Coaching resources

U.S. Soccer’s Coaching Education Department has released a new publication designed to give youth and junior level soccer coaches in the United States a set of fundamental tools to help open up the game of soccer to young players in ways that celebrate the sport’s spontaneous qualities. The 70-page “Best Practices for Coaching Soccer in the United States” coaching book serves as the sport’s definitive new player development guidelines and is available now as a free download.

Best Practices (.pdf)

Under-6
U6 Coordination & Balance
U6 Dribbling
U6 Coordination Movement
U6 Balance and Coordination

Under-8
U8 Receiving
U8 Dribbling
U8 Passing
U8 Pairs Activities

Under-10
U10 Foot Coordination & Speed
U10 Tackling
U10 Receiving Lofted Balls
U10 Heading

Under-12
U12 Defending
U12 Defending - Pressure and Coverage
U12 Penetration
U12 Spatial Awareness

Under-14
U14 Posession Passing
U14 Flank Play
U14 Vision
U14 First Defender

Under-16
U16 Vision
U15 Combine with Strikers
U16 Flank Attack
U15 Expanssion and Contraction

Under-19
U17 Combining
U17 Middle Third
U18 Heading for Attack
U19 Incorporating the Goalkeeping into the Attack

TactFOOT Exercises - Courtesy of the NSCAA (www.nscaa.com)

Shooting	This shooting drill focuses on controlled heading, a sharp turn from the striker, the timing and weight of pass from feeder and controlled shooting from striker. TO VIEW THE DRILL, CLICK HERE.
Passing	This passing drill incorporates a wall pass. It can be used as part of a warm-up. The focus should be on the weight of pass, the quality of the lay-off, the timing of the runs and the change of pace to join back of next group. TO VIEW THE DRILL, CLICK HERE.
Sharp Turn and Pass	A drill that emphasizes close control when dribbling, change of direction, the weight and accuracy of the pass and change of pace to join the back of the next line in rotation. TO VIEW THE DRILL, CLICK HERE.
Through Legs Shooting	This shooting drill encourages good weight on the pass from the feeder and sharp reactions from the striker to get a controlled and accurate shot on goal. TO VIEW THE DRILL, CLICK HERE.
Warm-up with Ball	Players make a short pass before jogging around the marked area. This drill can be used as a warm-up, with the players instructed to carry out different movements when moving around the area, such as sidestepping, backwards running or jumping. TO VIEW THE DRILL, CLICK HERE.