U8 Teams

Information to get you started

Information from to get you started with your first practice!

CLICK HERE

3v3 and 4v4 positions (4v4 is for 8u)  Click Here 

Lesson Plans Week #1   

US Soccer and the coaching courses are now asking coaches to follow a Play, Activity, Play format to your training sessions. 

When players arrive you get them into a small sided game. It can be a 1v1, 2v2, 3v3 or 4v4 game. During this time you can add coaching point or ask questions to the players about your topic. After 10-15 minutes of playing you will go into your activity that is designed around your topic. You can have two activities or a progression to your activity that makes it more difficult for the players. This activity should last 15-20 minutes. You will then finish with the players playing again. 

For younger players I would go back to small sided and for older players you could move into 6v6 or more. During this time you again want to give feedback and ask questions to your players bringing out your topic. 

This plan to your session will add more touches and competition to your session. It will be more relative to the game and the players will enjoy it

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The focus during training will be dribbling, passing, receiving and finishing. At this age we have the kids work in groups of two. Kids this age have a hard time working with more than one other player. Working in groups of two or less allows the players to get more touches.

Click HERE for rules for 8U or they can be found on the left side bar of this website.  During games we ask that each coach takes half the game to be on the field and act as the referee. A small box is put around the goals to stop players from standing in the goals and acting as goalkeepers. If a defender touches the ball while it is in the box it is a goal for the attacking team. If an attacker touches the ball in the box the defending team is awarded a goal kick. If the balls goes out for a corner kick the attacking team takes a throw in from the corner of the field.

A player’s ability to perform the fundamentals of the game is the most important part of a player’s development. Building a strong technical foundation will give a player the best chance to play the game at the highest level. Coaches will be expected to teach players the correct way to pass, receive, dribble and shoot the ball. Motivation, self-confidence, respect and discipline will also be areas of focus. Coaches will create a positive atmosphere where our players can grow confidence in the game of soccer. 

8U Considerations: . 

• ME & my buddy pair training. 
• Like to Play because it is FUN! . 
• Still single tasks at a time Limited team identity . 
• Still Flat out pace Want everybody to like them! . 
• Catch them being Good! 
• Great need for approval from adults 

This season I am excited to offer a few instructional videos to help you out with the lesson plans: 

http://vimeo.com/72514111

TRAINING SESSION

1.     All training sessions will be 60 minutes

2.    Start your practice with the CSA warmup for 10 minutes (details below)

3.    Water break

4.    10 minute activity

5.     Water break

6.    10 minute activity

7.     Water break

8.    Small sided game (1v1, 1v2, 2v2)

Coaching Points:

You want to keep your coaching points simple and short. You only want to make a few coaching points during your session. Heavy with coaching points in the beginning and then less as you move forward. Use water breaks to talk about what you are working on. You do not have to cover every coaching point listed in one session. You can focus on some important ones and then build onto that in your next session. When making a coaching point, ask the players to “freeze”. Step into the player area with the child you are correcting. Make sure all the players can hear you so the entire team can benefit from your coaching point. Use the “sandwich” idea when correcting a child, use a positive comment first, correction second and then another positive comment to end. Allow the child the chance to work on what you are asking them to fix and then allow play to continue. The coaching moment should be less than 30 seconds, so get in and get out. The game is the best teacher. Stay away from lines during your session. Your team will develop faster when you have each player on a ball or at most 2 players to one ball.

CSA Warmup: Dribble in a 20x20 box

Have them free dribble for the first minute. After the minute ask them to work on keeping the ball close, head up, and arms out for protection and balance. Dribble for another minute working on that. Ask them to work on changing direction and speeds as that will help you get away from pressure. Another minute of free dribble. You can add other things if you want. You can use this same box to progress the warmup to more games. You can have the players knock other balls out while trying to keep their own. You can have half the players start with balls and half without. The ones without a ball try and get one and when you say time, the players without balls do punishment. Warmup should last about 15 minutes.

First Activity: One v One
You can do this by having a line they need to dribble over, a goal to score in, a cone to hit or ball. You play one v one in a small space. You can have everyone working in their own station so they all players are working or you can 4 players in each group so they can rest.

Second Activity: One v One
Set up a box about 30x20. Have two small goals on each side the players need to score on. Two teams, one on each side. You have one player from each team in the grid playing one v one. One player from each team on the outside who passes the ball to their teammate if the ball goes out on the other teams player. If a player scores they stay on and the team that lost brings the next player on with a ball who tries to score. This is a fast game and players really enjoy it. You should have about three players per team so you may need more than one box.

Coaching Points for Dribbling

·                     In tight space keep the ball close

·                     In open space players can take bigger touches to open up stride & speed

·                     Head up to see defender, space, pass or shot

·                     Arms out for protection and balance 

·                     Change direction and speeds

·                     Use all parts of your feet

I look forward to meeting all of you and getting a chance to work with you and the kids. I appreciate the time and effort you all put in to the CSA recreational program. If you ever have any questions or concerns please reach out to me anytime.

-Jim

Recreation Director 

Lesson Plans Week #2  

I want you to start to focus on 1v1 attacking. (You can use the activities that were used last week.) Focus on changing speed and direction while dribbling and controlling the ball. 

Play 1v1 games that have direction. Players can dribble over a line to score or dribble through cones to score. Players should be taught to dribble at the defender, change direction just outside the defenders tackle (reach-stab), and explode to beat the pressure. 

Putting player in a grid 10 yards wide by 20 yards long is a good set up. Having to goals made of cones on each side of the field will encourage players to change direction. As the defender takes one goal away players should be asked to attack the other goal. When you take the two goals out you now have a rectangle where players just dribble over the line to score. 

Lesson Plans Week #3  

We have worked on dribbling for two weeks and are ready to move on to our next topic. I want to put in a week of practice where we allow the kids to play the game. In the coaching courses I have taken they always tell you that the game is the best teacher.  I'm including several other fun games that incorporate dribbling drills - please make sure you leave time to "practice" the game.  


1. Hospital Tag. Players dribble and attempt to tag the other players. When a player is tagged he holds that spot. When he gets tug twice he holds both locations & dribbles his ball to the doctor (coach). The Doc gives the player a task to complete & then the player continues to play. 

2. Hungry Hippo. Four corners/gates. Pairs or small groups in each corner. All balls are placed in the middle of the grid. Which corner has the most balls after a set time; 2 minutes. a. Players collect balls and bring them to the corner anyway possible. Once all the balls are out of the middle, each group can go steal the other groups’ balls. NO defending in corners. b. Now use feet to collect the balls. 

3. Team Knock Out. Team one players each have a ball. Team two is on the outside of the grid. On the coaches command Team two enters the grid and tries to knock team one balls away. Once a team one player loses a ball he may help a teammate keep possession of the remaining balls. Time team to see which team can maintain possession longest. 

4. Four Goal Game. Place small goals in the four corners of a field. The pairs of players then try to score on each of the goals. Coach controls the balls. a. Add defenders or gate keepers (parents) in a goal. b. Make play directional, Team one scores on goals to right and team two scores on goals to left. 

5. The Game 4 v 4 scrimmage. Coach controls the balls. 

Lesson Plans Week #4 

We have worked on dribbling for two weeks and are ready to move on to our next topic, passing and receiving.  

Coaching Points for Passing:

1.         Planting foot a comfortable distance from the ball (balance)

2.         Planting foot should point to target

3.         Toe up and ankle locked on the passing foot

4.         Strike the ball with the middle of the inside of foot

5.         Strike the middle of the ball Follow through and point passing foot to the target

Coaching Points for Receiving:

1.         Move to the ball

2.         Get balanced (don’t reach for the ball)

3.         Cushion the ball with a soft touch

I'm including links to NC Soccer Passing and Receiving Drills.  We will use these for the next two weeks. (They will be included for each week)  Feel free to spend this week on Passing, then next week on Receiving - depending on how you feel your team is progressing.

NC Soccer Passing Drills

NC Soccer Receiving Drills

If you have a good team and you are wining please move players around to help the other team have success. Teams can also add or drop players from the field to help with success. Don't wait until you are up or down by 6 goals to make changes.  This is NOT about WINNING!!!!!   This is about the kids learning the game!!!

Lesson Plans Week #5 

We will continue to work on passing and receiving for training this week. 

Inside of the Foot-information for Coaches

The inside of the foot receive is one of the simplest and most effective ways to control a ground ball.  This is because the curvature of the inside of the foot matches the outer curve of the ball. The player faces into the path of the ball and balance is established on the non-receiving foot.  The receiving leg is lifted slightly and turned at the hip 90-degrees to the path of the ball, creating a look to the leg and foot similar to that of the shaft and head of a golf club. The foot needs to be off of the ground such that the ball will be contacted dead center and the front of the foot is drawn up toward the shin.   For balls arriving from the side which are being intersected on the run, the hips will not be squared to the ball as much as for a ball arriving from straight ahead.  In these cases, the receiving leg is placed more in front of the body.  If the ball is coming from the player’s left, the inside of the right foot should be used, and vice versa.  

For beginners, it should be demonstrated that the foot must not be lifted so high that the ball can pass under it.  The use of the inside of the foot is also very effective for trapping certain balls arriving in the air, generally below the level of the knee.

Lesson Plans Week #6  

We have worked on passing and receiving for two weeks and will be moving on our next topic next week. I want to put in another week of practice where we allow the kids to play the game.  You can incorporate what they have learned about dribbling, passing and receiving.  And feel free to reference back to any drills that were successful for your team. 

Remember to leave time to "practice the game". 

The Game – “Boss of the Balls” Coach controls balls at midfield. Kids point to goal they will attach. Play ball after players are off field. 

a. 2 vs. 2 
b. 4 vs. 4 

Lesson Plans Week #7  

This week we will move onto Shooting the ball.  

Coaching Points for Shooting:

1.         Approach the ball at a slight (30%) angle

2.         Planting foot a comfortable distance from the ball 

3.         Planting foot should point to target

4.         Toe Down-Ankle Locked 

5.         Strike the ball with the instep or laces of the foot 

6.         Strike the middle of the ball

7.         Follow through and land on shooting foot

Drills for Shooting:  Drills for Shooting:  

Feel free to check out this drill and information by Ihor Chyzowych (from the Chyzowych Soccer School Region, Staff Coach NJYSA, License Instructor USSF, Youth Instructor License, Northern Kentucky Soccer Academy, Head Coach USSF A License, NSCAA Advanced National Diploma),

                                                                  FINISH IT! 

One player, one ball; everyone scores each time; positive reinforcement for everyone scoring a goal. Cones set up as goals. Set up as many goals and split team as needed to avoid lines.

1. No goalkeeper; toward the middle of the goal:

• Dribble through the goal (can also employ “dribble snake”)
• Dribble to goal, use short inside of the foot pass to score (can alternate feet)
• Dribble to goal, use short instep drive to score (can alternate feet)

      2. Players to get as close to the inside of a goalpost (the cone) without missing;              alternate cones and feet:

• Dribble through the goal (can also employ “dribble snake”)
• Dribble to goal, use short inside of the foot pass to score (can alternate feet)
• Dribble to goal, use short instep drive to score (can alternate feet)

     3. Add discs to represent the presence of a goalkeeper or defender; players to dribble or shoot between the discs and a cone; alternate sides and feet with each turn:

• Dribble through the goal (can also employ “dribble snake”)
• Dribble to goal, use short inside of the foot pass to score (can alternate feet)
• Dribble to goal, use short instep drive to score (can alternate feet)

 When using the coaching points in your session do not try and cover them all in one session. You are working with young players so you want to use two or three coaching points per session so the remember them and keep your wording simple and to the point. Do not stop a session for more than 20-30 seconds to make a correction and use the “sandwich” technique. (A positive, the correction then another positive)

Lesson Plans Week #8  

Coach Notes from Jim Finnerty

If possible, the player should look up to see the position of the goalkeeper, choosing a side to shoot the ball.

§  Approach the ball.

§  Plant the support foot beside or slightly ahead of the ball, which helps to keep the shot low.

§  Keep the head steady and eyes on the ball.

§  Make proper contact with the ball.§  Ankle of kicking foot is locked and the toe is pointed down if shooting with instep.

§  Hips and knee of kicking foot are pointed in the direction of the shot.

§  Follow through to keep the ball low (weight going forward, landing on the kicking foot)

The skill of shooting sometimes is called an art because the scoring of goals is such a prized commodity. The mechanics of how to shoot are important, but perhaps more important is knowing when to shoot, especially because so many players prefer to pass the ball rather than take on the responsibility of shooting. Since scoring more goals than the opposition is the object of the game, players who are goal scorers are highly valued.