Strength of
IMPLEMENTATION: COACHING
An effective coach should attempt to design practice environments that foster exploration and promote self-organization rather than prescribing a solution to an athlete. In doing this they need to take into account the foundation they are adding to (the intrinsic dynamics and attractors the performer already has) rather than ignoring their previous experiences and forcing the athlete to do things “my way.” Coaches need to accept that in a complex system they cannot possibly know what the optimal movement solution for an individual athlete will be. They can only help them find it themselves.
Critically, this also relates to the second part of effective coaching: being an informed and knowledgeable guide through the search and exploration process. The word “educate” comes from the word educare, which means to “lead out”. We are helping someone on a path, not giving them the answer.
A common misconception about this new approach to skill is that it is just “set it and forget it”. That is, once a coach designs a practice, they must just let it run, without saying anything or stepping in. Just let them play games, don’t coach them how to do it. That could not be further from the truth. Some examples might be playing on different surfaces, mud, grass, dirt, sand, wood floor, vertical and/or horizontal dimensions, build out lines, restrictions and/or constraints. In guiding an athlete, a coach should use their experiential knowledge to identify movement solutions that will not be effective or will have potential to produce injury. They should also be observing practice to see if athletes are not taking the opportunities for action (the affordances they are trying to amplify) they have created. In all these cases, the coach can and should step in and try to guide their search in a different direction.
STAGES OF THE AGES
Soccer players typically do not reach their full tactical and emotional skills until their early twenties. Knowing what to focus on at each stage helps everyone involved understand youth player development.
Search and Exploration
U4: Curiosity
Me and Exploring
U6: Me, my, mine
Me and my ball
U9: Me and we
Me and my partner
Discovery and Attunement
U11: The start of us
Me, small groups, player pool
Calibration
U12+": Us
Me, team, club
Priorities at each stage
Introduction years: 0-4 year old’s
Adults creatively and casually help the child become familiar with the ball at their feet.
Diversification Years: 4-12 year old’s
Adults encourage multiple activities that promote fitness, balance, flexibility, and FUN regardless of whether soccer is the most preferred sport in the household.
Prioritizing Years: 12-13 year old’s
Adults help players recognize and choose soccer as a priority.
Specialization and Investment Years: 13-18 year old’s
Player chooses soccer as a top priority when there are conflicts.
Common Determining Factors:
•Ambition of the player
•Perceived talent level of the player
•Player maturity
•Family support
•Environment of team or club
COMPONENTS OF THE GAME
U6 Age Group: Fundamental - Me and my ball
Technique: Dribbling (start and stop), running with the ball, and shooting.
Fitness: Learn all elementary movement skills. Control the body. Acquire a base or general balance, coordination, and agility before and with soccer skills – movement education: balance, walking, running, start and stop, jumping, rolling, skipping, changing direction, bending, twisting, and reaching.
Psycho-Social: Sharing, fair play, parental involvement, how to play, and emotional management – builds confidence in the individual.
Tactical: Where is the field? Concept of boundary lines, at which goal to shoot, and playing with the ball wherever it may go.
U8 Age Group: Fundamental - Me and my partner
Technique: Increase comfort with the ball. Passing and receiving the ball with multiple surfaces of both feet. Look for teammates and find them with passes. Changing speed with the ball - turning, ball lifting, juggling. Use dribbles and tricks to pass the opponents. Pass and shoot while changing direction.
Fitness: Agility, eye-foot and eye-hand coordination, balance, leaping, bounding, tumbling, catching, throwing, pulling, pushing, warm-up activities, and movement education.
Psycho-Social: Encourage working in pairs, sportsmanship, how to play, emotional management, creativity, and participation of all players in a safe and fun environment. Like to show what they can do - encourage trying new things. Developing self-esteem - activities should foster positive feedback and attainable success.
Tactical: Recognize simple team shapes as triangles and diamonds. Identify the opponents and relate with teammates to attack or defend a goal. With the ball at the feet, encourage to recognize when to dribble and when to pass. Without the ball, encourage players to create different passing lanes. 1st defender - pressure and delay, 2nd defender – cover.
U9 & U10 Age Group: Learning to train - Me, small groups, player pool
Technique: Build comfort with the ball on both feet. Passing and receiving the ball with multiple surfaces of each foot. Try different types of passing. Look for teammates and find them with passes. Changing speed with the ball, turning, ball lifting, juggling. Use feints and tricks to pass the opponents. Pass and shoot while changing direction. Shoot with power and accuracy. Introduce heading, crossing and set plays.
Fitness: Factors are endurance, range of motion (flexibility), rhythm exercises, and running mechanics. Any fitness activities must be done with the ball. Introduce body resistance exercises and the idea of a cool down.
Psycho-Social: Keep soccer enjoyable to foster a desire to play using self-motivation. Working in groups of three, four, or five, stay focused for one entire half. There is an increase in responsibility, sensitivity, awareness of how to win or lose graciously, fair play, parental involvement, how to play, communication, and emotional management.
Tactical: Recognize simple team shapes as triangles and diamonds. Understand principles of attack - width (open up), length, support, mobility (off the ball runs, be the solution), penetration, and finishing. Understand basic principles of defense - pressure, cover, balance, and protect your goal. Initiate zonal and inter-zonal relationships - defenders, midfielders, and attackers - cooperate with teammates. Understand the individual principles of play - progression, committing the defender, and movement.
U11 Age Group: Learning to train - Me, small groups, player pool
Technique: Understand all technical components and execute them quickly: 1-2 touches. Passing the ball with multiple surfaces of each foot. Receiving the ball with multiple surfaces of each foot and body - thigh, chest, and head. Try different types of passing – short, long, on the ground, and through the air. Use feints and tricks to pass the opponents. Pass and shoot while changing direction. Shoot with power and accuracy.
Tactical: Recognize simple team shapes as triangles and diamonds. Reinforce the principles of attack, play as a team. Use possession to play from the back and create opportunities to score. Understand basic principles of defense - pressure, cover, balance, protect your goal. Use individual principles of play - progression, commit the defender, movement, and relieve the pressure. Reinforce zone and inter-zonal relationships - defenders, midfielders, and attackers - cooperate with teammates. Train the capacity of rational space occupation - swap position, roles of 2nd attacker, and defender. Play faster - combination passing, 1-2 touches.
Psycho-Social: Keep it fun and enjoyable to foster a desire to play - self-motivation. Focus on teamwork, confidence, desire, mental skills, handling changes, how to learn from each match, and fair play.
Fitness: Fitness work continues to be done with the ball. Strength can be improved with body resistance and aerobic exercises. Also focus on agility at speed (sharp turns), acceleration, deceleration, reaction speed, and range of motion exercises. Proper warm-up and cool-down (include static stretching in the cool-down) are highly recommended now.
U12 Age Group: Learning to train - Me, team, club
Technique: Understand all technical components and execute them quickly: 1-2 touches. Passing the ball with multiple surfaces of each foot. Receiving the ball with multiple surfaces of each foot and body - thigh, chest, and head. Try different types of passing – short, long, on the ground, and through the air. Use feints and tricks to pass the opponents. Pass and shoot while changing direction. Shoot with power and accuracy.
Tactical: Understanding the principles of attack, width, depth, and mobility, play as a team. Use possession to play from the back and create opportunities to score. Understand basic principles of defense - pressure, cover, and balance, protect your goal. Introducing drag and deception as individual principles of play. Zone and inter-zonal relationships - defenders, midfielders, and attackers - cooperate with teammates. Space occupation - more emphasis on team shape, interchange position, and balance between lines on attack and defense. Play faster - combination passing 1-2 touches. Introduce position play.
Psycho-Social: Keep it fun and enjoyable to foster a desire to play - self motivation. Focus on teamwork, confidence, desire, mental skills, handling distress, how to learn from each match, fair play, parental involvement, and emotional management.
Fitness: Fitness work continues to be done with the ball. Strength can be improved with body resistance and aerobic exercises. Also focus on agility at speed (sharp turns), acceleration, deceleration, reaction speed, range of motion exercises. Proper warm-up and cool-down (include static stretching in the cool-down) is now highly recommended.
U13 Age Group: Train to train - Me, team, club
Technique: Invest time in the development of individual skills under pressure of time, space, and opponent. Passing, receiving, and shooting should be done consistently while on the run. Teach players that they are not to let the ball bounce. Shooting on the run or turning from various angles, from crosses, and on volleys and half volleys. Encourage players to shield the ball from defenders as well as take on opponents 1v1 using feints, spin turns, and moves to beat an opponent. Improve players first touch on the ball.
Tactical: Help players understand transition to a large field with more players. Reinforce the principles of attack for a possession style of play. Use possession to play from the back and create opportunities to score. In the attacking third, encourage risk taking to persuade players to take on opponents, especially in a 1v1 situation. Player should have a better idea of when and where to defend, high or low pressure, once the ball is lost. That assessment is influenced by the number of teammates and opponents around the ball, where the ball is on the field, and the distance and angle of the ball to the goal - delay, cover, balance, compactness, and protect the goal.
Psycho-Social: Assertiveness, self and team discipline, able to stay focused for an entire match, sportsmanship, parental involvement, how to play, mental focusing techniques, emotional management, and self-regulation.
Fitness: Acceleration, speed and anaerobic exercises, cardiorespiratory and cardiovascular training, flexibility - static stretching (particularly in the cool-down), lateral movement, and all fitness work with the ball. Continue player education about nutrition and concept of rest for recovery.
U14 & U15 Age Group: Train to compete - Me, team, club
Technique: Invest time in the development of individual skills under pressure of time, space, and opponent. Passing, receiving, and shooting should be done consistently while on the run. Teach players that they are not to let the ball bounce. Shooting on the run or turning from various angles, from crosses, and on volleys and half volleys. Encourage players to shield the ball from defenders as well as take on opponents 1v1 using feints, spin turns, and moves to beat an opponent. Improve players first touch on the ball.
Tactical: Help players understand transition to a large field with more players. Reinforce the principles of attack for a possession style of play. Use possession to play from the back and create opportunities to score. In the attacking third, encourage risk taking to persuade players to take on opponents, especially in a 1v1 situation. Player should have a better idea of when and where to defend, high or low pressure, once the ball is lost. That assessment is influenced by the number of teammates and opponents around the ball, where the ball is on the field, and the distance and angle of the ball to the goal - delay, cover, balance, compactness, and protect the goal.
Psycho-Social: Assertiveness, self and team discipline, able to stay focused for an entire match, sportsmanship, parental involvement, how to play, mental focusing techniques, emotional management, and self-regulation.
Fitness: Introduce strength training - training by movement patterns. Increase mobility and stability to your body. Bodyweight and resisted exercises. Plyometrics. Acceleration, speed, anaerobic exercise, cardiorespiratory, and cardiovascular training. Flexibility - static stretching (particularly in the cool-down), introduce the concept of rest for recovery.
U16-U18 Age Group: Train to win - Me, team, club
Technique: Invest time in the development of individual skills under pressure of time, space, and opponent. Passing, receiving, and shooting should be done consistently while on the run. Teach players that they are not to let the ball bounce. Shooting on the run or turning from various angles, from crosses, and on volleys and half volleys. Encourage players to shield the ball from defenders as well as take on opponents 1v1 using feints, spin turns, and moves to beat an opponent. Improve players first touch on the ball.
Tactical: Help players understand transition to a large field with more players. Reinforce the principles of attack for a possession style of play. Use possession to play from the back and create opportunities to score. In the attacking third, encourage risk taking to persuade players to take on opponents, especially in a 1v1 situation. Player should have a better idea of when and where to defend, high or low pressure, once the ball is lost. That assessment is influenced by the number of teammates and opponents around the ball, where the ball is on the field, and the distance and angle of the ball to the goal - delay, cover, balance, compactness, and protect the goal.
Psycho-Social: Assertiveness, self and team discipline, able to stay focused for an entire match, sportsmanship, parental involvement, how to play, mental focusing techniques, emotional management, and self-regulation.
Fitness: Introduce strength training - training by movement patterns. Increase mobility and stability to your body. Bodyweight and resisted exercises. Plyometrics. Acceleration, speed, anaerobic exercise, cardiorespiratory, and cardiovascular training. Flexibility - static stretching (particularly in the cool-down), introduce the concept of rest for recovery.
TRAINING SESSION STANDARDS
U6: Two sessions a week 45-60 minutes max
Each child should have a ball for free play with parents and friends upon arrival (10-15 minutes). Focus on body awareness with six maze activities (10-15 minutes). Engage in activities that help players control the ball, change directions, and find openings (10-15 minutes). Conduct small matches (1v1, 2v2, 3v3) with two to four goals (10-15 minutes).
Teach game rules during practice.
Increase ball touches.
Use boundaries to create game-like scenarios.
Keep the experience fun and player-focused.
Encourage creativity.
Coaches should demonstrate skills.
Coaches should repeat important words regularly.
Use a guided discovery approach in teaching.
Offer honest, positive feedback.
U8: Two sessions a week 60-70 minutes max
Each child should receive a ball to play with when they arrive for free play with parents and friends (10-15 minutes). Then, engage in six activities focusing on inside, outside, and coordination, using maze games (10-15 minutes). Next, participate in games that help players handle the ball, change directions, and find openings, using combinations like 1v1, 2v1, 1v2, 2v2, 3v1, 3v2, and 3v3 (15-20 minutes). Finally, simulate matches with 1v1, 2v2, and 3v3 games, using two to four goals and introducing goalkeepers (10-15 minutes).
Work in pairs.
Encourage creativity.
Try new skills.
Focus on fun and player needs.
Everyone plays offensively and defensively with creativity.
Explore different options.
Share information to back up actions.
Coaches should teach techniques and game strategies.
Coaches must repeat important terms often.
Use guided discovery for teaching.
Provide honest and positive feedback frequently.
U9 & U10: Two-three sessions a week 75-90 minutes max
Start with free play among friends or warm-up partners, followed by small group activities and dynamic stretching (10-20 minutes).Transition to skills and tactics by introducing small games with different player combinations: 4v2, 4v3, 5v4, 6v4, 6v5 (20-30 minutes). Allow more fluid play while focusing on key principles of play in small group activities (20-30 minutes). Use small-sided games (7v7 with a goalkeeper) to apply learned principles (15-20 minutes). Conclude with cool down activities (5-10 minutes).
Use small-sided games to teach game principles.
Encourage decision-making and problem-solving.
Play against opponents.
Focus on having fun and keeping players engaged.
Foster creative attacking and defending.
Provide options and regularly reinforce concepts.
Coaches should focus on teaching techniques and game strategies, frequently using key terms, guided discovery, and offering positive feedback.
U11: Two-three sessions a week 75-90 minutes max
Start with free play, partner warm-ups, and dynamic stretching (10-20 minutes). Transition to team activities for small groups (6-8 players) (20-30 minutes). Move on to directional games with various player combinations (6v7, 7v6, up to 8v7) (20-30 minutes). Play small-sided games (9v9 with a goalkeeper) (15-20 minutes). End with cool-down activities (5-10 minutes).
Using small-sided games to teach play principles.
Encouraging decision-making and problem-solving.
Playing against opponents to enhance learning.
Ensuring all players participate in both offense and defense.
Creating multiple options during play.
Repeating key concepts for better understanding.
Coaches acting as educators in technique and strategy.
Employing guided discovery in teaching.
Providing honest, positive feedback for improvement.
U12: Two-three sessions a week 75-90 minutes max
Start with free play with friends or a warm-up partner, small group activities, and dynamic stretching (10-20 minutes). Move to team activities with 6-8 players (20-30 minutes). Continue with directional games, targets, and zones with different player combinations, up to 8v7 (20-30 minutes). Use 9v9 small-sided games with a goalkeeper, emphasizing competition (15-20 minutes). End with cool down activities (5-10 minutes).
Use small-sided games to teach play principles.
Promote decision-making and problem-solving.
Engage in training and play against opposition.
Focus on having fun and being player-centered.
Encourage everyone to attack and defend creatively.
Create options and replicate information to support actions.
Coaches should teach technique and game strategy.
Introduce and repeat key phrases often.
Use the guided discovery teaching method.
Offer plenty of honest, positive feedback.
U13: Two-four sessions a week 75-90 minutes max
Start with a warm up small group activities and stretching (10-20 minutes). Move to larger group/team games (6-8 players) and directional activities, using targets or zones, with player combinations up to 10v9 (20-30 minutes). Use game-like activities and simple problem-solving based on play principles. Continue directional games, targets, or zones, with combinations up to 8v7 (20-30 minutes). Play small-sided games (SSG) from 5v5 to 11v11 with a goalkeeper, applying learned principles (15-20 minutes). End with cool down activities (5-10 minutes).Move to larger group/team games (6-8 players) and directional activities, using targets or zones, with player combinations up to 10v9 (20-30 minutes).
Use small-sided games (SSG) to teach play principles.
Encourage decision-making and problem-solving.
Train/play with opposition for more space and more players.
Focus on fun and player-centered activities that boost tactical awareness.
Everyone should attack and defend within a clear system that allows for creativity.
Create choices.
Repeat information to help actions, improving techniques while focusing on their tactical use.
Coaches need to teach defined tactics and their application in games.
Coaches should regularly introduce and repeat KEY WORDS.
Use a guided discovery teaching approach.
Offer plenty of honest, positive feedback.
U14 & U15: Two-four sessions a week 75-90 minutes max
Activation-Dynamic stretches, rollers, and resistance exercises (with or without bands/weights). Optional on recovery days (10-20 minutes). Warm-up with small group activities and range of motion stretching (10-20 minutes). Continue with large group activities (6-8 players) with directional games and varied player combinations (up to 10v9) (20-30 minutes). Use game-like activities and simple problem-solving based on play principles. Continue with directional games and varied player combinations (up to 8v7) (20-30 minutes). Use small sided games of 5v5 through 11v11 with goalkeeper. Implement learned principles while competing. (15-20 minutes). Finish with cool down activities (5-10 minutes).
Use small-sided games to teach play principles.
Encourage decision-making and problem-solving.
Train and play with opponents to increase space and players.
Focus on fun and player-centered approaches to boost tactical awareness.
Everyone should attack and defend in a clear yet flexible system.
Create multiple options for players.
Repeat information to support actions, refine techniques, and highlight tactics.
Coaches must teach defined tactics and game strategies.
Introduce and regularly repeat key terms.
Use guided discovery as a teaching method.
Provide honest and positive feedback frequently.
U16 & U18: Two-four sessions a week 75-110 minutes max
Activation–Dynamic stretches, rollers, resistant exercises with and without bands or weights. (Optional 10-20 minutes – highly consider this on recovery days) Warm-up, small group activities, range of motion stretching. (10-20 minutes). Continue with large group/team activities (6-8 players) and directional games, play targets and/or zones with variety of player combinations up to 10v9. (20-30 minutes). Use game-like activities. Apply simple and consistent problem solving based upon the principles of play. Continue with directional games, play targets and/or zones, with variety, range of player combinations up to 8v7. (20-30 minutes). Use small sided games (SSG) of 5v5 through 11v11 with goalkeeper. Implement learned principles while competing (15-20 minutes). Finish with cool down activities.
(5-10 minutes).
Use small-sided games to teach playing principles.
Encourage decision-making and problem-solving.
Train and play against others to increase space and player numbers.
Focus on fun and keep the player at the center in a way that enhances tactical awareness.
Everyone should attack and defend within a clear system that allows for creativity.
Create options for play.
Repeat information to support player actions while improving techniques and highlighting their tactical use.
Coaches should teach clear tactics and how to apply them in games.
Introduce and regularly repeat key words.
Use guided discovery for teaching.
Provide honest, positive feedback.
