SHEDIAC MINOR SOCCER Player Development Program

Under 6 Keep It Basic

S H E D I A C M I N O R S O C C E R

Player Development Program 2010

Version 2

Shediac Minor Soccer PO Box 9031

Shediac, NB • E4P8W5 Phone 506.532.8353

Email shediacsoccer@nb.sympatico.ca www.shediac.org/soccer

Table of Content The Coach…………………………………………………... 1 Coaching Youth Players………………………...………….. 2

• Your role as a coach……………………………..…… • Meet the Parents…………………………...……........ • Safety First……………………………………………. • Player information……………………..…….……….

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Player Development……………………………..………….. 4• Game Play………………….……………….………... • Rules of the Game………………………..………….. • Skills and Technique……………………..…………..

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Appendix A: Player Contact Information Appendix B: Player Emergency Information Appendix C: Examples of Practices Appendix D: Demonstration of Basic Skills Appendix E: Helpful Links

The Coach

The coach assumes the responsibility of doing everything possible to ensure that the youngsters on his or her team will have an enjoyable and

safe sporting experience while teaching the game of soccer.

Coaching Youth Players

Your role as a coach Teacher, leader, counselor, role model, etc. As a coach, you will be many things to your players. Here are a few important tips to be a good coach:

Always be positive Keep teaching points simple. Be organized. Encourage participation without pressure. Use creativity and make it fun! Listen to your players. Get parents involved. Set goals to challenge your players.

Meet the Parents A pre-season meeting with the parents will provide information to parents about their child’s team. The meeting will also provide an opportunity for people to meet and get to know each other as well as open the lines of communication to discuss what is expected of everyone

Safety First There are always risks associated with any sporting event. As a coach, you must be aware and, in your best effort, reduce any possible incidence.

Environmental risks: Weather (Lightning, rain, heat and cold), protection from insects and sun (UV rays).

Equipment and facilities risks: Poor field conditions, goals not properly anchored.

Human risks: Improper play on and off the field, player’s medical conditions and dehydration. All players should have their own water bottle.

Note: Players should be advised to always bring water, sun screen and insect repellent to games or training sessions.

Player information Coaches should always have their players’ information on hand. In the event of an emergency this information should be readily available. The form can be found in Appendix.

Player information (Appendix A): Used for managing the team.

Player emergency information (Appendix B): In the event of an emergency, this information may be required.

Player Development

Game Play At the under 6 level, the players will be learning the basic soccer skills: dribbling, passing, shooting, and controlling the ball. They will go from only practicing to gradually playing small sided games. Soccer sessions should always be 15 to 30 minutes of practice and 15 – 30 minutes of game.

Practices should involve technique, but focus on having fun. Use known games, but incorporate soccer skills in the games (i.e.: 1-2-3 Red Light with a ball. Works on dribbling).

Games should be played 3 vs 3 or 4 vs 4 depending the number of players available. For the first half of the season, do not include a goal keeper. Also do not assign any specific position on the field and make sure everyone has the same amount of playing time. Do not keep track of the scores, but highlight good actions on the field.

Rules of the Game Do not over emphasize the rules at this level. Explain the basic rules, but do not be too technical:

• No hands: Explain that players are not allowed to touch the ball with their arm or hands. Only the goal keeper can touch ball with his / her hands and when the ball goes out of play on the side line.

• No dangerous play: No pushing, hitting grabbing, kicking, etc.

• If the ball goes out of play:

1. On the side line: Have the player throw in the ball using his/her hands. Proper technique not required, but encouraged.

2. On the end line: Goal kick (If the attacking team touched the ball last, the goal keeper will kick the ball back into play) OR Corner kick (If the defending team touched the ball last. The ball is kicked in from the corner of the field from the attacking team).

At first just warn the player if not following the rules, but towards the end of the season, stop the player and give the ball to the other team. A whistle can also be used to accustom the players to stop when the whistle is blow.

Skills and Technique Emphasis should be made on the basic skills of soccer: Dribbling, passing, shooting and controlling the ball.

Demonstrate the technique, practice it and then play a game with it.

Appendix A: Player Contact Information

Coach: Tel:

Team: Team color:

First

Name Last

Name Gender Telephone Email Jersey

# Mother Father 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

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Appendix B: Player Emergency Information

Coach Tel: Team:

First

Name Last Name Gender Telephone Mother Father Medicare Allergies 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

10 11

Appendix C: Examples of Practices

Practice # 1 Welcome (10 minutes) Gather players and parents and discuss what is expected at the under 6 age group and how it will be organized.

• There must always be at least one parent or guardian present at the field at all times.

• Items required at each soccer sessions: water, insect repellent, and sun screen.

• Equipment: Soccer cleats and shin pads. Soccer cleats and shin pads are not mandatory, but are recommended. Having this equipment may prevent injuries.

• How the soccer sessions will run:

• From 6:30pm to 7:15pm every Tuesday and Thursday. In case of heavy rain it will be canceled. The parents always make the final decisions to bring their child to soccer.

• Will not be playing actual soccer games. Sessions will start of as practices only and then it will be a practice for about half the session and a scrimmage for the remainder.

• Discuss your philosophy as a coach.

Provide your (coach’s) contact information Name: Telephone: Email:

Warm up

1- One-Touch Name Game. (7 minutes) Everybody is in a circle. The coach passes the ball to a player in his/her hands. That player shouts out his/her name and passes the ball to the next player. Once everybody has received the ball and mentioned their name, repeat the same exercise using the feet to pass the ball.

Note: Explain how important it is to know all your teammates names.

2- Run Around (5 minutes) Everybody is in a circle. The coach shoots out a player’s name. That player has to run around the circle and return to his/her starting spot. Repeat this same exercise, but with a ball.

3- Dynamic stretching. (7 minutes) This type of stretching should be done before every game or practice once the body is warm up. It prepares the body for the movements that will occur while playing soccer.

Examples of dynamic stretching: -Rotation of arms -Swinging the leg in a kicking motion -Twisting at the torso

Note: Save static stretching for the end of the practice.

Ball Skils and Games

1- Fetch and return to home (10 minutes) Create a large square grid with all the balls in the middle of the grid. Divide the players in 4 groups and assign each group to a corner of the grid. This will be that group’s home.

Start by having all the players walk to the small grid and get a ball and return to their home with the ball. Next have them return the ball to the small grid. Keep doing this same procedure, but vary the method of retrieve and returning the ball.

Example: -Run and dribble the ball back. -Put cones in the large grid. Players must go around the come before returning with the ball. -Must roll on the ground before retuning with the ball -Return to someone else’s home -etc. Be creative!

2- The Snake (7minutes) - Line up cones in a straight line. Players must zigzag through the cones without hitting them. Start without a ball and then add a ball for each player. - Same as above, but line up cones at 45 degree angles.

3- Fancy tricks. (10 minutes) Have all players with a ball dribbling the ball in a large grid. The coach yells a number from 1 to 4. Each number is associated to a move with the ball. The player must do the move that is associated with the number. Introduce each number (move) one at a time. Start with only number 1 than add a number and so on.

Example of moves: - Turning outside of the foot (Use a number for each foot) - Turning inside of the foot (Use a number for each foot) - Hit the ball with the heal to change direction - Cut the ball behind you

4- Juggling (10 minutes) Juggling means keeping the ball in the air with any part of our body except for our hands. Demonstrate how to juggle the ball. At first this may be difficult for most of us, but start of slow. Start by…

- Holding the ball in both hands, drop it on your tight and catch it again. - Same thing on the other tight - Do the same for each foot - Same as above, but let the ball bounce on the ground before hitting it with your foot or tight. -Have the ball in your hands, drop it to your foot or tight and try to hit it twice before catching it with your hands. - Challenge your players to the maximum number of contact they can do with the ball without it hitting the ground.

5- Kick out (10 Minutes) All players in a large square grid with a ball for each player. On the Go! signal the coach tries to kick everyone’s ball outside the grid. If a player’s ball is kicked out…

He /She is frozen and can only be unfrozen if another passes a ball in between his/her legs. The player retrieves the ball and re-enters the game.

Cool Down (15 minutes)

Gather the players and stretch. Explain how important it is to stretch (Prevents injuries and keeps the body in good shape). At the end of a game or practice static stretching should be done and stretches should be held for 20 to 30 seconds and repeated. Note: This is also a good time to review what was worked on during the practice. “Today we learned how to dribble and turn with the ball.”

Practice # 2 Welcome.

While setting for the soccer session, try to meet and talk to every parent and players before the practice starts.

Warm Up

1- Tag with the ball (7 Minutes) Create a rectangular grid that will act has a corridor. The coach has all the balls half way along the longer side of the rectangular grid. Players line up on the short side. Each player will try to run through the corridor and the coach will try to tag the players with the ball by rolling the ball across the corridor.

Increase difficulty each time the players have passed twice through the corridor. a) Without a ball. b) With a ball. c) With a ball and cones in the corridor (that players are not allowed to touch). d) Divide the players in 2 groups and align each group at the both short ends of the grid. Have the players from each side go at the same time. Don’t forget to tell them to keep their head up.

2- Beached whale (5 minutes) Half of the players lye down on their stomach or back and the other half dribble the ball. The Dribblers move around, keeping the ball under close control. The lying players (Whales) move in as a beached whale and stretch to kick the ball away from the dribbling players. The playing area should not be to large and players must use inside and outside of both feet while keeping the head up.

3- Dynamic stretching. (5 minutes) This type of stretching should be done before every game or practice once the body is warm up. It prepares the body for the movements that will occur while playing soccer.

Examples of dynamic stretching: -Rotation of arms -Swinging the leg in a kicking motion -Twisting at the torso

Note: Save static stretching for the end of the practice.

Ball Skills and Games

1- Broom Ball (7 minutes) Teach them how to hit the ball with the inside of the foot. Explain and demonstrate. Put one foot next to the ball facing the direction you want to pass. Turn the other foot 90 degrees and sweep the ball like a broom through the middle of the ball. Things to look for proper technique: Hips facing the direction of the pass and the toe of the kicking foot up with ankle locked. A) Have players pair up and practice passing with the inside of the foot only. Emphasis on technique. The drill may be simple, but must be done properly. May want to pair up players with parents.

2- Sharp Shooter (5 minutes) Have the players line up with a ball on each side of a rectangular grid (longer side). The coach lines up with a ball at one end of the field (short side). The coach tries to dribble the ball at the other end of the field while the players try to hit the coach’s ball with their own ball. If a player hits the coach's ball exaggerate your reaction.

Switch…Have the players one at a time dribble the ball through the alley without having their ball hit by the other players.

3- Robbers (7minutes) Divide the team in 4 groups. Put all the balls in the middle of a large square grid. Each team will be designated to one of the corner of the grid. One player of each group must run to the middle and retrieve a ball. He/she must pass the ball to a player of his/her team standing in the team’s corner. The player that just passed the ball will run to his or her corner and second player will do the same. Have enough balls to allow each player to be able to pass at least once.

4- King’s Castle (7 minutes) In a rectangular grid, divide the players in two groups. Line up the cones through the middle of the grid (parallel to the short side of the grid). Each side is the team’s castle. One team starts with the ball. They need to make 3 passes then pass the ball over to the other castle without hitting the cones lined up in the middle.

Variation: Divide the team in 3 groups and add one castle (square). Castles can be added at either end of the squares. When the end group has done 3 passes they have to pass the ball through the middle square without having it intercepted. If the team in the middle intercepts the ball they switch position with the team at the end square.

5- Goallllll!!! (7 minutes) Have the players line up on top of the goal keeper’s area (crease) with a ball facing the goal. The coach stands next to the goal (right or left). The coach shouts out one of the player’s name. That player passes the ball to the coach and then he/she returns the ball to the player. The player takes the ball and shoots in the goal. The player must then do a victory run to celebrate the goal. Show players how to celebrate a goal. It’s time to be creative! Repeat, but the coach changes position (left or right of goal).

Cool Down (5 minutes)

Gather the players and stretch. Explain how important it is to stretch. Also review what they learned at the practice: “To make a pass, we can use the inside of our foot.” Review technique.

Always finish with a team cheer!

Practice # 3 Welcome.

While setting up for the soccer session, try to talk to every parent and player before the practice starts.

Warm Up (7 minutes)

Divide your team in 4 groups. Put all the balls in the middle of the field and a group of players in each corner. On the coaches Go! Signal, the players must:

1. Walk to a ball touch it with their foot and return to the corner without a ball.

2. Run to the balls in the middle and bring back a ball to their corner using both feet to control the ball.

3. Return the ball to the middle of the field and go back to their corner without a ball.

4. Same as number 2, but use only right foot.

5. Return the ball to the middle of the field and go back to their corner without a ball.

6. Same as number 2, but use only left foot.

7. Return the ball to the middle of the field and go back to their corner without a ball.

8. Run to the balls in the middle and dribble the ball to the opposite corner.

9. Return the ball to the middle of the field and go back to their corner without a ball.

10. Run to the balls in the middle and dribble the ball to the opposite corner.

Ball Skills and Games

1- Body Parts. (5 minutes) Have all players dribble a ball all over the field. Yell stop and shout out a body part (never say hands). The player must touch the ball with the mentioned body part. Once the ball is touch, tell them to get up again and keep walking with the ball. Mention at least 10 body parts and be creative (ear, hip, bum, back, top of the head, etc.).

2- Air Traffic Controller (3 minutes) Everybody stands on the line and the coach stands at the other end facing the soccer players. The coach directs the players with hands gestures. *Left arm up to the side, players move to their right (the coach is facing the players). *Right arm up to the side, players move to their left. *Both arm up to the side, players move backward. *Both arms up overhead, players run forward.

Run the exercises 2 times, than have players with a ball.

Start off by shooting the directing when using arms, and then tell the players that you will no longer tell them which direction. They have to keep their head up and look at your arms.

3- British Bulldog (7 minutes) Have the players line up on the side line with a ball. The coach starts off in the middle of the field. On the Go! Signal, the players must get to the opposite side line without the coach taking the ball away. If the coach takes the ball away, that player will help the coach to try to take the ball away from other players. Players go from end to end until there are only a few players with a ball remaining.

4- Chase and shoot (10 minutes) Have all the balls in the middle of the field. Line up player in 2 lines.

1. The coach rolls a ball and the first player of one only will race to the ball and shoot it on goal. Alternate from line to line until all players have gone at least twice. Make sure the players retrieve their ball (or have a parent return a ball to the middle of the field)

2. The coach rolls a ball in to play, but this time the 2 first players of each line will race to get to the ball and each play ties to score in the same goal. If no score is scored within 10 seconds, tell the players to return in line and send the next 2 players.

3. Same as above but send the first two players of each row. 4. Same as above but send the first 3 players of each row.

5- Small sided game (Until the end of the practice) Divide the team in 2 groups and play a game. During the game explain the rules of the game as they play.

1. How do we start a game? In the center circle and must kick the ball forward. Opposing player must be outside of the circle.

2. If the ball goes out of play explain how to put back in to play: Throw-in, Goal kick, Corner kick.

3. What happens after a goal? The ball is returned in the middle of the field. 4. Attacking players can not enter the goal crease. 5. Only the goal keeper can touch the ball with his/her hands. 6. Can not kick, hit, push or pull other players.

Cool down and Stretch Team cheer!  

Practice # 4 1. Meet the players and the parents  2. Warm‐up (7 min) 

Bonjour (5 min) This game is to warm up and have the players to get to know each other a bit better. All the players run around randomly inside the grid. The coach calls out various types of greetings, which each player then has to carry out with others: shake hands, high fives, high ten, shoulder to shoulder, back to back, etc. Switch Divide team in 2 groups and have them line up on each touch line (side). On the coach signal the players switch side by:  a. Walking b. Jogging c. Dribbling a ball d. Dribbling a ball, stop and leave the ball in the middle, run to the opposite side without the ball. e. Running to the middle to get a ball and then come back to the same side.  f. Side shuffle with ball to the middle of the field and return to the same touch line facing the same 

direction.  Dynamic  stretching Neck, arms, shoulders and hips rotations Simulate kicking a ball. Etc  

3. Individual ball skills Ball Control (5 min) Every player has a ball in a square grid of 30 meters by 30 meters. Players dribble the ball and the coach will shout out a number. Each number is associated to a move.  Here are suggestions for moves: 1. Stop the ball and sit on the ball 2. Stop the ball, roll it back and run onto it 3. Change direction 4. Burst of speed 5. Stop ball and get someone else’s ball     

 Kickout (7 min) a. Within the same grid as above, players need to protect their ball while the coaches try to kick out 

the player’s ball. If the player’s ball is kicked outside the grid, they retrieve the ball, do 10 toe taps on the ball and come back in to the square. 

b. Same as above, but once the coach has kicked out the ball, that player helps the coach to kick out the ball of other players. The last few players remaining are declared the winners. Repeat a few times. 

    

4. Team ball skills Relay races  (10 min) Divide your team in groups of 3 or 4 players.  Setup cones for each group.  On the Go! signal one player from each group will race through the cones with a ball and return to his group. The next player goes until all players have gone one.  Modify your cones to challenge your players. Have them zigzag, circle around the cone, role on the ground… Be creative… It’s time to make it fun!   Shooting Technique (5 min) Show the players how to shoot the ball. Important points: 

1. The non kicking foot is positioned next to the ball. 2. The kicking foot’s toe points to the ground  3. Strike through the middle of the ball with the laces. 4. Practice shoot by having the players kick the ball in the goal. Everyone shoots at the same 

time.  Towers Have 2 teams line up on opposite sides of a square grid. Have as many balls as possible for each group. Players will shoot the ball to try to knock down the cones (towers) which have been place all over the grid. To add more fun, try to stack the cones to create a tower. It is more exciting when the cone fall. Emphasis on shooting with the laces.  Race and Shoot (10 min) Have all the balls in the middle circle. Divide the players in 2 lines and have them line up beside you. Roll a ball towards the goal and send only one player and have them shoot the ball on goal. Keep rolling balls in to play until all players have gone 2 or 3 times.  

Same as above, but players start lying on their stomach. Once the ball is rolled in to play they get and run to their ball to put it in the goal.  Same as above, but have a coach act as a defender. The coach will be a passive defender.  PS: A coach can be added in goal once the players get the hang of the drill.  

 Cool down and Stretch  Team Cheer!   

Practice # 5 1. Meet the players and the parents. Explain that the next soccer session will be half practice/half 

game. (3 minutes) 2. Warm‐up (5 minutes) 

a. On the ball Have the players in a circle and each player has a ball. Have the players run through various exercises such as: 

1. Toe taps on the ball. 2. Running around the circle. 3. Shuffling the ball between each foot. 4. Side step around the circle. 5. Sumo squat on the ball (have the players sit on the ball and get back up). 6. Running around the circle by jumping over each ball. 7. Hop from side to side over one ball. 8. Toe tap while moving around the ball. 

 b. Dynamic Stretching 

Neck, arms, shoulders and hips rotations Simulate kicking a ball. Etc 

 3. Body Parts (5 minutes) 

Have all players dribble a ball all over the field. Yell stop and shout out a body part (never say hands). The player must touch the ball with the mentioned body part. Once the ball is touch, tell them to get up again and keep walking with the ball. Mention at least 10 body parts and be creative (ear, hip, bum, back, top of the head, etc.). 

 4. British Bulldog (7 minutes) 

Have the players line up on the side line with a ball. The coach starts off in the middle of the field. On the Go! Signal, the players must get to the opposite side line without the coach taking the ball away. If the coach takes the ball away, that player will help the coach to try to take the ball away from other players. Players go from end to end until there are only a few players with a ball remaining. 

 5. Passing and moving (5 minutes) 

Have a square grid of 5 meters by 5 meters. 3 players per grid with one ball. Only one player per corner. Players can only pass the ball along the sides of the grid (can not pass diagonally). Passes are always done in the same direction. Once the ball has been passed twice, the player with the ball will be passing to an empty corner. The player without the ball closest to this corner must run to that corner to receive the ball. The players will now have to move to the open corner to receive the pass. 

 Keep going in this direction for a few minutes and then change direction.  If the players get the hang of the drill, add a coach as a defender. The defender (coach) must stay inside the grid and the players must keep passing along the sides of the grid. Encourage your players to move along the sides to allow 2 options for the player with the ball. 

 6. Relay Races (10 minutes) 

Divide your team in groups of 3 or 4 players.  Setup cones for each group.  On the Go! signal one player from each group will race through the cones with a ball and return to his group. The next player goes until all players have gone one.  Modify your cones to challenge your players. Have them zigzag, circle around the cone, role on the ground… Be creative… It’s time to make it fun!  

 7. Hoop and shoot (5 Minutes) 

Have players line‐up with the balls at the center circle. Have a coach stand with 2 hula‐hoops upright. The players will dribble the ball and: 

a. Pass the ball through the hula‐hoop, retrieve the ball and shoot it in the goal. b. Pass the ball through the hula‐hoop, dive through the hoop and go shoot the ball in the goal. 

 8. Shoot through the hoop (5 Minutes) 

Have the players line up on the touch line. Each player has a ball. The coach will roll the hula‐hoop parallel to the touch line and 5 meters away from the player. The players try to kick the ball through the hoop while it moves in front of them. Progressively move back to challenge the players.   Variation: Roll more then one hoop and have lots of balls for the players. 

 9. Load’em 

Divide the players in 2 groups and have them at each end of the field. Section off an area and this will be their house. Each house has an equal number of balls. Have as many ball as possible.  On the GO! signal, players must try to take the balls from the other group’s house and bring them back to 

their team’s house.  Run the drill for about a minute. Re‐distribute the balls equally and restart.  Variation: One player from each team becomes the defender. He can go and get balls from the other team, but tries to remove the ball from the players that take the balls from his house. 

 Cool down , stretch and review practice. Team Cheer!   

Practice # 6 1. Meet the players and the parents. Explain that we are now starting to play games. We will practice 

for (5 min)  2. Warm‐up (15 min) Run through a warm‐up that would be done be for a game. Example: c. Warming up the body Line up players on the touch line. Have them run from touch line to touch line while doing some of the following: 

a. Jogging b. Side steps c. Cross over d. Touch the ground e. Jump up f. Jogging backward g. Skipping 

 d. Dynamic Stretching 

Neck, arms, shoulders and hips rotations Simulate kicking a ball. Etc 

 e. Body Parts (5 minutes) 

Have all players dribble a ball all over the field. Yell stop and shout out a body part (never say hands). The player must touch the ball with the mentioned body part. Once the ball is touch, tell them to get up again and keep walking with the ball. Mention at least 10 body parts and be creative (ear, hip, bum, back, top of the head, etc.). 

f. Shooting (5 minutes) Have players line up in the middle of the field with the balls. The players pass the ball to the coach who is standing on top the large goal area. The coach returns the ball to the player and the player will dribble the ball towards the goal to take a shot. Variation: Toss the ball back to the players. 

  g. Races (3 minutes) Have the players line up in 2 groups. The coach stands 5 meters from the players. On the goal signal the first group will race to the coach and give a hi‐5. The players will change their run each time (be creative): 

1. Sprint 2. Backward 3. Hop 4. Side step 5. Etc 

 3. Team play Scrimmage (remainder of practice) Try to play 4 vs 4. If the numbers do not permit to play 4 vs 4, divide the largest team in 2  groups and play with this amount of players. Never have a player sit out 2 shifts.  Cool down and Stretch Team Cheer!  

Appendix D: Demonstration of Basic Skills Dribbling the ball.

There different ways to dribble a soccer ball, but you should always focus on keeping the ball at a distance where you can get to it quicker than a defender.

Turning with the ball. Description....

Passing the ball. Description....

Shooting the ball. Description....

Appendix E: Helpful Links www.kwikgoal.com/coaching_training_tips.shtml

www.canadasoccer.com

www.soccernb.org