Player Development Skills
U6 Age Group-Player Development
Coach Role:
Keep instruction to a minimum and let the players understand they must make their own decisions on the fields and it’s OK to make mistakes. Do not teach the players to boot or kick the ball, they should concentrate on dribbling and shooting
Parents Role:
Do not coach the players. Parents should only cheer good plays by their team and politely applaud good play by the other team. Never tell the players to kick or boot the ball, encourage dribbling
Skill Priorities:
Top:
By far the most important skills for beginners is the skill of dribbling. The ability to dribble is absolutely critical since dribbling is the foundation and preparation for the other fundamental skills of soccer, such as controlling, passing and shooting.
Primary:
Dribble out of trouble
Soft first touch
No kicking allowed except when shooting on goal
U8 Age Group-Player Development
Coach Role:
Keep instruction to a minimum and let the players understand they must make their own decisions on the fields and it’s OK to make mistakes. Do not teach the players to boot or kick the ball, they should concentrate on dribbling and shooting
Parents Role:
Do not coach the players. Parents should only cheer good plays by their team and politely applaud good play by the other team.
Never tell the players to kick or boot the ball, encourage dribbling
Skill Priorities:
New:
Introduce passing only to the players who can dribble out of trouble
Primary:
Dribble out of trouble
Soft first touch
No kicking allowed except when shooting on goal
Coach Role:
Keep instruction to a minimum and let the players decide for themselves when to dribble and when to pass and learn from their mistakes. The coaches should refrain from shouting instructions every step of the way. Give the players freedom to express themselves, let them make their own mistakes and learn by trial and error.
Parents Role:
Do not coach the players. Leave the coaching to the coach.
Never tell the players to kick or boot the ball, encourage dribbling and passing.
Feel free to cheer and applaud. No negative comments and please applaud good plays by the other team.
Exhibit good sportsmanship and make the other team feel welcome.
Skill Priorities:
Top:
The emphasis on dribbling should continue at this level, but now passing needs to be introduced and practiced as well.
Primary:
Players should be learning to combine with teammates around them using short ground passes and wall passes to move the ball forward.
U14 & Older Age Group-Player Development
Coach Role:
Coaches working with this age group should base their decision regarding the practice topics on their team’s performance in matches. In other words, the games will tell the coaches what they need to work on. For example, if the team is struggling with possession and the breakdowns are mostly technical, then the practices on the following week should be devoted to improving passing.
Parents Role:
Ensure your child attends practices regularly.
Exhibit good sportsmanship and make the other team feel welcome.