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Sunday 21 May 2017

U13 Week 4

Hey Coaches!

This week is supposed to be warm, so it might be wise to email your team and remind them to bring lots of water. We will be doing some fun game this week to hopefully keep everyone motivated through the heat! Make sure you give your team plenty of water breaks, but at the same time don’t give them too much time to goof off.

Do your regular warm up with the 2 lines. It has been great to see everyone doing this. Warming up is vital to being a good soccer player, and helps prevent injuries. It is also a time to help them focus on what they are there for.


Once you have done your warm up, have them pair up and get in groups of 3 and try to keep the ball in the air while juggling. See who can do it the longest. This is also something you can get them to do while they arrive.

1. PONG
We did this last week, and it seemed to be a hit so we’ll do it again! Encourage players to play the ball quickly to catch their opponent off guard.
Two players play against each other and share a ball. They place two cones anywhere from 2-8 yards apart. They choose! Players pass back and forth to each other. The rules are that the ball must never stop, must always stay on the ground and must go through the two cones without touching them. Whenever this is violated the other person receives a point. Because of the rule that the ball must never stop, players have to play 1-2 touch. The closer the two cones are the closer the pairs are probably going to be. The farther apart they are, the more they will have to move laterally and look more like the old arcade “pong” game. Play for time and see who can become the PONG Champ!

2. Two-touch Showdown

This is a game between two players. A soccer ball and three cones are needed for this game.

Position the cones in a triangular shape, about two to three feet apart.

The first player gently taps the ball through the cones to the second player. The second player has to send the ball back through the cones but cannot go through the two cones from which the ball just came through, and the player only gets two touches to perform the maneuver.

Hints: 1) the first touch is crucial in that the player should touch the ball to one side. 2) if the first touch is poor and the player is fairly close to the cone, the player can take a large step and push the ball with the other foot, ankle flicking it through.

Here’s an example from youtube



3) Bocce Soccer

This is played similar to the Italian game on an open field, except you use soccer balls for the bocce balls and one mini soccer ball for the pallino, and you kick the balls rather than throw them. The game is played with two, four, or eight players. Depending on the size of your team, you can make 2 teams. Make sure that they stay within your portion of the field and don’t interfere with other teams.

This will be a good game to slow things down and give your team a little breather while still having fun and will work on passing accuracy.

Choose a player to kick the pallino (mini soccer ball). The same player will kick his first soccer ball. The purpose of the game is to get your soccer balls as close to the pallino as possible. Feel free to scatter cones around your area to add some obstacles.

After all players have kicked, the player that is closest to the mini ball is awarded points. I will have mini balls out for you.


4. Square support passing game

The purpose of this soccer passing drill is to focus on players angle of support, the weight of passes and the quality of 1st touch.

Drill Setup:

  1. Create a grid approximately 12x12 or 10x10 yards depending on the skill level of the players.
  2. Put 2 defensive players inside the grid in one color and the remaining 4 or 5 players along the outside of the grid.
  3. Make sure you have a good supply of soccer balls to keep the drill flowing.

Drill Instructions:

  1. Instruct the 2 defensive players to stay inside the grid and attempt to break up any passes from the outside players
  2. Outside players play keep away from the 2 inside players in an attempt to complete 10 consecutive passes. They should be moving along the side of the box they are on to always be creating space and support. Soccer players should never be standing still.

Drill Coaching Points:

The coach should focus on:
  • Angle of support
  • Angle of passes
  • Weight of passes
  • Quality of 1st touch
  • Playing on toes
  • Early support
  • Good communication

5v2 Angle of Support Passing Drill


5. Scrimmage

If you have time at the end, allow your team to play a scrimmage. Focus on their first touch, and movement off the ball to always be finding space and angles for receiving a pass. Make your game field a little smaller to speed the game up, and also force a quality first touch. Change things up by only allowing 1 touch. This make them think about what their next move (or pass) is before they receive the ball as well as will keep them moving.

U10 Week 4

Hey Coaches!

This week is supposed to be warm, so it might be wise to email your team and remind them to bring lots of water. We will be doing some fun game this week to hopefully keep everyone motivated through the heat! Make sure you give your team plenty of water breaks, but at the same time don’t give them too much time to goof off.

Do your regular warm up with the 2 lines. It has been great to see everyone doing this. Warming up is vital to being a good soccer player, and helps prevent injuries. It is also a time to help them focus on what they are there for.


Once you have done your warm up, have them pair up and get in groups of 3 and try to keep the ball in the air while juggling. See who can do it the longest. This is also something you can get them to do while they arrive.


This week we will be working on defending. As I was watching the game last week I saw 2 aspects of the game that we will work on. One was defending. All the teams were aggressive, but the technique behind defender was missing a little. There was lots of just running at the ball and lots of collisions. Hopefully these drills/games will help with defending awareness. Next week we will work on using the width of the field and how to work as a team with our positioning.
Defending coaching points. Here are some points for you as a coach to remember about defending, as well as a youtube clip that talks about Block Tackling. Remember, we DO NOT slide tackle at this age, and all slide tackles will be called by the ref and could result in your player being asked to sit on the sidelines during a game. This is simply about safety as most players at this age are unable to slide tackle safely.
Ensure you spend time demonstrating proper defending stance and positioning. Encourage good defending skills and correct when needed.
Defender's stance:
Defender's feet should be about a shoulder width apart, boxers stance
- legs should be slightly bent
- stay on toes so you can react to any sudden changes of direction by the attacker.
-quick close down. You want to get to the attacker quick, but in the last few feet slow your run down so you can close down the space and react to their movements.
-delay/give space - don't commit- jockey (wait for them to take a bad touch or make the first move).
-watch ball not player. You want to be watching the ball, not the player's body or feet. Their feet and body can confuse you, but the ball can only go in the direction it will go.
-make the attacker make the mistake
Defender positioning:
- defender is goal side (closer to net than attacker)
- direct attacker into area where there is support or try to force them out wide.
How to block tackle:

1. Ball warm up:
Keep Away - 20 X 30 m grid. All players except for two are dribbling within a grid. Those without balls try to win ball from other players and then continue to dribble with grid. When coach stops play the two players without balls must do a challenge.

2. 1 vs 1 defending.
Play kings court style or just let them play until the get tired.  Players stand 15 yards apart. Defender passes ball to attacker who tries to beat defender and dribble to end line and stop it. 2 minute games.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=6-1No0rddBo  (as in video except multiple grids so no line ups.)
Progress to 2 vs 1 where defender is trying to prevent two attackers from getting to endline or to get a shot on net.
3. Shark
You Could play knock out version with two grids, continuous, with one person as the shark, they need to know everyone's ball out of grid, when knocked out, they go into second grid, coach designates a shark for that grid.  Switch sharks when clearly tired.  

4. Win ball Drill  
Two lines facing coach, coach passes a 50/50 ball, players need to try and win ball and either score on a small net or pass to a target (ball on cone or at the net) and work on defender's working to win the ball back and make strong second effort.
5. 1v1 to numbers game
Have two small goals on either end of a mini field.  Balls at centre on side of grid with coach, line up of players on either side of coach (two teams, one in pinnies), play a ball into middle of field, 1v1 until dead or score.  Can increase number of players going for ball to create different situations, 2v2, 3v3 etc...or numbers game:  Number players 1,2,3,4,5 etc. Call out a number. Coach rolls out ball at center line and numbered player on each team must try to win ball and then either defend their goal or attack the other goal. Progress to calling out more than one number and encourage players on same team to work together to score.
6. Game
Two teams. Regular rules except man on man marking only. Pair up forwards and defence, and midfielders and midfielders. Have one player on each team who can check anyone. Stress importance of knowing where your check is and to get goal side (between the attacker and your goal)  and defend against check when ball is lost. Place a ball on top of a cone at each end. This will act as the “goal.” To get a point the attacking team must knock the ball off of the cone.



U8 Week 4

Hey Coaches!

This week is supposed to be warm, so it might be wise to email your team and remind them to bring lots of water. We will be doing some fun game this week to hopefully keep everyone motivated through the heat! Make sure you give your team plenty of water breaks, but at the same time don’t give them too much time to goof off.

Do your regular warm up with the 2 lines. It has been great to see everyone doing this. Warming up is vital to being a good soccer player, and helps prevent injuries. It is also a time to help them focus on what they are there for.


Once you have done your warm up, have them pair up and get in groups of 3 and try to keep the ball in the air while juggling. See who can do it the longest. This is also something you can get them to do while they arrive.


This week we will be working on defending. As I was watching the game last week I was extremely impressed with the awareness of every player on how to use the width of the field, and also how to pass around the other team. I saw some plays that honestly you would never see at this age! Rory Luxmoore and I were both super impressed! But there are always things we can work on, and there were some key areas I noticed that we will begin to touch on. One was defending. All the teams were aggressive, but the technique behind defender was missing a little. There was lots of just running at the ball and lots of collisions. Hopefully these drills/games will help with defending awareness. Next week we will work on using the width of the field and how to work as a team with our positioning.
Defending coaching points. Here are some points for you as a coach to remember about defending, as well as a youtube clip that talks about Block Tackling. Remember, we DO NOT slide tackle at this age, and all slide tackles will be called by the ref and could result in your player being asked to sit on the sidelines during a game. This is simply about safety as most players at this age are unable to slide tackle safely.
Ensure you spend time demonstrating proper defending stance and positioning. Encourage good defending skills and correct when needed.
Defender's stance:
Defender's feet should be about a shoulder width apart, boxers stance
- legs should be slightly bent
- stay on toes so you can react to any sudden changes of direction by the attacker.
-quick close down. You want to get to the attacker quick, but in the last few feet slow your run down so you can close down the space and react to their movements.
-delay/give space - don't commit- jockey (wait for them to take a bad touch or make the first move).
-watch ball not player. You want to be watching the ball, not the player's body or feet. Their feet and body can confuse you, but the ball can only go in the direction it will go.
-make the attacker make the mistake
Defender positioning:
- defender is goal side (closer to net than attacker)
- direct attacker into area where there is support or try to force them out wide.
How to block tackle:

1. Ball warm up:
Keep Away - 20 X 30 m grid. All players except for two are dribbling within a grid. Those without balls try to win ball from other players and then continue to dribble with grid. When coach stops play the two players without balls must do a challenge.

2. 1 vs 1 defending.
Play kings court style or just let them play until the get tired.  Players stand 15 yards apart. Defender passes ball to attacker who tries to beat defender and dribble to end line and stop it. 2 minute games.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=6-1No0rddBo  (as in video except multiple grids so no line ups.)
Progress to 2 vs 1 where defender is trying to prevent two attackers from getting to endline or to get a shot on net.
3. Shark
You Could play knock out version with two grids, continuous, with one person as the shark, they need to know everyone's ball out of grid, when knocked out, they go into second grid, coach designates a shark for that grid.  Switch sharks when clearly tired.  

4. Win ball Drill  
Two lines facing coach, coach passes a 50/50 ball, players need to try and win ball and either score on a small net or pass to a target (ball on cone or at the net) and work on defender's working to win the ball back and make strong second effort.
5. 1v1 to numbers game
Have two small goals on either end of a mini field.  Balls at centre on side of grid with coach, line up of players on either side of coach (two teams, one in pinnies), play a ball into middle of field, 1v1 until dead or score.  Can increase number of players going for ball to create different situations, 2v2, 3v3 etc...or numbers game:  Number players 1,2,3,4,5 etc. Call out a number. Coach rolls out ball at center line and numbered player on each team must try to win ball and then either defend their goal or attack the other goal. Progress to calling out more than one number and encourage players on same team to work together to score.
6. Game
Two teams. Regular rules except man on man marking only. Pair up forwards and defence, and midfielders and midfielders. Have one player on each team who can check anyone. Stress importance of knowing where your check is and to get goal side (between the attacker and your goal)  and defend against check when ball is lost. Place a ball on top of a cone at each end. This will act as the “goal.” To get a point the attacking team must knock the ball off of the cone.




U6 Week 4

Hey Coaches! It has been great continuing to get to know you and the players over the last 4 weeks. I just want to encourage you that we are here to have fun, to be crazy, and to encourage our players. The more we interact with them, the more fun they have, and the more likely they are to continue to play soccer. Be loud, celebrate every goal and every good pass. The kids love it!

As the weather warms up, I suggest reminding your parents to bring lots of water for their children. Also, if it’s warm, make sure you have lots of water breaks. This will help keep their attention as they will get tired because of the heat. Just make sure you make these water breaks short and don’t give lots of time for them to goof off :)


1. Warm Up: Soccer Tag
Players are dribbling around in your grid.  Player who is it holds their ball and runs with it, tagging players with the ball.  Once tagged, player is frozen with ball under their foot.  To be freed, another player must dribble up and pass their ball to hit the frozen players ball, or dribble up and tap their ball to the frozen player's ball.
2. Sharks and Minnows
You are the shark, the players are the minnows.  You attempt to hit the players with the ball.  When you hit the player, they must lie down and another minnow must jump over them to get back into the game.  If you have willing parents, they can also join in as a shark.
See the first minute of this video as a demonstration and for further explanation.
3. Cone Maze
Spread cones over your grid.  Place a few goals around the edge, use your one pop up goal and an arch or your large cones to create more "goals". Players dribble their balls through the grid trying to not hit the cones, and once they are through they can take a shot on the goal.  After they have done it a couple of times, you can switch it up to end the activity by having them they hit the cones with their soccer ball to knock it over.  Once it is knocked over, they can and pick the cone up and return it to you as way to clean up the course.
See the above video at 1:24-2:06 for a demonstration.  
4. Pac Man (aka Kick the Coach; kids LOVE this game!)
First, demonstrate what a proper pass looks like:
-planting/non kicking foot next to ball, pointing at target
-strike ball with side of foot
-firm ankle
-follow through to target
Have players practice this with their parent or a partner so that you can give individual feedback to each player.  Once you have gone through each player, they can then play the game.
All players have a ball and are dribbling in the grid and trying to hit you with a pass (you don't want to be hit).
Work on good passing technique. You may have to create a zone for you that the kids can't enter (small square in middle of grid and then move to no square and everyone moving).

This video demos passing technique with cues, but don't spend as much time talking as this coach does!

5. Clean Your Messy Room.
We’ve done this one before, but kids seem to love it!
Split your grid in half with cones across the centre, and split your group up into 2 "teams".
Line up soccer balls in the centre, in line with the cones.
When you say "Go!" players rush to the centre to kick balls into the other half of the grid; they must try to keep the balls (laundry? toys?) out of their "room" by continuing to kick them into the other team's half.
When coach say "Stop!" players freeze and count up the balls to see who wins (least amount of balls/laundry/toys in grid wins).
Play again!


Game
The horn will go at 5:35 to signal you to get ready for your game. The game will start at 5:40. Here is the game schedule:

https://rysacoachingcorner.blogspot.ca/2017/05/u4-u5-u6-schedules.html

U5 Week 4

Hey Coaches! It has been great continuing to get to know you and the players over the last 4 weeks. I just want to encourage you that we are here to have fun, to be crazy, and to encourage our players. The more we interact with them, the more fun they have, and the more likely they are to continue to play soccer. Be loud, celebrate every goal and every good pass. The kids love it!

As the weather warms up, I suggest reminding your parents to bring lots of water for their children. Also, if it’s warm, make sure you have lots of water breaks. This will help keep their attention as they will get tired because of the heat. Just make sure you make these water breaks short and don’t give lots of time for them to goof off :)


1. Warm Up: Soccer Tag
Players are dribbling around in your grid.  Player who is it holds their ball and runs with it, tagging players with the ball.  Once tagged, player is frozen with ball under their foot.  To be freed, another player must dribble up and pass their ball to hit the frozen players ball, or dribble up and tap their ball to the frozen player's ball.
2. Sharks and Minnows
You are the shark, the players are the minnows.  You attempt to hit the players with the ball.  When you hit the player, they must lie down and another minnow must jump over them to get back into the game.  If you have willing parents, they can also join in as a shark.
See the first minute of this video as a demonstration and for further explanation.
3. Cone Maze
Spread cones over your grid.  Place a few goals around the edge, use your one pop up goal and an arch or your large cones to create more "goals". Players dribble their balls through the grid trying to not hit the cones, and once they are through they can take a shot on the goal.  After they have done it a couple of times, you can switch it up to end the activity by having them they hit the cones with their soccer ball to knock it over.  Once it is knocked over, they can and pick the cone up and return it to you as way to clean up the course.
See the above video at 1:24-2:06 for a demonstration.  
4. Pac Man (aka Kick the Coach; kids LOVE this game!)
First, demonstrate what a proper pass looks like:
-planting/non kicking foot next to ball, pointing at target
-strike ball with side of foot
-firm ankle
-follow through to target
Have players practice this with their parent or a partner so that you can give individual feedback to each player.  Once you have gone through each player, they can then play the game.
All players have a ball and are dribbling in the grid and trying to hit you with a pass (you don't want to be hit).
Work on good passing technique. You may have to create a zone for you that the kids can't enter (small square in middle of grid and then move to no square and everyone moving).

This video demos passing technique with cues, but don't spend as much time talking as this coach does!

5. Clean Your Messy Room.
We’ve done this one before, but kids seem to love it!
Split your grid in half with cones across the centre, and split your group up into 2 "teams".
Line up soccer balls in the centre, in line with the cones.
When you say "Go!" players rush to the centre to kick balls into the other half of the grid; they must try to keep the balls (laundry? toys?) out of their "room" by continuing to kick them into the other team's half.
When coach say "Stop!" players freeze and count up the balls to see who wins (least amount of balls/laundry/toys in grid wins).
Play again!

Game
The horn will go at 4:30 to signal you to get ready for your game. The game will start at 4:45. Here is the game schedule:
https://rysacoachingcorner.blogspot.ca/2017/05/u4-u5-u6-schedules.html

U4 Week 4

Hey Coaches! Great job last week with the stations! It know it started off a little choppy as we got things going, but after that first group went through everything seemed to run smoothly and kids were having a blast! I just want to encourage you that we are here to have fun, to be crazy, and to encourage our players. The more we interact with them, the more fun they have, and the more likely they are to continue to play soccer. Be loud, celebrate every goal and every good pass. The kids love it! At this young age a lot of what we are doing is running around and teaching them how to move, how to fall down and get up, and the simply movements of playing soccer (dribbling, kicking, and passing). As I am sure you have noticed the kids are happy with running around in circles and at times it can be hard to motivate them. Be their friend, chat with them, and try to find ways you can encourage them to join in the drill.

As the weather warms up, I suggest reminding your parents to bring lots of water for their children. Also, if it’s warm, make sure you have lots of water breaks. This will help keep their attention as they will get tired because of the heat. Just make sure you make these water breaks short and don’t give lots of time for them to goof off :)


1. Warm Up: Soccer Tag
Players are dribbling around in your grid.  Player who is it holds their ball and runs with it, tagging players with the ball.  Once tagged, player is frozen with ball under their foot.  To be freed, another player must dribble up and pass their ball to hit the frozen players ball, or dribble up and tap their ball to the frozen player's ball.

See the first minute of this video as a demonstration and for further explanation.

2. DON'T CRASH THE CAR
Red Light, Green Light made fun....check out all the variations!  You may want to stick with the basics, but if you have a keen crew I would try some of the additions.
3. Soccer Bowling
Partner players together or have children work with their parent.  Set up a ball on top of a disc cone, one for each pair.  Players are taking turns back and forth, trying to knock the ball of the cone by shooting their ball at it. Appoint a parent or two to help place the balls back on top of the cone when it is knocked off.  The video is slightly different and they have used it as a passing activity, but can also become a shooting activity.   Do a quick demo of proper shooting technique, pointing out which part of your foot players should strike the ball with.
4. NUTS AND SQUIRRELS
In your grid, use your pop-up nets or cones to make "hoarding areas/trees" in the corners of the grid.
Place all of the soccer balls (nuts) in the middle of the grid.
Divide players up equally to become the "squirrels", and start in the hoarding area.
Taking turns, players are trying to get as many "nuts" as they can from the centre of the grid when you shout "Go!"
When there are no balls left in the middle, coach yells "steal" or (something else appropriate) and then they may try and steal nuts from the other hoarding areas. No defending the nuts!
Start with having the players carry the ball back to their hoarding area. After they understand the game, progress to dribbling the ball back and stopping it in the hoop.
Feel free to also go and take the “nuts” out of the nets and kick them back towards to middle to keep the game going.
5. Freeze Tag (or be creative and think of a different name).
We have done this many times, but the kids love it, and it is a good time filler if you need. Any time we can get the players running around and moving we are teaching them the valuable parts of soccer such as running, finding space, and staying within the playing field (hopefully).

Game
The horn will go at 4:30 to signal you to get ready for your game. The game will start at 4:45. Here is the game schedule:
https://rysacoachingcorner.blogspot.ca/2017/05/u4-u5-u6-schedules.html