sMALL-SIDED GAMES
- Small-sided games 1v1; 2v1; 2v2
environment
Positive learning environment
Help your players thrive by using an effective coaching approach, designing age-appropriate activities, and building a strong team culture
ENVIRONMENT
Age Group Coaching Guides
Each coaching guide builds on the content of the previous age-group. Coaches should use a blend of activities and behaviors that meet the needs of the individuals in their group.
U5: What to CoachÂ
BALL
- Ball each activities
- Fundamental soccer skills: dribbling, running with the ball, receiving, shooting
- Move the ball with both hands and feet
- No heading in practice or games
body
- Fundamental movement skills: running, skipping, hopping, jumping and landing, leaping, throwing and catching
Tactics
- No specific team tactics
- No set playing positions
- All players to be given an opportunity to play as goalkeeper (if a GK is used)
How to Coach
VALUES & BELIEFS
- Be enthusiastic, animated, and fun
- Show patience and support
- Encourage player choice
Communication
- Use simple words and phrases
- Keep instructions short and concise
- Use positive and specific praise
Coaching Approach
- Encourage learning through play
- Focus on enjoyment
- Facilitate and guide rather than tell
- Use lots of short breaks
Individual Focus
- Let the players make some of the decisions
- Provide opportunity for players to choose their own activity / challenge
RECOMMENDED RESOURCES
Click each resource to download a PDF overview
ENVIRONMENT
designing age-appropriate activities
Use six areas to design age-appropriate practices for your players
ENVIRONMENT
goalkeeping topics for ages and stages
Guidance on goalkeeping topics to coach at different stages of development U5-U17+
ENVIRONMENT
u5 coaching guide
What to coach and how to coach the U5 age group
Environment
u6 coaching guide
What to coach and how to coach the U6 age group
ENVIRONMENT
u7-8 coaching guide
What to coach and how to coach the U7-U8 age group
ENVIRONMENT
u9-U10 coaching guide
What to coach and how to coach the U9-U10 age group
ENVIRONMENT
u11-U12 coaching guide
What to coach and how to coach the U11-U12 age group
ENVIRONMENT
u13-U14 coaching guide
What to coach and how to coach the U13-U14 age group
ENVIRONMENT
u15-U16 coaching guide
What to coach and how to coach the U15-U16 age group
ENVIRONMENT
u17+ coaching guide
What to coach and how to coach the U17+ age group