1. Challenge Soccer Framework
Challenge Soccer Coaches Presentation
Fall 2018

2. Goals of SYSA Challenge
To ensure that players enjoy participating and want to return!
To encourage a level of technical competence
To provide opportunities for young players to learn the principles of play
To encourage a generation of ‘fitter’ children

3. Typical Player Characteristics 1st-2nd Grade
Like to Play
Will Imitate
Attention spans lengthen and they begin to sequence thoughts and actions.
Can start to think ahead and think “IF this…THEN that.”
Players strongly affiliate with their team and coach – “I play for the Raiders” or “I play for coach Awesomo”
Very ‘rule bound’ – Be careful of using generic ‘coachisms’ as players will apply that rule universally. Ex. Never go into the middle!
Wide range of maturity is to be expected.

4. Typical Player Characteristics 3rd -4th Grade
Like to Play
Attention spans lengthen and they begin to sequence thoughts and actions.
Can start to think ahead and think “IF this…THEN that.”
Players strongly affiliate with their team and coach – “I play for the Raiders” or “I play for coach Awesomo”
Begin to become aware of peer pressure.
Players are extremely rule bound – be mindful of this when you give instruction
Wide range of maturity is to be expected.

5. Typical Player Characteristics 5th -6th Grade
Maturing at different rates and can be sensitive about it!
Do need a gradual warm-up
Can understand basic abstract concepts and hypotheticals
Like to solve problems – Training should reflect.
Technique still needs to be reinforced.
Dawn of Tactics (Individual and Small-Group)
Players become more Critical.

6. Age Levels What should I Teach?
1st-2nd Grade (U8) – Introduction of Basic Principles of Play Important Age for Skill Development
3rd-4th & 5th-6th Grade (U10 & U12) – Continued Emphasis on Principles of Play Important Age for Skill Development
7th-8th Grade (U14) – Tactical and Skill Development

7. General Training Model
Age
Main Tactical Theme
Recurring Themes U6
Me and My Ball U8
Sharing the Ball
U10
Playing around the Ball
U6 + U8
U12
Playing Away from the Ball
U6 + U8 + U10
U14
Team Development
U6 + U8 + U10 + U12
Age
General Skill Progression
Recurring Theme U6
Dribbling and Shooting U8
Passing and Receiving On the Ground
U10
Heading and Receiving Out of the Air
U6 + U8
U12
Long Passing and Individual Defending
U6 + U8 + U10
U14
Positional Techniques
U6 + U8 + U10 + U12

8. 1st – 2nd Grade “Skill Competencies” Dribbling focus from U8/K-1
Passing short distances with inside/outside of Feet
Shooting with both Feet
Receiving Balls away from opponent
Basic Tackling Skills (Block Tackle)
Proper 1 vs 1 and 2 vs 1 attacking and defending; Intro to 2 vs 2
Players should be able to recognize basic shapes such as triangles and diamonds
Players should understand simple components of attacking and defending a goal.

9. 3rd-4th Grade “Skill Competencies”
Players should understand and refine the components of dribbling, passing/receiving, shooting and tackling (safe and fair).
Players should be comfortable with the ball and maintain possession as an individual.
Players should look for teammates and find them with passes to keep possession
Players should recognize simple team shapes: Triangle and Diamond and recognize number up situation such as 2v1 and 3v2.
Players should begin to loosely understand ‘bigger team’ concepts such as group attacking and defending.

10. 5th-6th Grade “Skill Competencies”
Players should understand and refine the components of dribbling, passing/receiving, shooting and tackling (safe and fair) and increase the range and ability of executon
Players should be comfortable with the ball and maintain possession as an individual.
Players should look for teammates and find them with passes to keep possession
Players should recognize simple team shapes: Triangle and Diamond and recognize number up and Numbers Down situations such as 2v1 and 3v2.
Basic Combination Play (In 2’s or In 3’s) -Proper 2 vs. 2 attacking and defending; Intro to 3 vs. 3 attacking and defending
Players should begin to loosely understand ‘bigger team’ concepts such as group attacking and defending.

11. USSF Best Practices for Zone 1 Pre-Teens; Age 8-12 yrs
Ideal Soccer Week Would Include:
Playing 1v1 and 2v2
Develop individual technique (competitive and challenging activities)
Develop ideas about Team Shape
Develop possession skills through individual and small-group activities
Play in appropriate game form. (4v4, 7v7, 9v9)
Free Play

12. 7 Key Practice Elements Free Play – Small numbers
Small-Sided Soccer Ladders
Individual Technical Development (Juggling and Dribbling ‘Moves’ aka Coervers),
Technical Games: Cooperative/Competitive Activities Individually and in Pairs
Possession Games (360 / 180 degrees)
4v4 Games and Variations
Play in Match Form (5v5, 6v6, 7v7)

13. Games Vs Drills Games Drills High Low Player-Based Coach-Based
Replication of Street Soccer Learning
Low
Coaching/Management
Player-Based
Decision Making
Coach-Based
Significant
Transition Attack-Defense
Limited
Transfer to Matches
General
Technical Development
Skill-Specific
Tactical Development
Soccer Fitness
Player Motivation
Player Enjoyment

14. Player-Centered Game Compatibility by Age and ComplexityU6 U8
U10
U12
U14
Games w/Adults
High
Med
Low
Skill & Support Games
Games w/ 2 Lines
N/A
Games w/ Targets
Games w/ Bumpers
360 degree possession
Games w/ 3 Lines
Games w/ Offside
Team Development Games

15. Free Play
Even Sided Dual or Ladder Games
Uneven 3v2+GK

16. Soccer Ladders 1v1 Ladders
1v1 ‘Square Pegs’ Kicking and Receiving Ladders

17. ITD – Juggling and Coerver Moves
Individual
Technical
Development

18. Juggling Sequences
Individual Skill Development Progressions (one player / one ball)
Kick x 1 and catch (goal =4 in a row w/out drop)
Kick x 2 and catch (goal =4 in a row w/out drop)
Kick x 3 and catch (goal =4 in a row w/out drop)
Kick x 4 and catch (goal =4 in a row w/out drop)
Can Mix body parts: Thigh, Foot, Catch; High Kick and Head etc.

19. Juggling Sequences Volley (from hands) to partner (catch).
Partner Skill Contests
Pairs 4-10 yards apart.
How many successful repetitions in time allowed (60-90sec).
Volley (from hands) to partner (catch).
Thigh pass to partner (catch).
Thigh touch and volley to partner (catch).
Thigh touch and head to partner (catch).
Instep touch and volley to partner (catch).
Self header to instep pass to partner (catch).

20. Technical Games 2v2 to two goals with GK’s
30x 16 yard field. Goals 4-7 yards depending on player’s age
Regular soccer game to big goals with keepers.
Older players use offsides lines 10 yards form each goal
Two points for 1-touch finishing
“corner kicks” (not taken) count half a goal.
Kick ins from side.
Gk Restarts the game after each goal.
Rotate teams (or players within a field) after each 4-minute game.

21. Possession Games - 360
4v1 Monkey In the Middle
6v3 Possession

22. Possession Games 180 (Directional)
4v4+1 to Small Goals
4v3 Offense vs Defense

23. 4v4 Variations 4v4 Line Soccer 4v4 4 Goal Game
4v4 + GK on Short and Wide Field

24. Play in Match Form 4v4, 7v7, 9v9 No Conditions or Restrictions
Keep Time and Score

25. The Training Environment

26. Soccer Strange!?!
No Lines
No Laps
No Lectures

27. Coaching Principle Applications No Lines, Laps, Lectures
Helicopter Test –
Is it Soccer? The game is the Best Teacher - 70% soccer ‘play’ vs drill Rule
Soccer is Fitness; Fitness is Soccer
Coaching is Communication
Filling the emotional Tank, The soccer Sandwich and invitation

28. Analysis and Curriculum
Cycle of Development
Game
Analysis and Curriculum
Training

29. Cycle of Development – cont.
Game (match)
Evaluate performance of players
Identify problems
Analysis
Review Problems
Determine Priorities (from game analysis AND curriculum)
Training
Develop/Create the training session
Correct problems

30. Principles of Coaching
Developmentally Appropriate
Clear, Concise and Correct information
Safe and Appropriate Training Areas
Decision Making
Implications for the Game

31. Training Session Design -principles in action
Should involve game-like activities as well as technical and tactical repetitive activities.
Training session has a Skill or understanding Topic. For example: dribbling technique, or passing and receiving, group defending.
Small-sided Directional games such as: 3v3, 4v3, 4v4, 5v3, 6v4. Teams attack and Defend.
Conclude Training with game to goals in game format with even numbers if possible.

32. Lesson Plan Organization 1 4-Stage PLan
Warm Up – Mental and Physical preparation. Should pertain to topic of practice.
Small-Sided Activity – introduce pressure from opponents
Expanded Small Sided Activity – includes more players. Must be directional and include a goal (or goal variations). Topic is still the focus and taught in this activity. Coaching points should be short, specific and detailed.
Scrimmage – does not mean 6v6/8v8. It is a game without any stipulations. Play to the largest possible with your numbers/space

33. Lesson Plan Organization 2 Play – Practice - Play
Play – ‘Deliberate Play’ is unstructured allowing experimentation. No coaching. Lets you take the pulse – checking on the players and getting them excited for soccer
Practice– Using activates to create game-like situations allow players to solve problems and the coach can guide and help propose solutions. Skill activities can be cooperative or competitive.
Play – Try to finish in game format, but this is a game without any stipulations. Play to the largest possible with your numbers/space

34. Training Session Variables
Even or uneven number of players
Size and shape of playing area
Watch, Field Size, # of players
Method of Scoring, touch restrictions, etc.
Opponents
Space
Time
Conditions or Restrictions

35. Player Considerations…..
Lesson Plan Delivery
Player Considerations…..
Need time for uninterrupted play – aka FLOW – in each activity, drill or game.
Children have limited processing and abstract thinking ability.
need to concentrate
need to hear game
need to establish a rhythm of play
need to have a chance to solve problems and adapt on own

36. Coaching Communication…..
Lesson Plan Delivery
Coaching Communication…..
Use the Coach’s Toolkit
allow the conditions of the game to coach the theme
coach at natural stoppages
coach in the flow of the game
coach individual players as the game continues
coach using the freeze method…freeze, correct, rehearse, restart

37. Final Thoughts Find ways to make training competitive
Give rest periods for rest and water (work:rest ratio / intensity)
Demand Thoughtful Play
Hold Players Accountable for their Decisions on the Field.
Keep the session flowing
Make it FUN…It’s a game after all!

38. Age vs. Ability
Training activities must be both enjoyable and challenging to be regarded as ‘fun’. It is important to match the player ages, skill range and game understanding to the chosen activities.
Ability, Experience and Motivation all play a part in determining ‘acceptable’ activities.

39. Misc. Thoughts Organized American sport is a drill-based culture.
Soccer’s greatest players grew up in cultures where free expression and creativity are inherent. Think Pick Up Soccer.
Soccer is a Game of Mistakes. Over time, players learn from mistakes.
Learning soccer is an untidy process that blossoms in mid-teens. It is a product of a player’s experience, motivation and quality of their environment (coaches & teammates & Opponents).
70% of American Kids have quit sports soccer by age 13.
Most young players don’t understand soccer, but would understand it a lot more if we allowed them to learn from playing the game.