u13-u14 Training Objectives

Game:

11v11; two 35-minute halves; 80’ x120’ field; 8’ x 24’ goals.

Playing Time: Need opportunity to play, the more competitive and playing time will not be equal, lower level teams should be closer to equal.

Formation: 4-4-2, 3-5-2, 3-4-3, 4-2-3-1, 4-3-3, be creative and play several formations.

Practice Time: Four times per week, which includes games (1 hour, 30 minutes maximum)

Objectives: Skill development, tactical awareness, increased speed of play.

Technical:

• Develop individual skills under the pressure of time, space, and an opponent.

Increase technical speed. Promote attacking soccer – play 3-4-3 (NSCAA recommends).

• Dribbling: Encourage players to take on 1v1 situations, feints/moves, keep possession-shielding/spin turns.

• Receiving: Quality first touch - take balls out the air/turning; all surfaces, on the run.

• Shooting: On the run; on the turn; from all angles/crosses, volleys.

• Passing: Short, long, bent, crosses, driven, chipped – all surfaces, all on the run.

• Heading: To goal, to pass, to clear. • Tackling: Proper technique, slide.

Goalkeeping: Set position, diving, crosses, distribution, communication, distance angles, availability to
support defense.

Tactical: Increase tactical speed (decision making)

Attacking:

Keep possession; encourage risk taking; support, combination play; wall pass, take over, overlap, double pass. Width, depth, penetration; crossing with proper runs in the box; simple set plays.

Defending:

proper pressure; channel player, immediate chase; angles of pressure; pressure/cover training.

Small Sided Games: 2v1, 2v2, 3v2, 3v3. 4v2, 4v4

The demands of skill training and training loads should increase, thus promoting improvement in mental
toughness, concentration and diligence.