U9-13 Tips for Training Focus: Four Core Skills

First Touch, 1 V 1, Striking The Ball, Running With the Ball

Welcome 1. Welcome the players, arrival activity such as: dribbling,

juggling, OTB, a small game that uses the skill of the week!
S Safe (Physically & Emotionally)
Field safe? Lightning? Over 32°? Try new things? Bullying?
5 mins
2. This is where some repetition is used to stimulate the
SKILL
physical and mental side of your players. Look to include
elements of decision-making with no ‘stop-start coaching’.
O Organised
Are you prepared? Session plan? Setup prior? Gear?
INTRODUCTION
20 mins
C
Coach is: Encouraging Players are : Warming Up and playing Coaching Style
Coach on the run, feedback in breaks, ask questions
1. Gradually increase opposition to challenge your players in a
SKILL realistic football game scenario.
2. Think about how you can provide positive verbal feedback,
H How you Score / Win
Use a demo to explain, increase chances to score
TRAINING while giving lots of repetition.
30 mins
Coach is: Guiding Players are: Learning and playing
A Area
Increase / decrease size and / or shape of playing area

SKILL 1. Let them play! Set up a real small-sided game, maybe play N Numbers
Use different team numbers, 6 vs 4 or use jokers
another team next to you?
GAME
30 mins
2. As coach, step back and observe whether your players are
enjoying themselves, maybe even trying the skill you G Game Rules
Number of passes or touches before a shot or pass
practiced earlier. Relax and enjoy!
Wrap Up
5 mins Coach is: Observing Players are: Playing and having fun! E Equipment
Bigger / smaller goals, more goals

Is training Enjoyable? Is training Engaging?

Are your players smiling, laughing, Are all the players involved in the I Inclusion
Everyone involved, engage players in modifying session
enjoying themselves? session?

Keep it simple, keep it fun! Avoid Long Lines, Lectures and Laps. T Time
Reduce / extend the time to increase motivation
U9-13 Tips for Game Day Focus: Key points & skills from training
Link the game to the training sessions from previous weeks

BEFORE
1. Try an activity or exercise you have played or practiced
at training with everyone involved.
1 Control the Ball & Dribble or Pass
Dribble, don’t just kick the ball (NKFNR) – or pass it!

GAME 2. Encourage players to try things you have practiced at

training, i.e. dribbling or passing or support play.
2 First Touch to Space
Away from the defender, create time & space
1. Let them have a quick drink and rest
HALF 2. Highlight positive player actions and efforts such as
“Jesse, I loved the way you dribbled into the space”
3 Body Open
See where the ball is coming from & where you want to go
TIME “Olivia, you are trying really hard today”
“Let’s see how well we can play as a team”
4 Line of Pass
Get into LOP to create options for the player with the ball
1. Encourage all the players to be involved, and to try their
DURING
GAME
new skills. NO coaching of player on the ball, allow
players to make their own decisions. 5 Back & Away
To stop 1 defender marking 2 attackers

2. Let them play! – Be positive or be quiet!

6 Get Level & Outside
Take the defender out of play with 1 touch
1. 3 cheers for the referee and other team, shake hands,
AFTER reinforce the great effort players made, also noting
GAME players trying new positions, Goalkeeper! 7 Playing out from the Goalkeeper
Importance of the goalkeeper & building up play
2. Remind them when training is next.

8 Player Rotation
Players play different positions across season NOT in 1 game

9 Equal Game Time

Equal game time for all players should be the goal

For more information contact: coaching@wphcfc.net.au