The Growth years: Average length of practice 75 - 90 minutes. Breaks must be given to the players during this time. Allow days of rest after games or tournaments.

Techniques: Crossing, shooting, Passing & receiving, ball control, heading, 1v1, 2v2 3v3 defending, 1v1, 2v2, 3v3 Attacking, and Goal keeping.

Skill: Practices must now have pressure from an opponent.

Team:  Attack v defensive games, Shadow play, neutral players to create numbers up or down. Systems of play can be Introduced but will need time for the player to master.

Fitness: Warm-up important. Fitness can be introduced, Intensive but short, Plyametrics are important for the player’s balance and coordination.

Free Play: Every practice must have free play. Players must be evaluated on their tactical decision making. Small or large goals for counter play must be Included.

Practice Time: Technique 10%, Skill 20%, Team 30%, Fitness 15%, Free play 25%       

Philosophy: During these years a soccer player can absorb more information. Players can be challenged to achieve set goals. Practices must have a set topic that has a progression from warm-up to game situation. Use the following equipment to help your organization during practice, cones, vests, soccer balls, flags, goals and an assistant if needed. Be careful to not over train or allow you team to play too many games. Three tournaments a season will be more than sufficient. Maintain a fun and healthy environment at all times.
 Players must be reminded of the outside risks that can damage their game, smoking, alcohol, drugs, and diet.

Games

Possession: Two equal teams play with a set topic in mind. Small or large goals can be used. Can limit number of touches on ball. Neutral players can be added.

Street Soccer: 3v3, or 4v4, format, keep scores so players now where they stand. Give players an update of where they stand.

Grid Passing: Players play 3v1, 5v2, 7v5, keep away in set areas.

Skill Test: Players have to achieve a number of touches or skill moves in set time.

1v1 2v2 3v3: Players compete in set area they can be given many different tasks to achieve.

Soccer Tennis: (Tennis rules) Two team play soccer tennis. This will improve receiving, passing, and ball control while improving team understanding.

How to Establish Good Technique for a U12 player and up

Development of Individual Skills: put player under pressure of time, space and an opponent.  Increase technical speed.

Dribbling - encourage risk taking!  Moves to beat an Opponent: keep possession – shielding/spin turns, change of speed and direction. Move on balls of feet, low center of gravity, head up, keep ball within playing distance, use instep most of the time – but be able to use all surfaces of feet, Advance to concepts of shielding ball “sideways on”, changing pace of play to beat opponent.

Receiving: ground and air balls, all surfaces from partner on the move.

Shooting: proper striking technique with the laces and ankle lock, partner serve from all angles, turns, cut backs, volleys.

Passing: proper technique, laces, inside, outside, short, long, and crossing.

Heading: self-serve, partner serve, jumping to head, turning the ball, partner juggling.

Games that incorporate fun while teaching the fundamentals of the game

Red light green light: hold up different colors of jerseys one for stop, one for go, and hold both up to return at the starting line.   This game helps with keeping their head up while dribbling and to keep control of the ball so they can stop on a red light.

Body part dribble: stop ball with body part indicated by coach; modify to include other commands (“turn”, “yellow light”, etc.) active game, multiple stimuli, listen to coach’s voice, begins teaching skills.

Math dribble: team begins dribbling in a grid, coach gives the team a number they then dribble into groups of that given number.  This helps to work on teamwork, socialization, and technique.

Shadow dribble: groups of two, what one player does with the ball the other must follow.  This helps the player to keep head up to see the field. 

Hospital tag: hold body part that gets tagged, with three “wounds” go to hospital, do activity, return to action.

Knee tag: tag knees while dribbling. Call right knee and left knee while players are dribbling.

Knockout: dribble, try to kick others’ ball out of area, get to ball before it stops rolling, return immediately; if ball stops rolling, do activity (ball touches), then return.

Zen dribble: partners, one with ball, eyes closed, hold hands, dribble; dribbler guided by sighted player.

Like magnets: all dribble, “repel” each other, when coming close, turn and speed dribble away 3-5 yards, balance control, acceleration, using instep to turn quickly, agility, creativity of turning moves.

1 v 1: Play 1v1 to a cone

Short-sided games: incorporate conditions that reinforce dribbling (such as dribbling with five touch minimum before passing or shooting; “taking on” an opponent before shooting on goal.