SMALL-SIDED GAMES
- Small-sided games: 1v1 to 9v9 including unbalanced teams
- Provide opportunities for players to experience all positions
- Up to U11: all players have the opportunity to play as goalkeeper
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.
U11-U12: WHAT TO COACH
BALL
- Combination play in small groups under moderate pressure
- 2v1 overload scenarios in attack and defense
- Short and long passing with both feet
- U11: no heading in practice or games
- U12: no more than 30 mins heading practice per week / no more than 15-20 headers per player per week
- Goalkeeping: short and long passing, catching and deflecting, explosive diving, anticipation and support
BODY
- Multi-directional movement skills
- Acceleration and deceleration
- Maintain and improve flexibility
- Give players responsibility for warm-ups
TACTICS
- Help players learn 9v9 using a game model
- Introduce formations for 9v9: For example, 1-3-2-3
- Develop player roles in attack, defense, and transition
- Interchange of roles during play
- Understand space and positioning
U11-U12: HOW TO COACH
VALUES & BELIEFS
- Be patient with players who are eager to learn
- Recognize each player will develop at their own rate
- Encourage players to work together to solve problems
COMMUNICATION
- Use different types of questions to engage players
- Encourage players to coach each other
- Encourage individual and group reflection skills
COACHING APPROACH
- Provide both challenge and support
- Use a variety of practice activities: technical, decision making and physical
- Find different ways to include all players in each activity
INDIVIDUAL FOCUS
- Focus on individuals in a team setting
- Support players to develop at their own rate
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