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YOUTH DEVELOPMENT MODEL
MRUSC
By Kenny White
Outline Progression for teaching/coaching soccer from U6 to U19.
Every aspect of play coached at one age must be reinforced at the next age. Aspects taught at age U6 must be taught again at U8, U10, U12 and so on. What was learned at a previous age group or groups must be refined at the next age group.
U6 TECHNIQUE: dribbling; shooting
PSYCHOLOGY: sharing; fair play; parental involvement; “how to play”; emotional management
FITNESS: balance; running; jumping; introduce idea of how to warm-up
TACTICS: where is the field; which goal to kick at
U8 TECHNIQUE: ball lifting & juggling; block tackling; receiving ground balls with the inside & sole of the foot; shoot with the inside of the foot; introduce the push pass & throw-in
PSYCHOLOGY: working in pairs; sportsmanship; parental involvement; “how to play”; emotional management
FITNESS: agility; eye/foot & eye/hand coordination; introduce the idea of cool-down
TACTICS: being exposed to all positions; 1v 1 attack; introduce the names of positions
U10 TECHNIQUE: running with the ball; passing; instep drive; receiving ground balls with the instep (cushion) and sole; inside and outside of foot (wedge); throw-in; fakes in dribbling; introduce heading and crossing.GOALKEEPERS: ready stance; how to hold ball after save; W grip; catching shots at the keeper; punting & introduction to goal-kicks and throwing
PSYCHOLOGY: working in groups of 3,4, or 5; stay focused for one entire half; sensitivity on how to win or lose gracefully; sportsmanship; parental involvement; “how to play”; communication; emotional management
FITNESS: endurance; flexibility; proper warm-up & cool-down are mandatory now
TACTICS: 1v 1 defending; roles of 1st attacker & defender; 2 v 1 attacking; man to man defense; introduction to set plays
U12 TECHNIQUE: feints with the ball; receiving ground, bouncing & air balls with the foot, thigh, chest and head; heading to score goals & clearances standing and jumping; chipping to score; outside of the foot pass; bending shots; crossing to near post & penalty spot space; introduce half volley & volley shooting; refine block, poke and introduce hook and slide tackling GOALKEEPERS: footwork; bowling; low dives & forward diving; angle play; near-post play; saving penalty kicks; introduce parrying & 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: 2v1 defending; 2v2 attacking & defending; roles of the 2nd attacker & defender; combination passing to include wall pass, take over, overlap and bent runs; verbal & visual communication for all positions; commanding the goal-mouth for the goalkeeper; half-time analysis; set pieces to include corner kicks defending & attacking, kick off, direct & indirect; beginning to identify potential roles for players – goalkeeper, defender, midfielder and forward; introduce principles of defense
U14 TECHNIQUE: chipping to pass; bending passes; crossing to the far post & top of penalty area; half volley & full volley shooting; heading to pass; heading backwards; diving headers; kicking and receiving with outside of instep; outside of the foot shot; dummy the ball; shoulder charge GOALKEEPERS: far post play; medium & high diving; parrying over the crossbar & around the posts; boxing and catching crosses; half volley (drop kick); kick saves; long over arm throws
FITNESS: power; acceleration; anaerobic exercise; cardiorespiratory & cardiovascular training
PSYCHOLOGY: assertiveness; tension control; self & team discipline; stay focused for an entire match; sportsmanship; parental involvement; “how to play”; mental focusing techniques; emotional management; self regulation
TACTICS: individual & group tactics; compactness; role of the 3rd defender; how to make recovery & tracking runs; set pieces to include throw-in, penalty kick & free kick plays both defending and attacking; defending the defensive third-center and flanks; post match analysis; checking runs; switching positions during the flow of the play; zonal defending; principals of attack; command the goal area for the goalkeeper; provide offensive support for the goalkeeper
U16 TECHNIQUE: airborne volley to include scissors, bicycle, full volleys; GOALKEEPERS: backwards diving; saving the breakaway; all forms of distribution
FITNESS: vertical jump; body composition; plyometric exercise; weight training; interval training; S.A.I.D. principal
TACTICS: group tactics; role of the 3rd attacker; principals of attack & defense; diagonal passing; dribbling & off the ball runs; flank play; defending in the midfield & attacking thirds; all possible set plays; match analysis; switching the point of attack; should be developing to adapt tactics during the flow of play; key players should be able to dictate the rhythm of the game; Goalkeepers should be linked with the rest of the team for defensive and offensive support
PSYCHOLOGY: personal accountability; drive; courage; sacrifice in order to achieve one’s best; sportsmanship; parental involvement; “how to play”; emotional management
U19 TACTICS: team tactics; midfield play; attacking out of the back third; should be able to adapt tactics & change team formation during the flow of play; playing a role; combination zonal & man to man marking defense; tactical functional training;
FITNESS: overload principal; fitness tests
TECHNIQUE: all techniques rehearsed at match speed & match related & match condition levels; technical functional training
PSYCHOLOGY: dedication; commitment; take personal responsibility for actions on and off the field; sportsmanship; emotional management; “how to play”; parental involvement
Even professional players 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.
Please note closely that the priority of the four components of soccer changes according to the age group coached.
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