Soccer Practice Tips for U9 & U10 Players

Focus: let them play, focus on 1st 2nd player roles Players fall in love with the ball first, then fall in love with the game U9&10 Tips for Practice Safe (Physically & Emotionally) Field safe? Weather? How do they feel walking into your practice? What is your culture? S 1. Welcome the players, immediately play SSG, numbers up or down games are ok Welcome 5 mins 2. This should stimulate the physical and mental side of your players and serves as the exploration phase Organized Are you prepared? Session plan? Setup prior? Gear? O PLAY 15 mins 3. Halfway through games, gather and explain CP, give extra points for execution Coach is: Encouraging Players are : Playing and feeling included Message How are you as a coach communicating with your team? M 1. This is where we conduct more fun soccer exercises. Always include opposition to challenge your players in a realistic soccer scenario. Outlook How do we introduce the activity to the players? Demo? Whiteboard? Minimal Time! O PRACTICE 20 mins 2. Play games to enhance game like decision making with goals. 3. Coach on the fly, ask questions in water break, no talking more than 2 minutes. Distance In the area, are the distances between players too great? D Coach is: Guiding Players are: Learning and playing Integer Use numbers up or down to increase & decrease difficulty I 1. Let them play! Set up a game with everyone included PLAY 20 mins 2. As coach, step back and observe whether your players are enjoying themselves, maybe even trying some of the skills you introduced. Relax and enjoy! FUN Rules Can we introduce rules to further enhance the practice? F Wrap Up 5 mins Equipment Bigger / smaller goals, more goals Y Coach is: Observing Players are: Playing and having fun! Inclusion Everyone involved, engage players in modifying session, ask them how they would make it harder/easier? Is training Enjoyable? Are your players smiling, laughing, enjoying themselves? Is training Engaging? Are all the players involved in the session? I Time Short and sharp to increase competition T Keep it simple, keep it fun! Avoid Long Lines, Lectures and Laps.

Focus: Players involved & trying their new skills/concepts DO NOT over-instruct from the sidelines U9&10 Tips for Game Day What is your purpose on the ball? Dribble with space, pass with pressure. Comfort and Control 1 1. Try an activity or exercise that replicates a game, (possession). BEFORE GAME 2. Encourage players to try things you have practiced, give and go, pressure, cover. First Touch to Space Away from the defender, create time & space 2 See Both Goals Always have open body position & receive the ball on back foot 3 1. Let them speak first Guide them in answering HALF TIME 2. Tessa, I loved the way you dribbled into the space Sam, you are trying really hard today Let s see how we can try & do what we practiced Highlight positive player actions and efforts such as Coaching from Sideline Only coach / guide the players when the ball has stopped 1 Equal Game Time Equal game time for all players. NON NEGIOTIABLE! 2 1. Encourage all the players to be involved, and to try their new skills. NO coaching when the ball is moving, allow players to make their own decisions. DURING GAME Player Rotation Players to play different positions across the season 3 2. Let them play! Be positive or be quiet! 1. Reinforce the great effort players made, also noting players trying new positions, Goalkeeper! AFTER GAME 2. Remind them when training is next. 1-3-3 1-2-3-1

Focus: let them play, focus on 1st 2ndplayer roles, give and gos Players fall in love with the ball first, then fall in love with the game U11&12 Tips for Practice Safe (Physically & Emotionally) Field safe? Weather? How do they feel walking into your practice? What is your culture? S 1. Welcome the players, immediately play SSG, numbers up or down games are ok Welcome 5 mins 2. This should stimulate the physical and mental side of your players and serves as the exploration phase Organized Are you prepared? Session plan? Setup prior? Gear? O PLAY 15 mins 3. Halfway through games, gather and explain CP, give extra points for execution Coach is: Encouraging Players are : Playing and feeling included Message How are you as a coach communicating with your team? M 1. This is where we conduct more fun soccer exercises. Always include opposition to challenge your players in a realistic soccer scenario. Outlook How do we introduce the activity to the players? Demo? Whiteboard? Minimal Time! O PRACTICE 20 mins 2. Play games to enhance game like decision making with goals. Distance In the area, are the distances between players too great? 3. Coach on the fly, ask questions in water break, no talking more than 2 minutes. D Coach is: Guiding Players are: Learning and playing Integer Use numbers up or down to increase & decrease difficulty I 1. Let them play! Set up a game with everyone included PLAY 20 mins 2. As coach, step back and observe whether your players are enjoying themselves, maybe even trying some of the skills you introduced. Relax and enjoy! FUN Rules Can we introduce rules to further enhance the practice? F Wrap Up 5 mins Equipment Bigger / smaller goals, more goals Y Coach is: Observing Players are: Playing and having fun! Inclusion Everyone involved, engage players in modifying session, ask them how they would make it harder/easier? Is training Enjoyable? Are your players smiling, laughing, enjoying themselves? Is training Engaging? Are all the players involved in the session? I Time Short and sharp to increase competition T Keep it simple, keep it fun! Avoid Long Lines, Lectures and Laps.

Focus: Players involved & trying their new skills/concepts DO NOT over-instruct from the sidelines U11&12 Tips for Game Day What is your purpose on the ball? Dribble with space, pass with pressure. Comfort and Control 1 1. Try an activity or exercise that replicates a game, (possession). BEFORE GAME 2. Encourage players to try things you have practiced, give and go, pressure, cover. First Touch to Space Away from the defender, create time & space 2 See Both Goals Always have open body position & receive the ball on back foot 3 1. Let them speak first Guide them in answering HALF TIME 2. Tessa, I loved the way you dribbled into the space Sam, you are trying really hard today Let s see how we can try & do what we practiced Highlight positive player actions and efforts such as Coaching from Sideline Only coach / guide the players when the ball has stopped 1 Equal Game Time Equal game time for all players. NON NEGIOTIABLE! 2 1. Encourage all the players to be involved, and to try their new skills. NO coaching when the ball is moving, allow players to make their own decisions. DURING GAME Player Rotation Players to play different positions across the season 3 2. Let them play! Be positive or be quiet! 1. Reinforce the great effort players made, also noting players trying new positions, Goalkeeper! AFTER GAME 2. Remind them when training is next. 1-2-3-3 1-3-2-3

Focus: P-P-P, rondos and positional games relating to game model and formation U13&14 Tips for Practice Safe (Physically & Emotionally) Field safe? Weather? How do they feel walking into your practice? What is your culture? S 1. Welcome the players, play SSG, numbers up or down games are ok or passing combination relating to positions Welcome 5 mins 2. This should stimulate the physical and mental side of your players and serves as the exploration phase Organized Are you prepared? Session plan? Setup prior? Gear? O PLAY/ COMBO 15 mins 3. Halfway through games, gather and explain CP, give extra points for execution Coach is: Encouraging Players are : Playing and feeling included Message How are you as a coach communicating with your team? M PRACTICE/ RONDO/ POSITION GAME 20 mins Outlook How do we introduce the activity to the players? Demo? Whiteboard? Minimal Time! 1. Activities related to game model and formation O 2. Play games to enhance game like decision making with goals. 3. Coach on the fly, ask questions in water break, no talking more than 2 minutes. Distance In the area, are the distances between players too great? D Coach is: Guiding Players are: Learning and playing Integer Use numbers up or down to increase & decrease difficulty I 1. Let them play! Set up a game with everyone included PLAY 20 mins 2. As coach, step back and observe whether your players are enjoying themselves, maybe even trying some of the skills you introduced. Relax and enjoy! FUN Rules Can we introduce rules to further enhance the practice? F Wrap Up 5 mins Equipment Bigger / smaller goals, more goals Y Coach is: Observing Players are: Playing and having fun! Inclusion Everyone involved, engage players in modifying session, ask them how they would make it harder/easier? Is training Enjoyable? Are your players smiling, laughing, enjoying themselves? Is training Engaging? Are all the players involved in the session? I Time Short and sharp to increase competition T Keep it simple, keep it fun! Avoid Long Lines, Lectures and Laps.

Focus: Players involved & trying their new skills/concepts DO NOT over-instruct from the sidelines U13&14 Tips for Game Day What is your purpose on the ball? Dribble with space, pass with pressure. Comfort and Control 1 1. Try an activity or exercise that replicates a game, (possession). BEFORE GAME 2. Encourage players to try things you have practiced, give and go, pressure, cover. First Touch to Space Away from the defender, create time & space 2 See Both Goals Always have open body position & receive the ball on back foot 1. Let them speak first Guide them in answering 3 2. Tessa, I loved the way you pressed after losing the ball Sam, you are getting good first touches Let s see how we can try & do what we practiced Highlight positive player actions and efforts such as HALF TIME Coaching from Sideline Only coach / guide the players when the ball has stopped 1 Game Time is Earned Hard work, skill and attendance 2 1. Encourage all the players to be involved, and to try their new skills. NO coaching when the ball is moving, allow players to make their own decisions. DURING GAME Player Rotation Players to play different positions across the season 3 2. Let them play! Be positive or be quiet! 1. Reinforce the great effort players made, also noting game model. we did a great job counter attacking AFTER GAME 2. Remind them when training is next. 1-4-3-3 1-4-2-3-1

Focus: P-P-P, rondos and positional games relating to game model and formation U15&16 Tips for Practice Safe (Physically & Emotionally) Field safe? Weather? How do they feel walking into your practice? What is your culture? S 1. Welcome the players, play SSG, numbers up or down games are ok or passing combination relating to positions Welcome 5 mins 2. This should stimulate the physical and mental side of your players and serves as the exploration phase Organized Are you prepared? Session plan? Setup prior? Gear? O PLAY/ COMBO 15 mins 3. Halfway through games, gather and explain CP, give extra points for execution Coach is: Encouraging Players are : Playing and feeling included Message How are you as a coach communicating with your team? M PRACTICE/ RONDO/ POSITION GAME 20 mins Outlook How do we introduce the activity to the players? Demo? Whiteboard? Minimal Time! 1. Activities related to game model and formation O 2. Play games to enhance game like decision making with goals. 3. Coach on the fly, ask questions in water break, no talking more than 2 minutes. Distance In the area, are the distances between players too great? D Coach is: Guiding Players are: Learning and playing Integer Use numbers up or down to increase & decrease difficulty I 1. Let them play! Set up a game with everyone included PLAY 20 mins 2. As coach, step back and observe whether your players are enjoying themselves, maybe even trying some of the skills you introduced. Relax and enjoy! FUN Rules Can we introduce rules to further enhance the practice? F Wrap Up 5 mins Equipment Bigger / smaller goals, more goals Y Coach is: Observing Players are: Playing and having fun! Inclusion Everyone involved, engage players in modifying session, ask them how they would make it harder/easier? Is training Enjoyable? Are your players smiling, laughing, enjoying themselves? Is training Engaging? Are all the players involved in the session? I Time Short and sharp to increase competition T Keep it simple, keep it fun! Avoid Long Lines, Lectures and Laps.

Focus: Players involved & trying their new skills/concepts DO NOT over-instruct from the sidelines U15&16 Tips for Game Day What is your purpose on the ball? Dribble with space, pass with pressure. Comfort and Control 1 1. Try an activity or exercise that replicates a game, (possession). BEFORE GAME 2. Encourage players to try things you have practiced, give and go, pressure, cover. First Touch to Space Away from the defender, create time & space 2 See Both Goals Always have open body position & receive the ball on back foot 1. Let them speak first Guide them in answering 3 2. Tessa, I loved the way you pressed after losing the ball Sam, you are getting good first touches Let s see how we can try & do what we practiced Highlight positive player actions and efforts such as HALF TIME Coaching from Sideline Only coach / guide the players when the ball has stopped 1 Game Time is Earned Hard work, skill and attendance 2 1. Encourage all the players to be involved, and to try their new skills. NO coaching when the ball is moving, allow players to make their own decisions. DURING GAME Player Rotation Players to play different positions across the season 3 2. Let them play! Be positive or be quiet! 1. Reinforce the great effort players made, also noting game model. we did a great job counter attacking AFTER GAME 2. Remind them when training is next. 1-4-3-3 1-4-2-3-1

AMHERST SOCCER TALENT DEVELOPMENT ENVIORNMENT HIGH OPTIMAL PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE BURNOUT COMFORT BOREDOM STRETCH STRAIN LOW LOW MODERATE LEVEL OF PRESSURE HIGH VERY HIGH

Letting the game be the teacher, using play-practice- play to emphasize inclusion and enjoyment. The practice phase will always have opposition. Relating everything we do to our game model. U9&U10 Letting the game be the teacher, using play-practice- play to emphasize inclusion and enjoyment. The practice phase will always have opposition. More tactical games are being played, Relating everything we do to our game model. U11&U12 Training Development Stages Practices are multi layered, P-P-P combined with rondo s and positional games. In these games' formation must be included in the coaching points. Inclusion and enjoyment is still the name of the game. Again everything we do must be related to our game model. U13&14 Practices are multi layered, P-P-P combined with rondo s and positional games. In these games' formation must be included in the coaching points. Inclusion and enjoyment is still the name of the game. Again everything we do must be related to our game model. U15&16