Age Group: 8-10

The main objectives of coaching children 8-10 years of age is giving them a more guided understanding of the rules of the game, reinstating proper kicking and dribbling of the ball and developing basic techniques of keeping the ball in possession, intro to faking and learning to work together as a team.

At this age, they will learn the basic concepts of goalkeeping and protecting the goal. They will also be guided in understanding goal kick, corner kick, kick off and throw in and when the ball is "in" or "out" of play. They will learn about different positions on the field and gain an understanding of each of these positions.

The basic goals you are attempting to achieve with this age group are:

• Reinstating the proper way to shoot and dribble the ball
• Understanding possession of the ball and how to stop an oncoming ball.
• Developing basic techniques to keep possession of the ball while dribbling.
• Developing an understanding of goal keeper skills.
• Learning to work together as a team in passing and defending.
• Learning the basics of shielding the ball.
• Learning positions to be played and learning to play those positions.
• Team support when defending and attacking and giving each other space to play.

Week

Goal

Teaching Tool

Game/Drill

1

Warm up

Go over the proper way to kick, shoot and pass.

Understanding possession of the ball -

Don't hold back when you run toward the ball even if an opponent is almost to the ball

Learn first Shield steps in Shielding: See Step 1 Shielding

Stretches, runs, run-stops- both forward and backwards.

2) Show the kids how to kick and shoot the ball. See:

1) How to Kick a Football (Soccer Ball) and

2) How to Teach the basic Push Pass

Understanding that the closest person to the ball DOES NOT have the responsibility to win the ball! Try to get to the ball first. Don't stop when you get close to the ball even if an opponent is near the ball too.

See Step 1 Shielding

Perform basic stretches

Have the kids race from one goal post to the other.

Play kick the cone. Place cones in front of the goal box. Have the kids take 4-5 steps back and take turns kicking the ball toward the goal posts to see if they can knock over a cone.

Place the kids in two lines facing each other. Give them one ball to kick back and forth to the children in the line in front of them.

Stand halfway across the field with your foot on the ball, barely holding it. Have each player, one by one, come up and kick the ball from your foot. Do not try to stop them. After they have done this a couple times, start at the center of the field, dribble the ball toward them and have each child run toward you and take it away. Next, pair them up and let them practice attacking and taking the ball.

2

Warm up

Learn how to stop the ball-

• Stopping the ball when it is coming to the player using the foot. Then dribbling the ball after it is stopped.

Learn how and where the different positions are set up during a game. (Remember, teach the roles of each player to all players! All children should play each position)

Understand the role of goalkeeper - using hands and body to defend goal.

Learn how to shield the ball in order to keep a nearby opponent from stealing it.

Learn Second Shield steps in Shielding: See Step 2 Shielding

Reiterate that the ball should not be stopped with the hands but by the body and feet.

See Playing Field

See attached sheet on Goalkeeper Guidelines

See Step 2 Shielding

Show the children how to stop the ball. Give each child a ball and have them practice stopping. Next, gently kick the ball to them and have each take a turn stopping the ball. The kids can also be paired and practice passing the ball and stopping it with their feet. You can also set up cones and have them dribble after each stop.

Place cones on the field at each different position. Walk to the cones and explain each of the different positions. Kids will be able to try all the positions at this age and should be shifted from position to position.

Have the kids each take turns protecting the goal while the rest of the team each takes turns dribbling the ball from midfield and trying to shoot a goal. To make it less difficult for the goalkeeper, give him one or two defensemen to help out.

Give each of the kids a ball and have them slowly step over the ball while it is in place. Once they step over, have them put their backs to you as if you are the opponent. Next, have each practice stepping over the ball and turning with their back to you as you roll it toward them. After that, have them do the same drill but then they dribble it away. They can then practice with another teammate.

3

Warm up

Developing a basic understanding of goal kick, corner kick, kick off and throw in and when the ball is in or out of play.

Learn Third Shield steps in Shielding: See Step 3 Shielding

Beginning Fakes:

The Turn with Pullback

Turn Away with Pullback

See attached sheet on developing skills. Show the kids each of the different kicks/throw in when the ball is out of play.

See Step 3 Shielding

See The 3 Great Fakes

Play a scrimmage game. Every 2-3 minutes, have players change positions with your calling out the names of the positions each will take. Make sure all the kids get a short chance at playing goalkeeper.

4

Warm up

Team support when defending and attacking and giving each other space to play.

Learn Fourth Step in Shielding: See Step 4 Shielding

Beginning Fakes

Lunge

See Step 4 Shielding

See The 3 Great Fakes

Game: Play a regular small-sided soccer game, but instead of each team having a goal set up one goal in the middle of the playing area.  Teams can score by shooting the ball through the goal from either direction. First time, don't use a goalkeeper. After a few minutes, let the kids take turns keeping goal.

The lessons are divided into four weeks. Each week, children will be introduced to a new goal. It is not imperative that they accomplish the goals to move on, only that they follow the principles and have a basic understanding of them through the games and exercises. There is no need to spend more than 2-3 minutes talking about the goals to the kids. They will learn them over time and by playing the games. In other words, we want the kids to learn by having fun!

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