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The Golden
years: Ages 9, 10 &11
Average length of practice 90
minutes. Several breaks must be given to the players during this
time. Two practices a week is sufficient. Allow days of rest between
games or tournaments.
Techniques:
Passing, Receiving, shooting, Ball control, 1v1 work, basics of the
game. Introduce new skill moves to continually challenge the
players.
Skill: 2v1, 3v1,
5v2, skill games.
Team: Small sided
games 3v3, and 4v4, emphasis on passing and support
Fitness: Warm-up,
introduction to stretching and good habits and basic elements of SAQ
Free Play: 4v4,
5v5, 6v6 supervised but without over coaching to 7v7s
Practice Time:
Technique 15% Skill 20% Team 25%
Fitness 5% Free play
35%
Philosophy:
During these years all
football players must be given tasks that challenge the Individual
with out destroying their confidence. The player is now ready for
small group games that will help with team tactics. These games
should have no set topics just the game it self.
The player must
experience attacking and defending responsibilities. A fun
environment is vital during these years.
Games:
Clear the pitch:
Two teams separated by a line. Players must keep footballs out of
their side of the pitch, after a set period of time the team with
the least amount of footballs in their half of the pitch wins.
Street football:
3v3 or 4v4 format, keep scores so players now where they stand.
Grid Passing:
Players play 3v1 keep away in a 10yd X 10 yd area.
Skill test:
Players have to achieve a number of touches or skill moves in set
time.the constant use of 2 feet must be encouraged
1v1: Two
players compete in a set area, they must try and beat the player to
get to an end line. Can also make players compete to cones.
Games:
Football
Tennis: (Tennis rules) Two team play football tennis. This will
improve receiving skills, passing, and ball control while improving
team understanding.
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 football: 3v3, or 4v4, format,
keep scores so players know 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. using 2 feet
1v1 2v2 3v3: Players compete in set
area they can be given many different tasks to achieve.
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.
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:
Dribbling: (move on
balls of feet, low centre 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)
Red
light green light – hold up different colours 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 and technique. 2 feet also
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.
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.
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.
Small-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.
IAN FERGUS YOUTH COACH
YOUNGSTARS ACADEMY
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