Our goal is to develop players’ basic skills. We can’t expect these young players to master everything all the time, they will get it over time.

Table of Contents

Objectives

Have fun
- the number one reason to play is to have fun. The number one reason not to play is that it’s not fun.
Get as many touches on the ball as possible
Players should be sharing the ball
Intermediate skills
Individual, pairs and small group activities up to 5-6 players

A focus on helping players develop intermediate skills is critical as it will serve as the foundation for skills that will be introduced when these players move on to the next age group. The key focus is still the technical aspects of the game and to ensure all the players are having fun.

Technical Skills

Dribble with all sides of both feet (inside, outside, sole)
Dribble out of trouble
Dribble past someone (feints, fakes, crossovers etc)
Changes of direction and turns (pullback, inside/outside turns, cruyff turn)
Speed dribbling in traffic
Soft first touch
First touch away from pressure
Receiving the ball with all parts of the body
Shielding – Players should develop proper technique to shield the balls from opponents
Shooting with both feet (with inside of foot and laces)
Shooting for power, for accuracy and volleying
Introduce proper volleying technique
Passing with inside and outside of both feet
Passing to feet and passing to space
Introduce chipping the ball
Introduce long passes (using laces)
Juggling with both feet and thighs (allowing one bounce between juggles if needed)
Basic thrown-in technique
Work on defending technique
Introduce block tackles
Work on heading technique

Players should spend equal time developing both feet – this is very important but difficult to implement!!!

Continue to focus a fair amount of practice time on dribbling

At this stage, players can be taught/practise a number of dribbling moves that are used frequently in football, such as step-overs, scissors, cuts, turns, and so on. We should continue to encourage them to be creative in their dribbling.

Incorporate other basic skills into practice sessions

First Touch / Receiving: Players should be encouraged to focus on developing a soft first touch when receiving the ball. Players should be familiar with the proper technique to receive the ball on the ground with both feet. They should also be able to receive balls in the air using both feet, thighs and chest.
Shielding: Players should be familiar with the proper technique to shield the ball from opponents
Shooting: Players should be familiar with proper shooting technique (using their laces) and have plenty of opportunities to practice with both feet. Volleying can be introduced to older or more experienced players. Drills where players stand in lines and wait for their turn to shoot on goal are discouraged as this is not a realistic game situation and players spend a lot of time waiting for the ball. Instead, use small side games with large goals to encourage and emphasize shooting.
Passing: Players should be able to pass the ball with the inside and outside of their feet. They should also be able to pass the ball accurately over 8-15 yards and learn how to chip the ball. They should also learn about the difference between passing to feet and passing to space.
Juggling: Players should continue to work on their ball juggling skills using both feet, thighs, and even their head.
Throw-ins: Players should be shown the proper way to perform a throw-in.
Defending Technique: Players should be shown the proper defensive stance. Poke tackles can also be introduced at this stage. Players should also be encouraged not to rush into their tackles but to be patient and wait for the right time to win the ball.

Perform basic skills under increasing pressure (less time and space)

At this age group, players should continue to focus on improving their basic skills/technique (i.e. dribbling, passing, receiving, shooting, etc.) by trying to execute them under increasing pressure. The coach can increase pressure by reducing the playing area (i.e. restricting space), allowing fewer touches of the ball (i.e. restricting time), etc.

Tactical Skills

Short and long wall passes (also know as give and go or 1-2)
Importance of the first touch

More 1v1 and 2v2 games/duels are incorporated in most sessions to allow the players to get plenty of opportunities to figure out how to dribble past an opponent and how to stop one.

At this stage, players should learn to combine with their teammates using short ground passes and wall passes. Overlapping and takeovers can be introduced to older or more experienced players. Players should also understand how to provide proper support to teammates with the ball and the importance of maintaining possession of the ball while attacking. On the defensive side, players should be familiar with the concepts of pressure and cover.

Psychological Development

We want to have an environment where players can grow in confidence, express themselves, try new things and have fun while doing it.

Keep it fun
Build confidence
Encourage imagination and creativity
Promote independent decision making
Promote problem solving
Encourage player to learn to deal with winning / losing
Increase Demands
Maintain Discipline

The most important aspect of psychological development for young players in this group is for them to have fun. We strive to create an environment where the players, and the coach, are all having fun.

This is the age group where many players decide whether they want to continue playing football or not. For most of them, if they are not having fun, they will most likely drop the sport. As a coach, you should strive to create an environment where the players, parents and you, the coach, are all having fun.

Allow players to make mistakes and encourage them to make their own decisions

For this age group, in a game, dribbling may not always be the best option. Players will need to start understanding when to dribble, when to pass, and when to shoot. At this stage, they will often choose the wrong option, but we need to
be patient with them and encourage them to make these decisions independently. Aimless “kicking away” of the ball is not encouraged.

At this age, the players are aware of the score (in games and in trainings) and many parents and coaches are paying more attention to the results. You will start noticing many coaches and parents yelling directions from the sidelines. We should remind ourselves that improving their play and having fun are the main objectives. As far as possible, we should refrain from yelling directions to the players from the side of the pitch.

Physical Development

This is not a priority
Just play

Notes:

The period this age group is entering is often referred to as the dawn of tactics. Typically players of this age begin to understand the basic tactical situations of the game and are more aware of movement off the ball and the reasons for tactical choices. Problem-solving becomes systematic and these players tend to learn quickly. Children of this age typically are beginning to develop abstract awareness, so they can understand coaches when we talk about space and runs off of the ball. However, just because they understand these basic tactical concepts does not mean we should focus on these concepts entirely. Players are still developing technically at this age, especially as they go through growth spurts and awkward phases. It is quite common to look out on the pitch and see players, of this age group, that are physically the size of adults. Yet, other players look like small children. These children are all growing at different rates and undergoing physical, mental, emotional, and social changes. The average age for the beginning of pubescence in girls is 10 years old with a range of 7 to 14; for boys, it is age 12 with a range of 9 to 16. As coaches, we need to be sensitive to these changes and their social implications when coaching this age group. Some players may pick up skills quickly, whereas others may struggle. However, it may be the case that this is simply the result of differences in maturation. In a year, the slower developer may surpass the player who developed earlier. For this reason, we need to be patient and keep open minds about all players through these years. When we see them struggling, it is important for us to help them and to keep the game fun.