US SOCCER

Recommended Training Priorities for Youth U-11 to U18

“Soccer is a child’s game played by adults, not an adult game to be played by children”

The following document is provided as a guideline for coaches of youth players 10 to 17 years of age. The intent is to:

Ø      Provide age-appropriate focus for training during the course of the season.
Ø      Provide benchmarks for what your players should achieve by the end of the season.
Ø      Provide building blocks for development through the years.

It must be understood that players mature at different rates. Age determines to a certain degree what players are physically, mentally and socially capable of on the soccer field. Some players will be capable of more complex skills and thought processes than others as they develop but it is up to the individual coach to know and understand their players and introduce more advanced aspects of the game as it is appropriate. It is vital to practice and master the basics in order that players can succeed at the next level.

[U11 & U12]   [U13 & U14]   [U15 & U16]   [U17]   [U18]

    U11 and U12
DEVELOPMENT OF INDIVIDUAL SKILLS      DEVELOPMENT AND SMALL GROUP TACTICS
This age group encompasses the overlap between preparing for 11 a side play
and the introduction of 11 a side play.

HIGH PRIORITY

Ø      Development of individual skill. All practices must challenge the player in competition.
Ø      Understanding of cooperation with teammates.
    1.      Support
    2.      Triangles, Diamonds
Ø      Individual and small group defending. One session in three devoted to 1 v 1’s, 2 v 2’s.
Ø      Developing an understanding of:
    1.      Delay
    2.      Tracking back
    3.      Depth
    4.      Balance

LOWER EMPHSIS: Positional Play, Team Play, Set Play

All activities should be challenging, motivating and involve TRANSITION!!!!

U-13 and U14
       DEVELOPMENT OF INDIVIDUAL SKILLS   DEVELOPMENT AND SMALL GROUP TACTICS

HIGH PRIORITY

The importance of Possession: DO NOT GIVE THE BALL AWAY!!!

Ø      Development of individual skill. All practices must challenge the player in competition.
Ø      Understanding of combination play. 
     1.      Support
     2.      Takeover
     3.      Wall Pass
Ø      Individual and small group defending. One session in three devoted to 1 v 1’s,
     2 v 2’s, 3v3’s
Ø      Developing an understanding of:
     1.      Delay
     2.      Tracking back
     3.      Depth
     4.      Balance

LOWER EMPHSIS: Functional Play, Team Play, Set Play

All activities should be challenging, motivating and involve TRANSITION!!!!

Suggested Training Topics for U-11 through U-14

HIGHEST EMPHSIS:

Individual Skills

§         Dribbling to beat an opponent
§         Dribbling to attack space
§         Dribbling to shield / protect ball
§         Short passing
§         Long passing**
§         Kicking
§         Heading**
§         Receiving
§         Turning
§         Receiving and Turning**
§         Tackling
§         Ball Control

Individual Tactics

§         Dribbling to beat an opponent
§         Dribbling to attack space
§         Dribbling to shield / protect ball
§         Defending 1 v 1
§         Defending 2 v 1
§         Ball Control

Small Group Tactics

§         Passing and support (recognition, angle, timing, shape)
§         Combination play (wall pass, takeover, overlap)**
§         Penetration (concentrate on small sided games up to 4 v 4, numbers up & down situations)
§         Possession (concentrate on small sided games up to 4 v 4, numbers up & down situations)
§         Defending 1 v 2
§         Defending 2 v 2
§         Defending 2 v 3**
§         Defending 3 v 2**
§         Defending 3 v 3**

LOWER EMPHSIS:

§         Positional play / Functional play (can be accomplished in 4 v 4, focusing on generic roles of players and relating them to 11 v 11      positions)
§         Team play (can be accomplished in pre-game / half time and individual talks)
§         Set plays (cover both attacking and defending thought process behind the organization)

**Topics may be introduced at U-12 but are most appropriate to focus on in U-13 & U-14

U-15 and U16
  DEVELOPMENT OF GROUP SKILL / TACTICS

HIGH PRIORITY

Ø      Development of individual skill should be covered in warm-up.
Ø      Understanding of combination play.

1.      Support
2.      Takeovers
3.      Wall Pass
4.      Third man running
5.      Overlap

DO NOT GIVE THE BALL AWAY!!!

Ø      One session in three devoted to 3 v 3’s, 4 v 4’s, 5 v 5’s
Ø      Develop an understanding of:
1.      Delay                     *role of strong side defenders
2.      Balance                  *role of weak side defenders
3.      Concentration
4.      Communication       *Who, What, When

LOWER EMPHSIS: Functional Play, Team Play, Set Plays

All activities should be challenging, motivating and involve TRANSITION!!!!

 U-17 
DEVELOPMENT OF POSITIONAL PLAY

Ø      Individual and group skill should be covered in the warm-up
Ø      Functional Play
    1.      Attacking roles and responsibilities
    2.      Defending roles and responsibilities. One in three practices devoted to defensive aspects of the game.
Ø      Match related practice: offense vs. defense
Ø      Crossing

Develop complete understanding of:

    1.      Crossing angle
    2.      Overlaps
    3.      Near and far post runs

Ø      Crossing

Develop complete understanding of:

1.      Attacking and defending responsibilities at corner kicks, free kicks.
2.      Importance of possession from throw-ins in defensive and midfield third of field versus possession and creativity in the final third.

 All activities should be challenging, motivating and involve TRANSITION!!!!

U-18
DEVELOPMENT OF TEAM PLAY

Ø      Individual and group skill should be covered in the warm-up
Ø      Functional Play
Ø      Team Play

Develop complete understanding of:

    1.      Match related practice: offense vs. defense
    2.      Match conditioned

Ø      One in three practices devoted to defensive aspects of the game
Ø      Players should have a complete understanding of the principles of team play (see attached illustration of the relationship of      principles of play).

Principles of Team Play