Recommended Training Priorities for Youth U-11 to U-18
"Soccer is a child's game played by adults, not an adult game to be played by children."
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- U-11 and U-12 Training information
- U-13 and U-14 Training information
- U-15 and U-16 Training information
- U-17 Training information
- U-18 Training information
The following document is provided as a guideline for coaches of youth players 10 to 17 years of age. The intent is to:
- Provide age-appropriate focus for training during the course of the season.
- Provide benchmarks for what your players should achieve by the end of the season.
- Provide building blocks for development through the years.
It must be understood that players mature at different rates. Age determines to a certain degree what players are physically, mentally and socially capable of on the soccer field. Some players will be capable of more complex skills and thought processes than others as they develop. These training priorities provide a foundation for development but it is up to the individual coach to know and understand their players and introduce more advanced aspects of the game, as it is appropriate. It is vital to practice and master the basics in order for players to succeed at the next level.
*These training priorities were adopted from US soccer & Bobby Howe, Director of Technical Instruction.
U-12 TRAINING PRIORITIES
U-11 and U-12:
DEVELOPMENT OF INDIVIDUAL SKILLS, INDIVIDUAL
AND SMALL GROUP TACTICS
This age-group encompasses the overlap between preparing for 11-a-side play and the introduction of 11-a-side play.
HIGH PRIORITY
Development of individual skill:
All practices must challenge the player in competition.
Understanding cooperation with teammates:
a) Support
b) Triangles, Diamonds
Individual and small group defending:
One session in three devoted to 1v1's, 2v2's.
Develop an understanding of:
a) Delay
b) Tracking back
c) Depth
d) Balance
LOWER EMPHASIS: Positional Play, Team Play, Set Plays
ALL ACTIVITIES SHOULD
BE CHALLENGING, MOTIVATING AND INVOLVE TRANSITION!
U-14 TRAINING PRIORITIES
U-13 and U-14:
DEVELOPMENT OF INDIVIDUAL SKILLS, INDIVIDUAL
AND SMALL GROUP
TACTICS
HIGH PRIORITY
The importance of Possession:
DO NOT GIVE THE BALL AWAY!
Development of individual skill:
All practices must challenge the player in competition.
Understanding of combination player:
a) Support
b) Takeovers
c) Wall Pass
Individual and small group defending:
One session in three devoted to 1v1's, 2v2's, 3v3's.
Develop an understanding of:
a) Delay
b) Tracking back
c) Depth
d) Balance
LOWER EMPHASIS: Functional Play, Team Play, Set Plays
ALL ACTIVITIES
SHOULD BE CHALLENGING, MOTIVATING AND INVOLVE TRANSITION!
U-16 TRAINING PRIORITIES
U-15 and U-16:
DEVELOPMENT OF GROUP SKILL/TACTICS
HIGH PRIORITY
Development of individual skills should be covered in the warm-up.
Understanding of combination play:
a) Support
b) Takeovers
c) Wall Pass
d) Third man running
e) Overlap
DO NOT GIVE THE BALL AWAY!
One session in three devoted to 3v3's, 4v4's, 5v5's.
Develop an understanding of:
a) Depth: Role of strong side defenders
b) Balance: Role of weak side defenders
c) Concentration
d) Communication: Who, What, When
LOWER EMPHASIS: Functional Play,
Team Play, Set Plays
ALL ACTIVITIES SHOULD BE CHALLENGING, MOTIVATING
AND INVOLVE TRANSITION!!!
U-17 TRAINING PRIORITIES
U-17:
DEVELOPMENT OF POSITIONAL PLAY
Individual and group skill should be covered in the warm-up.
Functional Play:
a) Attacking roles and responsibilities.
b) Defending roles and responsibilities.
One in three practices devoted to defensive aspects of the game.
Match-Related practice: offense vs. defense
Crossing
Develop a complete understanding of:
a) Crossing angle.
b) Overlaps.
c) Near and far post runs.
Set plays
Develop a complete understanding of:
a) Attacking and defending responsibilities at corner kicks, free kicks.
b) Importance of possession from throw-ins in defensive and midfield
third of field versus possession and creativity in the final third.
ALL ACTIVITIES SHOULD BE CHALLENGING, MOTIVATING AND INVOLVE TRANSITION!
U-18 TRAINING PRIORITIES
U-18:
DEVELOPMENT OF TEAM PLAY
Individual and group skill should be covered in the warm-up.
Functional Play
Team Play
a) Match-related practice: offense vs. defense.
b) Math conditioned.
One in three practices devoted to defensive aspects of the game.
Players
should have a complete understanding of the principles of team play.
mystery type