d13ynksnjelk36.cloudfront.netd13ynksnjelk36.cloudfront.net/.../9624/9624_150413074…  · Web viewThis curriculum will provide the characteristics of a typical U6 player while also

U6 Curriculum

This guide was made to help coaches meet the expectations of the players in the game of soccer. The game should be fun and always exciting. Therefore, the question is how can we teach the fundamentals of soccer while also keeping it fun and simple? This curriculum will provide the characteristics of a typical U6 player while also providing exercises fulfilling both fundamental and fun objectives. This guide will also provide an example lesson plan as to how we can progress one exercises into another. Be aware that these example lessons are just the tip of the iceberg as there are countless other exercises that can be explored for future use. We recommend Youtube or other knowledgeable soccer forums where these exercises can be found.

Characteristics of a U6 Soccer PlayerCharacteristics:

Short attention span. Only one problem at a time. May understand simple rules that are explained briefly and demonstrated. May or may not understand or remember: what lines mean on the field; what team they

are on; what goal they are going for. We need to be patient and laugh with them as they get 'lost' on the field.

Always in motion: scratching; blinking; jerking; rocking.... The puddle in front of the goal is still too tempting to resist. They will still want to wear a training bib, even when the color is identical to their shirt.

Physical Development:

Catching or throwing skills not developed. Can balance on their "good" foot. Love to run, jump, roll, hop, etc.. Physical coordination limited. Eye - hand and eye - foot coordination is not developed.

Need to explore qualities of a rolling ball. Constantly in motion, but, with no sense of pace. They will chase something until they

drop. They are easily fatigued but recover rapidly.

Social Development:

Very individually oriented (me, mine, my). Prefer "parallel play" (Will play on a team, but will not really engage with their

teammates. Thus, a 3 against 3 game is, in reality, a 1 against 5 game because they all want the ball at the same time.

What you can do as a coach:

Easily bruised psychologically. Shout praise often. Give "hints", don't criticize. Need generous praise and to play without pressure. No extrinsic rewards (trophies,

medals, etc.) should be given for winning.

Focus on Soccer PracticePlayer:

1. Funa. Should be an environment where fun is put first. Can have the best drills for the

kids but if they are not having fun then they will not improve as fast as you would like.

2. Basic movement skillsa. Now is the time for kids to understand how to move like soccer players. Having

them understand different movement exercises in order to improve footwork and awareness of body.

3. Fundamental soccer techniquea. Dribbling – With both feet, eyes above ball when able, all surfaces of foot.b. Passing – Ability to pass and kick a ball. Movement pattern and passing with

inside of foot.c. Shooting – Same as passing but with more power. Instruct to use inside of foot or

laces.4. No pattern play

a. It is not the time to create a dominating team. The kids must learn basic skills at this point instead of learning how to play as a team.

5. Play and movementa. Always allow kids to play. Have them participate exclusively in 1v1 and 2v1

scenarios. Having 5v5 can look great but kids need touches on the ball. Allow them to explore what they can do with the ball and always encourage movement off the ball!

Coach:

1. Encouragementa. Every action should be encouraged. Mistakes should be seen as an opportunity to

learn.2. Fun

a. The drills and exercises can be fun and basic but can also be boring if done for too long. It is up to you to make it exciting for the kids and know when to move on.

3. Correction and fundamentalsa. Do not be afraid to correct kids as soon as possible. The kids will try to

dribble/pass/shoot correctly and it is up to you to show them how to do it. The sooner the better.

Road Trip (15 mins)Organization:20 x 20 yd area

Cones to designate the "4 locations"

1 ball per player

Instructions:"Road Trip!" Work with the players to choose their favorite destination to drive to: Disney World, Grand Ma's house, The Beach, Camping, Hershey Park, Vermont, etc. Once the 4 locations are chosen to make sure the players know what is what. Players must listen to the coach for the next destination so that can make sure they can see and visit everything in time.

Coaching Points:- Keep the ball close with all the traffic around.

- Big touches when you are on the highway.

- Change of direction and speed.

- Controlling, Slowing and Stopping the ball when we arrived at the destination.

Progressions:Call out one location, then change it so that players must turn their cars around.

Dribble the ball using only one technique: Rolling it across the body/Using the Outside Pinky Toe (Messi dribbling).

Regressions:Basic dribbling withe ball: small touches vs. big touches

Cops & Robbers (15 mins)

Organization:Players spread throughout area of 20x20 or 30x30 yd area

Instructions:"Cops and Robbers"

Each player has a ball (their car).  Cops hold a pinnie in their hand.  Cops are trying to hit the robbers or the robber's ball using their ball.  Once hit, the robber has to dribble to jail where the coach will have them perform a skill (toe taps, foundations, roll overs, etc..). Once they do their time on the skill they can go back into the field.

Coaching Points:-Head up to observe where the cops are (Spatial Awareness).

-Turning away from pressure (the cops) and into open space.

-Using your body to protect the ball.

Progressions: 1) Cops now don't have a ball. Only robbers have a ball. Cops try to take the robber's ball and pass it / to the coach. Robber can still try to get the ball back from the cop. If cop is successful in passing ball to the coach, robber has to go to the coach, do a skill move, and then earns a badge to enter the field as a cop (no ball, trying to steal another robber's ball). 

Racetrack (15 mins)Organization:As shownBall per player

Instructions:Players to take their cars on a race track. First introductory lap (so players understand the borders and after that real race begins!

Coaching Points:-Dribble with the head up.-Stay in boundaries.-Keep the ball close.-Small toucher when turning (to keep the ball in boundaries).-Big touches on straight part of the track and on the finish line to possibly beat the player in front of you.

Progressions:- Using certain parts of the foot to dribble.

NumbersDribbling - MINI KICKS - Bank RobbersOrganization:30x40 area with cones on the border as shown.

Instructions:Players are all dribbling throughout the space.

At coach command players must dribble to the side of the field indicated by that number of cones.

First one to the side, gets a point.

Progression: Allow dribbling with single foot.Regression: Allow dribbling with either foot.Competitive: How few touches does it take to get to the side?Can you stop your ball exactly on the line, under control and balanced?

Coaching points:Outside (pinky-toe) for close control.

Laces for fast, longer distance dribbling.

Head up to locate your corner.

Angry Birds (15 mins)Organization: 8 players (4 blues 4 whites). 13 balls. 5 cones.

Instructions: Blue team aims at the balls in the middle. All fire at the same time. They get a point for every ball they knock off its cone. Then other team goes. First team to 3 points win, then rematch.

Coaching Points: Passing technique - Instep, lock ankle, standing foot aiming at target, follow through, eyes on the ball.

Progressions: Pass from further back, add more balls, weaker foot.

1 v 1 Opposed (Twisted Sisters)Organization:- 30 x 30 Area Size.

- Split group into two teams.

Instructions:1. Game starts when the coach passes the ball into play.

2. 1st player to get the ball tries to score.

3. The other player must try and win it and then try and score himself.

Coaching Points:• Attack space ahead (bigger 1st touch).

• Head up to see defenders position.

• Protect ball if continue to dribble (put body between the defender and ball).

Warm up Triangle Tag (10 mins)Organization:Area set up as shown

Small triangles throughout grid

Blue players are taggers

Instructions:Players in white try to avoid being tagged by defenders in Blue. Play for set time.

Triangles represent "safe zones".

One white player can run in and high five a white teammate in a triangle, who then must leave the safe zone and find a new triangle.

If a white player is tagged by a blue defender, they swap roles.

Coaching Points:Head up to find nearest safe zone/spot defender

Change of direction and speed to avoid defense

Progressions:Add balls - use hands and toss

More defenders/Less safe zones

Regression: No defenders

Gate Turnovers (15 mins)Organization:1. 20 x 30-yard area setup as shown

2. 2 teams (Blue and Red); 2 players are partnered up. Each partner pair has one ball.

3. 12 + cones (These are placed randomly around the area to make mini gates to pass the ball through)

4. Place some gate cones right side up and some gate cones upside down.

Instructions:1. Players are paired together one attacker one target player. Players move around the area in their pairs.

2. Once the pair reaches a gate, the attacker must pass to their target player through the gate.

3. After the ball has been received through the gate, the pair switches roles and find another gate to play through.

4. The Blue team must knock over (or turn upside down) the gates they pass through. The white team must restore the gates to their upright when they pass through. After 1+ minutes the coach sees which team has the most gates in their upright or knocked down position.

Coaching Points:1. Head up, observe your target.

2. Weight and accuracy of pass. Heel down, toe up, inside push pass. Contact the middle of the ball.

3. Keep your distance away from the gate. Do not stand close to the gate.

Progressions:1.Players have to make 3 passes through a gate before knocking down or restoring the gates.

2v1 (15 mins)Organization:15x20

Set up as shown.

Instructions:Defender passes the ball to an attacker and attackers play 2v1 to goal. Attackers must make at least 1 pass before they can shoot. If defender wins the ball they must pass it to the coach. After a few minutes switch the attacking and defending lines.

Coaching Points:Open up do not crowd the player with the ball.

Position yourself so you are an open playing option for your teammate with the ball.

Proper technique to pass to your partner.

Proper weight of pass.

Progressions:Attackers must pass the ball twice (or three times) before shooting.

Play 2v3

Shooting Warm-up (15 mins)Organization:1. Players work in pairs and are 30 yards apart.

2. Cone with the ball on top is evenly in between the two players.

Instructions:1. Players are looking to strike the ball to knock the ball off the cone.

Coaching Points:1. Locking ankle on contact.

2. Placement of non-kicking foot.

3. Stepping into and following through on shot.

4. Angled approach to ball.

Shooting activity (30 mins)Organization:1. 30x30 yard area.2. Two teams, or more depending on number of players.3. Two goals or more goals depending on number of players.

Instructions:1. Players shoot on goals from each level.

Coaching Points:1. Improve Individual shooting technique.2. Look for target.3. Correct technique to shoot.4. Accuracy over power.5. Toe down.6. Ankle lock.

Progressions:1. Weak foot.2. Passing: Using inside foot to guide ball into net.

Process of Creating a Lesson Plan:There is no one definitive way of creating a lesson plan. There are many things that go

through a coach’s mind when creating the lesson plan for the day or week. In this section, we will explain the thought process of creating a lesson plan through various means. We will also provide an example lesson plan that you can start off from.

There are 3 main categories that must be considered when creating a lesson plan. These are:

1. The age and ability of the players: The lesson plan and its contents must be age appropriate for the players while also understanding the limitations of the players. If the players have trouble passing the ball in a straight line, they will suffer from more complex passing patterns.

2. There must be a technical topic underlying the entire lesson plan. For example, dribbling can be the technical topic.

3. Progression of exercises. Not every lesson plan has to be same in terms of field space or exercise. There are many ways to progress a lesson plan. However, we will list two that are more commonly used by coaches.

a. Definitions:i. Warm Up: Dynamics to start the day. Get the kids moving and display

flexibility. Can use passing drills or dribbling drills afterwards (no defenders.)

ii. Small Sided: Progression to add defenders/opposition. Numbers up to group you want to improve. Focus on technical aspect but with pressure now. Small amount of tactical information.

iii. Expanded Small Sided: Rough game like scenario. Add more opposition or bend rules to create more complex situations (touch rule, pass rules, etc.) Expand field size if necessary.

iv. Scrimmage: The game as is. Can add some rules if you want to promote what you just work on.

b. The first is a linear progression of exercises. Example: Warm up, Small Sided, Extended Small Sided, Scrimmage (Game scenario). You do not always need to scrimmage at the end but you must allow the players to play in a game like scenario.

c. Second way to progress a lesson plan. Example: Warm up, Scrimmage (game like scenario), Small Sided, Scrimmage, Small Sided, etc. There is no longer a linear progression but a more cyclical approach to the game. This progression allows players to learn at a different pace and keeps things fresh.

Example Lesson Plan

TOPIC: Passing and receiving.

1. Technique: Short and Long Passing, Receiving. 2. Coaching Points: Use inside foot to pass. Lock ankle. Plant foot pointing towards

target. Hips facing target. Eye contact with target. Drive through the ball and drive the ball forward. Receive with heel down toe up.

3. IMPORTANT: Add fun exercises between exercises to freshen things up. Do not be afraid to stop what you are doing if things are not going well. Add a fun game to keep the kids engaged and focused. Then you can return to original exercise.

WARM UP:

10 - 15 minutes of technical work after dynamics. Triangle tag: Grab a partner and play tag. Triangles are safe zones. Focus: Have players move dynamically. Create rules and have them do some sort of

different approach. Example one legged hops only, skipping no running, etc. Progression: Add balls for both players.

SMALL SIDED:

Space: 30 x 30 yard grids. Exercise: Gate Turnovers. Focus: Quality of passes (sharp and strong.) Players must move to receive through gates.

Pass and move. Players off the ball must constantly be moving. Keep the ball moving and dribble if needed. Always be an option for your teammate. 1 pass between gate = 1 point. 40 seconds per round.

EXPANDED SMALL SIDED:

Space: 20 x 20-yard grid. A goal on North and South side of grid. Exercise: Twisted Sisters (as shown in example exercises). Attacking player attacks a goal on either side. A goal equals a point. Defending team must recover ball and look to score Focus: Quality of passes. First touch is away from pressure. Confidence in playing passes

out from pressure. Players without ball must constantly be moving. Progression: 2v2 for some more fun. Try to encourage passing.

SCRIMMAGE:

5v5 max. If you have subs, keep them constantly rotating and engaged.