Training the players on combination play, such as wall passes, take-overs and overlaps will aid them in keeping the ball long enough to set up a good attack. When attacking, players should work on keeping possession of the ball but should also be taught that possession play is a means to penetrating to the opponents’ goal and not an end in itself. Both have implications in movement education and technique for this age group.Ĭontinue teaching the principles of attack and defense, and provide opportunities for players to experience a variety of positions. Impulses of the nervous system are improved with a slower controlled movement, and sequenced muscle action is improved with faster movement. The repetition of technique is undertaken through fun games and dynamic activities. The teaching of ball skills needs to be accomplished through game-like activities. Get into action as soon as possible by having the team work at the outset without an involved and complicated explanation. It is very important that warm-up sessions are well handled because this is the time when the coach takes control and sets the tone for the training session. The key motivator in soccer is the ball it should be used as much as possible in training sessions. The coach’s responsibility remains coaching the players, not merely ball skills. This means more work on combining players in pairs and small groups to defend and attack. When working with this age group, concentrate on the application of age appropriate activities, placing an emphasis on individual possession and defending. While passing has become a more natural part of the game, the dribbling personality must still be encouraged to express that skill. Develop individual skills under the pressure of time, space and opponent(s) and increase technical speed. Women’s National Team, retired playerĬontinue establishing a solid base of technique. Too many in my opinion …” – Brandi Chastain, U.S. Today, with year-round soccer (which I didn’t play until I was nearly in college), there are an incredible number of games being played. When I was growing up, we practiced twice a week (three times when I got older) and played one game on the weekend, unless there was a tournament, and I didn’t start playing in tournaments until I was 11. “It’s amazing how much more technical and organized soccer training is now. It is important to establish discipline from the beginning.

Continue to ingrain the principles of play. Demonstration is very important and the players learn best by doing. The golden age of learning begins with the U9/U10’s and continuing with the U11/U12’s is the most important age for skill development. Players of this age have a high arousal level in relation to the training of basic skills. This is a time of transition from self-centered to self-critical. Hero worship, identification with successful teams and players and a hunger for imaginative skills typify the mentality of this age. The effect of the role model is very important at this stage of development. The coach must also be sensitive to the many biological and psychological changes that are occurring for these children now and through the U14 age group. Many players at this age are deciding if they want to commit deeply to soccer, stay in the game with a part-time commitment or drop the sport altogether.

The objective is to learn all of the fundamental soccer skills (build overall sports skills). Still within the learning to train stage of ages 8 to 12, the U11/12 age group is a transitional time. U11/U12 | For the Love of the Game Us – The Critical Transition Period

Mental skills for soccer players