or green light and players try to drive their soccer cars to Soccer town at the other end of grid. On command red light players need to stop their car with the sole of the foot and not move. If they move they return to soccer city and start again. Play to see who reaches Soccer town first. Attempt to do a 3 v 3 scrimmage. If that fails, run another small sided game of their choice. Talk about the game of soccer again by asking questions: Do you score points by throwing the ball into the goal? Do you use your hands? Do we use our feet? Ask them if they remember how to kick and let them show you. This will develop into a foot skill later on (about U 6). THEY WILL HAVE TROUBLE WITH THIS.IT S OKAY. Controlled RWB Keep the ball close to their feet. Teaching points: Use soft touches to keep away from Shark, and then dribble at speed and stop ball with feet only. Progressions: Put cones in the way as trees that players avoid. Coaching Point: Stopping the ball with the sole of the foot could also be called the Soccer Pose. Focus on getting the players to stop and control the ball. This will teach controlling their kicks with direction and force and help with teamwork. Make them follow you and you should perform several turns. Make sure they control the ball and keep the ball close to them as they turn to avoid obstacles. Progressions: Add yellow light and make players do a stationary tictoc Repeat several times Look to see how well the kids are dribbling in free play/match play.

U4 Curriculum Week 7-8: Dribbling {See Lessons Plans for U4-U5}

U4 Curriculum Week 9: Shooting & RWB (Running With Ball) {See Lessons Plans for U4-U5}

U5 Curriculum Main objectives: Week 1-2: Dribbling {See Lessons Plans for U4-U5} Week 3-4: Shooting & RWB (Running With Ball) {See Lessons Plans for U4-U5} Week 5-6: Ball Control & Turning {See Lessons Plans for U4-U5} Week 7-8: Dribbling, Shooting & RWB (Running With Ball) {See Lessons Plans for U4-U5} Week 9: Ball Control & Turning {See Lessons Plans for U4-U5} U-5 Group Skill Priorities 1. Dribble 2. Footskills (Just teach the proper movement) 3. HAVE FUN!

U5 Curriculum Week 1-2: Dribbling {See Lessons Plans for U4-U5}

ASDA U4 U5 Week 1 2 Dribbling Circle time to review each other s name. Get them to state their favorite color. Review how to dribble, NO NO MR. BIG TOE and then begin to dribble around in circle. Toe Touches and Tick Tock/Pendulum (Penguin,Monkies, etc) (EASY FOOTSKILLS) Dribbling and Kicking: Players will dribble from one end of the field to the other and kick (Shoot) the ball into the goal. Repeat at least three times. If they are having fun do it more. Use a cone as a reward for shooting a goal if necessary. Egg Hunt Scatter the balls at one end of the field. Have the players line up along the end line of the opposite end. On GO they run and find their egg (ball) and dribble back and put it in the basket (score in the goal). Attempt to do a 3 v 3 scrimmage. If that fails, jump to the Kick the Coach and Parents game. Ask the players their names(tell them you forgot (you probably did) and repeat it to them. Talk about the game of soccer again by asking questions: Do you score points by throwing the ball into the goal? Do you use your hands? Do we use our feet? Ask them if they remember how to kick and let them show you. This will develop into a foot skill later on (about U 6). THEY WILL HAVE TROUBLE WITH THIS.IT S OKAY. Get them used to dribbling around traffic (Other players), Lift their head up or they will run in to each other. Now we are adding the finishing component of scoring. Have fun! Awareness, Running, Dribbling, Scoring: Egg Hunt Get them used to dribbling around traffic (Other players), Lift their head up or they will run in to each other. Have Fun.

U5 Curriculum Week 3-4: Shooting & RWB (Running With Ball) {See Lessons Plans for U4-U5}

ASDA U4 U5 Week 3 4 Shooting & Running With Ball (RWB) Review how to dribble, NO NO MR. BIG TOE and then begin to dribble around in circle. Toe Touches and Tick Tock/Pendulum (Penguin), Pull Back, Sole Drag Traffic Light or Red Light, Green Light: Players start on one end of (Soccer city) grid with their soccer balls (car). Coach is the traffic cop. Coach shouts red light or green light and players try to drive their soccer cars to Soccer town at the other end of grid. On command red light players need to stop their car with the sole of the foot and not move. If they move they return to soccer city and start again. Play to see who reaches Soccer town first. Traffic Light Expanded: (Add in additional calls) Red Light Stop with Soccer Pose Yellow Light dribble real slowly Green Light Dribble at comfortable speed Super Highway Dribble as fast as you can Attempt to do a 3 v 3 scrimmage. If that fails, run another small sided game of their choice. Talk about the game of soccer again by asking questions: Do you score points by throwing the ball into the goal? Do you use your hands? Do we use our feet? Ask them if they remember how to kick and let them show you. This will develop into a foot skill later on (about U 6). THEY WILL HAVE TROUBLE WITH THIS.IT S OKAY. Coaching Point: Stopping the ball with the sole of the foot could also be called the Soccer Pose. Focus on getting the players to stop and control the ball. This will teach controlling their kicks with direction and force and help with teamwork. Repeat several times Demonstrate the change of pace/speed and makeup different locations to dribble to like Disney, Ice Cream Shop, Playground, etc. Look to see how well the kids are dribbling in free play/match play.

U5 Curriculum Week 5-6: Ball Control & Turning {See Lessons Plans for U4-U5}

U5 Curriculum Week 7-8: Dribbling, Shooting & RWB (Running With Ball) {See Lessons Plans for U4-U5}

Week Three Drill One Dribble to Corners Exercise Objectives: This practice is designed to improve the player s technical ability when dribbling and running with the ball. Field Preparation Entire Group, Area 20 x 20 yards, supply of balls, cones Coaching Pointers: The whole group is positioned in a grid 20 yards x 20 yards. Four corners are marked off with cones and designated with numbers one through four. Each player has a ball and dribbles around the inside of the grid. Players must avoid each other. When the coach calls out a number, the players must then dribble the ball quickly to the corner selected while avoiding other players. First player into the corner wins a point. The coach should emphasize the following coaching points: Maintain control over the ball at all times. Use a change of speed and direction. Keep your head up and scan the field. www.atlanticsoccerfactory.com Office: 609-272-9232

Week Two Drill One Slalom through Cones Exercise Objectives: This practice is designed to develop close control while running with the ball. Field Preparation 3 Players, Area 10 x 15 yards, Cones or flag poles, Supply of balls Coaching Pointers: Two players are positioned at one end of the grid, with one player at the opposite side. Players alternate dribbling the ball at full speed through the line of cones. Cones are placed at 1-yard intervals across the full length of the grid. The coach should emphasize the following coaching points: Maintain close control over the ball. Build up speed gradually. Don t sacrifice quality for speed Use the outside and inside of the foot to dribble with the ball. Don t keep the eyes fixed on the ball. Scan the horizon. www.atlanticsoccerfactory.com Office: 609-272-9232

U5 Curriculum Week 9: Ball Control & Turning {See Lessons Plans for U4-U5}

Week Three Drill Two Truck and Trailer Exercise Objectives: This practice is designed to improve the player s technical ability when dribbling and running with the ball. Field Preparation Entire Group, Area 20 x 20 yards, Supply of Balls, Cones Coaching Pointers: Divide the group into pairs with each player having a ball. The group is positioned in a grid 20 yards x 20 yards. First player is the truck the second player the trailer. On the coach s command the trailer must follow the truck as closely as possible around the grid. The truck must change speed and direction as much as possible. Players reverse roles when the coach shouts change. Players must avoid colliding with other teams within the grid. The coach should emphasize the following coaching points: Maintain control over the ball at all times. Use a change of speed and direction. Keep your head up and scan the field. www.atlanticsoccerfactory.com Office: 609-272-9232

Dribbling Knock Out Exercise Objectives: This practice is designed to improve the player s technical ability in a variety of dribbling moves. Field Preparation Entire Group, Area 20 x 20 yards, Supply of Balls, Cones Coaching Pointers: The entire group is positioned in a grid 20 yards x 20 yards. All but one player has a ball. The practice is started with one defender placed in the center of the grid (Mad Max). The defender tries to kick the dribbling player s ball out of the grid. Once the player has been dispossessed, he then becomes a member of the Mad Max gang and has to help him kick the ball out of the grid. The last player remaining in possession of a ball is the winner. Encourage the players to seek out defenders and not hide in corners. The dribbling players should use a variety of dribbling moves while scanning the grid for open spaces and defensive players. The winner of the practice becomes Mad Max in the following game. Players should also look to screen the ball whenever needed, using their arms to hold off pressurizing defenders. www.atlanticsoccerfactory.com Office: 609-272-9232

Week Three Drill Three Show me the Moves Exercise Objectives: This practice is designed to improve the player s technical ability when dribbling and running with the ball. Field Preparation Entire Group, Area 20 x 20 yards, Supply of Balls, Cones. Coaching Pointers: The group is positioned in a grid 20 yards x 20 yards. Each player has a ball. The practice starts with the players dribbling their ball freely around the inside of the grid. The players must instantly react to a series of commands from the coach. The commands are; Stop Players must stop the ball using the sole of the foot. Turn Players must change direction 180 degrees. Step Over Players perform a step over move over the ball. Fake Players must fake to pass or cross the ball. Explode Players must change speed rapidly into an open area. Players must avoid colliding with other teams within the grid. www.atlanticsoccerfactory.com Office: 609-272-9232

U6 Curriculum Main objectives: Week 1-2: Dribbling, Shooting & RWB (Running With Ball) {See Lessons Plans for U6-U7} Week 3-4: Shooting & RWB (Running With Ball) {See Lessons Plans for U6-U7} Week 5-6: Ball Control & Turning {See Lessons Plans for U6-U7} Week 7-8: Passing & Receiving {See Lessons Plans for U6-U7} Week 9: 1v1 attacking {See Lessons Plans for U6-U7} U-6 Group Skill Priorities 4. Dribble out of trouble 5. Soft first touch 6. No kicking allowed except when shooting on goal 7. Footskills

U6 Curriculum Week 1-2: Dribbling, Shooting & RWB (Running With Ball) {See Lessons Plans for U6-U7}

ASDA U5-U6 Week 1-2 - Dribbling Circle time to review each other s name. Get them to state their favorite color. Review how to dribble, NO NO MR. BIG TOE and then begin to dribble around in circle. Toe-Touches and Tick-Tock/Pendulum (Penguin,Monkies, etc) (EASY FOOTSKILLS). How many can you do in 30 seconds? Dribbling and Kicking: Players will dribble from one end of the field to the other and kick (Shoot) the ball into the goal. Repeat at least three times. If they are having fun do it more. Use a cone as a reward for shooting a goal if necessary. Use cones as potholes. Avoid the potholes. Ask the players their names(tell them you forgot (you probably did) and repeat it to them. Talk about the game of soccer again by asking questions: Do you score points by throwing the ball into the goal? Do you use your hands? Do we use our feet? Ask them if they remember how to kick and let them show you. This will develop into a foot skill later on (about U-6). THEY WILL HAVE TROUBLE WITH THIS.IT S OKAY. Get them used to dribbling around traffic (Other players), Lift their head up or they will run in to each other. Now we are adding the finishing component of scoring. Have fun! Egg Hunt Scatter the balls at one end of the field. Have the players line up along the end line of the opposite end. On GO they run and find their egg (ball) and dribble back and put it in the basket (score in the goal). Awareness, Running, Dribbling, Scoring: Egg Hunt Get them used to dribbling around traffic (Other players), Lift their head up or they will run in to each other. Have Fun. Attempt to do a 3 v 3 scrimmage. If that fails, jump to the Kick the Coach and Parents game.

ASDA U6-U7 Week 1-2 - Dribbling Circle time to review each other s name. Get them to state their favorite food! Review how to dribble, NO NO MR. BIG TOE and then begin to dribble around in circle. Talk about parts of the foot. Toe-Touches and Tick-Tock/Pendulum (Penguin). How many can you do in 30 seconds? Repeat. Walk the Dog: The Coach will tell the players to walk their dog by dribbling slowly around the practice area. The coach will yell Oh no, My dog got loose and the players will kick their ball hard and chase it. But they need to be quick or the Dog Catcher (coaches) will get their dog. Once the players have their ball again the Coach will tell the players to walk their dog.repeat several times Let them know that you only use your feet; that you kick the ball, and that you dribble the ball with your feet to get it from one end of the field to the other and that the object of the game is to score goals. We want to have fun. You will need to act silly with this. The objective here is get the kids used to have the ball at their feet. This will develop into a foot skill later on (about U-6). THEY WILL HAVE TROUBLE WITH THIS.IT S OKAY. Get them used to dribbling around traffic (Other players), Lift their head up or they will run in to each other. Have Fun. Dribbling and Kicking: Players will dribble from one end of the field to the other and kick (Shoot) the ball into the goal. Repeat at least three times. If they are having fun do it more. Use a cone as a reward for shooting a goal if necessary. Place cones on ground potholes. Avoid the potholes! Get them used to dribbling around traffic (Other players), Lift their head up or they will run in to each other. Now we are adding the finishing component of scoring. Have fun! Kick the Coach and Parents! Players will dribble around the field and chase the parents. The parents need to be silly and go slow enough so that the players can kick the ball at them. All the previous objectives apply. This adds to the congestion by having multiple parents running around and it helps the parents become involved in the child s development. Dribbling by keeping the ball close, look up to see where they are going. This will probably be the children s favorite game of the season. So be prepared!

U6 Curriculum Week 3-4: Shooting & RWB (Running With Ball) {See Lessons Plans for U6-U7}

ASDA U6-U7 Week 3-4 Shooting & Running With Ball (RWB) Review how to dribble, NO NO MR. BIG TOE and then begin to dribble around in circle. Toe-Touches and Tick-Tock/Pendulum (Penguin), Pull Back, Sole Drag. How many can you do in 30 seconds? Talk about the game of soccer again by asking questions: Do you score points by throwing the ball into the goal? Do you use your hands? Do we use our feet? Ask them if they remember how to kick and let them show you. This will develop into a foot skill later on (about U-6). THEY WILL HAVE TROUBLE WITH THIS.IT S OKAY. Awareness/dribbling: Lost Dogs This helps with using other peoples balls Scatter the balls at one end of the field. Have the players line up along the end line of the opposite end. On GO they run and find a lost dog (ball), but not their dog and dribble back and find the dog s owner. And Pass the ball to the owner. BUT watch out for the Dog Catchers! Dribbling/Kicking: Marbles 5-7 minutes± Each Team will try and kick their ball into the Larger ball such that the large ball is knocked into the goal. They cannot kick the large ball with their feet. If they do the ball is put back to start. Coaches will need to retrieve balls from the net if they are accidentally kicked in. This will teach controlling their kicks with direction and force and help with teamwork. Repeat several times Attempt to do a 3 v 3 scrimmage. If that fails, run another small sided game of their choice. Look to see how well the kids are dribbling in free play/match play.

ASDA U6-U7 Week 3-4 Shooting & Running With Ball (RWB) Review how to dribble, NO NO MR. BIG TOE and then begin to dribble around in circle. Toe-Touches and Tick-Tock/Pendulum (Penguin), Pull Back, Sole Drag Talk about the game of soccer again by asking questions: Do you score points by throwing the ball into the goal? Do you use your hands? Do we use our feet? Ask them if they remember how to kick and let them show you. This will develop into a foot skill later on (about U-6). THEY WILL HAVE TROUBLE WITH THIS.IT S OKAY. Traffic Light or Red Light, Green Light: Players start on one end of (Soccer city) grid with their soccer balls (car). Coach is the traffic cop. Coach shouts red light or green light and players try to drive their soccer cars to Soccer town at the other end of grid. On command red light players need to stop their car with the sole of the foot and not move. If they move they return to soccer city and start again. Play to see who reaches Soccer town first. Coaching Point: Stopping the ball with the sole of the foot could also be called the Soccer Pose. Focus on getting the players to stop and control the ball. Traffic Light Expanded: (Add in additional calls) Red Light Stop with Soccer Pose Yellow Light dribble real slowly Green Light Dribble at comfortable speed Super Highway Dribble as fast as you can This will teach controlling their kicks with direction and force and help with teamwork. Repeat several times Demonstrate the change of pace/speed and makeup different locations to dribble to like Disney, Ice Cream Shop, Playground, etc. Attempt to do a 3 v 3 scrimmage. If that fails, run another small sided game of their choice. Look to see how well the kids are dribbling in free play/match play.

U6 Curriculum Week 5-6: Ball Control & Turning {See Lessons Plans for U6-U7}

ASDA U6-U7 Week 6 Ball Control & Turning Review how to dribble, NO NO MR. BIG TOE and then begin to dribble around in circle. Toe-Touches (stationary, forward, backward) and Tick- Tock/Pendulum (Penguin), Pull Back, Sole Drag, V, outside outside inside inside Talk about the game of soccer again by asking questions: Do you score points by throwing the ball into the goal? Do you use your hands? Do we use our feet? Ask them if they remember how to kick and let them show you. This will develop into a foot skill later on (about U-6). THEY WILL HAVE TROUBLE WITH THIS.IT S OKAY. Game: Shark Attack Set up 3 Islands. Divide players onto the 3 Islands. Each player with a ball. Coach starts as the shark in the middle of the ocean. The shark holds a cone on his/her head, or hands to designate a shark fin, so everyone knows they are the shark. When Coach shouts shark attack the players have to swim (dribble) their balls to either of the other 2 islands. The shark attempts to kick soccer balls away. Any soccer balls kicked away, then that player also becomes a shark. Play until 1 person left. Controlled RWB - Keep the ball close to their feet. Teaching points: Use soft touches to keep away from Shark, and then dribble at speed and stop ball with feet only. Progressions: Put cones in the way as trees that players avoid. Traffic Light or Red Light, Green Light: Players start on one end of (Soccer city) grid with their soccer balls (car). Coach is the traffic cop. Coach shouts red light or green light and players try to drive their soccer cars to Soccer town at the other end of grid. On command red light players need to stop their car with the sole of the foot and not move. If they move they return to soccer city and start again. Play to see who reaches Soccer town first. Coaching Point: Stopping the ball with the sole of the foot could also be called the Soccer Pose. Focus on getting the players to stop and control the ball. This will teach controlling their kicks with direction and force and help with teamwork. Make them follow you and you should perform several turns. Make sure they control the ball and keep the ball close to them as they turn to avoid obstacles. Progressions: Add yellow light and make players do a stationary tictoc Repeat several times Attempt to do a 3 v 3 scrimmage. If that fails, run another small sided game of their choice. Look to see how well the kids are dribbling in free play/match play.

ASDA U6-U7 Week 5 Ball Control & Turning Review how to dribble, NO NO MR. BIG TOE and then begin to dribble around in circle. Toe-Touches (stationary, forward, backward) and Tick- Tock/Pendulum (Penguin), Pull Back, Sole Drag, V, outside outside inside inside. Talk about the game of soccer again by asking questions: Do you score points by throwing the ball into the goal? Do you use your hands? Do we use our feet? Ask them if they remember how to kick and let them show you. This will develop into a foot skill later on (about U-6). THEY WILL HAVE TROUBLE WITH THIS.IT S OKAY. Game: What s the time Mr Wolf Coach starts as the big bad wolf. Each little pig has a brick house (a cone) The Pigs shout What s the time Mr Wolf and the wolf shouts back a time. Each player advances the ball the number the wolf shouts out. Pigs ask again and repeat. When the Wolf shouts Dinnertime, the pigs have to dribble their soccer balls back to their house and the wolf chases and tries to kick their ball away. Running With Ball in a controlled environment. Keep the ball close to their feet. Teaching points: Use soft touches to keep away from Wolf, and then dribble at speed and stop ball with feet only. Progressions: Put cones in the way as trees that players avoid. Use multiple wolfs, or place wolf close to houses so pigs have to get past. Traffic Light or Red Light, Green Light: Players start on one end of (Soccer city) grid with their soccer balls (car). Coach is the traffic cop. Coach shouts red light or green light and players try to drive their soccer cars to Soccer town at the other end of grid. On command red light players need to stop their car with the sole of the foot and not move. If they move they return to soccer city and start again. Play to see who reaches Soccer town first. Coaching Point: Stopping the ball with the sole of the foot could also be called the Soccer Pose. Focus on getting the players to stop and control the ball. This will teach controlling their kicks with direction and force and help with teamwork. Make them follow you and you should perform several turns. Make sure they control the ball and keep the ball close to them as they turn to avoid obstacles. Progressions: Add yellow light and make players do a stationary tictoc Repeat several times Attempt to do a 3 v 3 scrimmage. If that fails, run another small sided game of their choice. Look to see how well the kids are dribbling in free play/match play.

U6 Curriculum Week 7-8: Passing & Receiving {See Lessons Plans for U6-U7}

Week Five Drill Three The incredible Shrinking Box Objective of the Practice: This practice is designed to improve the technical ability of the Push Pass with emphasis on pace and accuracy. Field Preparation: Area 10 x 20 yards. Small group of players, balls and cones. Coaching Points: A grid is marked off approximately 10 yards by 20 yards. A line of cones is placed across the middle of the grid, forming a box. A group of players with a ball each is positioned on one end of the grid. In turn, players try to pass their ball into the box. A point is awarded if the ball stays within the box. After all players have taken a turn they retrieve their ball and return to the starting position. To make the game progressively challenging, the box is now reduced to half width and a new line marked across the grid using the cones. Players repeat the game until everyone has had a turn and return to their starting positions on the end line. The box is once more reduced to half width and a new line marked across the grid using the cones. Players repeat the game until everyone has had a turn. Line up all the players and total the points. www.atlanticsoccerfactory.com Office: 609-272-9232

Week Five Drill Two Land on the Moon Objective of the Practice: This practice is designed to improve the technical ability of the Push Pass with an emphasis on pace and accuracy. Field Preparation: Area 10 x 15 yards. Small group of players, balls and cones. Coaching Points: A grid is marked off approximately 10 yards by 15 yards and a circle is made with cones at one end of the grid. A group of players with a ball each are positioned at the opposite end of the grid. In turn, players have to try and land their rocket (ball) onto the surface of Mars (circle marked off by cones). A point is awarded for each successful mission. No points are awarded if the ball lands outside the circle. www.atlanticsoccerfactory.com Office: 609-272-9232

SoccerSpecific.com Session Plan: Elite Soccer U8-U9 Receiving 1 ACTIVITY #1 Set up: Dribbling Warm-up 1v1 20 x 10 grid Red players- no ball Yellow players- have ball Instructions: Coach yells go and yellow players try to dribble over red's end line. Red players try to win the ball and dribble over yellow's end line. If the ball is out of bounds then players stop. All players start when the coach says go. 1 point for each time you cross the opponent's end line. Yellow starts with the ball 3 times and then Red has 3 rounds with the ball. Coaching Points: Tight control of ball- keep the ball close. Use fakes and attacking moves. Change speed and direction. See the open space and attack it. Never give up- find a new person to defend against if someone beats you. Double-team (higher level) ACTIVITY #2 Set up: Passing/Recieving Diamond drill 20 x 20 yd grid in a diamond shape with a smaller diamond grid in the middle (10x10) 2 soccer balls used at once Instructions: Player 1 passes (inside foot) to Player 2. Player 2 receives pass with inside foot (right foot) and 1st touch is at 45degree angle into space. Player 1 moves and receives ball with open body position (left foot) and then passes ball to player 3. (continue counter clockwise). Player 4 passes to Player 5 and continues the activity (counter clockwise) Switch Directions after 45 seconds/switch inside player after 90 seconds Coaching Points: Open body position to receive the ball (foot farthest) 1st touch- into space at 45 degree angle Inside foot pass Angle of run--/--accurate pass--/--correct Weight of Pass ACTIVITY #3 Set up: Passing/Recieving Diamond with defender 20 x 20 yd grid Diamond shape Cones are 3 yards behind line as end zone Instructions: Player 1 and Player 2 are defenders and can't cross their half-line or the line where Player 3, 4, 5, and 6 are. One defender in stays in each half so a 3v1 is always created. Defender wins the ball or a pass is behind outfield players out of the zone- then defender and passer switch. Outside players: keep 1st touch away from defenders and pass away from pressure. receive with open body position (foot furthest away from defender) and stand back behind line so they create space and time Coaching Points: Open body position to receive the ball (foot farthest) 1st touch- into space at 45 degree angle Inside foot pass Angle of run--/--accurate Pass--/--Correct Weight of Pass--/--Use Fakes and disguises

SoccerSpecific.com Session Plan: Elite Soccer U8-U9 Receiving 1 ACTIVITY #4 Set up: Scrimmage 4 vs 4 or 3 vs 3 and GKS 5 vs 5 or 4 vs 4 and GKS Instructions: Goalies or no Goalies depending on the topic. Coaching Points: Dribbling: Players should attack the space, use coerver moves when in a 1v1 situation, change speed and change direction Finishing: Players should look to score, use your laces for power and keep that ankle locked, have a good prep touch Recieving: Players should look to get in good passing lanes to recieve the ball, Open their body up to the field, 1st touch into space at a 45 degree angle, create triangles Passing: Players must recognize when to pass or dribble, correct weight (pace) and accuracy of the pass. Can players look for passing combinations such as the give and go, overlap or up-backthrough.

U6 Curriculum Week 9: 1v1 attacking {See Lessons Plans for U6-U7}

U7Curriculum Main objectives: Week 1-2: Dribbling, Shooting & RWB (Running With Ball) {See Lessons Plans for U6-U7} Week 3-4: Shooting & RWB (Running With Ball) {See Lessons Plans for U6-U7} Week 5-6: Ball Control & Turning {See Lessons Plans for U6-U7} Week 7-8: Passing & Receiving {See Lessons Plans for U6-U7} Week 9: 1v1 attacking {See Lessons Plans for U6-U7} U-7 Group Skill Priorities 1. Dribble out of trouble 2. Soft first touch 3. No kicking allowed except when shooting on goal 4. Footskills

U7Curriculum Week 1-2: Dribbling, Shooting & RWB (Running With Ball) {See Lessons Plans for U6-U7}

U7Curriculum Week 3-4: Shooting & RWB (Running With Ball) {See Lessons Plans for U6-U7}

ASDA U6-U7 Week 3-4 Shooting & Running With Ball (RWB) Review how to dribble, NO NO MR. BIG TOE and then begin to dribble around in circle. Toe-Touches and Tick-Tock/Pendulum (Penguin), Pull Back, Sole Drag Talk about the game of soccer again by asking questions: Do you score points by throwing the ball into the goal? Do you use your hands? Do we use our feet? Ask them if they remember how to kick and let them show you. This will develop into a foot skill later on (about U-6). THEY WILL HAVE TROUBLE WITH THIS.IT S OKAY. Traffic Light or Red Light, Green Light: Players start on one end of (Soccer city) grid with their soccer balls (car). Coach is the traffic cop. Coach shouts red light or green light and players try to drive their soccer cars to Soccer town at the other end of grid. On command red light players need to stop their car with the sole of the foot and not move. If they move they return to soccer city and start again. Play to see who reaches Soccer town first. Coaching Point: Stopping the ball with the sole of the foot could also be called the Soccer Pose. Focus on getting the players to stop and control the ball. Traffic Light Expanded: (Add in additional calls) Red Light Stop with Soccer Pose Yellow Light dribble real slowly Green Light Dribble at comfortable speed Super Highway Dribble as fast as you can This will teach controlling their kicks with direction and force and help with teamwork. Repeat several times Demonstrate the change of pace/speed and makeup different locations to dribble to like Disney, Ice Cream Shop, Playground, etc. Attempt to do a 3 v 3 scrimmage. If that fails, run another small sided game of their choice. Look to see how well the kids are dribbling in free play/match play.

U7Curriculum Week 5-6: Ball Control & Turning {See Lessons Plans for U6-U7}

U7Curriculum Week 7-8: Passing & Receiving {See Lessons Plans for U6-U7}