U12 and Above Expectations
THESE SKILLS SHOULD BE DEVELOPED FOR U12 AND UP AGE GROUP:
- continue techniques for dribbling (speeds and direction); ball stopping (bottom, inside and outside of the foot); passing with inside and outside of foot
- continue development of shooting the ball and a proper throw-ins
- teach positions
- work on the "proper technique" for how to head a soccer ball
- teach how to shield a ball
- continue how to cross a soccer ball
- continue working on how to properly defend and transitioning between offense and defense
- introduce positioning for corner kicks (both offence and defense)
- introduce proper goal kicks
- continue basic rules of the game
- teach 1-4 Feint moves to lose a defender (will be taught at coaches clinic)
- introduction to offside rule, which includes "cherry picking" (i.e. hanging out at the goal waiting for the ball)
• Recommended play 11 vs 11 (may alter based on team size and field size)
• Substitutions should be every 5 minutes
• 75 minute game – 2 – 30 minute halves; 10-15 minute break
• Offside will be called
• Throw-ins – if it is done wrong, explain what needs to be corrected and do it again
• Corner/goal kicks – referee (or coach) explains it to the player
• Indirect and direct free kicks
• Referees will be provided
• All lines must be on field and adhered to
• Parents encourage from the sidelines – leave the coaching/directing to the coaches and referees
• Let the kids play – “let the game be the teacher”