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Zone 1 | U-6 to U-12
Pre-game
- Coaches arrive 30 minutes prior to kickoff
- Set responsibilities with staff
- Consider the environmental conditions
- 10-20 minutes of actual warm-up [10 minutes for U5/U6, 15 minutes for U7/U8, 20 minutes for U9/U10]
- individual warm-up [U5/U6, U7/U8, U9/U10]
- pairs [U7/U8, U9/U10]
- small group [U9/U10] (possession activities, directional games)
- U9/U10 to U11/U12
- Introduce goalkeeper into game/warm-up
- introduce dynamic stretching to promote good habits
- Starting line-up
- Do not over-emphasize position and tactics – avoid specific positions
- Team huddle
- Final instruction/reminders – cheer!
Game
- Start game, sit down and enjoy the game
- Finding a balance between the puppet master, cheerleader and silent “non-existent” coach
- Limit coaching!
- Be sure all players get equal playing time
- Be sure players get to play in different positions
- In the event of an unbalanced game/blow-out, look for different ideas to even out the game:
- Communicate with league officials prior to start of season – comply with league rules
- Subtract a player from the team that is up
- Make adjustments to teams (borrow a player, re-align two teams)
- Sit key players
- Play key players in different positions
- Subtract a player from the team that is winning
Halftime
- Relax and hydrate
- Get on their level; be sure all players are looking at the coach (no distractions behind the coach – including the sun). Get away from the parents/sidelines!
- Be sure that information is positive, emotions are under control and voice is at a controlled level.
- Sandwich approach of information (+ – +)
- U5/U6 to U7/U8 – simple information, if anything at all
- U9/U10 to U11/U12 – simple to complex (general to specific) with information, address basic principles rather than specific mistakes
- Communicate with staff prior to speaking with players
- Limit the amount of time speaking to your team (think about age of players and how long they can listen to the information)
- Substitutions
- Quick warm-up prior to starting second half
Post-game
- Shake hands (Coach must be a good role model by shaking the hands of referees, opposing coach and players)
- Check for injuries
- Brief cool-down stretch
- Stay positive regardless of the match outcome
- Snacks/drinks
- Reminder about next training session
- Be very brief after game and save discussions for the next training session
- Occasionally address the parents in a post-game discussion
Modified Excerpt from US Youth Soccer Player Development Model for more information you can access the full Development Model on the ASC website.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]