Elite Soccer Academy

The effect of the role-model is very important at this stage of development. Hero worship, identification with successful teams/players and hunger for imaginative skills typify the mentality of this age. This is time of transition from self-centered to self-critical. Players of this age have a high arousal level in relation to the training of basic skills. This is “golden age of learning” and most important age for skill development. Demonstration is very important and players learn best by “doing”. This is also an important time to introduce and teach basic principles of play. It is important to establish discipline from the beginning.

 

Sensitive teacher; Enthusiastic; Posses soccer awareness; Ability to demonstrate or utilize someone who can paint a good picture (older player, assistant coach); Knowledge of the key factors of basic skills; Specifically, individual and small group tactics should be the focus of the training sessions. Give encouragement.

Recommended License: USSF “D” or higher

 

 

 

Important to establish a good strong solid base.

Development of individual skills under the pressure of time, space, and an opponent.

 

Dribbling: Encourage risk taking! Moves to beat an opponent; Keeping possession

Feints with the ball: Subtle body movements to unbalance the opponent

Receiving: Ground and Air balls; to beat an opponent; all surfaces, from a partner and on the move.

Heading: Self serve; partner serve-jumping to head, turning the ball; Partner juggling

Passing: Proper technique-Laces, inside, Outside-Short and long; Crossing.

Finishing: Chipping; Bending; Toe; Introduce Half Volley and Volley Shooting.

 

Footwork for Goalkeepers: Post to post (lateral); Forward

Throwing: Side arm; Round-house; Baseball

Kicking: Drop- kick

Diving: Step and Collapse (low); Step and slide onto forearms and thighs; ANGLE PLAY; Fast footwork; Body shape

Introduce Parrying and Boxing: One and two hands

 

      Individual Tactics: 1 v 1 situations in attack and defense. Play
1 v 1 frequently

      Small Group Tactics: 2 v 1, 2 v 2, 3 v 1, 3 v 2, 3 v 3, 4 v 2, 4 v 3,
4 v 4.

Play a variety of position; Develop awareness / complete player Basic principles of play.

         Attacking: Keep possession; Encourage risk taking; Take players on 1 v 1 in proper areas of the field. Support. Basic combination play (wall pass, takeover); Promote attacking soccer.

 

 

        Defending: Proper pressure (in front and behind); Channel player; immediate chase; Cover; Marking

 

        Team Tactics: Team tactics do not take priority at this age. Focus is placed on maintaining balance and playing skillful soccer. Players play a variety of positions and emphasis is placed on player development instead of getting results as a team

 

         Recommended System: putting the players out on the field for the love of the game, without spending much time coaching the system. FOCUS on teaching principles of play as opposed to systems. If playing 8 v 8, recommending a 2-3-2. If playing 9 v 9, recommended 3-3-2. Most importantly, players should enjoy the great game!

 

 

All fitness work done with the ball, in partners, and in fun engaging activities. Proper warm-up and cool-down mandatory

        Flexibility; Agility- with and without the ball; Speed; Strength;
        Endurance; Balance

 

Keep it fun and enjoyable to foster a desire to play (Intrinsic motivation).

Encouraging decision-making

Imagination/Creativity

Increased demands

Discipline

      The training session should involve fun and imaginative game like
      activities, as well technical and tactical repetitive activities.

      The training session has a technical and/or tactical topic; For 
      example: dribbling technique and/or 1 v 1 decision making.

      Introduction to functional training (position specific) is appropriate.

      Small-sided directional such as: 4 v 4, 5 v 4, 5 v 5, 6 v 5, 6 v 6, 7 v 6, 
      should be included as well.

      Training should always conclude with an 8 v 8 games with
      goalkeepers if possible.

      The duration of the training session should be 90 minutes.

      Game duration: two half’s of 30 minutes

      Playing numbers: 8 v 8 (with goalkeepers)

      Possible Formations: 1-2-3-2; 1-3-2-2; 1-3-3-1