Micro 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-6

Technique: dribbling; shooting

Psychology: sharing; fair play; parental involvement; “how to play”; emotional management

Fitness: balance; running; jumping; introduce the idea of how to warm-up; movement education

Tactics: where is the field; which goal to kick at

Best Qualities of a Coach for this Age Player:  Patience, good humor, and a willingness to see the world through a child’s eyes. Also, the ability to speak their language and accept that the children’s play will not look at all like soccer.

Number of Matches in the Calendar Year - 20 Practices:  Children at these ages should not be playing any organized games. Playing with and against their teammates during practice times is sufficient and is to be encouraged.

Breaks from Organized/Mandatory Soccer:  Children at this age should be able to play when they want to play, and walk away when they are through.

Travel:  None

State, Region, and National Championships:  None

Tournaments, Festivals, Etc.:  None

U-8

Technique: ball lifting and juggling; block tackle; receiving ground balls with the inside and sole of the foot; shoot with inside of the foot; toe pass and shot; introduce the push pass and throw-in

Psychology: working in pairs; sportsmanship; parental involvement; “how to play”; emotional management

Fitness: agility; eye/foot and eye/hand coordination; introduce the idea of cool-down; movement education

Tactics: being exposed to all positions; 1 v 1 attack; introduce the names of positions

Best Qualities of a Coach for this Age Player:  This coach must clearly understand the capabilities and limitations of this age and appreciate the power of learning by watching. He or she must have the ability to demonstrate or to use older players to demonstrate.

Number of matches per calendar year - 20 matches:  No organized matches where the score is recorded.

Breaks from Mandatory/Organized Soccer:  Children at this age should not be participating in a mandatory soccer program and should be free to participate at their own pace. There should not be a penalty or consequence for missing practice and no discussion about “commitment.” An effort should be made to include any child that wishes to play soccer. It is healthy and appropriate to group players according to ability level, but movement between groups should be open and fluid in order to reflect changes in ability and individual development from year to year or every six months.

Travel:  None

Tournaments, Festivals, Etc:  None

State, Regional and National Championships:  None

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