U11 Development Program
Coaching Curriculum
Priority is on individual technical development
Technical (Skills on the ball)
All skills should be introduced with no pressure. Pressure should be gradually added when player shows proficiency.
Dribbling Use of ALL surfaces. Player should be comfortable dribbling with their head up. Change of speed and direction. Dribbling with speed into open space. Basic moves to beat an opponent.
Passing Proper technique for inside, outside and instep. Focus on ‘safe’ passes.
Receiving Body behind the ball, cushion the ball. Players should be comfortable using all surfaces of the foot when receiving ball on the ground. Use of all surfaces of the foot when receiving ball in the air (self service). Introduction of receiving ball with chest, thigh and head.
Shooting Proper striking technique – body over ball, position of plant foot, ankle locked, strike ball with laces, follow through.
Heading Introduce basic technique. Strike ball at hairline. Attack the ball. May have to build confidence with soft ball.
Tactical (Decisions with the ball)
Introduction of fundamental individual tactical concepts.
Attacking
- 1st Attacker – decisions on the ball – take on or find an open teammate.
- 2nd Attacker – support of teammate with the ball.
Defending
- 1st Defender – immediate pressure, goalside, force a direction.
- All players retreat behind the ball
Physical
- Coaches should continue to work on developing basic agility and coordination with the ball.
- Fitness will mainly be a byproduct of fun, challenging and demanding skill work during
- training sessions.
Psychological
- Encourage risk taking. Mistakes are a byproduct of trying new things.
- Focus on individual enjoyment of the game. Development of intrinsic motivation.
- Introduction of competitive training environment. All activities should have an objective and a method of keeping score.
- Let players learn through self-discovery.
Other thoughts
Players at this age are experiential. They learn by doing, not by being told. Coaches should refrain from making long lectures and let the players play.
All practices should end in 4v4, games. These provide for maximum touches on the ball.
Coaches must focus on the individual technical development of all players even if that means sacrificing team results.
Each player should play a variety of positions, including rotating several players in goal, and all that play goalkeeper should also play on the field.
Confucius wrote over 2400 years ago!
What I hear - I forget.
What I see - I remember
What I do - I understand
Document complied by Kevin Blokker. It is a synthesis of publications by the following; US Soccer, Success in Soccer, Washington State Soccer and Oregon Soccer. Also, thanks to Kevin McGibbon, Jan Smisek, Paul Meehan, Mike Smith and Dave Wymer for their insights.
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