WCSC Youth Development Academy Coaching Manual U9 By: Mike Dwyer Director of Coaching - Youth

U9 Season Training Schedule Topic Session 1 Session 2 Week 1 Dribbling Take on moves Ball Control Week 2 Passing and Receiving Use of the Inside of Foot Wall Passes and Overlaps Week 3 Dribbling Possession Support Play Team Shape Week 4 Passing and Receiving Turns Fake Turns Week 5 Finishing Ball Striking Crossing and Finishing Week 6 Dribbling Take on moves Ball Control Week 7 Passing and Receiving Possession Support Play Combination Play Week 8 Dribbling Turns Fake Turns Week 9 Passing and Receiving Use of the Inside of Foot Team Shape Week 10 Finishing Ball Striking Crossing and Finishing U9

Legend

Topic: Dribbling Take on moves U9 Session 1-1 On arrival to practice. Players individually juggle Limited Coaching to NO coaching during opening scrimmage When numbers are sufficient. Coach will organize a 5-7 minute scrimmage. Add players upon arrival Two teams are divided into two lanes. 30 yds long. 1. Players dribble with their strong foot across lane and join the line opposite side. Switch to weak foot after 3 minutes. Variation: Add cone in the middle of lane for students to practice their take on moves. 2. Players Dribble across lane, pass the ball (or freeze ball with sole of foot) then run behind teammate and sprint/race back to original line. Proper Dribbling Technique - Every step is a touch - Use the outside of the foot As players begin to dribble well. Force to dribble with head up. 1v1 Timed Battle Blue tries to score by stopping ball in reds end zone After blue scores, he must sprint back to his end line and touch it with his hands before he is allowed to defend. As soon as blue score. Red can score right away. Game last for 60 seconds. Variation: Make player who got scored on do 10 toe touches with the ball before he can score. Take on Moves and Dribbling Defending Technique Scrimmage Players line up behind cone #1. Players try to score on a fast break in the big goal. After the player shoots, that player becomes the new defender. The new attacker plays as soon as the person before him shoots. THe player should not wait for the defender to "get ready" First player to score 3 wins the round. There are 3 rounds. Each with a different point of attack. Variation: No defender, only keepers. After the shot, player will rotate to play keeper.. Normal Soccer Rules apply. Objective Finishing Limited Coaching

Topic: Dribbling Ball Control U9 Session 1-2 Each Player is given a pinnie to make a squirrel tail. On coaches command the game starts with the players trying to pull out the tail of other squirrels. If a player looses his tail, that player is out of the game until the next round. After 3-4 rounds, the champion leads the team in stretching Limited Coaching Agility Players are divided into two groups as shown in diagram. Coach demonstrates and has the students perform a variety of fast foot work skills. Blue performs skill across box, then red. 1. Tow Taps 2. Inside foot taps - tic t=toc 3. Snakes Inside and outside dribbling with one foot. 4. Pull Push - Roll back with the sole push with the inside, switch feet. Smooth is fast. Look for quality touches. It is not a race. Competition: Knock Out. Last player with ball in square wins. 1v2. One ball. 1v1v1. If goal is scored on blue, blue retrieves ball to start attack, while yellow and red must sprint back thru their goal before defending. First to 5 wins. Ball Control Use of moves in high pressure situation 2v2 Vs. 2v2 Tournament Players are divided into two teams. Teams compete to earn a point for every win. Winner stays on field losing team is off. New team can't enter until losing team is off. New team starts with the ball. games are 3 minutes. In the event of a tie, rock-paper-scissor Team Shape Support Play Lots of dribbling lots of skill Game 6v6 Normal Soccer Rules Apply.. Limited Coaching

Topic: Passing and Receiving Using the inside of the foot U9 Session 2-1 9 Players. Each player has a partner and they join at the shoulder and lay on their stomach. One player is it and two players are standing up and avoid getting tagged by person who is it. For example red player is it, if a standing player lays down, shoulder to shoulder, next to a group of two the blue on the opposite side has to stand up, leave his partner and run awayavoiding to get tagged. Whoever gets tagged is "It" Players work in pairs. 1. Players are 3 yds apart. Blue player takes a knee and rolls the ball with hands to red player on the ground. Red player alternates right foot and left passing while shuffling 3-5 yards after each pass. Players get 25 touches then switch roles. 2. Larger field space. Only both players stand. Red player shuffles side to side blue player stays stationary. 3. Blue players stays stationary. Red moves in a "U" pattern after each pass back to blue alternating right foot and left foot. 4. Red player runs in front of blue alternating left foot and right foot one touch passing. Blue must receive with inside across body and on second touch must pass to opposite side. Variation 1: Can compete against other groups of two. Race to complete 10-20 perfect passes. Variation 2: All exercises can be altered to Platform exercises. i.e. Volley inside of the foot, laces, thigh-laces, chest laces, heading, etc. Limited Coaching Agility, Speed and coordination Emphasis on inside of the foot and perfect technique 3v1. Players can only make square passes along perimeter. Variation 1. 2 touch limit or can't let the ball stop. Variation 2. Grid can be made larger or smaller depending on players' ability Quality of pass and trap Support play Communication "Square" Teams are divided. 6 blue and 3 red. 1. 3 Blue start with the ball and attacks toward big goal. Red sends out 1 defender 2. Blue must connect 5 passes before scoring 3. Offsides rule applies Movement off the ball support play offisides Game 4v4 or 6v6 Normal Soccer Rules Apply.

Topic: Passing and Receiving Wall Passes and Overlaps U9 Session 2-2 Half the players on the perimeter the other half in the square. Players in square dribble and combine with players on outside. 1. Dummy pass through legs 2. Wall Pass 3. Over Lap Variation 1: Balls with outside players. Players in the middle receive pass from outside players, on ground and platform exercises (thigh, chest, head etc). Quality of Pass Communication Field Vision 2v1 green vs red. Green passes to red then runs an overlap around his green team ate to start game. When red receive the ball, that player has 2 touches to pass to far green player and then comes out to defend two green players. Quality of pass When to pass when to dribble. Take on moves 1 point for every goal scored by greens. Defending red team gets 2 points for every goal. Switch defenders every 4 minutes. Variation 1: 2v2 game starts the same way. Extra point for goal after a wall pass or overlap. Two teams. Blue passes to coach. Coach passes to red player for goal scoring breakaway. Blue must run around coach before defending. Quality of Pass Finishing Under Pressure 4v4 or 6v6 Normal Soccer Rules. Encourage and celebrate any wall passes and overlaps.

Topic: Passing and Receiving Possession Support Play U9 Session 3-1 Players are divided into two teams 1. Warm Up with the players passing with one ball within their team 2. Competition - Each team has one ball and must use ONLY that ball the whole game. To start the game the blue team plays with their ball with their feet and they try to connect as many passes as possible. The red team plays with the ball in their hands. To prevent the blue team from connecting passes the red team must use their ball and Smash the blue team's ball. If the red teams "smashes" the blue teams ball, it is a switch-a -roo. Meaning, Red team now tries to connect passes on the ground using only their feet. Blue team can now use their hands to try and smash the other ball. If the ball goes out of bound, it is a switch-a-roo Defending team cannot interrupt play with their body/ft. Only the opposite ball causes switch-a-roo Players are divided into two teams of 4. Warm Up exercise. Players number themselves 1-4 and must pass ball in consecutive order. Variation 1: Reverse order 4,3,2,1 Variation 2: Add a second ball Game: Players no longer have to pass in consecutive order but must remember their number. To start game, coach will call out a number, i.e. "Number 1." Number 1 on the green and red will sprint through orange coned gate and try to steal ball from opposite team. Whichever team can "possess" the ball the longest earns a point for their team. First to 7 wins. Size of square can be adjusted to help give players success to possess but it should not be impossible for defender. Variation 1: Teams must play with touch limit. Variation 2: Call multiple numbers at a time. Players are divided into two teams. Blue passes to teammate at the top of the box. Blue player at the top of the box must take two touches to finish (one to receive one to shoot). After blue player shoots, the shooter becomes the goal keeper and the red team repeats same pattern. Passer - Shooter - Keeper First team to 10 goals wins. Variation 1: Player must shoot outside of box (or outside of 6, pk spot etc) Variation 2: Player must perform take on move (no touch limit) before scoring Variation 3: For advanced teams, teams must pass a flighted ball where team must trap flighted ball before it touches the ground. On second touch, may shoot it from ground. Variation 4: Finishing on a one touch header where pass is tossed from teammate. 4v4 or 6v6 Normal Soccer Rules. Qualtiy passing Support Play Communication Field spacing _ "Get your dutch square on" Quality of Pass Quality of the pass Qualtiy first touch to set up shot. Player focus - Don't forget to play goalie. Limited Coaching

Topic: Passing and Receiving Team Shape U9 Session 3-2 Players are divided into two teams and play on a regular 4v4 sized field. Players must roll the ball on the ground with their hands. Feet are not allowed. Players are not allowed to throw the ball in the air. Goals are scored by rolling the ball in the goal. Movement off the ball Support Play KISS (keep it simple silly!) passing 4v4 plus 1 neutral Teams can only score by passing to their sweeper behind the end zone. Team must maintain possession in order to score. If possession is lost, teams must regain possession pass back to sweeper in neutral zone and build attack again. Switch sweeper in neutral zone every 5 minutes. Gradually build toward no restrictions. Quality of Pass Support Play Communication Angles of Support Creating Width 6v4. Play starts with coach at the midfield. Blue scores in regulation goal. Yellow scores in two counter goals. Team Shape Principals of attack 6v6 Normal Soccer Rules. Team Shape Principals of Attack

Topic: Dribbling Turns U9 Session 4-1 Teams are split into two lanes. First warm up without ball. Players take turns performing series of agility exercises thru cones. 1. High knees, 2. Zig Zag 3. Scissor Jumps After warm up, each lane is given two balls. One at each side of lane. On coaches instruction, players should dribble to the right side of the media cones. Perform two quick turns and join the opposite side lane. Turns can be basic like using the sole, outside or bottom. They can also be more challenging like using the step over, cryuff. Depending on level and attention span. Give the players a chance to experiment with different combos. Speed of play Quick turns Perfect execution. stay in lanes under control Two teams of 4 1. Blue push passes to red team to start the 1v1 game. Players can score in either goal. Switch sides after 4 minutes. Variation 1: 2v2 Variation 2: After scoring players "race" to opposite goal for an extra point. 2 point for a goal, one point for winning the race. First team to 21 wins. Quality of push pass. First touch toward goal Moves Speed of play Two teams of 4. The game starts when a red player passes the ball to blue. When blue receives the pass, blue must quickly dribble outside of the goalie box change directions and then finish on the big goal. Red must touch the far post before defending. If red steals the ball, red must pass the ball to the coach to earn a point. Dribbling and passing technique Quality first touch toward edge of box Choosing the right turn. Take the shot 6v6 Normal Soccer Rules. Team Shape Attacking and Defending Principals

Topic: Dribbling Fake Turns U9 Session 4-2 Two teams are divided into two lanes. 30 yds long. 1. Players dribble with their strong foot across lane and join the line opposite side. Switch to weak foot after 3 minutes. Variation: Add cone in the middle of lane for students to practice their take on moves. 2. Players Dribble across lane, pass the ball (or freeze ball with sole of foot) then run behind teammate and sprint/race back to original line. Proper Dribbling Technique - Every step is a touch - Use the outside of the foot As players begin to dribble well. Force to dribble with head up. Players are divided into two teams. On coaches command, players spring around the goal while coach passes out a ball. Points are scored by dribbling through goal. (or by passing within 5 yards) First to Seven wins. 1v1 Variation: 2v2 Turns, Fake turns Field awareness. Where is the open goal? Players are divided into two teams. Two vs. Two in the middle square. Points are scored by passing to teammate in either orange gate. Variation: After connecting a pass with teammate in the orange gate, the player on the field swaps places with teammate who was in the gate. Teams try to get from gate on one side of the field to the other for points. Field awareness. Where is the open goal? Maintaining Possession by dribbling 6v6 Normal Soccer Rules. Limited Coaching Encourage dribbling out of pressure to maintain possession

Topic: Finishing Ball Striking U9 Session 5-1 Players are divided into groups of three and must work in their given grid. Players on outside of lane each have a ball. Player on the outside plays ball to player in the middle and follows his pass. The player in the middle receives the ball and dribbles to the outside of the player that passed him the ball. Action is repeated on the opposite side. After players understand rotation ball striking is introduced and coach takes the students thru variety of shooting techniques with both the left and right foot. 1. Inside of the foot 2. Laces/sweet spot on the ground 3. Lofting the ball in the air. Using the same format as the warm up. Players now compete to score goals. The player in the middle acts as a keeper. The rotation continues the same so everyone shoots and everyone plays keeper. Have the players aim for their teammate on the ground and in the air. Since trapping flighted balls may be difficult, have the players catch the ball with their hands. Good shooting technique and form must be corrected on a team basis but go around to each individual. Remember teaching ball striking is like coaching a golf swing.there are a million techniques so do not overload them too much. Repetition is the most important. Placement vs. Power Good shooting technique 1. Player must score on the ground 2. Player must score by shooting below head height of teammates. 3. Must shoot a moving ball, by rolling ball to self but still shooting from behind the line 2v2 plus 1 neutral First team to score 2 goals wins. Start with no keepers Winners Stay. Losers must leave field before new team enters. All restarts are played from the coach to help keep the game flowing. Gradually add keepers to play 3v3 Variation: Players must score off a 1 touch Variation: Can play 3v3v3 winner stay. Speed of play Ball striking Encourage lots of shooting. Can expand the game above to 4v4 or play cross field. Encourage lots of shooting Normal soccer rules.

Topic: Finishing Crossing and Finishing U9 Session 5-2 Two even teams Blue passes to blue and joins blue finishing line red passes to red. Placement vs. Power Keep it low Progress to finishing on one touch. Competition, first team to score 10 wins. Variation: Can place flags in the corners of the goal to emphasize finishing in the corner. Variation 2: Shot on the fly vs. Shot on the ground. Red team plays with red. Blue team plays with blue. Players alternate within their own team. switching roles between crosser and shooter. Start with no goalie. Then add coaches as the goalie enforcing players to keep cross away from coach and on the ground. Add players to play goalie. Variation 1: Add two runners in the box Variation 2: Add a defender in each box. Quality of the cross Timing of the run Placement vs. Power Goals are no more than 30 yards apart. 4v4 plus 2 neutral players as all time crossers. Teams score by playing the ball wide to neutral players and receiving a bang goo cut back pass to score. Only neutral players are allowed in the crossing channels. Neutral players cannot play to other neutral player Switch neutral players throughout game. Variation 1: Offense can enter neutral zone if the ball is played wide and the player makes an overlapping run Variation 2: Teams can score in the run of play for 1 point and 3 points off a bang goo. 4v4 or 6v6 depending on number or players/field space Timing and runs in the box Angle of support Encourage Bang-Goo and other crossing/finishing opportunities Normal Soccer Rules No restrictions

Topic: Dribbling Take on Moves U9 Session 6-1 Take On Moves Coach calls out take on move to be performed at the center cones. 1. Scissors 2. Lunge 3. Step Over Have the players do at least 2-3 revolutions around pinwheel. Welcome any take on move that the players have been working on or inventing at home. Dribbling Technique Quality of Pass to teammate. Communication Teamwork Players are divided into two teams. Red passes the ball to blue. The blue player dribble to "take on " red player to score in either of the two goals. If red wins the ball back, he may score in the blue goals. Dribble thru goal for 2 points one point for a shot. Encourage take on moves. Speed of play Ball control Switch offense and defense after 5 minutes Variation: 2v2 Players line up behind cone #1. Players try to score on a fast break in the big goal. After the player shoots, that player becomes the new defender. The new attacker plays as soon as the person before him shoots. The player should not wait for the defender to "get ready" First player to score 3 wins the round. There are 3 rounds. Each with a different point of attack. Variation: No defender, only keepers. After the shot, player will rotate to play keeper. Take on Moves Objective Finishing 6v6 depending on numbers or players/field space Normal Soccer Rules Limited Coaching Encourage use of 1v1 skills when the situation presents itself. No restrictions

Topic: Dribbling Ball Control U9 Session 6-2 Each Player dribbles ball freely in square. Coach demonstrate move and players practice for 90 sec. 1. Lunge 2. Scissors 3. Step over Competition: players try to knock other players' ball out of square while keeping their own ball from getting knocked out. Last person with a ball wins. Play 3 rounds. If a player looses his tail, that player is out of the game until the next round. After 3-4 rounds, the champion leads the team in stretching Half the players on the perimeter the other half in the square. Players in square dribble and combine with players on outside with wall pass, over lap or dummy thru the legs. After 3-5 minutes, move on to areal control. Keeping the ball safe Dribbling technique Move execution Quality of Pass First touch Field Vision Variation 1: Balls with outside players. Players in the middle receive pass from outside players, on ground and platform exercises (thigh, chest, head etc). Two teams Coach passes to blue to shoot on 1 touch. Then coach passes to red, etc. After shot, shooter plays keeper. If the keeper gets scored on that player is "out" and goes behind the goal. The player that is out can get back on survivor island by catching a missed shot from either team. Variation: Players take two touches to score. Variation 2: Areal control. Coach passes a flighted ball for player to control before shot. Can adjust touch limit to 2-3 Scrimmage Normal Soccer Rules Coaches can play goalie if needed. Limited Coaching Help correct 1 st touch

Topic: Passing and Receiving Possession Support Play U9 Session 7-1 Players are divided into two teams of 4. Warm Up exercise. Players number themselves 1-4 and must pass ball in consecutive order. Variation 1: Reverse order 4,3,2,1 Variation 2: Add a second ball Quality of Pass/Trap Communication Players are divided into two teams of 4. Coach passes the ball into red square. Green can send in one defender to try to win the ball. If the red connects 5 passes, they get a point. If the defending team wins the ball or kicks the ball out of the square, coach plays a new ball to green and red sends in a defender. Variation: Defending team must win possession and play ball back to team. Quality of Pass/Trap 6v4. Play starts with coach at the midfield. Blue scores in regulation goal. Yellow scores in two counter goals. Team Shape Principals of attack 6v6 if possible Normal Soccer Rules Encourage possession play and any drop passes Limited coaching with little to no freezing of play

Topic: Passing and Receiving Combination Play U9 Session 7-2 Half the players on the perimeter the other half in the square. Players in square dribble and combine with players on outside. 1. Dummy pass through legs 2. Wall Pass 3. Over Lap Variation 1: Balls with outside players. Players in the middle receive pass from outside players, on ground and platform exercises (thigh, chest, head etc). Quality of Pass Communication Field Vision 2v2 +1 Players Paly in their own half of the area try to combine to score one player from the attacking team joins to combine with partners. Recognition Timing, angle and distance of support quality of passing one or two touch play 6v4. Play starts with coach at the midfield. Blue scores in regulation goal. Yellow scores in two counter goals. Proactive runs Third player Runs Support in front of the ball Back to goal play Decision Making 5v5 plus GKs Unrestricted Game Normal Soccer Rules Apply

Topic: Dribbling Turns U9 Session 8-1 Teams are divided into three teams. 1. Players relay race without ball 2. Relay with ball. Stop ball in the middle run around cone. 3. Start with ball in the middle. Dribble around cone, freeze ball in the middle. High five teammate so the next person can go. Dribbling with the outside of the foot. Passing with the inside Good control Variation: Turns at the half way line. Level 1: Sole, inside and outside of foot Level 2: Step over Level 3. Cryuff, hook turn Players are divided into two teams. Play variation 1, race before 1v1 competitions. 1. Each player has a ball. On coaches command players must race by dribbling around their own goal and score in the opposite goal before the other player. First team to 7 wins. 2. 1v1 Full pressure. Coaches play out a ball. Players can score in either goal. First team to score 7 points wins. Variation 1: Race. Players must do 3 turn moves at half before scoring. Variation 2. 2v2 Players must score off a one touch shot (must combine with teammate). Use of turning moves Ball Control Finding Space Two teams of 4. The game starts when a red player passes the ball to blue. When blue receives the pass, blue must quickly dribble outside of the goalie box change directions and then finish on the big goal. Red must touch the far post before defending. If red steals the ball, red must pass the ball to the coach to earn a point. Dribbling and passing technique Quality first touch toward edge of box Choosing the right turn. Take the shot Scrimmage 4v4 or 6v6 full field. Limited coaching. Normal Soccer Rules Apply

Topic: Dribbling Fake Turns U9 Session 8-2 Each player has a ball. 1. Race. Players have 30 seconds to dribble through as many gates as possible. 2. Round two. Player must do a turn at each gate 3. Player must do a fake turn at each gate Coach may instruct and demonstrate a different skill each round. Dribbling at speed proper execution of skill Players are divided up into two teams. 1. 1v1; First players play tag as a warm up. Player must run thru 5 gates to get point for team 2. 1v1 Coach will play out a ball and players will compete 1v1. A point is awarded if the player can successfully dribble through two gates. Variation: 2v2 Players must pass thru gates to earn points point. Dribbling Version *Good control of the ball, keeping away from defender *Recognizing field space *encourage moves/skills (Turns, Take Ons, etc.) Passing Version: *Quality of Pass *Angles of Support Players are divided into two teams. Coach passes out a ball for the red player. Blue must run behind red before defending. Red scores on the regulation goal. If blue wins the ball, they pass the ball back to the coach. Variation: 2v2 Turns Fake Turns Getting off a shot/finishing Scrimmage 4v4 or 6v6 full field. Normal Soccer Rules Apply

Topic: Passing and Receiving Using the inside of the foot U9 Session 9-1 Each Player is given a pinnie to make a squirrel tail. On coaches command the game starts with the players trying to pull out the tail of other squirrels. If a player looses his tail, that player is out of the game until the next round. After 3-4 rounds, the champion leads the team in stretching Limited Coaching Agility Players are divided into group of three and work through Platform series. Player in the middle stays in the middle for 60 sec. 1. Inside of foot on ground 2. Inside of foot in the air tossed from teammate. 3. Laces 4. Thigh Laces 5. Chest Laces 6. Heads Variation 1: Teams race to compete by completing 10 perfect platforms Variation 2: Player in the middle can switch with player on the outside after each pass/platform. Ball Contol 1st touch using a 30x30 grid (varies depending on teams ability) Two teams of 5 6 balls, 6 chances to connect as many passes as possible. Teams switch offense and defense after 6 chances. Every 5 passes add defender.i.e. Game start 5 v1, after blue connects 5 passes, it will be 5v2, at 10 passes, 5v3 etc. Coach plays ball out to keep flow going Team that can connect the most passes in a row wins. Passing and Receiving. Movement off the ball Support Play Scrimmage 4v4 or 6v6 full field. Normal Soccer Rules Apply Limited Coaching Praise good passing technique and possession play

Topic: Passing and Receiving Team Shape U9 Session 9-2 Players are divided into two teams 1. Warm Up with the players passing with one ball within their team 2. Competition - Each team has one ball and must use ONLY that ball the whole game. To start the game the blue team plays with their ball with their feet and they try to connect as many passes as possible. The red team plays with the ball in their hands. To prevent the blue team from connecting passes the red team must use their ball and Smash the blue team's ball. If the red teams "smashes" the blue teams ball, it is a switch-a -roo. Meaning, Red team now tries to connect passes on the ground using only their feet. Blue team can now use their hands to try and smash the other ball. If the ball goes out of bound, it is a switch-a-roo Defending team cannot interrupt play with their body/ft. Only the opposite ball causes switch-a-roo 4v4 plus 1 neutral Teams can only score by passing to their sweeper behind the end zone. Team must maintain possession in order to score. If possession is lost, teams must regain possession pass back to sweeper in neutral zone and build attack again. Switch sweeper in neutral zone every 5 minutes. Gradually build toward no restrictions. Quality passing Support Play Communication Qualtiy of Pass Support Play Communication Angles of Support Creating Width 5v5 or 6v4 7v5 Play on half a full sixed field Attacking team plays to big goal if defensive team wins the ball they play to the counter goals. Blue scores in regulation goal. Yellow scores in two counter goals. Variation: Add a neutral/safe zone to promote drop passing and Team Shape Principals of attack Pro-Active Runs Third Man Runs Support in front of the ball Back to goal play Decision Making 5v5 plus keepers Normal Soccer Rules

Topic: Finishing Ball Striking U9 Session 10-1 Two goals 30yds apart. Players dribble to half and shoot. Follow ball and join opposite line. After five minutes switch approach so players shoot with their opposite foot. Variation: Have players do a take on move before shooting Challenge: Have players shoot nothing but net. Variation 2: Add wall passer. After the player shoots. Sprints to opposite line and wall passes with teammate. Ball Striking Angle of Approach Two teams of 8-10 players with goalies. Game starts with the red team dribbling at least three touches then firing a shot on goal. Immediately after shot, red player defends as a new green tries to score at the opposite end. Points are awarded for every goal scored. First to 10 wins. Variation 1: 2v2 Variation 2: Players must perform a take on move like scissors, step over, etc. before shooting. Variation 3: Coach stands in the middle of the field. Instead of dribbling, players pass the ball to the coach who plays the ball back (either wall pass or overlap). Player can either finish on one touch or the three touch limit can still be enforced. Finishing technique Transition from Offense to Defense. 4v4 game. 2 players restricted to their own half. 2 points awarded if scored from defensive half. Variation: Player who passes ball into half can join other half to go numbers up. Finishing Principals of Attack 5v5 plus keepers Encourage lots of shooting Normal Soccer Rules

Topic: Finishing Crossing and Finishing U9 Session 10-2 Players are divided into three line Players on the outside line are crossers. Players in the middle make either a near or far post run. Switch to left footed crosses after 5 minutes. Variation: Add a third runner in the box for a slot/bang goo run. Quality and type of cross Timing and path of runs in the box Finishing on Goal Continuing the same setup as the warm up. Add a defender plus a GK. Blue compete 3v2 to score on goal. Variation: Add a third runner in the box and play 4v2. etc can add defenders as well. Quality and type of cross Timing and path of runs in the box Finishing on Goal 4v4 + 2 neutral crossers in the channels No defending allowed in channels Teams must score off cross from neutral players Rotate neutral players every 5 minutes. Variation: Teams can score in the run of play for 1 point or score off a cross for 3 points. Variation: Team can pass to neutral and overlap the neutral player allowing neutral player to join the attack and enter the field of play. Neutral must return to zone after possession is lost. Attacking Principals 5v5 plus keepers Normal Soccer Rules

9-10 Year Stages of Learning At this stage, the structure (but not the content) of the training sessions will be similar to that of older players. The main component of the training session will be technical. It is sensible at this age to develop technique and basic tactical understanding. Children s capacity to solve problems increases significantly. Therefore players will begin working on basic and dynamic tactical scenarios. At this stage, players are pre-pubescent and have important physical limitations in terms of strength and endurance. Appendix B* Stages of Learning