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YMCA Spring Fall Curriculum
McClesky – East Cobb Family YMCA
1055 East Piedmont Road NE
Marietta, GA 30062
Spring Soccer Curriculum
Letter to Coaches:
It is that time of the season again coaches. The long winter break is now over and spring soccer is right around the corner. First we would like to thank YOU coaches for taking the time out of your day to help and develop the players love for the sport. Without you none of this would be possible. We understand the stress that comes with being the coach of a youth soccer team, good or bad. Therefore we have provided a curriculum that will hopefully help you along the way should you run out of ideas.
This curriculum, while similar to the Fall Curriculum, will provide a different variety of exercises and thought processes. This curriculum will also take into account the weather and start of school distractions. Finally, the final objective of Recreational Soccer is FUN. Without this important aspect the kids may end up disliking soccer or quit sports altogether. It is imperative that each exercise exhibits a fun atmosphere or a fun twist of rules. Please use your best judgement when creating the exercises for the kids. Make it fun!
As stated before, the first and main objective of recreation soccer is to have FUN. The second objective is to develop and help the players grow both as soccer players and people. The third objective is to play an attractive style of soccer. These three principles (or pillars) of recreation soccer are the foundations of our club. While each coach must meet these objectives, the path in which you take your team is up to you. It is up to your knowledge of the game and your players to teach them what you think is necessary for your kids to develop as soccer players.
With these objectives of recreation soccer, we must allow the players to express themselves on the pitch. However, creativity must not overshadow correct technique. In these age groups, it is important to teach kids the correct technical fundamentals while also allowing them the freedom to experiment. Furthermore, as their technical foundation improves, their tactical aptitude for the game will also improve. Each kid should be able to play multiple positions and thus must be comfortable both on and off the ball.
“Sports creates a bond between contemporaries that lasts a lifetime. It also give your life structure, discipline and a genuine, sincere, pure fulfillment that few other areas of endeavor provide.”
- Bob Cousy
Table of Contents:
Pages: Content:
5 U8 Spring Curriculum
6 U10 Spring Curriculum
7 Characteristics of U8 Soccer Player
8 Characteristics of U10 Soccer Player
9 Principles of Play
10 Process of creating a Lesson Plan
11 - 12 Example Lesson Plan
13 Example Lessons Introduction
15 Technical Exercises
22 Attacking Principles
27 Build-Up Principles
33 Defending Principles
U8 Spring Curriculum
Week Topic
Week 1 Possession: Passing (short and long) TechniquePassing lanes; Moving while Passing. Inside Foot and Laces approach. First Touch sets ball ahead of you.
Week 2 Possession: Receiving and Turning on Move TechniqueFirst Touch, Open Body-Shape, Release (Passing)
Week 3 Attacking: 1v1 Shielding and Dribbling TechniqueAttacking Defender head on, Feints and moves to exploit space.
Week 4 Attacking: Finishing Technique1v1. Shooting with “laces”, inside foot (when close to goal), loft.
Week 5 Attacking: Breakaways2v1, 3v1, 3v2. Recognizing numbers up to play quick and direct.
Week 6 Possession: Build up from back.Distribution from the back. 3v1, 5v2, 5v3. Using width.
Week 7 Defending: Pressure and Tackle Technique; Cover Emphasis1v1, 2v1. Jockey body shape. Defending to delay. Tackle when sure to win ball. Cover space behind 1st defender.
Week 8 Possession: Using width and switching play.3v2, 5v3. Finding free player to exploit space.
Week 9 Possession (Short and Long Passes) TechniqueUsing Inside Foot and Laces approach. 3v2, 5v3, 6v4.
Week 10 Possession: Possess to AttackKeep shape and use width. 4v2, 5v3 to goal.
Week 11 Attacking: Finishing1v1, 2v1. Exploiting space and finding right time to shoot.
Week 12 Fun Team Specifics
Week 13 Fun Team Specifics
U10 Spring Curriculum
Week Topic
Week 1 Possession: Passing TechniqueAccurate, Driven, Curved Passes. Inside foot and laces.
Week 2 Possession: Receiving and Turning TechniqueFirst Touch, Open Body-Shape, Release (Passing)
Week 3 Possession: Dribbling and Shielding TechniqueDribble to possess. Correct form of shielding and turning from pressure.
Week 4 Possession: Short and Long Passes.Accurate, Driven, Curved Passes. Emphasis on sharp passes.
Week 5 Attacking: 1v1’s1v1, 2v1. Recognizing when to attack defender in final third.
Week 6 Attacking: Finishing Technique2v1, 3v2. Exploiting space and recognizing when to shoot.
Week 7 Defending: Pressure, Cover Technique1v1, 2v1, 2v2. Correct Pressure Technique with jockey position. Stay low and shuffle feet. Delay attacker until help arrives.
Week 8 Possession: Using Width and Switching Play3v2, 4v3, 5v4. Using space and providing width. Switch play when space is congested to create another attacking opportunity.
Week 9 Defending: Pressure, Cover, Balance1v1, 2v2, 3v2. Closest defender to ball presses and becomes 1st defender. 2nd defender covers space behind first defender. 3rd defender balances line.
Week 10 Possession: Playing from the back.3v1, 4v2, 5v3. Playing from the back. Learning to use width and midfielders to pass around defenders.
Week 11 Attacking: Crossing and Finishing Technique2v1, 3v2. Using width and crossing to finish.
Week 12 Fun Team Specifics
Week 13 Fun Team Specifics
Characteristics of a U8 Soccer Player
Characteristics:
Have the ability to work in pairs; concept in passing can be introduced. Greatly prefer playing to watching. No long lines! Limited attention span; 15-20 seconds for listening. 15-20 minutes for an activity. Still lack a sense of pace; they always go flat out (chase ball until they drop.) Straight runs up and down the field are the norm. Don’t expect much movement off the
ball. Be patient.
Physical Development:
Skeletal system is still growing: growth plates are near the joints. Thus injuries to those areas are merit special consideration.
Temperature regulation system is less efficient than adults. Children elevate core temperature sooner and take longer to cool off.
Improvement in pace and coordination from U6, however the immaturity of a U8’s physical abilities are obvious.
Social Development:
Self-concept and body image are beginning to develop, but very fragile. Great need for approval from adults such as parents, teachers, and coaches; like to
show individual skills. Easily bruised psychologically by adults; negative comments carry great weight. Like to play soccer because it is fun. Intrinsically motivated. Boys and girls still quite similar in physical and psychological development. Still in motion – twitching, jerking, scratching and blinking are all second nature physical
movements.
What you can do as a coach:
Use pairs and teamwork in practices. Encourage to share ball when possible. Recognize that U8 players are extremely aware of your approval. Keep reactions
positive. Be loud, fun, and smile! Can incorporate repetition with fundamental technical skills (mostly dribbling and
passing). There is a wide range of abilities at this age. Challenge each accordingly. Competitive nature becomes apparent in some. Winning and losing should NOT be
stressed! Add in a fun activity at the beginning and end of practice. Keep the game fun in order to
keep them engaged.
Characteristics of a U10 Soccer Player:
Characteristics:
Lengthened attention span. Still in motion, but not as busy. Will hold still long enough for a short explanation. Psychologically becoming more firm and confident. Boys and girls beginning to develop separately. Gross and small motor skills becoming much more refined. Some are becoming serious about their play. Are now more inclined toward wanting to play rather than told to play.
Physical Development:
More prone than adults to heat injury. Affected by accelerated heat loss, increasing risk of hypothermia. Greater diversity in playing ability. Physically mature individuals demonstrate stronger motor skills.
Social Development:
May initiate play on their own. Pace factor becoming developed; they are starting to think ahead. Intrinsically motivated to play. Demonstrate increased responsibility.
o Bring ball and water to practice.o Tuck in jersey and pull socks up.o “Carry own stuff”
Peer pressure significant. Adult outside of family may take on added significance. Continued positive reinforcement needed.
What you can do as a coach:
Keep the practices fun and engaging. This is a crucial element to soccer. Do not worry about wins and losses. Worry about development. Ask guiding questions. Avoid freezing the drill; rather ask questions and guide the player
as they participate. Give hints as to what the goal or objective of the lesson is. Allow players to play. Manipulate the drill to drive towards an objective. Stay positive. Some players take longer to develop than others. Still engage in fun activities at the beginning and end of the lesson.
Principles of Play:
In regards to youth soccer, we aim to keep the principles of play very simple for our young players. The basic objective in soccer is to score goals and to keep the opponents from scoring. Within this objective is where the fun begins as a coach. Keep it simple while also challenging the players from time to time. There are two primary categories of play, Principles of Attack and Principals of Defense.
Principles of Attack :
Penetration: Sharp and quick dribbling to get past defenders. Sharp and weighted passes to split through or past defenders. Dynamic runs met with intended passes.
Depth: Support to both ball carrier and off the ball teammates. The intention to recycle play or switch play when necessary.
Width: Spreading the field and creating space for teammates. Keeping the defense honest and stretching the opponent’s defensive organization.
Principles of Defense :
Pressure: Fast and aggressive pressure, maintain good posture during action, jockey position. Delay for teammates to arrive. Tackle is last resort! Prepare to jockey and keep attacker in front.
Cover: Cover space behind first defender at angle. Must maintain awareness and concentration! Jockey position and prepare for any runs in behind 1st defender.
Balance: Defending weak side of line in order to maintain organization. Weak side of defensive unit may be attacked if balance is not maintained.
Work as Unit: Team must be dedicated to defend as a group. When ball is in other team’s possession, the team must understand that everyone’s task is to win the ball back through a concerted effort.
These principles are the main source of instruction. Players must be able to play with both feet so that they can be flexible in their advances. Players must understand to move off the ball in order to be a passing option. Players must prepare to defend as a unit and win the ball back as a group. While the principles of play may change slightly, the objective of soccer remains the same. We will now progress into how to create a lesson plan for your team. Examples will also be shown.
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 taken into account 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 older age groups the addition of a tactical approach can be used. For example, dribbling can be the technical topic, 1v1 and 2v1 are the tactical approaches.
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 1
TOPIC: Passing and receiving.
1. Technique: Short and Long Passing, Receiving. 2. Tactical: Moving after the pass, receiving away from defender.3. 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. Take your first touch towards desired direction (preferably away from defender.)
WARM UP:
10 - 15 minutes of technical work after dynamics. Passing tunnels: 2 lines of three players each facing each other. Pass to opposite line
and follow your pass. Focus: Two touch, one touch. Left foot and right foot trap/pass. Alternate feet of receive
and pass. Wall passes as the challenge.
SMALL SIDED:
Space: 10 x 10 yard grids. Players: 3v1 keep away. Focus: Quality of passes (sharp and strong.) First touch takes players away from
pressure. Pass and move. Players off the ball must constantly be moving. Keep a triangle shape at all times if possible. Always be an option for your teammate. 3 passes = 1 point. 20 seconds per round. Switch defenders.
EXPANDED SMALL SIDED:
Space: 30 x 25 yard grid. A goal on North and South side of grid. Players: 4v2; 5v3; 6v4 possess to goal. Attacking team (numbers up) attacks a goal on either side. A goal equals a point. Defending team must recover ball and pass 2 consecutive times before dribbling outside
of area. 3 points if accomplished. Focus: Quality of passes. First touch is away from pressure. Confidence in playing passes
out from pressure. Players without ball must constantly be moving.
SCRIMMAGE:
The game itself. Can still add conditions to score goals or to recreate the topic at hand. Does not always need to end in an official scrimmage. Can still play 5v5 or 6v6 but with
less regulations.
Example Lesson Plan 2
TOPIC: Passing to switch the point of attack.
1. Technique: Short and Long Passing. Receiving on the turn. Body position.2. Tactical: Recognizing when to switch the point of attack. 3. Coaching Points: Quality of passes. Play with BOTH FEET. Opening your body to
face the largest amount of portion of space. Receiving on turn.
WARM UP:
10 - 15 minutes of technical work after dynamics. Space: 25 x 25 yard grid. Players: 4 Neutrals: One on each side of grid. 4 teams inside grid (2 players per team). Focus: Each team inside grid has a ball. Each team must pass to an outside neutral
player. Neutral plays it back. Inside player receiving must quickly find their teammate. Technique: Open body position to space and teammates when receiving.
SCRIMMAGE:
Focus: State the focus of the lesson plan and see if they can do it on their own.
SMALL SIDED:
Space: 25 x 25 yard grid. Players: Two teams (6 player per team; red and blue teams). 4 players per team inside
grid. The remaining players are outside the grid. Red players outside grid take opposite sides; same with blue.
Focus: Red and Blue teams each have a ball. No defending. Teams must pass ball from one end of the grid to the other. Must always be movement with intention to face field.
SCRIMMAGE:
Focus: Can they put what they did in the Small Sided game and put it on the field.
EXPANDED SMALL SIDED:
Space: 30 x 25 yard space. Three goals on opposite sides. 6 goals total. Players: Two teams (6 players per team; red v blue). All inside grid. Focus: Outside goals count 2 points, Center goal counts 1 point. Attack outside goals.
Switch point of attack if pressure or number of defenders is overwhelming.
SCRIMMAGE:
Focus: Switch the point of attack. Fluid and sharp movements. Quality of passes.
Technical Focus for Both Age Groups
U8
Technical (80%) Fitness (10%) Principles of Play (10%)
Focus more on technique rather than principles of play. The kids at this age must become familiar with the ball and handling it on their own. Comfort on the ball is key before we can move on to principles of play. We recommend your first 15 – 25 minutes of practice focus on technical improvement.
Technical: Set up grids or small boxes of 3 x 3 yards and let every kid have their own box. Teach them how to do simple ball movement skills such as toe taps (forwards and backwards), tick tocks (forwards and backwards), sole rolls across their bodies, pull backs, Cruyff turns, V-turns, scissors, step overs, etc. At first the kids will have trouble conducting these moves, but keep at it! Kids improve quickly when they become familiar with the exercises. Make it fun!
Fitness: Fitness at this age is through dynamics and technical work with the ball.
Principles of Play: Simple and laid out. Focus on passing and moving. Do not allow kids to become comfortable standing in lines throughout the year. Have them moving and playing!
U10
Technical (70%) Fitness (10%) Principles of Play (20%)
The focus is still on technique while teaching basic fundamentals of the game. Kids should now start focusing on awareness around themselves. Opening up, looking over the shoulder, and movement off the ball. This will take time to improve but better to start now.
Technical: Like we did with the U8 squads, we want to set up 3 x 3 yard grids and allow each kid to have their own grid. Again, the focus is on technical improvement. Ideally we want the kids to spend every day with the ball. Allow the kids are to experiment with the ball continuously. They will improve. Make sure that technique is stressed in your lesson plans.
Fitness: Fitness at this age is through dynamics and technical work with the ball. Dynamics should now include more sharp and thorough movements. Focus on hip movements, balance/coordination, and correct running form.
Principles of Play: Kids at this age should start to understand the very basics of switching the point of attack and defending principles. Make sure to remind the kids of all principles while making it simple for them. Use analogies and rhymes (or sayings) to help them remember.
Example Lessons Index
The following drills will be shown as example drills. Feel free to use these drills as-is OR manipulate the drill towards the team needs. Feel free to come up with exercises or even look for other exercises from other resources. The more knowledge you have the better! These drills will showcase the more serious role of soccer exercises but can be implemented in a fun manner depending on the coach! Most of the drills will be followed up by a drill that is expanded upon in order to assist you as a coach. The following drills will be listed under:
Techniqueo Page 15 - Shielding o Page 16 - Dribbling o Page 19 - Passing and Receivingo Page 21 - Body Position
Attackingo Page 22 - Penetrationo Page 23 - Depth (Support)o Page 24 - Widtho Page 25 - Finishing
Build Upo Page 27 - Switch of Playo Page 29 - Movement off the Ballo Page 31 - Combination Play
Defenseo Page 33 - 1v1 Defendingo Page 35 - Pressure, Cover, Balance
We want to keep the game as simple as possible for the kids. It is of upmost importance that technique be stressed within reason during each exercise. Challenge the kids while making it fun. Remember to guide them towards a certain goal or objective.
It is also important to focus on one subject at hand. You can expand the focus with older age groups. For example, shielding the ball. Last but not least let the kids play. For the last 30 minutes or so, let the kids play the game. Add some restrictions when the time is right! Allow the kids to experiment and have fun.
Technical Exercises - Shielding
Shielding Tutorial (10 minutes) (U8 and U10 Appropriate)
Space: Each grid is 10x10 yards.
Format: 1v1 in each grid. Switch every 20-30 seconds.
Attacking:- Man-man-ball. Your body should be between the ball and the defender. Use your body to shield.
- Lean against the attacker while side-on. Use your shoulders, elbows, and hands in order to create space between you and the defender.
- Hide the ball from the defender by moving it with all surfaces of the foot. If the defender commits one way, turn the other.
Defending:-Be physical and do not allow player to turn.-Use your body and a bit of arms to force the attacker to be off balance. Do not push your way into the ball with your arms, your arms are there to force the attacker one way.-Be patient. You don’t have to win the ball immediately. Wait for the right opportunity to win the ball such as a bad touch, off balance que, or forced turn.
Small Sided Shielding (15 mins) (U10 Appropriate)
Space: Each grid is now 15x15 yards.Format: - 1v1 in each square (blue v red). 2 yellows as all-time attackers. 1 green as all-time defender.- 1v1 players must stay in grids they are assigned to. Yellow and green players can move freely among the grids.- First round has red as attacking team with yellow. Blue and green are defending.Attacking:- Support will not always be immediate. If there are no passing lanes use your space to dribble. If the need to shield the ball arises then shield and move ball around until opportunity to pass comes up.- All attacking players must be moving at all times. Move in relation to ball, teammates and defenders.- Yellows must constantly find their teammates. 2-3 touches max.-Body position is important. Passing must be high quality.Defending:- Stand up attackers if they are facing you.- Be patient. If attacker shields, be patient and force the ball to the outside lines. DO NOT ALLOW TO TURN.- Wait for numbers to arrive and close down space immediately.- Green must constantly move to support defender before ball moves.Transition:-If blue wins ball, pass amongst each other along with green.-If red or yellow loses ball, press and win the ball back immediately.
Technical Exercises - Dribbling
Dribble WarsSpace: 15x15 yard grid (larger if needed)
Format:- Set up two small goals 10-15 yards apart (farther apart is harder)- Organize players into two even groups and assign each player a number (each player should have a mirror number on the other team)- Coach puts ball into play and calls out a number, the players with that number sprint out to ball and attempt to dribble through either goal to score. Must dribble through.
Progression:- Coach puts one ball into play and calls out two numbers for 2v2 match-up.- Coach can number players and call out their numbers as the ball is being played. Numbers would then go in and try to score.
Key Points- Players should look to turn away from defender (using a dribble move such as pull-back, step-over, chop) an attack open goal.
Coaching Points:1. Change of direction and deception: Use feints and make your moves quick2. Change of pace: Explosion after the move.
Dribbling Warm up (Cones)
Space: 3 Cones. 6-10 yards space each.
Format:- 2-3 players (each with a ball) at each outside cone.-Players dribble to cone and throw a move.- If the move is a possession move (such as pull-back), player returns to original starting point (A). - If the move is a penetration move (such as scissors), player dribbles to opposite once after throwing the move (B).
Coaching Points:1. Executing the move properly is more important than going fast. Make sure players use proper technique for each move – slow them down if needed.2. Be specific as to which foot the players uses to execute the move. Get reps with both feet.3. Recommend that no more than 2-3 moves be taught in a single session.4. Players should “explode out” of the move, dribbling as fast as possible.5. Players should always keep back tight and under control.
Dribbling Gauntlet
Space: Three 10x10 boxes stacked on top of each other.Format:-Place a cone at the top middle of each box-Place a defender at each cone
Key Points:Version A- Attacking player (1) dribbles forward and attempts to beat first defender (2) on dribble. If 1 is able to beat 2, then 1 enters second square and attempts to beat second defender (3). The goal of the attacker is to beat all three defenders w/o losing the ball.- If defender wins it, defender looks to dribble out of the square they won it in. Attack and win ball back and keep going.- Defender may not leave cone until attacker enters his/her square.
Rotation: If attacker dribbles out of bounds or defenders steals ball and dribbles out of bounds, then the attacker (1) becomes first defender and the other defenders slide back. The last defender rotates to back and becomes an attacker.- If attackers dribble all the way through, defenders must stay (no rotation)- Rotation is the same no matter where ball is lost. Attacker always becomes first defender and others slide back.
Version B-Same as A, except third defender is replaced with two small goals and attacker has only one touch in the last square to shoot/pass the ball through one of the small goals.
Coaching Points:1. Dribble at an angle (not straight at defender) towards corner of the box.2. Use moves (scissors, in/out, etc.) to beat defender. Change speed/direction after making a move.
Sharks and Minnows
Space: 15x20 yards (adjust to age and physical condition)
Format: - Players start on one side of grid. Each player with ball – One defender in middle of grid. When defender wins ball they must kick it out of grid.- If player with ball gets their ball kicked out of the grid, they will then join the defenders in the middle.- Play until one player with the ball is left. That player is then consider the winner.
Fun Progressions:-Can start with more defenders if the numbers are there.-Can name defenders other kinds of animals. For a fun atmosphere you can have the defenders act as the animal they are named.
Coaching Points:1. Dribble with laces or instep. Keep the ball close and shift your eyes up to see incoming defender.2. Dribble away from defender at angle. Cut away if defender is close and explode away with pace.3. Defender, can you cut the angle quickly and force the attacker one way to make them predictable.
Dribbling through Traffic
Space: 20x20 yards. Make the grid longer if more passing players available.
Format:- Players on outside pass to each other back and forth. Avoid having one side start with all of the balls.- Blue players are dribblers and they must avoid the balls being passed back and forth.- Once the blue players cross the grid, the next group goes.
Competition 1: Outside passers must connect 10-15 (or lower) passes to win. If it hits a blue player, their score resets.Competition 2: Dribblers must avoid balls and cross the grid cleanly 3 times to win against red. Red players must pass their ball into blue player’s ball and hit their ball.
Coaching Points:1. Focus on technical points. Blue players dribble with laces or instep. Be aware of balls coming across grid. Can they be shifty with the ball at feet?2. Passing players. Can we pass the ball cleanly on the ground?Receive and pass (two touch). Do not be stationary, move across grid if passing lane is not available.
Technical Exercises - Passing and Receiving
Line Passing
Space: 10-15 yards space between lines.
Format:- Person who passes ball follows their pass to the end of the line they passed to. Constant rotation. Two per line, no more.
Competition 1: Which group can complete 20 passes first? Red or blue?Competition 2: Which group can complete a higher amount of passes in under 30 seconds?
Progression: Pass between two cones as the blue players are demonstrating.
Coaching Points:1. Plant your non-kicking leg next to the ball. Your kicking leg should swing through the ball.2. Use the inside of your foot to connect with the ball. Strike the ball cleanly and swing through.3. Contact the middle part of the ball. The “equator” of the ball is the target in the ball.4. Receive with the heel down and toe up. Use the inside of the foot to trap and cushion the ball.5. Take a directional touch either to the side your passing foot is or slightly in front of you. Don’t let the ball get stuck under your foot.
Passing Gates
Space: 25x25 yard grid. (Larger if necessary)
Format:- Pair players up in teams. One ball per pair.- Must pass through gate to incoming runner. Completed pass through gate equals 1 point.
Competition 1: 30 seconds. Pair with most points win.- Rounds of right/left passing feet, wall passes, and overlaps.
Coaching Points:1. Quality of passes. With correct pace, using the inside of the foot to pass.2. Communication. Players must talk or point to desired gate. Person without the ball must be the one communicating.
Triangle Rondo
Space: 10x10 yard grid.
Format:- 3v1. One defender in the middle.- Must always create triangles. When the ball moves, players must move to create triangle.- Players with ball must always have 2 options available. One to left and one to right.- 20 second rounds. Switch defenders.
Coaching Points:1. Pass and move. Passes must be crisp and with pace. Move after pass. Be aware to create triangle shape with teammates.2. Open up and play. Receive the ball on back foot and pass/switch the ball. Two touches for fast play.
Opening Up
Space: 10x10 yard grid. (15x15 for older/larger kids) Format:- Exercise starts with Player A passing to Player B. Follow the pass.- Receiving player must open up and find the next target. In this case, Player B would open up and pass to Player C.- Each player must follow their pass. One ball to start things off, Two balls to increase level difficulty. If starting with two balls, have diagonal opposite sides start with ball.
Competition 1: Players must open up and make X amount of passes within 30 seconds to a minute.Competition 2: Players must not lose the ball while passing for X amount of time.Competition 3: Give one player a penny/bib (Player A). Exercise carries on as usual. The player with the penny must complete the exercise as normal. The team must get Player A back to their starting spot. Record time.
Progression: Switch directions to practice with both feet.
Coaching Points:1. Open Up: Important skill! Let the ball travel to the back foot. Open up hips and let the ball travel across your body. First touch is directional toward your target.2. Passing: Crisp and accurate passes. Direct ball towards back foot of receiving player. Use inside of foot to pass the ball.3. The exercise must be completed with as little touches as possible. Quick, sharp passes couples with two touch football must be the standard.
Technical Exercises - Body Position
Body Position
Space: 15x15 or 20x20 yard grid.
Format:- 4 players on outside gate. Players will pair up inside the grid.- A pass must be made to teammate inside the grid. Player A passes to Player B who opens up toward Player C. Follow your pass and occupy gate.- Player C receives ball with directional touch forward and enters the grid. Player C must now find Player A. Player A must now find another gate to pass to. Follow pass and occupy gate.
Competition 1: Have colors as shown on grid. The number of passes to outside gates now counts as one point. Red vs Blue. 1 minute, who gets the most points?Competition 2: All players are on the same team. The entire team must complete X amount of passes in X amount of time. Encourage the players!
Coaching Points:1. The player receiving the ball must already open their body towards a gate (player). Players should NOT stop the ball with a dead touch. The first touch must be directional. Fluid movement must be encouraged.2. Play the way you face. 2 or 3 touch play. Quality and timing of passes must be focused on.3. Players without the ball must move. Act as if certain corners or area of grid are “states” or “countries”. Ask player to “travel” to different parts of the country or world to get them moving!
Sequence passing
Space: 20x20 or 25x25 yard space.
Format:- Teams of 4 or 5. Both teams have a ball. No defending.- Number each player 1,2,3,4, etc. or Give them letters in order.- Players must pass to the next person in the sequence.- The player at the end of the sequence must pass to the first person in order to start again.- Change sequence. Can change players, go backwards, etc.
Competition 1: Which team can play 3 sequences in a row without losing the ball out of the grid? If ball goes out of the grid they start over again.Competition 2: Same as competition 1 but 2 touch or 1 touch.
Coaching Points:1. Quality of passes and sharp movements. Players without the ball must be moving at all times.2. Players off the ball must create passing lanes from sharp, dynamic movements.3. Body position is key in this game, especially when touches are limited. Angle body towards ball and the next target player. Open up and play.
Attacking Principles - Penetration
Playing Through the Lines
Space: 15x25 yard grid.
Format:- 2 Defending players (red) start inside the middle zone. They are to defend against passes to the other side.- 1 defender can go into the blue zone to pressure the ball while the other shifts to cover.- Players on offense (blue) must find 2 passes before they can use a penetrating pass to find their teammates on the other side of the grid.
Competition 1: Each penetrating pass equals a point. First blue team to convert 5 penetrating passes wins.Competition 2: Blues vs Reds. Blues have to make a penetrating pass a total of 7 times. Defenders win if they win or intercept the ball 5 times.
Coaching Points:1. Players must be able to play quickly and accurately. 2 or 3 touch if possible.2. Passes must be crisp and played with purpose.3. Players without ball must be constantly moving and aware of space defenders give them.
2v1 ; 3v2 Drill (Penetration
Space: Each white grid is 15x25 yards.
Format: -Variation A: 2v1 with Defender starting either from the goal or from the midline.- The attacker can dribble or pass by the defender. Attackers should take the best option.- Can score once past the red mid-line.
- Variation B: 3v2 with Defenders starting from goalposts or mid-line.- Attackers must use limited space to play. Pass or dribble to penetrate.- Once past red line, score as quickly as possible.
Coaching Points:1. Attackers must use space available for best decision. Dribble or pass the ball.2. Players must move into space or make a run beyond the red mid-line. Must pull defenders away.3. Attackers can only penetrate if off the ball movements are sharp and quick. Players must commit to sharp, dynamic movements.
Attacking Principles - Depth (Support)
Triangle Rondo
Space: 10x10 yard grid.
Format:- 3v1. One defender in the middle.- Must always create triangles. When the ball moves, players must move to create triangle.- Players with ball must always have 2 options available. One to left and one to right.- 20 second rounds. Switch defenders.
Coaching Points:1. Pass and move. Passes must be crisp and with pace. Move after pass. Be aware to create triangle shape with teammates.2. Off the ball movement must be dynamic. Always looks to support teammates and provide another option to pass to.
2v1 ; 3v2 Drill (Depth)
Space: Each white grid is 10x20 or 15x25 yards.
Format:- Variation A: 2v1 with Defender starting either from the goal or from the midline.- The attacker can dribble or pass by the defender. Attackers should take the best option.- Can score once past the red mid-line.
- Variation B: 3v2 with Defenders starting from goalposts or mid-line.- Attackers must use limited space to play. Pass or dribble to penetrate.- Once past red line, score as quickly as possible.
Coaching Points:1. Variation A handles support quickly. If the run or pass is not available then the player with the ball can push up. This allows their teammate to shift to support in case their teammate needs to reset the attack.
2. Variation B handles support the best way. If all three players attack in a straight line then balance is not achieved. One player must stay back in order to provide depth in case the attack stalls.
3. The middle player in Variation B must not always be support. If they choose to split the defenders to go forward then one of the wide players (without the ball) must shift to provide depth.
Attacking Principles - Width
4 Corner Game
Space: 30 x 20 yard grid. Must be wider than it is longer. Colored squares can be 6 x 6 yards.
Format:- Each team is given colored corners to score. Teams must pass or dribble into these corners in order to score a point.
Progression 1: Each team must pass 3 times before scoring into a corner.Progression 2: Players cannot stand inside a corner. A player must move into a corner as the pass is being played as shown in the example picture.
Coaching Points:1. Players must be dynamic in their movements. Passes must be crisp, sharp, and accurate.2. Body position is key. Not only must they face the larger portion of the field, they must also spread out and use the space given. Do NOT bunch up near the ball. Players must give support both in depth and width.3. Players must check over shoulder and be aware of their surroundings.
Wide Channels
Space: Try to use half of a field as example shows. If unable to, 30 x 25 yard grid.
Format:- 3v3 inside the middle channel. 1 winger per outside channel. The wingers in red are unopposed to start.- After switching players and familiarity with drill, defenders in blue can now pressure outside wingers.- Red attacks large goal while blues win ball and attack two small goals near mid-line.
Progression 1: Add a defender in each wide channel for 1v1 opportunities.Progression 2: 2-3 passes in the middle before getting the ball wide.
Coaching Points:1. Passes must be sharp and accurate. Off the ball movement is a must, both in the middle channel and outside channels.2. Wingers must be moving up and down their channel to provide best passing lanes.3. Wingers are encouraged to move ball up the field. If confronted with defender, can they dribble by the defender or use on of their inside players to combine to go up the field.
Attacking Principles - Finishing
Technical Repetitions (unopposed) (10 mins)
Space: 20 x 30 yard grid.
Format:- 4 balls, 1 ball per group. 2-3 players per goal. - Coach calls out go, players will dribble towards the cone in front, turn then shoot towards their goal.- Next person doesn’t go until ball is in the net.
Competition 1: The team who gets all of the balls in the net first wins. If a player misses then they must try again.
Coaching Points:1. Drive shot towards goal. Heel up, toe down.2. Angle of approach must be off center. Do not make a straight run towards ball.3. Head up to observe field. Head down at the point of contact.4. Shoot with laces and with instep. Land on shooting foot when driving through the ball.
Technical (10 mins)
Space: 30 x 40 yard grid. Goals 20 yards apart.
Format:- Player A makes eye contact with Player B and they both dribble around the blue cone going on to score in the opposite goal.- Once they have scored Player C & D do the same thing.- Players then join the back of opposite line.
Progression 1: Players get 2 points for shooting in corners of goal. Progression 2: Player must shoot before line (white line in example given).
Coaching Points:1. Head up to make eye contact. Visual Cue necessary.2. Big touches to get to blue cone. Turn and accelerate.3. Small touches after blue cone for closer control before shooting 4. Angle hips in the direction of target
Lightning (Fun)
Space: Goal should be far enough where kids can 1 touch and shoot to make a goal. Depends on players.
Format:-Player A starts as GK. Player B takes a first touch and shot.-At start of game, no matter if Player B makes a goal, Player A would go to back of line because Player A started as GK. Play resumes.-If a goal is scored, the defending GK is out of game. The player who scored would grab their ball and go to the back of the line. The player behind the scorer would then jump to GK. Play resumes.-If player misses or shot is saved, the defending GK would grab a ball and jump to back of line. The player who failed to score would then sprint towards goal to become defending GK. Play resumes.
Coaching Points:1. Correct shooting posture and technical follow through.2. The game should be fast. Have the kids understand the competition and urge for fast play.
Finishing Drill
Space: 25 x 30 yard grid. Goals should be spread out according to physical ability of players.
Format:-Player A will pass to Player B, who lays it off to an incoming Player A.-As Player A receives the wall pass, they will shoot. Player B, who started in the middle cones, will go and retrieve the shot. Player A then takes the place of Player B and play resumes.-The person in the middle cones will retrieve the ball that was shot by teammates and will join the opposite line.
Competition: The entire group has to score 10 goals in 1 minute. Raise the number of goals as the kids succeed.
Progression 1: Switch sides from side 1 to side 2. Shooting with both right and left foot.Progression 2: Two touch, then one touch. Laces and instep must be used. Drive through ball.
Coaching Points:1. It all starts with a good pass. Passes must be accurate and sharp. Do not let players chop at the ball.2. Drive through the ball when shooting. Shoot with laces or instep. No shooting with toes.
Build Up Principles - Switch of Play
Opening Up Warm Up
Space: 30 x 30 yard box.
Format:- Groups of three. Ball is passed from one side of box to the other via the central player.
Progression:- Central players move around central zone receiving passes from any end player and transferring ball to the other side of the area accurately.
Coaching Points:1. Accuracy of pass and strength of pass. Receive with heel down, toe up.2. Check shoulder before receiving. Find target.3. Open up hips and let ball travel across your body to the back foot.
3v3+3 Possession
Space: 12 x 20 yard zones.
Format:- 3 teams of 3. 2v1 in each zone.- Lose possession = defend. Players are limited to their areas.- The objective is for players to switch the ball from one side to the other using the central channel.
Progressions:- Must play through central zone.- Central players can only play back – must score from end zone to end zone.- Must play to a different color teammate.
Coaching Points:1. Speed of play. Firm, accurate passing.2. Body shape when showing for and receiving the ball.3. Play in to runners moving forward.4. Awareness. Directional first touch and play to target.
4v4 Six Goal Game (Switching)
Space: 30 x 30 yard field. Make field wider if adding more players.
Format: -4v4 game with 6 goals. Encourage diamond shape for width and depth. Can add more players if need be.- Outside goals offer two points, central goal offers 1 point.
Progression:-Offer two points for a goal in the central goal. This should encourage the defending team to be narrow and leave space in the wide areas.-Can add a “goalkeeper” to each side. Whichever goal the GK decides to defend, attacking team cannot shoot at that certain goal. This will encourage looking up and switching the point of attack.
Coaching Points:1. Get players wide both sides to create openings centrally.2. Demonstrate options passing on the outside or penetrating passes between defenders.3. Deep player looking diagonally to see if they can transfer the ball to the other side.4. Players moving as the ball moves. Players must be aware of where defenders are and switch the point of attack if there are too many defenders on one side.
4v4 Conditioned Game (Switch of Play)
Space: 30 x 30 yard field. Make Wider if adding more players.
Format:- 4v4 field split into thirds. - Mini Goals in the center zone. No goalkeepers.- Teams must have had possession in all three zones to score.
Progression:- One team can have a two or three touch rule while the other has to score in 10 seconds after shifting ball to wide areas.
Coaching Points:1. Try to keep diamond shape and interchange (width and depth).2. Central player drop deeper and switch the ball quickly from one side of the field to the other.3. Players move as the ball is moving (into wider areas).4. Players must have head up and be aware of when to switch the play.
Build Up Principles - Movement off the Ball
Triangle Possession Game
Space: 30 x 30 area. Adjust size to players.
Format:- Two teams play in area.- Teams score by passing through triangle/square- Players cannot go inside triangle/square.- If ball goes out, restart with throw in. First pass is free on restarts.
Progressions:- Touch restriction.- Add target player in triangle.- Team can also score a point by making ten consecutive passes.
Coaching Points:1. Look to penetrate early.2. If penetrate is not on, look to possess.3. Movement of players to create passing lanes forward.4. Timing of movement to give support. Players must constantly be moving and be aware of surroundings.
Playing through the 3rds – Possession and support play
Space: 20 x 30 field split into thirds. Expand if necessary.
Format:- Players are in there 3rds (1v1s in last 3rd, 2v2 in middle 3rd)-When the team that is in possession plays a ball into the attacking 3rd, 1 player from their team in the middle 3rd can make a run forward to create a 2v1 in that last 3rd.-When a team has possession in the defensive 3rd, a player from their team in the middle 3rd can drop into the defensive 3rd creating a 2v1 to play out of the back.
Progressions:-Neutrals or Outside Neutral Players.-2 or 3 touch limit.-Larger sided game (2v2 in first third, 3v3 in second third, 2v2 in final third)
Coaching Points:1. Lots of combinations in each third.2. Quick combinations to progress through the third. Body position is key.3. Good movement and runs, support the player on the ball.
Small-Sided Games Tournament 3v3
Space: 15 x 20 yard fields.
Format:- 4 Teams of 3, play 3v3 tournament style format where each team will play one another. - 3 points for a win, 1 point for a tie and 0 for a loss. - Each game should be approximately 6-8 minutes in duration.
Coaching Points:1. Movement off ball and angles of support. Be aggressive with decisions and runs.2. Making your body shape as open as possible.3. Identifying any numbers up situations. Switch and overload weak side.
Gates vs Goals Game
Space: 25 x 35 yard field.
Format:- Even number of players on each team.- Blue team objective is to score with red and blue gates.- White team objective is to score in any of the large goals.
Coaching Points:1. Notice when to switch the point of attack when defenders outnumber attackers.2. Body position and awareness must be displayed by players.3. Quality of passes and movement off the ball. Constant angle of support to ball and movement to space in between defenders.
Build Up Principles - Combination Play
Finishing and Combination Warm Up
Space: Short size field = More touches. Large Size = Fitness.
Format: - Fun exercise to get the kids scoring and in a good mood. 1. Player runs around cone and receives pass from other line to finish. Then player from second line mirrors the same movement. 2. Combination to finish. Work on timing of run, body position, and first touch.
Coaching Points:1. Quality of passes and finishing.2. Move after the ball has been played.3. Body position is important in both phases. Shoulders should be pointed towards target and hips should open up to pass and/or finish.
Combination Play
Space: 12 x 12 yards or larger grid.
Format: - 8 players in total. 4 inside grid and 4 outside. Pass to same color players.- Quality of passing and receiving. Look for Body position and angled support cues.
Progression:- One ball, same numbers. 2v2 in middle. Look to find targets. Progress the ball from one side to the other.
Coaching Points:1. Simple passing and receiving. Move the ball from one side to the other.2. Show variations of combinations such as give and go’s, overlaps, and takeovers.3. Emphasize ball movement and angled support. Players must be moving at all times and looking over shoulder ready to play.
Small Sided Combination
Space: 12 x 20 yards. Longer than wider.
Format: - 3v3 inside grid. Target neutrals located on opposite sides.-Combination play. Body position, angled support, movement off the ball. Lose your marker.- Find target neutral player on one side and progress the ball to other target neutral.- Each player must be coupled with a player from the other team. They then mark each other. Players must find space to receive the ball.
Progression:- Outside player has two touches or three seconds to play ball.- Must find a combination to advance ball to target player.
Coaching Points:1. Work on off the ball movement. Show how to lose marker. Example: Slow opponent down (put to sleep) then change pace and direction. Go high then check in. Drag away and put away.2. Work on combination once ball is in play. Players off the ball must move sharply once the ball is in play. Players can tackle. If defenders win it too often have them walk around.
Building Through Thirds
Space: Each third is 15 x 10 yards. Wider than longer.
Format:-1v1 in attacking zones (thirds ending with goal), 2v2 (4v4) in middle zone. Adjust field size accordingly.-Players must build through the phases of attack. Defender starts with ball and must pass to middle zone. Players can pass backwards if need be, so defender must be ready to receive.-Striker may only receive ball inside attacking zone. If done so player from middle zone must join in to overload the attack. Must combine to score.
Progression: -Allow striker to check in, which would then in result in an overload. Defender must stay in their zone. Find the pass into attacking zone and overload once again. Finish.
Coaching Points:1. Look to combine through the phases/thirds.2. Body position and awareness is key. Angle your body to support teammates moving forward.3. If the forward pass is not available, combine with midfielder or defender to approach at different angle.
Defending Principles - 1v1 Defending
Technical Pressure Warm Up
Space: Cones should be 5 - 10 yards apart.
Format:- On coach’s signal, first player on each line will pressure the ball at an angle.- On second signal, the first player would pressure the next ball while second player would pressure the first.- Give some time before signaling again. Adjust the stance of each player.
Coaching Points:1. Players should accelerate to the ball before lowering center of gravity and slowing down as they close down the ball.2. Players should maintain a jockey or "surfer" position when approaching ball. One foot forward, one foot back. Bend knees and shift body weight forward.3. If players are having trouble lowering towards ball, have them touch the ball with their hand closest to ball while in "surfer" stance.
Technical Jockey/Delay
Space: Gates can anywhere from 10 yards to 15 yards apart.
Format:- 1v1. Attacker must dribble in zig zag fashion. Defender must jockey backwards while staying in front of attacker.- When players reach other gate, switch roles and go again.
Progression:- After players understand their roles and understand the technique of delaying the opponent, we can introduce tackling.- 1v1, players can score by dribbling through opponent’s gate.
Coaching Points:1. Defenders should assume "surfer" stance and shift weight forward. Chest should be above knees with low center of gravity.2. Focus on the ball, not the attacker’s body.3. When delaying, defender can go in for tackle when attacker takes a large touch, loses control of ball, or loses balance.4. Strong tackle with back foot. Poke ball away from defender with front foot when opportunity arises.
Tag to 1v1 Exercise
Space: 15 x 15 yard grid.
Format:- On coach’s signal, white team will run through the blue gates in order to enter grid. Blue team will do the same on the opposite color cones.- One team is defending, the other team is attacking.- Defending players must tag attacking player. Attacking player must run through one of the 2 defending gates in order to score.
Progression:- Coach can now include a ball. The first player to pass through their gate receives the ball from the coach.- Coach can now call numbers and that number indicates how many players must enter grid. - Can replace gates with goals so defenders now have to close down quicker before shot is taken.
Coaching Points:1. When defending, do not immediately go for tag. Slow down and approach attacker at angle.2. Force defender to go one way to make play predictable.3. When ball is included, focus on ball rather than hip movements from attacker.
Defending Principles - Pressure, Cover, Balance
Pressure, Cover, Balance Principle.
Space: Cones are 5 yards apart for more repetition.
Format:- Same organization and progression as the Pressure, Cover exercise. We now add third player in the defensive line.- Variation 1, Player A will pressure the ball. Players B and C will slide and maintain a straight line horizontally. Player B will cover the space behind Player A at an angle and Player C will maintain balance in the formation.- Variation 2 shows how the players organize when the ball is in the middle of the pitch. Player B will pressure while Players A and C both tuck in and cover Player B at angles. All players should be in jockey position.- Variation 3 is a continued from variation 2. The players now have to reorganize to account for the ball. Player C will pressure the ball while Player B will retreat into cover. Player A will now maintain balance.
Coaching Points:1. Communication. “I got ball” or “I got pressure”. “I got cover” or “covering your right”.2. Players in cover and balance should maintain a straight horizontal line to account for offside call.3. Players should not chase ball. Disciplined approach with zone.
Pressure, Cover Principle
Space: Cones should be 10 yards apart.
Format:-Players A and B are the defending group.-Ball at each cone to mimic attackers. Coach will call out to pressure one of the balls.-In Example 2, player nearest ball will pressure ball at angle, with supporting defender covering their teammate at an angle (not directly behind!)-In Example 3, when coach switches the call, the covering player will then turn to pressure while their teammate will run back to cover position. Players must be aware of ball at all times.
Progression:-After a few trials, the cones will be replaced with stationary attackers. Attackers will pass ball back and forth, with a pause in between to let defenders settle into correct body positions and angles.
Coaching Points:1. Players must accelerate into positions and jockey towards ball.2. Maintain "surfer" position with low center of gravity.3. Communicate! Pressure must call "Pressure!" or "I got ball”. Cover person must support and call out angle.4. When progressing to stationary attackers, teammates must communicate and be aware of positions.
2v2 Defensive Principles.
Space: Each grid is 15 x 15 yards.
Format:-2v2. Each grid is a series of principles rather than 3 groups playing focusing on different principles.
Progression:-After walkthroughs and practice steps, let the players play 2v2. Focus on defending. Have players’ complete 2 passes before they can score.-After passing, have players dribbling or passing in order to confuse defenders in order to deal with different situations.
Coaching Points:- Variation 1: This principle covers the transition of the first defender getting beat. As shown, the first defender is beat and the second defender must react and delay the attacker to push up the field with the ball. The defender who got beat must now recover to goal and become the cover player. We must pressure player away from goal towards line.
- Variation 2: This principle works with zonal play. First defender is to close down the ball carrier but defenders must act in zones when dealing with defensive line paly. In this example the ball carrier travels across the grid. The first defender understands that the dribbler is now in the other defenders “zone” so they back off and become cover. The second defender now pressures and becomes the first defender. We want to pressure the dribbler away from their teammates and towards the line.
- Variation 3: If dribbler is looking to play down the line, the first defender must angle body to take away passing lane towards blue teammate. The second defender must communicate to first defender to shift and take line away while also being in a cover position goal side.
2v3 Defensive Principles
Space: 15 x 15 yards for more repetition.
Format:-Understanding how to pressure and cover in a disadvantageous scenario.-Each grid is a continuous slide show of what happens when the ball travels across the field of play.
Coaching Points:1. Variation 1: Ball starts with left attacker. Defenders already know to be in pressure, cover. Now the principle is to keep the shape but being flexible with pressure. As the ball travels across, the first defender will pressure again. Do not have the cover person pressure because that will release the third attacker with open space. Keep the shape!2. Variation 2: The ball will now slide to the right attacker. This is the moment for the cover person to pressure, while the first defender now drops into space behind pressure to cover.3. Variation 3: If ball travels back to middle player the first defender pressuring now pressure the middle attacker while the cover player is still in cover. Maintain shape and communicate!4. Body position towards the middle player must be to cut off pass back to where the ball was played from. This is key!5. Cover player must always cover the space behind pressure. When the ball travels across, communicate to avoid confusion. This is a bad situation to be in, so only win the ball when 100% sure. Defenders should delay in this situation.
Closing Statement and Resources
We hope that this curriculum allows you to understand what our mission is from a soccer standpoint. It is important that we lay out our mission and allow you to be informed of this great game. All of this info can allow you to take part in your child’s success of having fun with soccer. Who knows, perhaps your child will aspire to join the Academy/Select program in the future. One thing is certain, personal growth comes first. We hope that the skills and ideas taught through our curriculum develops them as soccer players AND people.
If there are any questions on whether you would like to use these resources to coach a team or seek further development for your child’s future in soccer please contact the resources provided below. We hope you have a great season both on and off the field.
Zach Smagh – Sports Director
770 – 977 – 5991
Kim Cavalcante – Sports Director
678 – 564 – 2128
We know that lasting personal and social change comes about when we all work together. That’s why at the Y, strengthening community is our cause. Every day, we work side-by-side with our neighbors to make sure that everyone, regardless of age, income or background, has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive.
