Lesson Plans
If you have questions about any of these lesson plans, please contact the KSA Director of Coaching.
Coaches,
As a Coach with U6 players, the first thing you should try to understand is that your players are 4-6 years old. I know this sounds silly, but you would be surprised as to how many coaches come into this thinking they need to teach a U6 player everything in the first season.
The best way to coach a U6 team is to create a practice that incorporates a lot of FUN activities/games. If you do this they will learn without even realizing it and your job as a coach will become much easier.
Please keep in mind when coaching this age group that U6 players thought processes do not normally allow for passing and team play, so work mainly on individual ball skills.
Lesson Plan #2 - Dribbling with Head Up
Lesson Plan #3 - Dribbling - Get away
Coaches,
The first rule doesn't change. As a Coach the first thing you need to understand is that your player's on your team are usually between the ages of 6 and 8 years old. The Skills of the U8 player are improving yes; but again please remember you do not need to teach them everything about soccer and every possible move within soccer.
The best way to coach a U8 team is to create a practice that incorporates a lot of FUN activities/games. If you do this they will learn without even realizing it and your job as a coach will become much easier.
The basic principles to remember when coaching U8's are:
- Keep all players moving; create games of Inclusion not Exclusion
- Get them working together in pairs
-
Create a positive learning environment
- Quick SIMPLE explanations of activities
- Demonstrate
- Encourage players to demonstrate to one another
- Give positive correction and feedback
- Encourage everyone to do their best
-
US Youth Soccer say's it best...
- The Game is the Best Teacher
Lesson Plan #2 - Passing
Lesson Plan #3 - Cooperative Passing
Lesson Plan #4 - Cooperatively Competing
Lesson Plan #5 - Passing Making Connections
Lesson Plan #6 - Mixture
Lesson Plan #7 - Coordination and Vision
Lesson Plan #8 - Dribbling Working with Partners
Lesson Plan #9 - Passing
The first rule doesn't change. As a Coach the first thing you need to understand is that the player's on your team are usually between the ages of 8 and 10 years old. The Skills of the U10 player are improving yes; but again, please remember you can not teach them everything about soccer and every possible move within soccer during one practice session (or even one season). Encourage every player to play their best and challenge each one at their own level, and pace. Not all players are the same.
The best way to coach a U10 team is to create a practice that incorporates a lot of FUN activities/games. If you do this your players will learn without even realizing it and your job as a coach will become much easier.
The basic principles to remember when coaching U10's are:
- Keep all players moving; create games of Inclusion not Exclusion
- Get them working together in pairs
- Challenge your players without getting to complex
-
Create a positive learning environment
- Quick SIMPLE explanations of activities
- Demonstrate or have a player demonstrate
- Encourage players to demonstrate to one another
- Give positive correction and feedback
- Encourage everyone to do their best
-
US Youth Soccer say's it best...
- The Game is the Best Teacher
Lesson Plan #1 - Short Passing
Lesson Plan #2 - Receiving
Lesson Plan #3 - Receiving out of the Air
Lesson Plan #4 - Receiving
Lesson Plan #5 - Passing
Lesson Plan #6 - Dribbling for Possession #1
Lesson Plan #7 - Dribbling for Possession #2
Lesson Plan #8 - Dribbling for Possession #3
Lesson Plan #9 - Defending - Marking
Lesson Plan #10 - When to Dribble, When to Pass
Lesson Plan #11 - Defending - Marking
