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Recommended U-9 Coaching Objectives
Developed by Dave Schumacher, WSYSA Coaching Director
When coaching players 6,7, and 8 years of
age, your main role should be one of a facilitator. Emphasis needs to be placed
on playing at this age. Your practices should include fun activities where
each player has a ball as well as plenty of opportunity to play 3 v 3 and 4 v
4 games.
The optimal teaching system approved by WSYSA recommends that players
of 8 years of age play 4 v 4. I suggest you devote
the end of each practice to playing 4 v 4. It's
important to focus on 4 v 4 play for 8 year olds, even though your club or
association may not be playing 4 v 4 for your league games.
Objectives
- Further
Development of U-7 and U-8 Objectives
- Development
of the appreciation of space through the fourth player in what is called
"third man play"
- Diamond
shape at goal kicks and throw ins must be continually emphasized
- Continued
encouragement to use the width-both sides of field
- Encourage
the most advanced player to stretch the opposition by pushing toward
the opposition goal-when own team is in possession.
- Encouragement
in practices and games of the importance of team support-particularly in
3 v 3 and 4 v 4 games and practices.
- Encourage
all players to be "two-way players" Suggest all players should
recover to help defend after losing possession; all players should look
to contribute to every attacking play (even where their "role"
is as covering rearmost defender.)
- Development
of the role of the Goalkeeper
- Basic
catching techniques
- Coming
out to narrow angle on shots
- Distribution
by throwing
- Moving
out to edge of goal area and beyond to support attack and using the
feet
- Continued
development of basic techniques such as dribbling (to keep possession
and to beat opponents), accurate passing and ball control. Introduction
or reinforcement of longer passing.
Summary
- Appreciation
of space - through the diamond shape
- Use
of width; stretching opposition from end to end (length)
- Continued
development of basic skills
- Encouragement
of "two-way play"
- Awareness
of "Third Man" when on attack
Overriding Consideration - Let the games and practices
be the teachers; encourage use of space and support.
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