u10-12..switching it up on me.

[fidlerre]

okay, so last week i posted about coaching a u8-9 team but they switched up my assignment and want me to coach older kids...

u10-12 it is.

i think i wanna keep things pretty basic to begin with and then move on from there to formations, communication on the field...to set plays and free kick opportunities.

if anyone has anything else to add to the mix now that i will be coaching kids a little older and able to more recognize what they are doing on a full sized field i would appreciate it.

thanks!

[Richie]

u10-12

Look at the big thread up top for some ideas on communication and other things.

On Free kicks give some thought to 2 touching direct kick opportunites rather then using one touch.

Use short corners on corner kicks. In some areas at younger age groups they allow you to take a corner from the beginning of the area instead of at the corner flag. if not short corner is ideal.

Work on player takeovers they are the best. I love them they make space, and are only a 2 man tactic that are easy to teach. Plus as I said they work, and is fun for the player. He can lay the ball off to the other player or he can even back heal to the passing player they love doing that. Plus can I say it again they work, and they will not lose the ball and they misdirect the opposing defenders.

I really love them for everything. Professional players don't use them nearly enough.

Richie

[Elroy]

This is a passing/combination sequence that I've found appropriate for every age group. It introduces the concept of passing lanes into free space.

Have a brief demonstration where you set 3-4 defenders and place the ball amongst them. Move everyone to where they can see the spaces between the defenders and the free space they open to. Talk briefly about not occupying space too early or blocking lanes for other players.

Break into groups and play circle keepaway. This is 6v2 ( approx ) where the defenders are inside a circle of the other players. The outside players get individual points for each successful pass. They have the option of square or split. Give them more points for each split they pull off. If the ball is intercepted, the passer moves to the middle. Add a third defender to increase difficulty and to also coach defensive tactics.

Move to a 4v4 or 5v5 game on a half field w small goals. The condition is that all passes must be on the ground. Any pass higher than the knees results in a restart for the other team. Encourage movement and through passes into spaces controlled by teammates. You can also practice quick restarts. These are great at this age as I can guarantee you that almost no one else will do them.

The point of the sequence is to learn to recognize forward passing opportunities. A side benefit is that you can begin to teach patience when the kids push things too fast. These games create a lot of good coaching opportunities.