Elements Needed For Training Youth Soccer Players

Frequently youth soccer players are engaged in activities by coaches that do not really prepare them to play the game.  The intent behind many of the activities is often a good one, however the actual product fall short of the mark.  In most cases it is because many of the elements needed in training are missing.  Below is a list of elements that will help to optimize the learning experience for youth soccer players.  Most of these elements should be present in the games and activities used in training.

1. The Ball (frequently more than one)

The average soccer team trains once or twice a week.  Rarely is soccer played unless it is organized by adults.  Players need to have as much contact with the ball as possible.

2. Goals (objectives, a way to score)

These goals can be a number of completed passes, over a line, playing to a target player, small goals or full size goals with keepers.

3. Opponents (can be to varying degrees)

The use of both even and uneven number should be used from time to time.  The degree of pressure can be controlled by adjusting the starting points.

4. Transition (players should both attack and defend)

There should be an objective for the defender once the ball is won.  Activities and games should not be "one-sided" it decreases awareness.

5. Boundaries (most of the time, or targets)

Sometimes when playing to a target, boundaries are not needed.  In possession and directional games boundaries become important and should be shaped and sized appropriately.

6. Randomness (variation exists in the game and needs to be in training)

When preset patterns are used in practice, players develop the habit of not checking out everything around them.  Playing the games demand awareness and needs to be part of training.

7. Rules (as simple as possible)

The rules should reflect the objectives of the training game and should never be more complicated than the game of soccer.

8. Decision Making (by players)

There should be choice that players make based on what is occurring in training rather than one preset choice.  The structure of training can be designed so that one choice is more frequently favored, but a degree of variability is needed.

Other Considerations That Affect Training

1.  Simple to Complex

Each stage of training in a practice session should be more complex than the previous.  The final stage of every practice should be the game.

2.  Number of Players

Smaller numbers such as 2v2 will make tasks easier to accomplish.  Larger numbers such as 6v6 demand more decisions and are more complicated.  Uneven numbers such as 4v2 can help to reinforce desired results.

3. Size of the Space

A large space will make tasks easier to accomplish than a small space.  Certain topics will require larger or smaller spaces.  Crossing requires a bigger space while dribbling to beat an opponent needs a smaller space.

4. Uninterrupted Playing Time

Players need time to establish a sense of the game.  Look for natural stoppages in play to make corrections and be quick with them.  Too much information or too many stops can make it harder to learn.  With experience, coaches can coach "on the fly", but that feedback needs to be clear, concise and correct.

5. Age Appropriate

That which is complex for younger players may be simple for older players.  It is important to start the level of training to match the ability of the players.

6. Efficient Use of Time

It is vital to engage players in games and activities that challenge them in multiple ways, such as technically, tactically, physically and psychologically.  There is not sufficient time to isolate these aspects and such isolation actually delays the learning process.  This is referred to as "economical training".

Examples of Games That Teach

End Line Target Game

Setup: Divide players into teams of four.  Select two more players to be “goals.”  Create a field approximately 25 yards wide by 35 yards long.  Depending on the team, the field size may need to change.  Collect balls on the side of the field at midfield and coach from that area.

Rules: The players that are “goals” play on either end line and may move from side to side but not forward or back. Each team will play and score in one direction only.  Scoring is accomplished by passing the ball to the player/goal at the end of the field they are trying to score on.  After a goal is scored, play will resume with the “goal” passing the ball in to the team trying to score at the other end.  The game will begin with the coach playing balls in from midfield.  If the ball goes out of play, the coach will immediately put a new ball in play.  Balls are gathered only when the coach runs out of balls.  Play 5-minute games.

Four Corner Dribbling Game

Setup:  Divide players into teams of four.  Create a field approximately 25 yards wide by 35 yards long.  In each corner, create a box three yards square.  Depending on the team, the field and goal size may need to change.  Collect balls on the side of the field at midfield and coach from that area. 

Rules: Two teams will play at a time.  Teams score by having a player dribble into any of the squares in the corners of the field.  Players may pass the ball, etc… while in play but may only score by dribbling.  The goal zones are free spaces, and no player may challenge a player in this space. Play resumes by the player that scored passing the ball into one of his teammates.  The game will begin with the coach playing balls in from midfield.  If the ball goes out of play, the coach will immediately put a new ball in play.  Balls are gathered only when the coach runs out of balls.  Some variations on this game include:

• Players may only pass the ball after a move.
• Players may only pass after 5 touches on the ball. 

Goal To Counter

Setup:  Divide the players into teams of four.  Create a field 30 yards wide and 40 yards long. Place a full size goal at one end of the field with a goalkeeper.  Put a 5-yard wide goal on either side of the opposite end of the field.  Balls will be placed beside each goal for easy restarts when goals are scored.  The size of the field and counter goals may need to be changed based on the ability of the players.

Rules:  The game will consist of two equal halves approximately 5 minutes each.  Teams will switch ends at half time taking turns attacking the full sized goal and the smaller counter goals.  To score on the small counter goals the ball must be on the ground. 

Team Target Tag

Setup:  Pick two players to begin as the “its” team and have them put on pennies. These players will be in control of the game ball.  All the remaining players are on the field. Create a field approximately 25 yards wide by 35 yards long.  Depending on the team, the field size may need to change.  Collect balls on the side of the field at midfield and coach from that area.  Also place enough pennies at midfield for all players on the field.

Rules:  By working together the two players in pennies will try to get all the other players on their team.  This is accomplished by hitting the other players with the ball below the waist.  When a player is hit with the ball they quickly run to midfield, put on a penny while the other players continue to play.  They then work with the other “its” to hit the other players forcing them join their team.  The first time they play, they may only use their hands (handball).  After that, they may only use their feet.  There can only be one ball on the field at a time, and coaches should encourage players to work together to tag opponents.  Players try to be the last one tagged.

3-V-3-V-3

Setup:  Divide players into teams of three. You may also play this with three teams of two or four. Three teams will play at a time.  Each team should be in separate colors. Create a field 30 yards wide by 40 yards long.  Balls should be collected at midfield.

Rules:  All three teams are on the field at the same time with one ball in play.  Two teams will work together to try to keep the ball away from the other team.  If the defending  team wins the ball, then the team that last touched it becomes the defending team.  The same is true for a ball that goes out of play with the last team to touch it becoming the defending team.  Four passes in a row without losing the ball is counted as a point.  Example:  Red passes to blue who passes to red who passed to red who passes to blue will score a point for both teams.  Coaches may need to help players keep track of who is attacking and who is defending.

Four Goal Game

Setup:  Divide players into teams of 4, 5 or 6.  Create a field 40 yards wide by 50 yards long.  Set small goals with cones about seven yards from each corner on the field.  The small goals are not on the boundaries, so that there is playing space behind each goal.

Rules:  The game has direction so that each has team is trying to score on either of two goals at one end of the field.  The ball is not out of bounds after a goal is scored until it goes past the outer boundary.  This way play can continue as long as possession of the ball is maintained.  Variations can include:

1. You must pass the ball thru the goal to a teammate to score.
2. You must pass the ball from the backside thru the goal to a teammate to score. 

Credits:

Virgil Stringfield is from Winter Park, Florida and Gary Barnett, Florida Youth Soccer Association, Staff Coach, of Oveido, Florida is a contributor to the presentation.  Gary can be reached via email at garybarnett1@hotmail.com