SMALL-SIDED GAMES
- Small-sided games: 1v1 to 7v7 (including unbalanced teams)
- Provide opportunities for players to experience all positions
- Help players work with others to solve problems
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.
U9-U10: WHAT TO COACH
BALL
- Fundamental soccer skills with both feet
- Introduce passing, crossing and shooting from mid-range distances (maximum of 20 yards)
- Defending skills: covering and marking
- No heading in practice or games
- Goalkeeping: different catching positions
BODY
- Progress fundamental movement skills: running, skipping, hopping, jumping and landing, leaping, throwing and catching
- Help players improve speed, agility, and acceleration
- Introduce warm-ups
TACTICS
- Help players learn 7v7 using a game model
- Introduce formations for 7v7: 1-3-2-1
- Help players learn their role in attack, defense, and transition
U9-U10: HOW TO COACH
VALUES & BELIEFS
- Help children feel good about themselves
- Recognize effort over outcome
- Support players to resolve problems with teammates
COMMUNICATION
- Use different types of questions to engage players
- Use praise to reinforce good play
- Give positive feedback
COACHING APPROACH
- Focus on individuals in a team setting
- Encourage players to solve problems
- Help players reflect and think about the game
- Notice frustration and disappointment
INDIVIDUAL FOCUS
- Find different ways to include all players in each activity
- Encourage players to play multiple positions and roles
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