PRACTICE GUIDELINES
BY
AGE GROUP
Under 6
-Emphasis on games and fun activities, so that they have a positive view of games & practice.
-Plan activities at practice that reduce shyness.
-Use lots of positive reenforcement, but also try to get good progressive performance.
-Teach basic dribbling with the inside of the foot and keep the ball close.
-Introduce kicking shots with the top of the foot(laces of shoe).
-Provide activities that teach balance
-Instruct in at least one dribbling maneuver such as a cutback or chop
-Teach proper throw-in.
-Teach goal kick and corner kick.
-Maximize touches on the ball and minimal time in lines
End every practice with a game.
Under 8
-Introduce simple passing for goal scoring.
-Teach fundamental trapping and passing foot technique.
-Reenforce shooting with the top of the foot.
-Reenforce dribbling and keeping the ball close.
-Introduce dribbling with the outside of feet.
-Teach additional dribbling maneuvers such as pull back or step over.
-Teach quick attack throw-in, goal kick, and corner kick.
-Provide time to reenforce balance and agility.
-Maximize touches on the ball and minimal time in lines.
-End every practice with a game
Under 10
-Reenforce fundamentals of trapping and passing technique, foot trap, chest trap.
-Teach more complex passing such as wall pass or overlap pass.
-Teach running without the ball to position for a pass.
-Teach one-touch passing.
-Instruct in volley shots.
-Practice previously learned dribbling technique, but not at the expense of passing.
-Teach transitioning the ball from defense to midfield to offense.
-Teach defense strategy of immediate pressure, goal side support, and marking a man.
-Teach ball possession through passing
-Introduce heading the ball
-Teach tackling with a purpose.
-Practice balance and agility as this age is growing quickly and having to relearn coordination.
-Lots of positive reenforcement, but don't be fake. They are building foundations self esteem.
-Maximize touches on the ball and minimal time in lines
-End every practice with a game