Competitive Soccer Curriculum

Below is a synopsis of our curriculum specific to each age group and the components (technique, psychology, fitness, tactics) of coaching soccer…our coaching staff will follow these guidelines in developing your child as a player in addition to complimenting your child’s development as a well-rounded individual.

Every aspect of play coached at one age must be reinforced at the next age. Aspects taught at U6 must be taught again at U8, U10, and U12 and so on. What was learned at a previous age group or groups must be refined at the next age group.

Please note that the priority of the four components of soccer changes according to the age group being coached.

U-10

Technique: running with the ball; passing; instep drive; receiving ground balls with the instep and outside of foot; receiving bouncing balls with the instep (cushion) and sole- inside-outside of foot (wedge); throw-in; fakes in dribbling; introduce heading and crossing. For goalkeepers ready stance; how to hold a ball after a save; W grip; catching shots at the keeper; punting and introduction to goal kicks and throwing

Psychology: working in-groups of 3, 4 or 5; stay focused for one entire half; sensitivity; how to win or lose gracefully; sportsmanship; parental involvement; “how to play”; communication; emotional management

Fitness: endurance; range of motion-flexibility; proper warm-up and cool-down are mandatory now

Tactics: 1 v 1 defending; roles of 1st attacker and defender; 2 v 1 attacking; man-to-man defense; introduction to set plays

Best Qualities of a Coach for this Age Player:  Energetic. Plays while facilitating practice. Stimulates ideas.

Number of Matches Per Calendar Year - 20 Matches:  It is recommended that players play up to 20 matches per calendar year for their clubs. There should be a ratio of 2 or 3 practices per one match. Players should be given two days rest per week. In league play, there should be no more than the equivalent of 1 game per weekend. There should be no standings or post season playoffs and a limited number of small-sided round robins. Tournament play should not be encouraged.

Breaks from Mandatory/Organized Soccer:  At these ages, it is recommended that parents discourage their children from specializing in or playing only soccer and encourage participation in a number of different sports and activities.

Travel:  In state travel only with a 1 hour maximum travel time.

Tournaments, Festivals, Etc.:  May attend a few jamborees or festivals per year where no results are compiled.

State, Regional and National Championships:  None

U-12

Technique: feints with the ball; receiving ground, bouncing and air balls with the heel, shins, thigh, abdomen, chest and head; heading to score goals and for clearances-standing and jumping; chipping to score; outside of foot pass; bending shots; crossing to near post and penalty spot space; heel pass; kicking and receiving with inside of the instep; introduce half volley and volley shooting; introduce slide tackle. For goalkeepers footwork; bowling; low dives and forward diving; angle play; near post play; saving penalty kicks; introduce parrying and boxing

Psychology: teamwork; confidence; desire; mental rehearsal; intrinsic motivation; handling distress; how to learn from each match; sportsmanship; parental involvement; emotional management

Fitness: speed; strength; aerobic exercise

Tactics: 2 v 1 defending; 2 v 2 attacking and defending; roles of 2nd attacker and defender; combination passing; verbal and visual communication for all positions; commanding the goalmouth for the goalkeeper; half-time analysis; corner kick plays-defending and attacking; kick-off play; wall pass; beginning to identify potential roles for players-goalkeeper, defender, midfielder and/or forward; introduce the principles of defense

Best Qualities of a Coach for this Age Player:  Sensitive teacher, enthusiastic, possess soccer awareness, ability to demonstrate or utilize someone whom can paint a good picture (older player, assistant coach). Possess knowledge of the key factors of basic skills. Give encouragement. Have an appreciation for the relationship or connection between individual skill and small group insight, and the players’ eventual success at the older ages and the larger game model of 11 v 11.

Number of Matches per Calendar Year - 30:  It is recommended that players play up to 30 matches per calendar year for their clubs. There should be a ratio of 2 or 3 practices per one match and players should be given two days rest per week.

Breaks from Mandatory/Organized Soccer:  Players should be given time off from organized soccer each year.

Travel:  Travel should be limited to day trips with two overnight events per calendar year. No standings or awards.

Tournaments, Festivals, Etc.:  Tournament–like events should be limited to competitions that are organized into a round robin format.

State, Regional and National Championships:  A statewide 9 v 9 competition where each team plays a predetermined number of matches should be encouraged. Matches should be played on appropriately sized fields and with a size 4 ball. No regional or national competitions.

U-14

Technique: chipping to pass; bending passes; crossing to the far post and top of the penalty area; half volley and volley shooting; slide tackles; heading to pass; heading backwards; diving headers; kicking and receiving with outside of the instep; outside of foot shot; dummy the ball; shoulder charge. For goal- keepers far post play; medium and high diving; parrying over the crossbar and around the posts; boxing and catching crosses; half volley (drop kick); kick saves; long over arm throws

Fitness: power; acceleration; anaerobic exercise; cardio respiratory and cardiovascular training

Psychology: assertiveness; tension control; self and team discipline; stay focused for an entire match; sportsmanship; parental involvement; “how to play”; mental focusing techniques; emotional management; self-regulation

Tactics: individual and group tactics; compactness; command the goal area for the goalkeeper; role of 3rd defender; how to make recovery and tracking runs; throw-in, penalty kick and free kick plays defending and attacking; defending the defensive third-center and flanks; playing in the attacking third center and flanks; post match analysis; checking runs; take overs; switching positions during the flow of play; provide offensive support out to the penalty spot for the goalkeeper; zone defense; introduce the principles of attack

Number of Matches per Calendar Year - 30 Matches:  It is recommended that players play up to 30 matches for their clubs per calendar year. There should be a ratio of 2 or 3 practices per one match. Players should be given two days rest per week.

Breaks from Mandatory/Organized Soccer:  Players should be given breaks from organized soccer that includes at least one extended break each year.

Travel:  Players should be allowed to travel to competitions within their region.

Tournaments, Festivals, Etc.:  Players should be allowed to compete in state and regional competitions. Ideally, a three game event should be played over a five day period to allow for a day of rest and recovery between each game. At a minimum, a three game event should be played over a four day period to allow for a day of rest and recovery between the second and third games.

State, Regional and National Championships:  Players should be allowed to compete in state and regional competitions.

U-16

Technique: airborne kicking-forward volley, scissors volley, Bicycle kick. For the goalkeeper backwards diving; saving the breakaway; all forms of distribution

Fitness: vertical jump; body composition; plyometric exercise; Weight training; interval training; S.A.I.D. principle

Tactics: group tactics; role of the 3rd attacker; principles of attack and defense; diagonal passing; dribbling and off the ball runs; wing play; overlapping runs; defending in the midfield and attacking thirds; all possible set plays; match analysis; switching the point of attack; should be developing the ability to adapt tactics during the flow of play; key players should be able to dictate the rhythm of the game; command out to the penalty spot for the goalkeeper; provide offensive support to the top of the penalty area for the goalkeeper

Psychology: personal accountability; drive; courage; sacrifice in order to achieve one’s best; sportsmanship; parental involvement; “how to play”; emotional management

Best Qualities of a Coach for this Age Player:  Charismatic. Experienced. Knowledgeable. Articulate. Disciplinarian. Managerial know how. Thoughtful persuader. An understanding of the 3 lines of the team and how each works as a separate unit as well as part of the team as a whole

Number of Matches per Calendar Year - 30 Matches:  It is recommended that players play up to 30 matches per calendar year for their clubs. There should be a ratio of 2 or 3 practices per one match. Players should be given two days rest per week.

Breaks from Mandatory/Organized Soccer:  Breaks from organized soccer should be encouraged throughout year to avoid burnout.

Tournaments, Festivals, Etc.:  Players should not be asked to play more than 160 minutes of soccer in any 72-hour period. Ideally, a three game event should be played over a five day period to allow for a day of rest and recovery between each game. At a minimum, a three game event should be played over a four day period to allow for a day of rest and recovery between the second and third games.

State, Regional and National Championships:  Players should be allowed to compete in state and regional competitions.

U-19

Tactics: team tactics; tactical/technical functional training; specialized tactics for a particular opponent; midfield play; attacking out of the back third; should be able to adapt tactics and change team formation during the flow of play; playing a role; command beyond the penalty area for the goalkeeper; support the attack from the defensive third for the goalkeeper; combination zone and man-to-man marking defense; tactical functional training; creativity on the attack; total soccer concept

Fitness: overload principal; fitness tests; follow the U.S. Soccer Olympic Team concept

Technique: technical/tactical functional training; all techniques rehearsed at match speed and at match related and match condition levels; technical functional training

Psychology: reduce mental mistakes; control emotions during a match; dedication; commitment; take personal responsibility for actions on and off the field; sportsmanship; emotional management; “how to play”; parental involvement; selfless-team comes first

Even players in their twenties must continuously refine the techniques and tactics learned earlier in their careers. Players have a personal responsibility to maintain and improve their physical fitness. Social and emotional growth is a life long process.

Best qualities of a Coach for this Age Player:  Charismatic; well informed; up to date; experienced; knowledgeable; articulate; disciplinarian; no doubts about his/her authority and managerial know-how.

Number of Matches per Calendar Year - 30:  It is recommended that players play up to 30 matches per calendar year for their clubs. There should be a ratio of 2 or 3 practices per one match. Players should be given two days rest per week.

Breaks from Mandatory/Organized Soccer:  Breaks from organized soccer should be encouraged throughout the year to avoid burnout.

Travel:  The decision to travel i.e., how far, for how long, and how often, should always be made with the quality of the competition, as well as the over all well-being of the players in mind.

Tournaments, Festivals, Etc.:  Players should not be asked to play more than 180 minutes of soccer in any 72-hour period. Ideally, a three game event should be played over a five day period to allow for a day of rest and recovery between each game. At a minimum, a three game event should be played over a four day period to allow for a day of rest and recovery between the second and third games.

State, Regional and National Championships:  Players at this age should compete in state, regional and national championships.

Current Schedule