Coaching the 6 to 10 yearolds

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Manitoba Soccer Initiatives
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Developing Manitoba Soccer

• Arts and Technology Gym
• MPETA SAG 2009
• October 23rd 2009
• Robert Gale
• Technical Director
• Manitoba Soccer Association

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FAIR PLAY CODES
Players
Coaches
Referees
Parents
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WHY DO CHILDREN PLAY SOCCER?

• To have  FUN 
• Fun is
• Being with friends
• Being active
• Being part of a team
• Learning new skills
• Testing these skills against others
• Like the challenge and excitement
• To compete and pleasing others

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STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT FOR THE 6-8 YEAR OLDS

• Characteristics of Development
• Co-ordination difficulties
• Like to move.
• Short attention span.
• Sensitivity to criticism.
• Need for individual attention (egocentric).
• Enjoy being successful and being praised for
  it.
• Enjoy gymnastic type activities.
• Ability to work well in small groups.
• Influenced by their parents and coach

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STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT FOR THE 6-8 YEAR OLDS
Training Recommendations Lots of activity and
movement. General co-ordination exercises
(running, tumbling and fun games). Familiarity
with the ball (running, turning, changing
direction with the ball). Small-sided games.
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STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT FOR THE 8-10 YEAR OLDS

• Characteristics of Development
• Improvement in co-ordination.
• Display an increase in strength.
• Enjoyment of physical contact.
• Increase in attention span.
• Ability to problem solve.
• Sensitivity to criticism.
• Enjoy playing team sports.
• Like to be recognized for their sports ability
• Understand and like the idea of being on the team
• Coach is a greater influence on the child

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STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT FOR THE 8-10 YEAR OLDS

• Training Recommendations
• Running with the ball
• Dribbling
• Ball control
• Passing
• Shooting
• Heading

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TEACHING THE SKILLSCOACHING POINTS

• RUNNING WITH THE BALL
• Keep the ball close
• Switch attention between ball and environment
• Balance
• Using both feet
• Using all surfaces

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TEACHING THE SKILLSCOACHING POINTS

• DRIBBLING
• Movement
• Protect the ball - keep away from
  defender
• Changing direction
• Changing speed
• Turning with the ball
• Fakes and feints

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TEACHING THE SKILLSCOACHING POINTS

• CONTROL
• Watch the ball coming in
• Get your body behind the ball as it is moving
  towards you
• Choose the surface (foot, thigh, chest).
• First touch away from pressure
• Head up - make a decision pass, dribble, shoot
  or run with the ball.

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TEACHING THE SKILLSCOACHING POINTS

• PASSING
• Ball at a comfortable distance
• Position of non-kicking foot
• Look at the ball when striking it
• Strike the correct part of the ball
• Lock the ankle when you strike the ball
• Using both feet and different surfaces
• OBJECTIVES OUTCOMES
• Accuracy
• Pace of the pass

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TEACHING THE SKILLSCOACHING POINTS

• SHOOTING
• Ball at a comfortable distance
• Preparation touch
• Position of non-kicking foot
• Look at the ball when striking it
• Strike the correct part of the ball
• Lock the ankle when you strike the ball with the
  laces
• Using both feet

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TEACHING THE SKILLSCOACHING POINTS

• HEADING
• Eyes on the ball
• Point of contact, flat part of the forehead
• Neck should stay relatively fixed
• Lean back
• Arms forward

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GUIDING PRINCIPLES

• How can you make sure kids have fun? Kids enjoy?
  Kids learn?
• Connect with each player
• Adopt a style to suit the children
• Be a positive role model for children
• Good communication is important
• Work to develop team spirit.

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THE ROLE OF THE COACH

• What does it take to coach?
• Sensitive and Caring.
• Organization
• Good communication
• Ability to work with others
• Ability to teach from the heart.

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PLANNING THE SESSION

• Always review and visualize your session plan
  before the practice using the CSA booklet BE
  FLEXIBLE.
• 2. Make sure you have enough equipment and
  sufficient space for all the drills and
  activities you want to do.

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EQUIPMENT CHECK

Bonus
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PLANNING THE SESSION

• Exercises must be well organized
• Safety
• Size
• Equipment
• Progression
• Get there early to set up
• CONDUCTING THE SESSION
• Warm up stretching???
• Explanation and demonstration
• Practice and repetition
• Observation and feedback

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PLANNING THE SESSION

• 5. CONCLUDING THE SESSION
• Let them play!!!
• Use multiple small-sided games to keep players
  active and maximize touches on the ball
• 6. After session dont forget the cheer and the
  juice!!!

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RUNNING THE SESSION

• HOW TO START
• Have your players in front of you!
• Position players so there are no distractions
  behind you
• Scan the group as you talk.
• Make eye contact with all players.

• Use simple words (terminology, concepts). Too
  much information may confuse your players.
• Ask questions to make sure players have
  understood you and know what is expected of them.

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RUNNING THE SESSION

• When setting up a drill, tell your players
• How it starts, how it ends
• Where they go how they score direction
• How many times they do it
• How long.
• AND DEMONSTRATE.
• Quickly get the players active - keep everyone
  active - use lots of balls and lots of games,
  both soccer - specific and general..
• Let your players experiment.

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RUNNING THE SESSION

• Be enthusiastic!!!
• Ensure players work and rest.
• Be happy with small improvements from the
  players.
• Its got to be fun!
• Reinforce positively every effort. Praise!
• Involve parents in drills with their children at
  youngest age. Encourage them to practice and
  play soccer together at home.

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Game structure in Canada
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KEY ELEMENTS IN A PRACTICE

• Practice is over!
• Go over the session with the children at the
  end
• Did they play? (were they active?)
• Did they have fun?
• Did they learn something?

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KEY ELEMENTS

• Organizing your summer!
• TIPS TO MAKE YOUR COACHING ENJOYABLE?
• Parent meeting at the beginning of the season
• Getting and distributing the equipment
• Phone chain can be organized to maximize
  communication
• Sharing of responsibilities
• Safety measures (players phone number, emergency
  numbers, Med.Ins. Number, etc)

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GAME IS OVER!