U13 Week 7

Hey Coaches!

It’s crazy to think that we are almost done the season! We have this week, the Wrap-up on Saturday, and then our final week next week. Thank-you for all of your hard work!

All Information for the Wrap-up will come out ASAP.

Do your regular warm up with the 2 lines. It has been great to see everyone doing this. Warming up is vital to being a good soccer player, and helps prevent injuries. It is also a time to help them focus on what they are there for.

Once you have done your warm up, have them pair up and get in groups of 3 and try to keep the ball in the air while juggling. See who can do it the longest. This is also something you can get them to do while they arrive.

This week we will be working on defending. I’ve noticed that all  the teams are aggressive, but the technique behind defender is missing a little. There was lots of just running at the ball and lots of collisions. Hopefully these drills/games will help with defending awareness.

Defending coaching points. Here are some points for you as a coach to remember about defending, as well as a youtube clip that talks about Block Tackling. Remember, we DO NOT slide tackle at this age, and all slide tackles will be called by the ref and could result in your player being asked to sit on the sidelines during a game. This is simply about safety as most players at this age are unable to slide tackle safely.

Ensure you spend time demonstrating proper defending stance and positioning. Encourage good defending skills and correct when needed.

Defender's stance:

Defender's feet should be about a shoulder width apart, boxers stance

- legs should be slightly bent

- stay on toes so you can react to any sudden changes of direction by the attacker.

-quick close down. You want to get to the attacker quick, but in the last few feet slow your run down so you can close down the space and react to their movements.

-delay/give space - don't commit- jockey (wait for them to take a bad touch or make the first move).

-watch ball not player. You want to be watching the ball, not the player's body or feet. Their feet and body can confuse you, but the ball can only go in the direction it will go.

-make the attacker make the mistake

Defender positioning:

- defender is goal side (closer to net than attacker)

- direct attacker into area where there is support or try to force them out wide.

How to block tackle:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUtauRD5ipo

1. Ball warm up:

Keep Away - 20 X 30 m grid. All players except for two are dribbling within a grid. Those without balls try to win ball from other players and then continue to dribble with grid. When coach stops play the two players without balls must do a challenge.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RWJ6u8X4dY

2. 1 vs 1 defending.

Play kings court style or just let them play until the get tired.  Players stand 15 yards apart. Defender passes ball to attacker who tries to beat defender and dribble to end line and stop it. 2 minute games.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=6-1No0rddBo  (as in video except multiple grids so no line ups.)

Progress to 2 vs 1 where defender is trying to prevent two attackers from getting to endline or to get a shot on net.

3. Shark

You Could play knock out version with two grids, continuous, with one person as the shark, they need to know everyone's ball out of grid, when knocked out, they go into second grid, coach designates a shark for that grid.  Switch sharks when clearly tired.  

4. Win ball Drill  

Two lines facing coach, coach passes a 50/50 ball, players need to try and win ball and either score on a small net or pass to a target (ball on cone or at the net) and work on defender's working to win the ball back and make strong second effort.

5. 1v1 to numbers game

Have two small goals on either end of a mini field.  Balls at centre on side of grid with coach, line up of players on either side of coach (two teams, one in pinnies), play a ball into middle of field, 1v1 until dead or score.  Can increase number of players going for ball to create different situations, 2v2, 3v3 etc...or numbers game:  Number players 1,2,3,4,5 etc. Call out a number. Coach rolls out ball at center line and numbered player on each team must try to win ball and then either defend their goal or attack the other goal. Progress to calling out more than one number and encourage players on same team to work together to score.

6. Game

Two teams. Regular rules except man on man marking only. Pair up forwards and defence, and midfielders and midfielders. Have one player on each team who can check anyone. Stress importance of knowing where your check is and to get goal side (between the attacker and your goal)  and defend against check when ball is lost. Place a ball on top of a cone at each end. This will act as the “goal.” To get a point the attacking team must knock the ball off of the cone.

U10 Week 7

Hey Coaches!

It’s crazy to think that we are almost done the season! We have this week, the Wrap-up on Saturday, and then our final week next week. Thank-you for all of your hard work! You’ll notice that the format below is a little different. I am trying out a new resource that we are looking at implementing next season.

All information for the Wrap-up on Saturday will be coming out ASAP.

Do your regular warm up It has been great to see everyone doing this. Warming up is vital to being a good soccer player, and helps prevent injuries. It is also a time to help them focus on what they are there for.

Once you have done your warm up, have them pair up and get in groups of 3 and try to keep the ball in the air while juggling. See who can do it the longest. This is also something you can get them to do while they arrive.

1. Asteroids

Have players line up on either side of grid, each with a ball. 2 players will run through the middle (almost as if it was a gauntlet) while the players on the edge try to use their balls to hit the running players balls. Players on the outside must only use the inside of the foot to kick the ball (to keep the ball from getting to high) and all kicks must be below the knee.

Be creative with turns. Have your players demonstrate some turns. Biggest thing is to keep them moving, lots of little touches on the ball (keep it close) and to execute the turn quickly. Feel free to add light pressure by trying to defend them.

U8 Week 7

Hey Coaches!

It’s crazy to think that we are almost done the season! We have this week, the Wrap-up on Saturday, and then our final week next week. Thank-you for all of your hard work! You’ll notice that the format below is a little different. I am trying out a new resource that we are looking at implementing next season.

All information for the Wrap Up will be coming out ASAP.

Over the last few weeks I have been going around to each age group and doing a "Head Coach Technical Session" where I have coached all the teams at once. This gives myself a chance to interact with the players, as well as a chance for you to observe me and hopefully learn something :)

This week I will work with all the u8 GIRLS teams. As your players show up get them to pass with each other, and then we will start the session all together with a warm-up. We will need all of your balls and other equipment. I will also need your help in demonstrations and drills. We will work on the specific skill together, I'll demonstrate the drill, and then we will break in to our teams and do that drill.

Boys, you will play your games that were cancelled on Thursday due to the Thunderstorm. Check you schedule for who you are playing. I will bring the nets over to the field, but will need your help in setting them up :) Also note that you will not have referees (unless Rory is able to find some that may be interested) so one of the coaches will ref the game.

Next week (Our last week) I will work with the boys, and the girls can play the games that were missed from the thunderstorm.

U6 Week 7

Hey Coaches!

It’s crazy to think that we are almost done the season! We have this week, the Wrap-up on Saturday, and then our final week next week. Thank-you for all of your hard work! You’ll notice that the format below is a little different. I am trying out a new resource that we are looking at implementing next season.

Information on the Wrap-up for Saturday will be coming out ASAP. 

  

* This is a good game to teach your players how to move. Obviously in soccer we don't use our hands, but the concept of moving and working as a team is difficult for younger ages. So playing Handball is great as when you have the ball you cannot move and are forced to work as a team.

*Ball on top of cones inside the “castle” will work great as well

*You can start with the balls in the middle as well. Make teams according the the number of players you have

U5 Week 7

Hey Coaches!

It’s crazy to think that we are almost done the season! We have this week, the Wrap-up on Saturday, and then our final week next week. Thank-you for all of your hard work! All of the information for the Wrap Up Should be out today.

1. Colour dribbling and Stopping

This is a variation of Red Light/Green Light sort of combined with simon says. Start by having players dribble in in your area. Red Light means Stop, Green Light go.

As they get warmed up with this,  have them stop their balls with various parts of the body as identified by colors. Example - red is right hand, blue is left foot, rainbow is forehead, etc. I suggest start by just saying the body part first, and then as they get the hang of it assign a colour to that body part. This is a great game for them as it changes how they think about the movements of their body. They have to process what they are doing, which down the road will help them focus more in the game. As we change how our brains associate movement, the less we actually end up thinking about it when it becomes a normal thing (it becomes a “muscle memory” movement).

2. Pirate Ship

Use your cones to make a circle in one corner. This will be the “Pirate Ship”. In the opposite corner place anything you can (other cones, balls, pinnies, jackets, whatever you have) This is the treasure the players (I mean pirates…) will be stealing.

When you say go, they start in their ship and run to the treasure and can bring back ONE item at a time.

Start without using balls and just let them run. If they are too good, feel free to have them dribble the balls, but this may be a stretch.

3. Number Dribbling

Have players jog with a ball at their feet in the same direction. When you call a number, that many players must come together with balls touching each other. Example: the call is three, players must get in groups of 3. Those players unable to form a unit of three do three push-ups or star jumps or…? Be creative :)

4. Trap, Dribble, Score

Make a channel of cones with the net at the end. Players line-up opposite the net. You will pass the ball in, and the player must take a good first touch, dribble the ball towards the net, and shoot. Once they shoot they run back to the end of the line around the outside of the cones (to stay out of the way.

4.2

Once they get the hang of trapping, dribbling, and shooting, add some cones in the middle to create a slalom course they must dribble through.

5. Possession

Split your team into 2 teams and simply have them play keep away. Make sure they are moving and passing.

One way you can motivate them without having a net is to have a coach (or parent) stand at each end (where the goal would be) and the point is to pass the ball to the coach (or parent). Once the coach receives it, they must pass the ball back to the team they got it from (1 coach per team standing opposite each other).

U4 Week 7

Hey Coaches!

It’s crazy to think that we are almost done the season! We have this week, the Wrap-up on Saturday, and then our final week next week. Thank-you for all of your hard work! All of the information for the Wrap Up Should be out today.

1.  Lights

• Line players up on one side. You are on the opposite sideline. When you say a light they will start running. Remember to encourage them to keep the ball close (not kicking it far away).
• Game: Call out a color light
•  Green light: they run and dribble towards you
•  Yellow light: they walk and dribble towards you
•  Red light: they stop the ball with the bottom of their foot – the sooner the better
•  Disco light: they stop and give you their best dance moves

2.  Spiderman

Players all have a ball. Coach (or parents) holds a pinnie, this will be your “web”. Players run around in your area trying to keep their ball safe from your web. You chase after them and try to throw your net (pinnie) on their ball. If you catch their ball, they are frozen and another play must come and touch the caught ball with their own ball.

3. Pirate Ship

Use your cones to make a circle in one corner. This will be the “Pirate Ship”. In the opposite corner place anything you can (other cones, balls, pinnies, jackets, whatever you have) This is the treasure the players (I mean pirates…) will be stealing.

When you say go, they start in their ship and run to the treasure and can bring back ONE item at a time.

Start without using balls and just let them run. If they are too good, feel free to have them dribble the balls, but this may be a stretch.

4. Steal the Bacon

In your grid, place the balls in the middle in a straight line. Spit your team into 2 groups and have them line up on either end.

When you say “GO” the goal is to run to the middle, and get a ball. Start with having them pick the balls up with their hands and carry the ball back to their end. Once they get the hang of it, get them to DRIBBLE the ball back to their end, once all the balls are at both ends, the game is over.

• Change things up by having the players start with laying down, and getting up when you say go or sitting facing the opposite direction. This will work on their coordination and ability to get up quickly.
• Another way to change it up is to number the players (1 to ?) and call out numbers, I suggest calling out 2 numbers at a time. Only these number can go and get a ball. Once each number has gotten a ball, call out another number. Keep going until all balls are gone

5. Musical Soccer Balls

Use cones to make a circle large enough for your kids to run around. Place the soccer balls in the middle of the circle and make sure you have one less soccer ball than you have players. The players start on the outside of the circle and they are not allowed to go into the circle until the whistle blows. On the whistle, the players can sprint to the soccer balls. Because there is one less soccer ball, one player will be left without a ball. The player without the ball is then removed from the game. Every round you will need to remove one soccer ball.