Coaching Handbook

U8

Thank you for choosing to be a coach! Without your help, BASA would not be able to provide our youth with the opportunity to play soccer. Thank you for your support!

The BASA U8 Coaching Handbook is meant to help coaches create an optimal environment for players to develop. It is designed to guide you through basic soccer instruction for the youngest age groups and contains components and activities from various soccer resources.

U8 Components(Based on the US Youth Soccer Player Development Model)

While it is still important that each player has a ball, introduce paired activities as well as individual ones. Encourage the players to cooperate through passing or helping on defense by running back toward goal. Cooperation in pairs is the foundation to teamwork. Please note that the components of the game are in a priority order for this age group.

Technical: Dribbling: The ability to dribble with the ball using all surfaces and both feet. (Inside, outside, bottom, laces) The ability to change direction and turn away from pressure, while dribbling.

Passing: Using the inside of both feet to pass. Encourage players to work in small groups (i.e. 2v1’s, 2v2’s, 3v2’s). This helps to develop teamwork and an

appreciation for how to solve problems using teammates.

Receiving: Improve player’s ability to cushion the ball using the inside and bottom of the foot. Introduce ball lifting/juggling.

Shooting: Strike the ball with the laces (i.e. toe down, ankle locked, follow through etc.).

Physical: Agility, eye-foot and eye-hand coordination, balance, leaping, bounding, tumbling, catching, throwing, pulling, pushing.

Psychological: Encourage working in pairs, sportsmanship, parental involvement, how to play, emotional management, creativity. There is still a short attention span. Like to show what they can do – encourage trying new things. Developing self-esteem.

Tactical: Individual: Place players in 1v1 situations regularly to teach when to dribble and when to pass. (Dribble when forward space is

available, pass when pressured). Teach how to use their skills to beat defenders. Teach them to be creative and brave enough to try to dribble past defenders.

Small Group: Introduce 2v1 (two attackers vs one defender) situation. Also 1v1 and 2v2. Introduce decision making of when to pass, dribble and shoot. Introduce back line (defenders) and forward line (forwards)

Age Group Overview – U8 Players(Adapted from USYSA Player Development Model, 2012 & WDMSC Coaching Department, 2011)

Coach Philosophy: 1-2 players to a ball. Make soccer FUN!!! Be positive, patient, encouraging, and enthusiastic.

Encourage risk taking and applaud effort – mistakes are an integral part of learning development. Communicate with the players, AND the parents. Parents need to be informed so they understand. SUCCESS=effort, sportsmanship, hard work, individual improvement, having fun. Expose players to all areas of field.

Soccer Practice Emphasis: 1 practice/wk during season including 1-2 before the first game date Encourage creativity & ball skills. Encourage sharing the ball (passing), and applaud them for trying. One ball/ one player and INTRODUCE one ball/two players. Maximize number of ball touches/ contacts. Series of fun activities emphasizing exploration & experimentation of their physical abilities. No lines. No laps. No lectures. No team tactics.

Goals for Player Development: Mention these often so players start thinking about them and incorporating them! Successful players do these without

thinking about them when they become older.

· First touch away from defensive pressure. Look over your shoulder· Accelerate after a move or after a pass

· Use both feet for passing and shooting· Get head up quickly· Get body in between defender and ball

Misc: In U6, 3v3 was the format…the start of the key shape in soccer…the triangle. At U8, another player is added to make

a diamond. 2 players are wide, one deep, and one high. Do not worry about the players keeping this shape, but mention it so they become familiar with it. It should be noted that however you look at the diamond, a triangle can be seen. The triangle allows for 2 options of support for the ball carrier on the attack, and also allows for support when on defense. Again, do not get wrapped up in this, as the players are not at a level to understand this. You can introduce the concept of attacking and defending, but be sure that each play does both. The deepest player should not just sit on the half line when the ball is near the other goal…they should move up to support. Also, spreading out (finding space) is a good thing on offense, but not at the expense of having one player totally separated from the play.

Practice Preparation and Organization(Adapted from USYSA Player Development Model, 2012 & WDMSC Coaching Department, 2011)

Practice organization is one of the most important attributes of a successful coach. A coach’s ability to move through well thought out and fun activities without players standing around is a very important attribute at U7-U8 ages. Follow the suggested progression below to get the best results. As you become more experienced this aspect of coaching will become easier.

Session Topic Every training session should have a theme. For example, “Dribbling & Turning.” This should be your first decision when planning a training session. Focusing every practice on a specific theme is a great habit to get into and this aspect will become more and more important as players get older.

Choosing Activities Choose activities that will focus on your session’s theme. Well thought out activities will indirectly teach your players the session’s theme. These types of activities will make sure that your players get a lot of touches on the ball. NO LINES!

Session Plan

Once you have activities, put them into a practice plan. When placing your activities in your plan, make sure they follow each other in a smooth progression, from easy to most difficult, starting with a warm-up and ending your 4v4 scrimmage/game.

Arriving at the Field Be there first! Being the first person at the field sets a great example. Have your first activity set up before the start.

Practice Coaching Coaching during practice at these ages is a difficult undertaking as you are dealing with young children who have limited attention spans. Our responsibility at this age group is to teaching basic motor skills (with soccer skills thrown in), such as running, stopping and turning. In order to teach these skills we must introduce technique and motor skills in a very indirect manner, through fun activities. Keep all activities and scrimmages fun…it’s why they are here!

When coaching during practice, follow these guidelines to ensure a successful practice:

Introducing Activities Introducing activities should be done through an explanation and demonstration. Explanation of activities should be done as quickly as possible. The only aspects that should be explained while players are sitting are the boundaries and general rules. Anything more than this and will lose the players’ attentions. Most players at this age learn better by doing rather than listening. After the demonstration, let the players try the activity. If they perform the activity incorrectly, stop them and explain the activity again while demonstrating what you want them to do.

Make Coaching Points At this age, it is important that the activity you are playing does most of the teaching. When stopping players and making coaching points, do it in the form a question; try to avoid stopping players, barking instruction, or giving long lectures. Questions involve the players in the process and will distract them from getting bored while you talk. When asking questions, be sure to keep them simple and short. For example, when teaching dribbling:

Guided Discovery Questions- Which parts of the foot can we use to dribble? (insides, outsides, shoelaces, bottoms…no toes) When we dribble, should we take big or small touches? (Small…keep it close and controlled) When we dribble, should we look down or should we try to lift our head up? (head up so we can see)

Positive Reinforcement Keep everything you say to players positive. Make sure to praise everything that the players do well; encourage good passing, dribbling, turning, stopping, etc.

Final Remarks At the end of every practice, finish with your final words. Have all players sit on their soccer balls and answer questions on the day’s activities. While they answer the questions, demonstrate the technique. For example, when we pass the ball, which part of the foot should we use? Also, send players away with some form of soccer homework.

Basic TechniquesDribbling: Use inside, outside, laces, and soles to move the ball.

Passing: Use the inside of the foot. Plant foot next to ball pointed to target. Push the ball keeping both knees bent. Passing foot should have toes up and ankle locked.

Shooting: Use the laces of the foot. Plant foot next to ball pointed to target. Push the ball keeping both knees bent. Shooting foot should have toes pointed down and ankle locked.

Ballnastics

(Exercises to improve coordination, ball skill, mobility, and balance. Use some of these as part of every practice.)

Toe Taps --Touch the top of ball with the bottoms of your toes. Try moving stationary and then moving in a circle around the ball (ball stays stationary).

Foundation -- Knock ball back and forth with the inside of feet keeping it under you and controlled. Stay in one place.

Circle Weave – Weave around circle of coaches/cones with and without ball. Coach gives commands: dribble with both feet, left only, right only, stop, walk, job, sprint, hop, summersault, etc.

Backward Sole Rolls -- Walk backwards pulling the ball with the sole of the foot. Alternate feet in a rhythm– Try to increase speed

Sideways Sole Rolls --Walk sideways using the sole of the foot to roll the ball with you. Try to increase speed

Pull Back -- Pull ball back with the sole of the foot and across body (open your hips) to go the other way

Inside of the Foot Cut -- Dribble at opponent (cone), push to outside with outside of foot, then chop it back laterally with the inside of the same foot. Explode. Raise up arms to sell the move.

Outside of the Foot Cut -- Dribble at the opponent (cone), push ball inside with inside of foot, then chop it back laterally with the outside of the same foot. Explode. Raise up arms to sell the move.

Juggling -- Hold ball in hands. Alternate bouncing off left or right thigh and catch. Build up to kicking off of the foot and catching it.

Trapping -- Pick up the ball and drop it. Trap it with the sole of the foot. Then have them trap with the inside/outside of the foot while they are moving.

U8 Dribbling ExercisesFree Dribbling Coaching Points

All players are dribbling a soccer ball in a 20x25 yard grid using their inside, outside, and the sole of their foot.Coach: Have players change direction and accelerate away. Have players demonstrate a move and accelerate away.Version 2: Coach can put pressure on players dribbling.Version 3: Players can dribble at each other and perform a move and accelerate away.

Keep the ball close Touch the ball, then look up Challenge players to use different

surfaces of foot Shoelaces, in/outsides, bottom. No Toes

Dribble with their head up Encourage the players to try a new

move

Sharks & Minnows Coaching PointsIn a 2x25 yard grid have 3-4 players acting as the sharks. The minnows are in one end of the grid with their soccer balls. When the coach say “GO” the minnows try to dribble to the other end of the grid and the sharks are trying to kick the ball out. When the dribbler’s ball goes out, he/she becomes a shark. If the minnows reach the other end, they will wait for the coach’s command to play again. The game continues until all players turn into sharks.

Keep the ball close Shoelaces, in/outsides, bottoms only Touch the ball, then look up Touch/keep the ball away from the

“sharks” Changing speed and direction Run with the ball Defending – 1v1

Snake Description Coaching Points

All players are dribbling a soccer ball in a 20x25 yard grid with the exception of at least 2 players. The 2 players hold hands or lock arms to create a snake. The snake works together to tag the dribbling players who then become a part of the snake. The snake must try to stay connected and not break into little parts.

Keep the ball close Use your shoelaces, inside, and

outside of feet. Don’t use your toes Touch the ball, then look up Look up so you know where the

kangaroos and dribblers are Change direction and speed to get

away

Tag Description Coaching PointsAll players dribbling a soccer ball will try to tag each other with their hands. Players cannot abandon their own ball to tag.Coach: Have players keep count of their own tags. If playing more than one game, have players improve their tags by 1, 2 or 3 more than before.

Keep the ball close Use your shoelaces, inside, and

outside of feet. Don’t use your toes Touch the ball, then look up

Gate Dribbling Description Coaching PointsIn a 20x25 yard grid set up as many gates (two cones about 2 yards apart). All players with a ball must dribble through the gate in order to score a point.Coach: Have players keep count of how many points they scored in 30 seconds or a minute. Repeat asking the players to beat the score by one or more points. You can also ask them to dribble with the left or right foot only.

Keep the ball close Use your shoelaces, inside, and

outside of feet. Don’t use your toes Touch the ball, then look up Don’t run into anyone, look for open

gates Acceleration after going through a

gate

Dribbling Gates with Bandits Coaching PointsSame as Gate Dribbling but, select 2-3 players to be the “Bandits”; they will try to dispossess the players with trying to score points by dribbling through the gates. When the bandit steals the soccer ball, the player that lost the ball becomes the bandit.Coach: Play multiple 1-2 minute games. Award a point to all players who have a soccer ball at the end of each game.

Same as above Decision Making 1v1 Defending/Attacking

2v2 to End Zones Description Coaching PointsDivide the 20x25 yard grid into two equal grids of 12x20 yards, with a one yard buffer zone in between. Make a one yard wide End Zone along each end line. Players will score by dribbling and stopping the soccer ball in the End Zone. Defenders can’t defend in the End Zone.

Application of dribbling, and passing-receiving technique under pressure

1v1 defending Decision making

Steal & Shield (Gladiators) Coaching PointsPair up the players with one ball. One player starts with the ball and at coach’s command his/her partner tries to steal the ball away. Play 30-45 second matches. The player who ends with the ball gets a point. If the ball goes out of bounds, one of the players must get it back in play very quickly.Coach: Show proper shielding technique during the demonstration. Fix technical shielding errors throughout the activity to assure that the group is doing it properly.

Body sideways on to opponent Use arm to protect and know where

defender is going Knees bent Turn as defender reaches for the ball

Bulldog Coaching PointsAll players are dribbling a soccer ball from one end to the other end of a 20x25 yard

grid. The coach begins as the “bulldog” and tries to kick the dribbling players’ soccer balls out of the grid. Once a player’s soccer ball is kicked out of the grid, he/she becomes a “bulldog”.Coach: Have players change direction and accelerate away. Have players demonstrate a move and accelerate away.Version 2: Players who dribble the soccer ball close to their feet do not get attacked by the bulldog.

Shield the ball when necessary Changing speed and direction Running with the ball Keep the ball close 1v1 defending

Capture the Balls Description Coaching PointsDivide into equal teams to play in a grid with each team’s home in the corners. Balls in the middle of the grid, with all players starting inside their home bases. On the coach’s command, the players go get balls. They try to dribble or pass it into their home base. Players can steal soccer balls from their opponent’s home bases.Coach: Call time and each team counts the balls they have collected.

How to get the balls from the center or other home bases

How to defend their home base Decision making: pass or dribble—if a

defender is in front of you and a teammate is in good position to help or is stationed in the base, pass. If you see an open lane to the base, dribble.

1v1 to Cross Goals Description Coaching Points12x12yd grid, set up a 2yd goals (2 red and 2 blue goals) on each side of the grid. Divide the team in 2. 1 with ball, tries to score by dribbling through any of the 2 further goals. Defender tries to defend goals closest to them, If def. gets the ball, he/she tries to score in the opponent’s goal. New players go when score or out happens.

Keep soccer ball close to feet Sudden change of direction Burst of speed Defending – tackling Shielding Decision making

Knock Out Coaching PointsAll players are dibbling in a 20x25 yard grid and are trying to knock other dribblers’ balls outside the grid. Players must retrieve the ball quickly and get back in the game.Coach: Have your players perform a skill task before re-entering the grid. i.e.: juggling 3-5 times, ball taps.*Shrink down space if they are avoiding each other

Work on Shielding Use different surface of the foot Do not leave your ball Use balance and use your arms to

jockey for position3v3 to End Zones Description Coaching Points

In a 20x25 yard grid, place an End Zone of one yard wide along each end line. Players will score by dribbling and stopping the soccer ball in the End Zone. Defenders can’t defend in the End zone.

Application of dribbling, and passing-receiving technique under pressure

1v1 defending Decision making

U8 Shooting/Passing Exercises

Paint the Field-Passing Coaching Points

In pairs, players will pass the soccer ball back and forth in a 20x25 yard grid. Explain to the players that their soccer ball is a paint brush and wherever it rolls it will paint the area. Their task to pass (kick) the soccer ball to paint as much of the grid as possible in the allotted time.Version 2: Tell the players to use the other foot

Strike ball with the inside of foot (logo of shoe)

Plant foot next to ball pointing to target Use arms to balance Knees bent, passing foot’s toes up, ankle

locked Striking leg should move smoothly to target,

not off to side Passing and receiving technique Weight of the pass Ability to pass through traffic Communication and mobility of the players

Clean Your Backyard Description Coaching PointsSplit the players into two teams to play in a 20x25 yard gird. With cones, divide the field into three portions. The central portion (the buffer zone) is 6yds wide (no one can enter it except to get a ball) Place 3 goals (3yds each) at the far ends of the grid. Players will try to shoot/pass and score below knee height in any of the other team’s goals.Version 2: Allow teams to defend the goals using their hands.

Strike ball with laces of shoe Plant foot next to ball pointing to target Use arms to balance Toe pointed down, ankle locked Striking leg should move smoothly to target,

not off to side Simple decision-making

4 Corner Shooting Description Coaching PointsIn 20x25 yard grid with cone goals at each end, players of the same team are placed by the corner cones of the goal they are defending. Half of the team is in a line at one cone and the other half at the other cone. The coach is standing outside the middle with all the balls. The game starts when the coach serves the ball into the field. The game is over when one team scores or the ball goes out of bounds. Players need to get out of the field quickly and get back in line.Version 2: Add Goalkeepers

Application of dribbling, passing-receiving and shooting technique under pressure

1v1 defending Decision making

Doctor, Doctor Coaching Points2 teams. Send them to their hospital (corner boxes). Each team has a dr. Dr will cure/unfreeze their team’s players. Teams try to freeze each other by hitting the players with their balls below knees. When frozen, players must put ball above head, remain in place, and yell “Doctor, Doctor”. The Dr is without a ball, and is safe in the hospital, but when out, can be frozen. When the doctor is frozen the game is over.

Dribbling Technique Protect the ball Passing technique Wight and accuracy of the pass

U8 Games/ActivitiesMath Dribble

Every player has a ball and works within a confined area. Players dribble to keep control while avoiding others. While they dribble, coach or leader calls out a math problem. The players immediately solve the problem by forming the appropriately sized group. This activity organizes groups without asking players to choose a partner or counting off. For example, if your next activity requires partners, call out 1+1 or 3-1. The activity encourages dribbling in a confined area, changing direction and changing speed. Quick reaction to cues, awareness of other players, problem solving and listening skills are stressed.

Ball Retrieve in Pairs Work with one ball between two players. Using general field space, start from the middle of the field. One pair of players hands the coach a ball who tosses it away and calls out a number from 2-10. Whatever number the coach calls, each pair of players must return the ball to the coach by passing the ball with their feet in exactly the asked for number of touches. The players decide how to solve this problem. The coach should rapidly toss balls away to keep the activity flowing. The coach can also move to a different space after the ball has been tossed so that players must be aware of where they are going. The activity encourages working in pairs, pacing of passes, playing to a target, and keeping the heads up to scan the environment.

Gates in Pairs Using pairs of cones, the coach constructs 8 to 12 randomly spaced goals that are placed approximately three yards apart. Each pair of players should have one ball. After a signal from the coach, pairs of players attempt to play as many passes to each other as possible through the gates in 60 seconds. Players cannot play a ball through the same gate on consecutive passes. At the end of 60 seconds, challenge players to improve on their first score. This activity encourages problem-solving, speed of passing, changing direction, receiving and passing to feet, communication and cooperation.

Pac ManEach player has a ball in a confined area of approximately 20 x 20 yards. Adjust the space to accommodate the number of players. All but two players must place their ball outside the area. The two players with the ball are the Pac Men. Pac Men dribble their balls and attempt to hit other players below the knee with a pass. Players try to avoid being hit by running, dodging and jumping. Once a player is hit, he/she gets their ball and becomes a Pac Man. The game continues until all players have been hit and have their ball. The activity encourages dribbling and passing to a moving target, decision making, changing direction, cardio-respiratory endurance, and allows all ability levels to play equally. If players are hit early, they will have more opportunity to dribble. If they manage to avoid getting hit until near the end of the game, their challenge increases greatly.

Boss of the BallsThis is a small-sided game of 4 v 4 to two small goals and is played in an area of approximately 20 x 30 yards. The coach is standing at the midline with all of the balls. Ball one is put into play and the game begins. As soon as a goal is scored or a ball goes out of bounds, the coach tosses or kicks in another ball. When the coach runs out of balls, players run to collect and return all the balls and the game begins again. Note to Coaches and Parents: don’t retrieve balls! The game must have a natural ending point. When a coach runs out of balls, players must gather them up if they want to keep playing.