FIRST/SECOND DEVELOPMENTAL FOUNDATIONS

• Ball control - Dribbling with insides and outsides of both feet

• Dribbling out of trouble/Dribbling past opponent

• Shielding the ball 

• First touch

• Shooting

• Passing 

• Throw-ins

• Confidence in moving toward the ball

• Turning with the ball

• Field positioning

• Defending

PRACTICE TIPS

• Pick one area of focus for the week & discuss with team coaches. 

• Break the team into small groups.

• Keep instructions clear and simple.

• Allow for plenty of water breaks. 

• Begin working in and explaining soccer terminology i.e. positions and their roles. 

• Focus on individual development. Some kids will need assistance in understanding how to move their feet and body positioning. 

•  Use positive reinforcement. 

•  Make practice fun!

1ST/2ND GAME PLAY & RULES 

• 6V6: 5 outfielders and 1 goalie.

• DURATION: 45-50 minutes. Two 20-25 minute halves with a 5 minute halftime.

• GOALKEEPER: When the goalie is in possession the opposing team should drop back to midfield and not enter the field of play until the ball is released. No punting or dropkicks. 

• THROW INS: When the ball is kicked out from the sidelines. Players can take as many tries necessary in order to perform the move correctly (usually throw-ins are by defenders).

• GOAL KICKS: When the opposing team kicks the ball out of bounds on the end line, the goalie will be able to kick the ball from the goal line. Opposing team must remain at midfield until the ball is kicked into play.

• CORNER KICKS: When a team kicks the ball out on their own end line, the opposing team will be able to kick the ball from the corner closest to where the ball went out. 

• HANDBALL: Any act of using the hands that could result in unfair advantage. Results in a free kick for the opposite team from where the handball took place. If the foul was inside the penalty box, the kick will be moved to outside the box. 

• FREE KICK: An unopposed kick taken by a player to restart play after an opposing player has committed a foul. A player must take a free-kick from the exact location where the offense occurred (unless inside the penalty box), and the play does not restart until the ball clearly moves.

• No penalty kicks/No offsides/No heading (Heading results in free kick to the opposing team.

• Any team leading by 5 or more goals should either drop the number of players on the field or refocus players to work on skills such as passing/defending etc.

• COACHES: Coaches can assist/coach players on the field during kick-off, throw-ins, goal kicks, and corner kicks. 

• REFEREE: One ref to a game. Coaches and parents/spectators should remain on their designated sideline areas. Spectators should not be on the same sideline as coaches and players.