Coaching Canadian Six-a-Side

Football

Coaching Curriculum

By Brian Guebert

© 2008, 2011, 2015

Intended For:

Saskatoon Minor Football

The Canadian Football League

Football Canada

&

Football Saskatchewan

Introduction

With a growing demand for

football it is increasingly important

that the game itself is appropriate

for the players, coaches, and

communities. Six-a-side football

teams generally have 16-25 players

on a roster. With a smaller roster

size, creating a football team may

not be as daunting when taking into account costs, the number of coaches

needed, and travel expenses.

Six-a-side tackle football also offers a distinct advantage to grassroots football

development. The lower number of players allows more opportunities for players

to touch the ball and ultimately be more directly involved in the game. A smaller

field also allows for a better opportunity for athletes to showcase their abilities on

a field that is more appropriate for the age, size, and skill of the players playing.

Allowing players to become more involved in the game is developmentally

advantageous, especially at younger ages where children have yet to reach their

full physical and cognitive development. Coaching six-a-side football at any age

places emphasis on skill generalization as opposed to skill specialization. With skill

generalization as the focus of six-a-side football players will be equipped with

knowledge and skill set to play several positions which can be particularly

beneficial as the players physically develop; the position one plays at age 9 may

not be the position he/she plays at

age 16 simply because his/her body

type has changed so drastically

throughout puberty. Fewer players

on the field also offer the distinct

cognitive advantage for younger

children because there is more

emphasis on skill and less on

scheme or strategy.

Benefits • Smaller playing surface

which is more suitable

to the size of the

participants.

• Greater opportunity to

be involved in the play

(i.e. touching the ball on

offence or making the

tackle on defence)

• Fewer players on the

field there allows for

less external distractions

• It becomes easier to read and react to a play facilitating the cognitive

response of the athlete

• Six-a-side football also offers an advantage to coaches creating a

positive psychosocial environment because there are fewer players on

the team it allows the head coach a greater opportunity for one on one

interaction with the players where he/she can model positive

behaviours and techniques for the youth to internalize.

Aim The aim of the six-a-side football curriculum is participation in the game and

development of football skills amongst youth in a success based environment by

upholding the following values of coaching in sport.

• Sport is considered an integral part of the holistic development of youth.

Football should offer a positive experience where athletes can apply what

they have learned to sport and what they have learned in sport to life.

• Players are encouraged towards an active healthy lifestyle, through the

promotion of skill development and participation. The curriculum of six-a-

side football must be structured for success in order for athletes to

appreciate and internalize an active healthy lifestyle.

• To make available technical knowledge, directly or indirectly related to

football … and develop assessment techniques for evaluating the skill and

knowledge within the total program.

Goals The goals of the six-a-side

football curriculum are

focused on the development of

youth within the sport of football.

• Youth participation in football at a

variety of positions.

• Whole player development through learning a

variety of skills at a variety of positions.

• Teach the necessary movement and football skills to

offer participants a solid foundation which to build upon

their skills.

• Basic skill concepts are taught that

are easily transferable to other

positions.

o Staying Low

o Staying Square

o Moving Feet

o Keeping an athletic base

• Coaching and Official development through increased opportunities to

participate.

• Teaching football literacy so participants understand the language of

football to better understand the game and expectations at each position.

Six-a-side Football Rules 1. Any place in the Canadian Amateur Football Rule Book where the term 12 PLAYERS is

used, substitute the term 6 PLAYERS.

2. THE PLAYING FIELD:

The field shall be 35 yards long (towards a common goal line) and 40 yards wide.

End zones shall be 10 yards to 20 yards deep.

3. Hash marks shall be located 13 yards from the side lines. If the natural boundary of the

field is less than 10 yards behind the goal lines, such boundary shall be the DEAD LINE.

4. The length of the game shall be two 30 minute straight time halves with 3 plays

following the expiration of time.

5. At the instant the ball is put into play, at least 3 players of the offensive team must be

stationary on the line of scrimmage.

6. The centre is an eligible pass receiver if he lines up on the end of the line of scrimmage

and is wearing an eligible receiver's number. Any other player on the line, not occupying

the outside position is an ineligible receiver.

7. The convert after a touchdown in 6-man football will be worth (2) points, if kicked, and

that a convert that involves running or passing the ball into the end zone is worth one

(1) point.

Rationale for Skill Generalization Youth should not feel pressured into deciding the sport of their choice at ages

prior to full development. There should be encouragement for developing youth

to participate in a variety of sports where interaction and generalization, over

specialization, is stressed so that

players will be versed in many

skills and can make the

necessary changes to skill

development with their own

body development. Maximal

time should be dedicated to

participation in youth sport

rather than competition, as

participants should spend their

time learning and perfecting

basic skills in the sport of

football.

Approach for Technical Skill Development The emphasis on technical development at the grassroots level of football is an

essential step in the development of young football players. The technical

development of a football player is tightly tied to the physical development

because once one has the physical ability to achieve the technical goals the player

will experience success through his/her application of the technical skills used

combined with his/her physical athletic ability. Again, if one is highly developed

technically but lacks the physical ability to carry out the skills within competition,

both the player and the coach must spend more time dedicated to the

development of physical abilities. The technical development is primarily focused

on the development of individual skills. For example, it could be argued that all

players should learn skills of running, tackling, and blocking, however there are

also position specific skills such as: a quarterback must develop the skills of a drop

back, throwing progression, and reading of defences. Every individuals experience

is unique and must be treated as so, therefore, a coach must teach basic skills to

the entire group and continually add as the learner progresses. The progression of

the learner can be planned for but must also account for an adaptive dimension

to simplify for or challenge individuals.

Season Planning An effective program is a planned program. The start of a regular season

usually leads to some planning. Coaches should outline what they expect from

his/her players for each week of the season. Planning will also include placing

players where they have the best opportunity for success on the field and

enjoyment of the game.

1) Teach the fundamentals every week: Running, Covering, Blocking, Tackling,

and Catching/Carrying.

2) Implement Plays (Progress for Basic to Complex): Teach the basics of

Offense and Defence to All Players:

a. Offensive Holes and Defensive Gaps

b. The Language of Play-Calling

c. Proper Huddle Formations

d. Alignments, Assignments, and Techniques

3) Slot Players into Positions that best suit their abilities: Create a Depth Chart

Team Depth Chart

4) Create a Team Calendar of When you first team meeting will be. Account

for athletes participating in other sports so athletes have an opportunity to

cross-train during the football season. In the calendar be sure to include

any upcoming football camps that players may be interested or encouraged

to attend. Continue to add to the calendar as dates become finalized for

games, championships, and practices.

OFFENCE

QB

Player #7

TB FB

Player #23 Player #34

End Ctr Rec

Player #88 Player #64 Player #33

DEFENCE 2-3

Rush Tackle

Player #45 Player #75

SLB MLB WLB

Player #6 Player #11 Player #44

Safety

Player #19

Weekly Planning

In all sport players embrace consistency and continuity when it comes to

practicing and game times. If expectations are clearly explained at the beginning

of the season it will be easier to have players buy into the philosophy of the

program. In amateur football it is usually the norm to practice 3 times for every

game. The following is an example of how a coach may place his/her practice

emphasis throughout the week.

Fitness

Training

Individual Work (On Own

Time) Strategy (Main Focus)

1 None Light Distance Run Rest

2 Strength

Moderate Strength

activities

Individual Technical

Improvement

3 Endurance Active Rest O/D Team Improvement

4 Speed Light Strength Activities O/D Timing

5

Captains’ Lead

Fitness (Fun!) Rest Review

Game

Day Game Day Cool Down Post Game Having Fun and Competing

0 None Active Rest Rest

Practice Planning Practice planning is essential to get the most out of players and the most out of

the practice. The amount of time you spend on particular parts of practice will

vary throughout the season. For example, at the beginning of the season more

time will be spent of developing individual skill and one on one skill. As the season

progresses there will be less time spent on individual aspects and more time given

to team development as individual skills will be incorporated into team situations.

In order to get the most out of your practice time ensure that transitions are crisp

and players are expected to hustle around the field so no time is lost.

Practice Planning

Time

O-Line & D - Line QBs & RBs & Rec DBs & LBs

0:00 – 0:15 Warm Up

Warm Up

0:15 - 0:30

General Team Skills – Blocking/Tackling General Skill

Development

0:30 - 0:45 Individuals Individuals Individuals

Position Skills

0:45 – 0:55 OL vs. DL

QBs, Rec, & RBs vs.

LBs & DBs One on Ones

0:55 – 1:15 OL w/RB,QB, Rec -

DL w/LB,DB

Run/Pass Plays &

New Plays

Def. Pursuit & Drills,

Add New Plays Team Time

1:15 – 1:35 CONTROLLED SCRIM/

TEAM ACTIVITY Scrimmage/

Team Activity

1:35 - End Fitness & Cool Down

Fitness

Suggested Implementation Teaching players a sport for the first time may be a daunting task. The following is

the suggested implementation that coaches follow to ensure that players are

given a foundation of general skill to allow for their football playing success. The

intention of this implementation is whole player development.

Frequency &

Duration

Drill or Activity Description Coaching Pts

Day 1 Fitting Equipment Have each player

fitted by a coach or

equipment manager

to ensure that the

equipment is suited

for the child

Day 1 & 2 Moving in Equipment Have players run,

change direction, fall

down and get up in

the equipment. This

allows the players to

get used to the

weight and confirm if

it is fitting properly.

Create some drills and

obstacle courses that

are safe and fun for

players.

Day 1 � Season Stance and Initial

Movement

Teach players a solid

athletic position to

give them a base to

learn each specific

stance.

• 2 pt (Rec, RB,

LB, DB, QB)

• 3 pt (OL, DL)

• 4 pt (OL, DL)

• Bent Knees

• Flat Back

• Weight on

Balls of Feet

• Eyes up

• Proper Weight

distribution

for each

stance

• Hands Up

Coaches Notes:

Frequency &

Duration

Drill or Activity Description Coaching Pts

Day 2 � Season Agility Increase players’

ability to move within

their frame, keep

their balance, change

direction, and react to

dynamic situations.

• Up & Down

• Back &

Forward

• To or Around

Pylons

• Over Bags

• Reacting to

Signals

• Reacting to

Sound or

Movement to

initiate drills

• Have players

do drills with

or without a

ball

• Encourage

players to

keep their

eyes up

• Keep an

athletic base

at all times

Day 2 � 5 &

intermittent through

season

Form Tackling Teach the proper

form to tackle an

opponent for safety

purposes.

• Tackle with

Eyes Up

• Stay Low

• Move your

Feet

• Wrap around

the Small of

the Back

Coaches Notes:

Frequency &

Duration

Drill or Activity Description Coaching Pts

Day 2 � 5 &

intermittent through

season

Blocking Basics Teach the proper for

to block an opponent.

Pass Blocking

• Eyes on Chest

• Keep Weight

on Inside Foot

• Punch The

Chest Plate to

Keep

Separation

Run Blocking

• Place Helmut

to One Side of

Opponent to

Gain Leverage

• Stay Low

• Move Feet

• Keep Hands

Inside on

Chest Plate

Day 2 � 5 &

intermittent through

season

Ball Handling

Contain Principles

Teach Ball Protection,

Taking a Handoff,

Catching and Tucking

a Ball.

Teach Players to

Force Ball Carrier to

Inside of Field by

Attacking the Outside

Shoulder of the Ball

Carrier.

• Cover both

points of the

ball

• Two Hands

• One Hand and

Elbow

• Run towards

Outside

Shoulder

• Stay Square to

the Line of

Scrimmage

Coaches Notes:

Frequency &

Duration

Drill or Activity Description Coaching Pts

Day 3 � Intermittent

through season

Skill Circuit 1 1. Running with

ball over and

around

obstacles

2. Running with

ball and

Tackling a ball

carrier in close

contact

3. Catching and

Throwing from

Static &

Running

Routes

4. Coverage –

mirror an

opponent

running

patterns

• Plant on

Outside Foot

and Stay Low

• Place a Bag

b/w Ball

Carrier and

Tackler each

player 1 yard

away Ball

Carrier

Chooses Left

or Right and

Tackler Reacts.

• Eyes on Ball

see it all the

way to

protections

• Eyes on Chest,

Maintain

Shade/Leverag

e

Coaches Notes:

Frequency &

Duration

Drill or Activity Description Coaching Pts

Day 4 � Intermittent

through Season

Skill Circuit 2 1. Pass Blocking

Mirror Drill

2. Run Blocking /

Defend (Board

Drill)

3. Running the

Ball / Tackling

in Space (Box

Drill)

4. Angle Pursuit

Drill

• Eyes on Chest

and

Separation

with Hands

• Push

opponent the

opposite

direction.

Hands inside,

Move feet,

Keep Base

• 5 x 5 yard box

Ball Carrier

starts at one

end tackler on

other side. Ball

Carrier

Initiates Drill

and Tackler

must break

down and

tackle carrier.

• Ball Carrier

Runs down

sideline while

Defender

Pursues with

proper angle.

Coaches Notes:

Frequency &

Duration

Drill or Activity Description Coaching Pts

Day 5 � Through

Season

Combining Skills 1. One on One

Pass Routes /

Coverage

2. One on One

Pass

Blocking/Rush

3. One on One or

Two on Two

Run Block /

Defend

4. Oklahoma Drill

(QB, RB, OL,

REC v. DL/LB,

DB)

• Have players

compete with

skills learned

(teach what

pass

interference

is)

• Players

compete to

protect or

rush the QB

• Players

compete for

gaining

ground in run

game

• Have QB pitch

ball to RB

while the OL

block a DL (1

yrd)/LB (4 yrd)

while the DB

backpedals

around a

pylon and

engages the

REC trying to

block him/her.

Day 5 � Season Insertion of Play Put in the most basic

plays and build on

them throughout the

season.

• Don’t give

players too

much at once

Day 7 � Season Scrimmage Play Offense vs.

Defence

• Control the

Contact

• Teach players

to play safely

with speed.

Coaches Notes:

Sample Practice Plan Time

O-Line & D - Line QBs & RBs & Rec DBs & LBs

0:00 – 0:15 Have players dynamically moving to increase heart rate and body temperature. The

Following Exercises provide an excellent Warm Up.

1. Light Jog

2. High Knee Run

3. Butt Kick Run

4. Lunge Walk

5. Reverse Lunge Walk

6. Side Lunge Walk

7. Shuffle

8. Karaoke

9. One Leg Hops

10. Tuck Jumps

11. Squat Jumps

12. Accelerations

13. Sprints Warm Up

0:15 - 0:30 2 Skill Stations:

1. Run Blocking Progression

2. Close Contact Tackling Drill

General Skill

Development

0:30 - 0:45 Run Blocking to Gain

Leverage

Fighting Pressure of

Run Block

QB Running Back

Exchange

Pattern Running and

Catching

Closing on Ball Carrier and

Wrapping Up

One On One Pass Coverage

and Mirror Drill Position Skills

0:45 – 0:55 One on One Run

Blocking (Board Drill)

Box Drill (Tackling and Running in Space)

One on One Pass Patterns One on Ones

0:55 – 1:15 OL w/RB,QB, Rec

DL w/LB,DB

Run/Pass Plays & New

Plays

Def. Pursuit & Drills, Add

New Plays Team Time

1:15 – 1:35 Oklahoma Drill

Lane Drill Scrimmage/

Team Activity

1:35 - End Fitness & Cool Down

League Playbook

Please see attached the Offensive and Defensive Playbooks.

Playbook Implementation Schedule – Hilltop Division

WEEK FORMATIONS PLAYS

1-2

Hilltops

I Formation 33/34 LEAD

31/32 LEAD

21/22 SPLIT DIVE

33/34 SPLIT DIVE

PRO 33/34 BACK FLAT

3-4

Hilltops

I Formation

Ace Slot Right/Left

33/34 COUNTER

37/38 TOSS

43/44 LEAD

43/44 BOB

37/38 TOSS

PRO 33/34 BACK FLAT END OUT(FLY)

PRO 60/61 ROUTE

4-6

Hilltops

I Formation

Ace Wide Right/Left

PRO 33/34 COUNTER BOOT

PRO 33/34 COUNTER BOOT SLAM DRAG

PRO 33/34 BACK FLAT END POST

PRO 60/61 ROUTE

PRO 67/68 ROUTE

31/32 DIVE

33/34 DIVE

31/32 DIVE RECEIVER REVERSE

6-7

Hilltops

Twin Slot Right PRO 50/51 ROUTES

PRO 57/58 ROUTES

17/18 POWER SWEEP

17/18 FAKE POWER SWEEP END AROUND

7-8

Hilltops

ALL OTHER FORMATIONS ALL OTHER PLAYS

Defensive Rules:

• Cover Formations

o F Covers First Eligible Player out of Backfield

o S Covers Second Eligible Player out of Backfield

• NO BLITZING

• 2 Man Rush

• Centre Cannot Be Covered by a Linemen

• May not align with 2 D-linemen in Consecutive Gaps. (i.e. Both A Gaps Cannot Be Filled by

Linemen)

Playbook Implementation Schedule – Hilltop/Huskie Division

WEEK FORMATIONS PLAYS

1

Huskies

I Formation

Ace Wide Right/Left

33/34 LEAD

31/32 LEAD

21/22 SPLIT DIVE

33/34 SPLIT DIVE

PRO 33/34 BACK FLAT

PRO 60/61 ROUTE

PRO 67/68 ROUTE

31/32 DIVE

33/34 DIVE

2

Huskies

I Formation

Ace Slot Right/Left

33/34 COUNTER

37/38 TOSS

43/44 LEAD

43/44 BOB

37/38 TOSS

PRO 33/34 BACK FLAT END OUT(FLY)

PRO 60/61 ROUTE

3

Hilltops

I Formation

Ace Wide Right/Left

PRO 33/34 COUNTER BOOT

PRO 33/34 COUNTER BOOT SLAM DRAG

PRO 33/34 BACK FLAT END POST

31/32 DIVE RECEIVER REVERSE

4

Hilltops

Twin Slot Right PRO 50/51 ROUTES

PRO 57/58 ROUTES

17/18 POWER SWEEP

17/18 FAKE POWER SWEEP END AROUND

5-8

Hilltops

ALL OTHER FORMATIONS ALL OTHER PLAYS

Defensive Rules:

• Cover Formations

o F Covers First Eligible Player out of Backfield

o S Covers Second Eligible Player out of Backfield

• NO BLITZING

• 2 Man Rush

• Centre Cannot Be Covered by a Linemen

• May not align with 2 D-linemen in Consecutive Gaps. (i.e. Both A Gaps Cannot Be Filled by

Linemen)