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Indianola Soccer Tribe U8

Practice Plan

MethodologyThis curriculum is based on practice structure promoted by the United States Soccer Federation. When soccer coaches get a US Soccer certification, they learn to use a certain method to structure practices. This method helps to make each practice have a purpose and an order. It also helps to unify the information for all coaches to use. This method is presented in a table with 4 different stages.

Stage 1 - Technical warm upRunning without a soccer ball is generally discouraged because it does not help to improve the player’s touches on the ball (although sometimes it is necessary to improve fitness). This warm up should relate to the objectives of the practice and always be soccer related. (Ex. Dribbling, juggling, dynamic stretching, ball handling).

Stage 2 - Small-sided activityThis usually involves dividing the players into groups of 2 or 3 and having them work together to complete a drill (i.e. passing, dribbling relays, throw ins, etc.). More than one drill can be completed in this time.

Stage 3 – Expanded small-sided activityThis usually involves the players dividing into 2 teams or small groups to play a short-sided game (on one half of the field or in a large grid). It is normal to use a large portion of the practice on this activity because of time related issues, learning how to work together in smaller groups, and to get more touches on the ball. (ex: 3v3 with goals, small- sided games, etc.).

Stage 4 – MatchThis is a game involving the entire team and using the entire field if possible. Treat this stage like a regular soccer game and try to scrimmage another team if they are available. Encourage spreading out and working together as a team.

*For every practice it is important to: explain the objectives (what you are focusing on), encourage teamwork, demonstrate each drill before it is executed, encourage correct movements (no toe kicking), and most importantly have fun!

Explanation of activities

Mountain Climbs The player starts out by standing behind the ball. Pick up the right foot and touch the top of the ball before placing it back on the ground. Next, use the left foot. Repeat this motion and add speed. (It should feel almost as if you are hopping between feet – also known as the soccer jig). Make an effort to keep your eyes up.

Shuffling Stand with your legs to about shoulder width with the ball between your feet. Tap the ball with the inside (instep) of the right foot. The ball should travel slightly in the direction of the left foot. Do the same with the left foot. Pass the ball back and forth between your feet. As you become more confident, make an effort to look up.

Dancing StorkPlace right (left) sole of the foot on the top of the ball without any movement of the ball. Then try and pull the ball back/forward and right/left while hopping on one foot. Place the right sole on the ball – then hop on left foot with the right returning to the ball. Alternating

Criss-CrossSet up 6 cones in a straight line. Have the players dribble the ball while weaving in and out of the cones. Choose a surface of the feet (instep, outside, laces) to dribble with and change surface after 2-3 minutes. Focus on control and accuracy. Speed will come later as their skill develops.

More InformationHeading Technique:Emphasis: Proper contact – forehead near hair line – at the curvature of the skull (skull is thickest here). You can use a pendulum device to slow up the ball and make proper instruction easier, but a good job can be done if the ball is tossed correctly to the person heading the ball. Encourage players to keep their eyes open when heading the ball. Keep the partners at a close range to prevent eye closing and try to have the player heading the ball return it to the receiver’s feet.

By jumping up and tilting the head down and slightly sideways, hit the top half of the ball and it will go down and to the corner of the goal for a difficult shot to save. Shots taken with the head use the flat portion of the forehead.

Throw ins:Use both hands and place them on opposite sides of the ball. Bring the ball from behind your head and throw the ball in an upward and forward motion as far as possible. Both feet must remain in contact with the group when the ball is released. This can be accomplished by stepping with one foot and dragging the other toe on the ground behind. Stepping foot must stay behind the sideline until the ball is released.

GamesSharks and FishesHave the players all line up on the outer goal box line. Each player should have a ball; these players are the fishes. One player is in the middle of the goal line and end line. This person is the shark. When the signal is given, the fish dribble across the shark-infested waters in order to safely reach the end line. Meanwhile the shark attempts to gain control of the fish’s ball, then the fish becomes another shark. Once all the fish reach the end line, send them back to the goal line. Continue this until there is only one fish left. That fish is the winner.

Throw In ContestHave the players get a partner with one ball. One player is on the line and the other 5 ft away. Players on the line have the ball. Have them throw the ball to their partner. See who can throw the ball over their partner’s head. Whoever throws the furthest wins.

More Resources

Google and YouTube – using specific key word or phrase searches there are lots of short videos of how to properly perform soccer skills on the internet. Some of these key words or phrases are: Soccer Drills; How to kick a soccer ball; How to do a throw in; etc.https://www.youtube.com/user/nscaahttps://www.youtube.com/user/KwikGoalLtdhttp://www.soccermaniak.com/

These are just a few of the many available. If you find a site that you think has good information, don’t hesitate to share it with other coaches and tribe members.

http://www.soccermaniak.com/

https://www.youtube.com/user/KwikGoalLtd

https://www.youtube.com/user/nscaa

Coach: Date: Week 1Topic: Dribbling U8

Stage Organization (Diagram) Rules + Objectives Coaching PointsTECHNICAL WARM UP

MOUNTAIN CLIMBSSHUFFLINGDANCING STORK

One player, one ball Progression: move around

the ball or forwards and backwards

OBJECTIVE-improve touch on the ball

Weight/Accuracy of touches on ball

Encourage eyes up and correct foot placement on ball

SMALL SIDED ACTIVITY

CRISS CROSS

AAA ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ BBB

Divide team in half Player with ball dribbles in

and out of cones to next player

Next player takes ball and dribbles to other end

OBJECTIVE-improve mobility with the ball

Encourage eyes up Ball should only be 3ft in

front of dribbler Use different parts of the foot Control over speed

EXPANDED SMALL SIDED ACTIVITY

MARTIAN INVADERS

X▲

ooooooo

X▲ ▲X

15x20 yard training area 7 soccer balls in center of

triangle 3 players – one each corner On signal, players run to

retrieve balls for their corner Once no balls are left players

may rob each other OBJECTIVE: be the 1st to get

4 balls to their corner


Must dribble ball all the way to the corners

MATCH

4V4

Full field or half field with goals

4 players versus 4 players

Encourage triangle/diamond formation

Everyone plays both offense and defense

COACH: DATE: Week 2TOPIC: Passing U8

STAGE ORGANIZATION (DIAGRAM) RULES + OBJECTIVES COACHING POINTSTECHNICAL WARM UP

MOUNTAIN CLIMBSSHUFFLINGDANCING STORKPASSING

Partners with one ball One player on a line, one

player 4 yds away Player with ball passes to

partner Partner traps the ball with

foot then returns pass Repeat until passes are

accurate

Plant foot and hips pointed towards target

Look to where you are passing

Body behind ball when receiving pass

Use different parts of foot to pass and trap


WEAVING

6 cones in a straight line 5yds apart

Have partners Player with ball dribbles to

first cone then passes ball to partner, partner returns pass advancing up the field

Repeat through all 6 conesOBJECTIVE – accurate pass while moving

Use different parts of foot Encourage passing in front

of player Control the ball, then pass Move forward after pass is

made


TELEPHONE

Player with ball “calls” another player in the circle then passes to them

Person in center tries to steal the ball – trade places with passer if successful

OBJECTIVE – accurate passes to teammates using communication

Players learn to talk to teammates

Effective passing and trapping technique

Center player learns defense

MATCH

4v4

Full field or half depending on space with goals

Focus on offense – try to push up and score goals

Progression – players must pass 3x before they can score

Spread out and use entire field

Everyone pushes up BUT ALSO gets back on defense

Teamwork (passing and talking)

Diamond formation

Coach: Date: Week 3Topic: SHOOTING U8

Stage Organization (Diagram) Rules + Objectives Coaching PointsTECHNICAL WARM UP

MOUNTAIN CLIMBSSHUFFLINGDANCING STORKBIG SHOOTER

One player, one ball Progression: move around

the ball or forwards and backwards

Use different parts of foot OBJECTIVE-improve touch

on the ball Stand on goal line and shoot

in goal


Encourage eyes up and correct foot placement on ball


HOT SHOTS

2 lines of players facing goal Player A passes to the coach Coach passes ball back to A Player A dribbles and shoots Repeat with player B Recover ball and switch lines

OBJECTIVE – shoot ball while it is moving

Encourage eyes up looking at goal

Follow the shot – if player misses they should shoot again (if inbounds)

Use different parts of the foot (NO TOES!)

Control over speed


CATS AND MICE

10x 15 yard training grid 3 Players outside grid (cats) 5 players in center (mice) Cat shoots the ball to try to

hit mice as they run inside grid

If mouse is hit, go to cat’s corner

Last mouse and cat with most mice are winners

Accuracy of shot Use different parts of foot Must hit mice below the waist

to count Cats cannot move Coach(es) can be involved to

increase players

MATCH

4V4

Full field or half field with goals

Focus on defense – stay back and keep other team from scoring

Encourage triangle formation Spread out for offense Compact on defense

COACH: DATE: Week 4TOPIC: THROW INS AND TRAPPING


CRISS CROSSWEAVINGJUGGLING

Set the drills up ahead of time to transition quickly

Juggle with different parts of body

Communication when passing

Eyes up if possible Controlled ball movement


THROW INS

Partners – one behind sideline and one 4 yds away

Cannot cross sideline Trap ball and return pass

with foot Switch places and repeat Progression – throw in to

dribble and shootOBJECTIVE – bring ball inbounds correctly

Arms overhead Watch stepping foot Drag back foot to keep it on

the ground Different options for throwing

the ball-ahead, at feet, or into space


Moving coach - target

Players throw the ball in trying to hit the coach running in the middle

Call out coaches name as throwing the ball

Retrieve the ball and switch sides

Progression: Throw ball in and run to goal and get a pass from the coach

OBJECTIVE – accurate throw ins to teammates using communication

Players learn to talk to teammates

Accurate throws Aim for the feet Learn to run into play after

throwing ball

MATCH

4v4

Full field or half w/ goals Focus on where to throw in

and how to receive and progress the ball



Everyone pushes up and gets back on defense

Teamwork

COACH: DATE: Week 5

TOPIC: Trapping and Passing U8


MOUNTAN CLIMBSSHUFFLINGDANCING STORKPASSING

Partners with one ball One player on a line, one

player 4 yds away Player with ball passes to

partner Partner traps the ball with

foot then returns pass Repeat until passes are

accurate

Plant foot and hips pointed towards target

Look to where you are passing

Body behind ball when receiving pass

Use different parts of foot to pass and trap


KEEP AWAY

15X20 yd grid 3 offense and 1 defense players pass the ball while

defender tries to take it away If defender gets ball, trade

places with person that made bad pass

Triangle formation to start Encourage players to move

around to receive the ball Control the ball before

passing Encourage communication


SOCCER BASEBALL

“Baseball” diamond shape grid 15 yds apart

Goal in center 2 teams of 4 players Kicking team kicks the ball

and runs bases Receiving team stops the ball

and must complete a pass through the cone bf runner makes it to base to count as out.

3 outs and switch sides

Trap and control the ball Accurate passes Body behind the ball Use instep to kick ball

MATCH

4V4

Full field or half w/ goals Focus on where to throw in

and how to receive and progress the ball



Everyone pushes up and gets back on defense

Teamwork

Week 6 Posted online by Massaschusetts Youth Soccer http://www.mayouthsoccer.org/coaching/practice_plans_u8.aspx

http://www.mayouthsoccer.org/coaching/practice_plans_u8.aspx







Documents

Coach: Web viewTreat this stage like a regular soccer game and try to ... Repeat this motion and add speed. (It should ... – using specific key word or phrase searches there