SMALL-SIDED GAMES
- U7/U8 small-sided games: 1v1, 1v2, 2v2, 3v3, 4v3, 4v4
- Encourage teamwork and cooperation
- Players to experience all positions
- Provide opportunities for all players to play as goalkeeper (if a GK is used)
- No heading in games
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.
U7-U8: WHAT TO COACH
BALL
- Fundamental soccer skills with both feet
- Shooting from 5-10 yards
- Introduce short passing and receiving
- Introduce defending skills and winning the ball back
- No heading in practice or games
- Fundamental goalkeeping skills: passing, throwing, catching, diving
BODY
- Fundamental movement skills: running, skipping, hopping, jumping and landing, leaping, throwing and catching
- Reaction speed and acceleration
- Goalkeeping: explosive footwork and landing safely
TACTICS
- How to play 4v4 using a game model
- Attacking and defending roles in 4v4
- 4v4 formations: 1-2-1 (no GK)
U7-U8: HOW TO COACH
VALUES & BELIEFS
- Be enthusiastic, animated, and fun
- Show patience and support
- Encourage player choice
COMMUNICATION
- Keep instructions short
- Use simple words and phrases
- Use positive and specific praise
- Provide simple feedback
- Help players reflect and learn from mistakes
COACHING APPROACH
- Focus on individuals in a team setting
- Encourage players to be creative and make decisions
- Use regular short breaks
- Encourage players to ask questions and think of solutions
INDIVIDUAL FOCUS
- Provide individual player challenges
- Find different ways to include all players in each activity
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