Delta Youth Soccer Delta Youth Soccer League League

Youth ModuleYouth Module

InstructorInstructorChris GaughanChris Gaughan

People who can help you in Delta Youth Soccer League

CalNorth Instructor Chris GaughanDYSL Instructor Scott Bartlebaugh

Under 8 Director James BentonUnder 6 Director Kelly MacCallister

DYSL President Jim Bonwell

For contact information go to www.deltasoccer.org

Pre-season Parent Meeting

Introductions Player Development Goals Core coaching values Player Expectations Parent Expectations Role of Parents (cheer only, not coach) Coach coaches, Refs ref and Parents cheer Arrival time and finish time for Practice and

Games

Coach Qualities

Empathy Imagination Enthusiasm Sense of Fairness Clear Communicator Ability to relate with children in the age group

you are coaching

Arrive early for practiceArrive early for practice If players are moving, balls are moving, If players are moving, balls are moving,

players are having fun then learning is players are having fun then learning is taking placetaking place

Keep practice positive, upbeat and funKeep practice positive, upbeat and fun If parents volunteer to help, let themIf parents volunteer to help, let them Finish on timeFinish on time Leave practice only when all players have Leave practice only when all players have

been collectedbeen collected

Coach Practice Coach Practice ChecklistChecklist

General Characteristics of U6sGeneral Characteristics of U6s

Short attention spanShort attention span Mostly individually oriented (me, my, mine)Mostly individually oriented (me, my, mine) Constantly in motionConstantly in motion Psychologically easily bruisedPsychologically easily bruised Little concern for team activitiesLittle concern for team activities Boys & girls similar psychological developmentBoys & girls similar psychological development Eye hand/eye foot coordination is primitiveEye hand/eye foot coordination is primitive Love to run, jump, roll & climbLove to run, jump, roll & climb NO SENSE OF PACE – GOES FLAT OUTNO SENSE OF PACE – GOES FLAT OUT

General Characteristics of U8sGeneral Characteristics of U8s Attention span a bit longer than U6, but still not at Attention span a bit longer than U6, but still not at

the “team at all costs” intensity.the “team at all costs” intensity. Inclined more toward group activities.Inclined more toward group activities. Still in motion - twitching, scratching and blinking Still in motion - twitching, scratching and blinking

are natural physical movements.are natural physical movements. Ridicule from the coach in front of the group is Ridicule from the coach in front of the group is

very destructive.very destructive. Dislike personal failure in front of peers.Dislike personal failure in front of peers. STILL LACK SENSE OF PACE - GO FLAT STILL LACK SENSE OF PACE - GO FLAT

OUT . Will chase the ball until they drop.OUT . Will chase the ball until they drop.

Typical U6 Training SessionTypical U6 Training Session

Should not exceed 60 minutesShould not exceed 60 minutes Every child should have a ballEvery child should have a ball Warm-up should include movement Warm-up should include movement

education (approximately 20 minutes)education (approximately 20 minutes) Games activities: 20 minutesGames activities: 20 minutes 3v3 game to small goals (no GK’s) 20 3v3 game to small goals (no GK’s) 20

minutesminutes

Typical U8 Training SessionTypical U8 Training Session

No lines, no laps, no lecturesNo lines, no laps, no lectures Should not exceed 60 minutesShould not exceed 60 minutes Every child should have a ballEvery child should have a ball Warm-up should include movement Warm-up should include movement

education (approximately 20 minutes)education (approximately 20 minutes) Games activities: 20 minutesGames activities: 20 minutes 4v4 game to small goals (no GK’s) 20 4v4 game to small goals (no GK’s) 20

minutesminutes

AA = Age Appropriate = Age AppropriateFF = Fun = FunAA = Active (movement of players) = Active (movement of players)BB = Ball touches, plenty of = Ball touches, plenty ofGAMEGAME = Let the game be the teacher. = Let the game be the teacher.

Too much instruction can interfere with the Too much instruction can interfere with the learning process & can de-motivate the playerlearning process & can de-motivate the player

No Lines, No Laps, No Lectures & No Lines, No Laps, No Lectures & A FAB A FAB GAMEGAME

Youth CurriculumYouth Curriculum

AGEAGE THEMETHEMEU6U6 Me and my ball – So lean toward Me and my ball – So lean toward

dribbling and shooting gamesdribbling and shooting gamesU8U8 Sharing the ball – So increase Sharing the ball – So increase

passing and receiving gamespassing and receiving games

The Coach and Game DayPregamePregame Arrive earlyStarting line-up readyWarm-up routineAll players at least 50%, different positions and

keeper (if age group has a keeper)Team cheer, pep talk = “go and have fun”Half TimeNo lengthy speechesPositive feedback2nd half adjustments, starting line-up

The Coach and Game DayThe Coach and Game Day

Full TimeFull TimeShake hands with opponents and coachesCompliment the playersNo long winded post game speechesPost game snack“See you at practice”

Basic Soccer RulesBasic Soccer Rules

If the ball goes out over the goal line kicked by the attacking team it is a 'goal kick'If the ball goes out over the goal line kicked by the defending team it is a 'corner kick'Foul (kicking, pushing, handball) is penalized by an 'indirect free kick' in Under 6 and Under 8 gamesNot all physical contact is a foul (most parents don't understand this)

Sample GamesSample Games

The following are age appropriate games

Bunnies warm-upBunnies warm-up

Dribbling Bunnies warm-upDribbling Bunnies warm-up

Battleships (for short passing)Battleships (for short passing)

Dinosaur CatchDinosaur Catch

Dinosaur catch (continued)Dinosaur catch (continued)

Zombie TagZombie Tag

GhostbustersGhostbusters

Freeze TagFreeze Tag

Team GhostbustersTeam Ghostbusters

Red light, green lightRed light, green light

Outta HereOutta Here

Pool SoccerPool Soccer

Funny BonesFunny Bones

Organization:Each player moves around the grid with a ball at their feet.The coach gives instructions regarding how he wants the players to dribble, “slow”, “fast”, “twisty”, “straight” etc.The coach then calls out a specific part of the body such as “Elbow” or “Knee” and the players must come to acomplete stop and put that part of their body on the ball.Young players can be encouraged to dribble like certain animals and can make the relevant noises as they move aroundthe grid.Coach Notes:These types of games are a great help in developing balance and coordination in addition to dribbling skills.

Treasure HuntTreasure Hunt

Organization:The players places all of his cones at one end of a 20yd x 25yd grid. The players (pirates) each have a ball and stand atthe other end of the grid making suitable pirate noises.When the coach shouts go. The players dribble down and pick up one piece of treasure and bring it back to their ship.They give the treasure to the captain (coach) and then go back for more.

DYSL Website

Coach Education Tab Under 6 and Under 8 Fun Games Sample Video Clips of Fun Games

Field Session

We will do a few sample games If you have your own games and they work,

then use them Always finish practice with a 3 v 3 or 4 v 4

scrimmage