2016/04/26
Training session
Warm-up
The hawk game
The players stand on a line, each with a ball. Another player, without a ball, faces them. He/she is the “hawk”. Upon the signal, the players try to get to the other side of the pitch, controlling the ball with their feet. The hawk tries to catch as many players as possible by tapping them on the shoulder. Points are counted. Each player takes it in turn to be the hawk.
Match 1
2 v 2 / 3 v 3: crossing the line
The players are divided into teams of two or three (depending on the number of children). A point is scored by crossing the goal line with the ball at the feet.
Duration: 1-2 minutes. Rotation of teams to change opponents.
Excercise
Running with the ball and passing
Groups of at least three players are formed. Player "A" runs with the ball using the inside of the left foot, goes around the cone and passes to player "B", still using the inside of the left foot. Player "A" then runs to take the place of player "B". Player "B" runs with the ball using the right foot, goes around the cone and passes to player "C" with the inside of the right foot and then runs to take player "C"’s place, and so on.
Match 2
4 v 4 (with goalkeeper)
Two teams of four face each other on a reasonably sized pitch (with goalkeeper and substitutes). If there are enough children, a three-team tournament is also possible. Free play; coach-educator keeps a low profile; dribbling encouraged.
2016/04/20
I want to be goalie!
So what is wrong with being goalkeeper? Why don’t children want to play in this position?
1. Fear of letting the team down
Attackers, midfielders and defenders can all get away with making the occasional mistake but if a goalkeeper drops the ball in front of an attacker, scuffs a goal kick or lets a shot go through their legs… well, you know what happens next. For a child, the fear of letting the team down is a powerful disincentive to volunteering to go in goal.
2. The power of the press.
We are all aware of Rob Green’s “amazing howler” at the 2010 World Cup finals and there are plenty of gleeful “Top Ten Goalkeeper Mistakes” videos on YouTube. It’s no wonder young players are put off going in goal when they read about and watch a famous goalkeeper’s career crumble in one second.
But how can we convince our players, (and their parents), that being a goalkeeper is really a honour, not a guarantee of lasting infamy or a quick way to become a scapegoat for the rest of the team?
Specialist coaching for special players
It is not surprising that young goalkeepers make mistakes – many youth football (soccer) coaches never give their players any goalkeeper training. Some coaches say that’s because they don’t have the time and some say they don’t know how. But we should all devote some time in coaching sessions to our goalkeepers.
Try this: ask your players if they would like to practise passing for 10 minutes or spend the same time practising making saves. You may be surprised to find that your players actually want to learn goalkeeping techniques. OK, that doesn’t mean they’ll want to use them in a match but it’s a start.
Dress them up, not down
Don’t make your goalkeeper wear old, dirty gloves and a top that’s seen better days. Buy and use a really top-notch kit. A bright top, warm trousers and some good-quality gloves will make whoever plays in goal feel good about themselves.
Whose job is it anyway?
Make sure your players know that goals are never “let in” by your goalkeeper – they are always “scored” by your opponents and it is the outfield players’ job to stop the opposition from reaching scoring positions. So if an opposition player is within range of your goal, shoots and scores, it is not the goalkeeper’s fault.
Recognise and reward
Make a fuss of your goalkeeper at half time and during post-match chats with your players. Ensure they receive at least their fair share of “Player of the Match” awards and that they (and the rest of your players) know the goalkeeper is a special player.
If you follow these tips you might not get trampled in the rush when you ask for volunteers to go between the sticks. But it will make the position of goalkeeper in your team a desirable one, not a position to be avoided at all costs.
http://www.footy4kids.co.uk/soccer-drills/goalkeeping/i-want-to-be-the-goalie/
2016/04/05
Some typical characteristics of the Under 10 player
- Attention span lengthens and they start to show the ability to sequence thoughts and actions.
- Players start to think ahead and think “If this, then that”
- Players are more inclined towards wanting to play soccer rather than being told to play
- Demonstrate increased self-responsibility
- Players start to recognize fundamental tactical concepts
- Begin to become aware of peer pressure.
- Players affiliate with their team or their coach
- There is a wide continuum of maturity evident on most teams.
- U10 is still a crucial age for technical skill development.
http://www.mayouthsoccer.org/coaches/u10/
Some typical characteristics of the Under 8 player
- Enjoy playing in pairs
- Are now able to take another’s perspective.
- Still unable to think abstractly – be patient.
- Cooling system still less efficient than adults – still make sure to give frequent water breaks.
- Still prefer playing to watching – keep everyone active during practice.
- Limited attention span
- Have an understanding of time and sequence – “if I do this, then that happens”.
- Some now have a third or fourth speed in addition to stopped and as fast as possible.
- Very aware of adult reactions – be very aware of your reactions.
- Seek out adult approval and need reassurance – be supportive.
- Begin to become aware of peer perception – a social order is beginning to develop.
- Wide range of abilities between children at this age
- Beginning to develop motor memories
- Some become more competitive
- Less active imaginations than U6 players
http://www.mayouthsoccer.org/coaches/u8/
Some typical characteristics of the Under 6 player
- Focused on themselves – reality to them is based on what they see and feel
- Unable to see the world from another’s perspective
- Everything is in the here and now
- Cooling systems are less efficient - need frequent water breaks
- Enjoy playing, not watching. Every player should have a ball in practice
- Limited attention span - keep directions concise and to the point
- Effort is performance – if they try hard, they are doing well
- Active imaginations – utilize their imagination in activities, and they will love practice!
- Look for adult approval – be encouraging when they say “Coach, look what I can do!”
- Unable to think abstractly – spatial relationships are a mystery
- Typically have 2 speeds -- extremely fast and stopped
- Usually unaware of game scores – keep it that way
http://www.mayouthsoccer.org/coaches/u6/
Knock It Off
Instructions
How The Game Is Played: The coach will roll a ball into the grid and say “Go”. Each team fights for possession. The team that gains possession attacks and the other team tries to regain possession. The game is won when all the balls on the end line that a team is attacking are knocked off the cones. If the ball goes out of play the coach will roll it back into the grid. Coach determines which team attacks.
1v1 50/50 to Goal Team Competition
Instructions
On the coach’s command, the first player from each team should sprint around the cone in front of their line. As the players approach the cone the coach should play a 50/50 ball in the middle of each cone. The two players should battle for possession and quickly attack the goal.
The players should battle each other for the ball and either player can score a goal once possession is won. As a goal is scored the team scoring the goal is awarded a point.
4vs3 Attack vs Defense
Instructions
Instruct the players to exploit their numerical advantage and finish with a shot on goal.
- Attackers should move the ball looking for the open player and holes in the defense.
- Defenders should attempt to break-down the attack and will gain experience in how to cover a one-down situation. Defensive players should complete a pass to the coach to end the attack.
The coach should then give the ball back to the attackers to build the attack again.
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