1. Recreational Soccer Program – U10 & U12 Age Groups
Henlopen Soccer Club
Recreational Soccer Program – U10 & U12 Age Groups

2. U10 & U12 Age Groups
ROLE OF THE U10/U12 COACH The role of the coach in the U10/U12 age group is to be a patient and motivating teacher. At this level, in addition to understanding technique, coaches should be able to provide environments conducive to problem solving (decision-making) by the players utilizing guided discovery methods. Specifically, individual and small group tactics should be the focus of the training sessions.

3. Characteristics of a U10 Soccer Player
As we move up the age ladder from the U8 level to the U10 level there are many differences we must attend to in order to provide an optimal experience for young players of this age. However, there are also many similarities. Just as in parenting, it is important to be consistent in coaching and we must make sure that we follow a progressive trend of development for young players. We need to continue to focus on technique during our practices, as we did at the younger ages. Creating environments in which players get maximum repetitions of technical skills is key. Players at this age should still work on ball mastery and demonstrate growing familiarity and comfortability with a ball at their feet.

4. Characteristics of a U12 Soccer Player
All children are maturing at different rates:
Height can be well over 5 feet and weight can be 100+ pounds
Coordination may depend on whether or not they are in a growth spurt
Whether a child enters puberty early or late has important psychological implications regarding relationships with their teammates
The age range for the beginning of pubescence in girls is 7-14, with the average being 10 years of age
The age range for the beginning of pubescence in boys is 9-16, with the average being 12 years of age 
Egos are sensitive
Peer evaluation is a constant
How to manage your players:
Players need to warm-up and stretch---muscle pulls and other nagging injuries are common otherwise
Playing too much can lead to overuse injuries
Ask for feedback from them---they will tell you how things are going
Try to hand over leadership and ownership of the team to them
They like to solve problems- may use their teammates to solve game problems
Keep asking the players to be creative and to take risks---we never want them to stop doing these things
Coach Role
Technique still needs to be reinforced constantly: touches on the ball, passing, and shooting.
This is the dawn of tactics: Positions, Possession, Movement off the ball.
Keep it fun!!!

5. Weekly Skills Training
Weekly Skills Trainings will be held to supplement the recreational experience. The sessions will be run by our select team coaches on Tuesday evenings at Mariner Middle School. These trainings are included with your rec fees. The skills sessions will be held on the following dates: September 10, 17, 24 AND October 1 5:30 PM – 6:00 PM: u4, u6, and u8 Age Groups 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM: u10, u12, and u15 Age Groups

6. Coaching Activities/Curriculum
Here are links for coaches to access fun and easy games to coach your u6 players in a very interactive approach. The games listed below can be used WITH THE HELP OF PARENTS to engage your players in loads of soccer fun!
Goalie Drills
Beginner Goalie Drills  Intermediate Goalie Drills  Advanced Goalie Drills
U9 Drills
Find the Gap - U9
Color Passing - U9 3v4v3 Game - U9
Outside Passing - U9
Soccer Scrimmage (wide-gates) - U9 Soccer Dribbling (with skills) - U9 Soccer Shooting - U9
U Brazil Soccer (first touch) - U10-U12
Pass, Shoot, Score & More - U10-U12
3v1 Drill - U10-U12
Wide Crosses (with gates) - U10-U12
Through Ball & Pass - U10-U12
1v1 Quick Drill - U10-U12
Corner Kick Drill - U10-U12

7. Practice Schedule
Practice Schedules should be confirmed/approved with Stephanie Parker:
We ask that coaches try and not practice on Tuesday nights as we encourage all rec players to attend our skills sessions.
We ask that at the end of each practice all goals are put away on the side of the blue shed (opposite side of the shed from the porta-potties). This needs to happen so that the Mariner Custodians can cut the grass during the week. (If you practice on a Friday evening you may leave your goals set up on the fields, please place them on the fields properly on the goal line as they are set for game day.)
A master list of practice schedules will be posted on the club website under the rec soccer tab:

8. Game Day Format
1.) Your team will share a field each morning, with a different team each week. The field will be either 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5. (Field map is located on the next slide.) Your one hour time slot will begin at 9:45 AM and end at 10:45 AM. The schedule will be posted at the concession stand each week.
U10 will be on fields: 1, 2, and 3
U12 will be on fields: 4 and 5
2.) minutes to Warm Up, Two - 20 minute halves with a 5 minute half time. There will be referees working your games. ALL GAMES WILL BE 7v7. SIX FIELD PLAYERS AND A GK.
3.) Please make sure you encourage your players to bring a size 4 ball to practice and games.
4.) If a coach cannot administer their weekly game here is the protocol:
Ask your parents to fill in for you. Try and give your team plenty of notice of your absence.
If you cannot find a replacement coach. Please contact our rec coordinators and one of them will cover your session. (Contact info for rec coordinators can be found on slides nine and ten.)

9. Field Map

10. On – Site Rec Coordinators
Eric Schweitzer, Tyler Nichols, and Billy Swontek will be present each week to: 1.) Line Fields, set up goals, prepare the facility for the day. 2.) All on site questions should be directed to these gentlemen. *If your questions are not answered, then direct your questions to the Rec Soccer Coordinator – Patrick Kilby: 3.) Make sure the grounds are clean, goals are put back, and shed is locked. 4.) Assist our parents, players and coaches in having a smooth and efficient day.

11. 2019-2020 Henlopen Rec Soccer Coordinators
Club President Stephanie Parker: Rec Coordinator Patrick Kilby: On Site Coordinators Eric Schweitzer: Tyler Nichols: Billy Swontek: Scheduling/Rosters Dennis Vieira: Referee Coordinator John Robinson: