U8 / U9 Coaching Guide - soccercoach.eu€¦ · U8 / U9 Coaching Guide Created for LNYSA Boys &...

U8 / U9 Coaching Guide

Created for LNYSA Boys & Girls Coaches

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Contact Heather Biondolillo [email protected]

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LNYSA Season Coaching Goal:

To have all of your players register to play soccer again next season. How to Meet Our Goal:

1) Practice age/developmentally appropriate activities 2) Create a safe environment for all players 3) Build a positive and supportive community around the team

Guiding Principles:

1. The “Three L” philosophy a. No Lines b. No Laps c. No Lectures

2. Be positive

a. Look for ways to provide positive feedback to all of your players during each practice and game. The more encouragement they get the better they will feel about themselves and their confidence in the game will grow. Your parents should follow this same principle.

3. Games over drills

a. No one enjoys drills, but that doesn’t mean we don’t teach the basic skills required to develop our young players. Adding an element of game or fun to each activity will keep kids engaged and learning.

Characteristics of Games Characteristics of Drills

Dynamic Static

Free movement Standing in lines

Requires decision making No/little thought required

FUN BORING

*Some materials, images and lessons were pulled from US Soccer www.usyouthsoccer.org, Sports Session www.sportsessionplanner.com, and soccerdrillsapp.com.

4. Be organized a. Have a written practice plan (always plan 1 extra activity) b. Set up your field before practice begins c. Have pinnies/bibs laid out so children can grab easily

What is age appropriate for a 8U/9U player?

● Attention span is a bit longer than 6U/7U player. (8-9 mins) ● Very sensitive (dislikes personal failure in front of peers); ridicule from a coach in

front of teammates is very destructive. ● Boys and girls are still similar in physical and psychological development. ● Loves to run, jump, climb, and roll. ● Enjoys imitating sports heroes. ● Lacks a sense of pace; will run until they drop.

Ways to train a 8U/9U player:

● Give brief direction; repeat when necessary ● Various short activities (12-15 mins) ● Frequent water breaks ● 60 min training session maximum ● Warm up session, activities, and finish with small sided game(s) ● Teach mostly technical skills (dribbling, shooting, passing, throw-ins, goal kicks,

corner kicks), and some BASIC tactical (positioning on kickoffs, flow of game, corner kicks, and goal kicks)

We are going this way and that

Activities Checklist: We’ve provided recommended activities for each week of practice below, but if you come up with your own drills or activities, ask yourself:

● Are they fun? ● Are they organized? ● Is there a clear objective? ● Are all the players involved with maximum participation? ● Do players have the opportunity for decision making and creativity? ● Is there positive, age-appropriate feedback?

The following pages provide direction for 10 weeks of practice


Week 1 Training

Objective: Dribbling with the head up ● To improve dribbling and ball familiarity. ● To work on dribbling with the head up.

I. Warm-up: Cars

ACTIVITY TIME: 1-2 minutes DURATION: 8 minutes REPETITIONS: 4

Organization: Players each have a ball to dribble. (drive their car) If the coach calls out “first gear” then the players dribble the ball slowly. If the coach calls out “second gear”, the players dribble a little faster. “Third gear” the players dribble as fast as they can in control. A) Can add “red light” and players have to stop the ball with their foot. B) “Gas Station” players must keep the ball between their feet as best as possible (tick tock/popcorn) C) “Reverse” players must change direction by doing a pull back turn. (step on ball and pull back)

Coaching Points / Key Concepts: Dribbling with the head up. Change direction and speed.

II. Main Part: Gates

ACTIVITY TIME: 2 minutes DURATION: 12 minutes REPETITIONS: 4 Organization: Make small gates. Players dribble their ball around and try to make it though as many gates as possible within a minute. A) Have a coach/parent move to various gates and block them. B) Add more parents and block more gates

Coaching Points / Key Concepts: Dribbling with the head up. Change direction and speed


III. Main Part:2v2 / 3v3 to an end zone

ACTIVITY TIME: 1 minute DURATION: 12 minutes REPETITIONS: 6

Organization: Create two end zones and put a ball in each. There is also one game ball. Play 2v2 or 3v3. The objective is to dribble the ball into the other team’s endzone. When a team is successful, they retrieve another ball from their defending end zone and try again. The first team to get all three balls in the other team’s end zone wins.

Coaching Points / Key Concepts: Introducing how to dribble around an opponent. Ask players to show you how they go around someone.

IV. Game:

ACTIVITY TIME: 2 minutes DURATION: 12 minutes REPETITIONS: 3

Organization: Play to small goals. At first play “NEW BALL.” Whenever a ball goes out of bounds the players will receive a new ball from the coach. Play until one ball is left. When one ball is left, play like a normal game and rules.

Coaching Points / Key Concepts: Play and enjoy!


Week 2 Training Objective: Push Pass

● To improve passing the ball. Specifically the push pass. ● To develop working with a teammate.

I. Warm-up: Back to Coach - Pairs


Organization: Players are in pairs. Coach tosses ball and each pair brings the ball back to the coach by passing it back to each other. A) Get it back to coach B) make a specific amount of passes C) Coach walks away. Now can they find the coach?

Coaching Points / Key Concepts: Dribbling with the head up. Passing the ball with the biggest part of the foot, which is the inside.

II. Main Part: Gates


Organization: Each pair has a ball. Make small gates. Progression: A) Players pass ball back and forth through gate. See how many they can get in 20 seconds, B) Pass through gate and go to a new one. C) Pass through gate two times then go to a new one. D) Coach and assistants walk around and block a gate. E) Challenge them to make a longer pass. Can they pass the ball through two gates?

Coaching Points / Key Concepts: Push pass. What part of the foot do you use to pass the ball? (Inside, instep, or outside).


III. Main Part: 2v2, 3v3 to a target


Organization: Play 2v2, 3v3 with a parent or assistant coach inside each endzone. The object is to try and pass the ball to one of the coaches in the endzone.

Coaching Points / Key Concepts: What part of the foot do you use to score? What if you can’t pass? Then what? (pass the ball to a teammate)

IV. Game:


Organization Play small-sided game to goals.



Week 3 Training Objective: Positioning on Field

● To learn positioning. ● To stay in positions.

I. Warm-up: Paint the Grass- Dribbling

ACTIVITY TIME: 2-3 minutes DURATION: 12-15 minutes REPETITIONS: 5 Organization: All players dribble around the area with their soccer ball. A) Encourage them to dribble around (paint) the entire marked area. B) Teach them the scissor move. Use foot to step over the ball (from inside to out) and then use opposite foot to push the ball out and sideways to slightly change direction. Player should end up dribbling in the same basic direction. c) Pull-back turn: Players use the ball of their foot to drag the ball back behind them. Players should be dribbling in opposite direction as they started.

Coaching Points / Key Concepts: Dribbling with head up Finding space on field Changing directions

II. Main Part: Sharks and Minnows

ACTIVITY TIME: 2-3 minutes DURATION: 8-12 minutes REPETITIONS: 4 Organization: The coach is the shark and the players are the minnows. Minnows must try and get from one Island (the end zones) to another, without the shark getting their soccer ball. When coach says go players must try and dribble their soccer balls from one end zone to another without getting caught by the shark. If a player loses their ball to the shark then they become a shark and help catch the other minnows. A shark cannot catch a minnow when they are in the Islands. Whichever swimmer is left last is the winner. A) If a player performs a scissor move then they get an extra life and have to be caught twice before they have to become a shark.


Coaching Points / Key Concepts: To dribble with your head up Change directions Use a scissor move to beat defender.

III. Main Part: Positioning *** this is a walk thru lesson. Make it as short and thorough as possible. It is difficult, but players WILL understand it. ACTIVITY TIME: 1-2 minute DURATION: 8- 10 minutes REPETITIONS: 5

Organization: Field is divided into 3 sections. Players stand 6v6 or 7v7 team. A) Coach has the ball and walks around to different parts of the field. Players adjust their positioning based on the location of the ball. Main concepts: Players must stay together in the organized shape. Wings (outside midfielders) must stay in outer sections. Cannot cross line. The forward(s) may not go behind the midfielders. Midfielders should not go behind defenders. B) Coach passes the ball to a player who traps ball. All other players adjust accordingly. C) If you play with a GK or 6v6 take a forward out

Coaching Points / Key Concepts: Paying attention Staying organized Movement on field

IV. Game: 5v5 or 6v6


Organization: Play small-sided game to goals. Players must stay in shape of airplane.



Week 4 Training Objective: Throw ins

● To improve throw-in technique. ● To make a good throw in that leads to movement towards the goal.

Warm-up: Shopping Spree

ACTIVITY TIME: 1 minutes DURATION: 8-10 minutes REPETITIONS: 8-10

Organization: Make a 20x30 yard grid. Mark off a square “ store” in each corner. Have players name the stores. All players are dribbling around the grid/mall. Using different parts of the foot, different speeds and any other moves that have been taught. When the coach yells out a particular store, all players must dribble to that store as quickly as possible. The last person to reach store becomes the mall cop and is then “it” Continuing playing until everyone is tagged. Coaching Points/ Key Concepts: Close touches to get through pressure. Big touches to get away from pressure. Keeping head up to find space. Keeping head up to find mall cop. Protect the ball.

II.Main Part: Throw-ins

ACTIVITY TIME: 2-3 minutes DURATION: 8-12 minutes REPETITIONS: 4

Organization: 1 channel= 16x8 yd. Blue cones 8 yd apart and 8 yd from tall cone. 1 ball per pair. Players are throwing their ball over the 2 tall cones and to their partner on the other side. A) Ball is thrown in from A to B and B then does a throw in to A. B). Ball is thrown in from A to B, B receives with their feet and passes back. Switch after 8. C) Ball is thrown in from A to B, B receives and dribbles across. Players switch places, repeat. Coaching Points/ Key Concepts: Both feet must stay on the ground. Ball in two hands start behind the head.


Throw straight forward and follow through the hands at the target.

III. Main Part: Throw-in with Ball Control ACTIVITY TIME: 1-2 minutes DURATION: 12 minutes REPETITIONS: 6

Organization: Create an area 40 x 30 yard (red) with a 12 x 10 yard smaller area inside (blue). 4/5 players on the outside with a ball and 4/5 players inside the inner grid without a ball. The aim of this activity is to develop the players skills of receiving a ball from a throw, unopposed. The players inside the grid are to make quick movements to the outside of this grid in order to receive the ball. The players on the outside have a ball in their hands, serve the ball under arm to begin with and then progress to a behind head throw. Player from the inner area controls the ball and returns it to the player on the outside, before returning to the inner area. Rotate players after 2 minute each. Coaching Points/ Key Concepts Movement required to receive ball Communication between players. Technique of a throw in.






Week 5 Training Objective: Receiving the ball

● To improve how to redirect or receive the ball. “Take it somewhere new.” ● To develop how to work with a teammate.

I. Warm-up: The Triangle


Organization: Players are in pairs and share one ball. Each pair makes a triangle with cones. Triangles should be around 2 yards apart. The player with the ball passes the ball through the triangle. The player receiving the ball tries to redirect the ball around a cone and then pass the ball back through. A) See how many times they can pass the ball back through the triangle without hitting the cones. B) See which pair can make the most passes back through the triangle without touching the cones.

Coaching Points / Key Concepts: Redirect the ball with the inside of the foot. Can they do it with the outside of the foot? First touch sets up their next touch.

II. Main Part: 2v1 4 goal game


Organization: Divide the field in half. Two players from the attacking team each go to a half. They stay in that half. The object is to receive the ball from a pair in the back half and score in one of the two side goals. One player from the defending team also goes into a half. They stay in their half. If they win the ball they try to score in one of the other two side goals. If they win the ball they can go into either half. Rotate the players around each round.

Coaching Points / Key Concepts: Focus on how they redirect the ball. What part of the foot do you use to redirect the ball? Can they take it somewhere new?


III. Main Part: 3v3 / 4v4 Game to 4 goals


Organization: Play 3v3 / 4v4 to 4 goals. Each team attacks two goals and defends two. Rotate the players to a new role and let them experience redirecting the ball in a different part of the field.

Coaching Points / Key Concepts: What part of the foot do you use to redirect the ball? Where should you redirect the ball if the opponent is coming at you? (away from pressure)

IV. Game:


Organization: Play small-sided game to goals.



Week 6 Training Objective: Dribbling with control and beating defender

● To improve dribbling and ball familiarity. ● To work on dribbling around a defender.

I. Warm-up: Four Lines & Turn


Organization: Put 2/3 players on each side of the 25x25 grid. Place 1 cone in the middle of field. Players dribble to the middle cone, turn and dribble back to their line. One player from each line goes at a time. A) Vary the type of turn: pull back, inside/outside of foot. B) Set a time and see how many times a team can make it to the center cone.

Coaching Points / Key Concepts: Speed dribbling Turning away from defender Ball control

II. Main Part: Circle Dribbling


Organization: Use the center circle of the field. Mark a triangle in the center of circle. Players are paired up and they spread out around the edge of the circle. One player is number 1 and the other player is number 2. All players stand with their partner on outside of the circle. Number 1 has a ball and number 2 does not. Number 1 dribbles into the middle of the circle and through the small triangle. They then dribble to a different number 2 player. When they get there they give the player the ball and stand in their space. The number 2 player then dribbles into small triangle and then out to a different number 1 player. The game keeps going for 2 minutes. A) Dribble with left foot only B) Dribble with right foot only Coaching Points / Key Concepts:


Dribbling with speed and control.

III. Main Part: 1v1 to Goal


Organization: Mark out a 30 yard long by 20 yard wide field. Place a 2 yard wide goal at each end of the field. Coach divides the group into two teams. One team is placed in one color pinnies and the other group is given different color pinnies. Coach has one team stand on one side of the field in a line one behind each other and the other team stands on the other side of the field. Coach passes a ball into the middle of the field, the first player in each line runs onto the field and compete to score on either goal in a 1v1 battle. Once a player scores or the ball goes out of bounds then the go is over and the players return to the back of their line. Then the next teams play. A) Players get a point for scoring in either goal or by doing an inside of the foot turn. B) Players can only score a goal after they perform a pull back turn

Coaching Points / Key Concepts: Encourage players to turn and go to the goal that is not being covered by the defender.

IV. Game:





Week 7 Training Objective: Defending

● To improve defensive positioning.

I. Warm-up: Shadowing

ACTIVITY TIME: 1 minutes DURATION: 8-10 minutes REPETITIONS: 8-10 Organization: In a 30x30 grid have players stand next to a partner. One player is offensive and the other is the defender. When coach says “go” attacker runs away. Defenders try to stay close to their partner. When coach yells “stop” the players freeze. If the defender can touch their partner with 1 step, they earn a point. Switch roles.

Coaching Points / Key Concepts: Staying with one player

II. Main Part: Shadowing #2

ACTIVITY TIME: 2-3 minutes DURATION: 8-12 minutes REPETITIONS: 4 Organization: Coach marks out a 30 yard square with cones. All players stand in the square, in pairs, with one player as the attacker and one player as the defender. Attacker has a ball, defender does not. When coach say go the player with the ball tries to lose the player without a ball. The player without a ball must try to keep up with the attacker and stay with them. When coach says 'freeze' players must stop. If defender is within 2 steps of attacker then they get a point. Switch roles and play again. Coaching Points / Key Concepts: This game will work well on improving players attacking skills, but focus on talking about the defensive side of the game. This game will introduce player to the idea of sticking with a player, or marking a player.


III. Main Part: Steal the Bacon ACTIVITY TIME: 1 minute DURATION: 12 minutes REPETITIONS: 6

Organization: Play 1v1 or 2v2. The objective is to dribble the ball and score a goal. Divide the team into 2 groups. Give each player a number. Line each team on a sideline. When a player’s number is called, those players (should be 1 from each team) runs around the goal to a ball in the middle of the field. They play 1v1 until a goal is scored or the ball goes out of bounds. A) mix up the number order you call. B) Call 2 numbers at a time so it’s 2v2

Coaching Points / Key Concepts: Paying attention Dribbling with speed Scoring goals






Week 8 Training Objective: Striking the ball

● To improve striking the ball. ● To continue to work on dribbling with the head up and striking the ball.

I. Warm-up: Goal to Goal


Organization: Players pair up with one ball. They both make a goal. The object is to score a goal. Rules: 1. The player not striking the ball can not use their hands unless for safety reason. 2. If a ball is controlled by the player not striking the ball they have two touches to shoot the ball back. 3. Progress to they can only hit a ball that is moving.

Coaching Points / Key Concepts: Striking the ball with their instep. The non-striking foot should be next to and slightly ahead of the ball. Keep the head and shoulders forward. Try to land on their shooting foot.

II. Main Part: Shooting


Organization: Set up small sided field with 1 goal on each endline. Team 1 goes on one side of field, Team 2 on other. Player standing by goal passes ball to teammate. Player will then trap ball and then shoot on goal. Change lines with your team only. A) Switch sides to encourage use of both feet. B) Have players strike ball w/o trapping

Coaching Points / Key Concepts: Striking the ball with their instep. The non-striking foot should be next to and slightly ahead of the ball. Keep the head and shoulders forward. Try to land on their shooting foot.


III. Main Part: 3v3 / 4v4 Get out of here!


Organization Bring two teams together. Play 3v3 to goals. When the ball goes out of bounds, the coach yells “Get outta here” and the players on the field run off. A new pair runs on. Note: Make the field smaller so the ball goes out of bounds and the players aren’t waiting too long in line.

Coaching Points / Key Concepts: What part of the foot do you use to score? What if you can’t shoot? Then what? (pass the ball to someone who can)

IV. Game:

ACTIVITY TIME: 3 minutes DURATION: 10 minutes REPETITIONS: 2 Organization: Play small-sided game to goals.



Week 9 Training Objective: Improving intermediate-long range passes

● To improve intermediate range passes (8-12 yards). ● To improve long range passes for the U8/U9 player (15-20 yards).

I. Warm-up: Clean The Yard


Organization: Divide into two teams. Each team goes to a half. Use an odd number of balls. The objective of the game is to strike the ball into the other team’s yard. Each team wants to have a clean yard when time is called by the coach. The team that has the fewest balls on their side when time is called gets a point. Play to a certain amount of points or for time. Progress: Require a pass to be made to a teammate before the ball can be struck back to the other half.

Coaching Points / Key Concepts: Striking the ball with their instep. The non--striking foot should be next to and slightly away of the ball.

II. Main Part: 3v3/ 4v4 to a target


Organization: Play 3v3, 4v4 with a parent or assistant coach inside each endzone. The object is to try and pass the ball to one of the coaches in the endzone.

Coaching Points / Key Concepts: What part of the foot do you use to make a longer pass? What if you can’t pass? Then what? (pass the ball to a teammate)


III. Main Part: Outside Goals


Organization: Play 4v4 game. Each team has two goals they can score on and two goals to defend. The goals are placed 10-15 yards outside of the playing area. Play a normal game except in order to score in one of the two goals, the ball must be passed from inside the playing area.

Coaching Points / Key Concepts: What part of the foot do you use to make a longer pass? What if you can’t pass? Then what? (pass to a teammate)

IV. Game ACTIVITY TIME: 3 minutes DURATION: 10 minutes REPETITIONS: 2




Week 10 Training Objective: Teaching with small-sided games

● To work on teaching technique within a small-sided game. ● Find enjoyment in playing small-sided games ● To work on teaching simple principles of play such as attacking and defending.

I. Warm-up: Paint The Grass- Passing


Organization: Players are in pairs. Each pair shares one ball. Pairs try to pass the ball in an area. Instruct players that they should try to paint the field with the ball by passing. Try to paint the whole playing area.

Coaching Points / Key Concepts: Push pass. Redirecting the ball – Can they take it somewhere new? Working with a teammate Spatial awareness. They may run next to each other. Can they find a space away from their partner?

II. Main Part: Last Player Back


Organization: Players are in pairs or groups of 3. Play a game to goals. The team that has the ball must always attack with everyone. The team that is defending, sends someone back to stand on the goal line. They become a goalkeeper. When the team that is defending wins the ball that player that was in goal now come out and the team that was attacking sends someone (usually the last player) back to stand on the goal line.

Coaching Points / Key Concepts: What part of the foot do you use to make a longer pass? What if you can’t pass? Then what? (pass the ball to a teammate) How do you win the ball back?


III. Main Part: 4 Corners


Organization: Play 4v4 /5v5 game. The game is a normal game except each team attempts to get to a corner to score.

Coaching Points / Key Concepts: Dribbling, passing, finding space. This activity also promotes teamwork as they have to attempt to include more players in the process.

IV. Game:





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