U10 Curriculum

U10 CURRICULUM

Coaching Emphasis-Individual Technical Development, Small-Group Decision-Making and Fun: Because of the cognitive and psychomotor abilities of U9/10 children, coaches should focus on perfecting their player's fundamental soccer techniques (see the list below). Special emphasis should be placed on developing players who are willing and able to go 1v1. Coaches should not sacrifice their player's technical development in order to win games, regardless of what parents want. Player's decision-making can be enhanced through small-group play in small-sided games. NO LINES, NO LAPS and NO LECTURES to ensure soccer remains fun.

Game Format: 6v6 (5 field players and a goalkeeper).

Roster Size: For six aside maximum of 10 (or the NASC will specify according to player availability).

Soccer Knowledge: "Spreading out" to create length and width, the laws of the game (that is, those laws that impact how players play) except Offside (which should not be implemented at U10), the "moves" used by professional players and greater awareness of professional teams/players through watching "pro" games.

Team positions: Players can be exposed to and asked to play a position. However, coaches must remember that positions are "fluid" not fixed and that, developmentally, many children will have a difficult time playing a position. Coaches must make allowances for these children, enable them to roam and adjust their team accordingly. for 6-aside play one defender, three midfielders and one forward. Rotate those players into the goalkeeper position, who are willing to go in goal.

Technical Emphasis: The following techniques should be covered with children through the use of developmentally appropriate games (especially match condition games). Drills are to be avoided by inexperienced coaches (drills focusing on intricate individual technique can be used for short periods by qualified, experienced soccer coaches). The techniques to be covered in the order of importance are:

1. Dribbling the ball (coaches should place special emphasis on developing the skills need to go 1v1 and beat defenders).

2. Running with the ball to attack space.

3. turning with the ball to elude a defender or change direction.

4. Shooting (nurture an aggressive attitude towards shooting and cover multiple shooting skills while stressing the volley and driven techniques).

5. Passing (with inside and outside of foot)..

6. Receiving the ball (wedge and cushioning techniques to minimize number of touches needed to control the ball.

7. Heading (to be introduced in "user friendly" manner).

8. Shielding the ball for possession.

Tactics: Below are some tactical considerations for the U10 coach. Coaches must remember that our player's technical development is vastly more important than tactics at this age. However, coaches can help players make better use of their greater technical prowess by making superior decisions. team tactics can be addressed one practice out of every ten.

1. 1v1 or individual attacking tactics: players must first be coached to be aggressive to take on defenders 1v1. in addition, they need to learn the techniques used to beat defenders 1v1. Players should be taught an array of 1v1 moves (ball feints, body feints, fakes, turns etc.). Only then can we guide players to apply them effectively how, when and where to beat defenders. Players need help becoming more comfortable when playing with their back to the opponent's goal..

2. Creativity: Players need to be encouraged to improvise and to take risks in solving tactical problems. Coaches and players need to remember the difference between creative decisions(good/unique ideas...that might not always work out) and bad decisions (making the same mistakes twice!).

3. Vision: Players should be encouraged to "get their heads-up," to "see the field" and to scan for options before receiving the ball, so they already know upon controlling the ball what their next action will be.

4. Play quickly but with purpose: Coaches are compelled to discourage"kick-ball." Players should not be allowed nor encouraged to kick, "send" or "dump" the ball aimlessly down the field. however our players have to be encouraged to play (think, execute, etc.) quickly.

5. Small-group play: Focus upon support play. Do players move or stand still when not in possession? Do they move into open spaces at the right time? Players should be encouraged to "find" new positions to help their teammates, rather than be told when and where to move.

6. Individual defending: Do players try to recover the ball after losing possession? Encourage players to defend actively with caution, rather than "over-pursue" the ball.

7. team play: Does the team attack and defend together as a large group? no players should be assigned to stand like a "cone" on the edge of the penalty area during the game. Does the team transition quickly ( on their own) from attack to defense after loosing the ball and from defense to attack after winning the ball?

Practice/Games Schedule: Two " 1 hour" practices per week. Games Saturday mornings (NASC will Specify day & time). Practices should not last more than 70 minutes. Players can be encourages to attend a third "skills" practice if it is offered by the club.

Recommended Activities: Tag games with the ball, gate games, 1v1 games, 2v2 games, small-group activities,small-sided match conditioned games and small-sided scrimmages.

Player Equipment: Size 4 ball, athletic shoes, appropriate clothing, shin guards and high socks over the shin guards.

Coaching license: The State Youth License is recommended for in-house coaches. All travel coaches must have an "E" License by the start of the U10 spring season..