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Where Extraordinary People Become Extraordinary Coaches

We have curated a simple to use guide for volunteer and new coaches to get started. Below you will find basic soccer concepts, Do's & Dont's, tips and tricks, and some goodies for your coaches bag.

Let's take the first step!

Basics of Play

  • Basics Chart

  • Attacking

    This is where your team has controlled possession of the ball. In simple terms attacking is basically Creating & Exploiting Space. Here are some basic principles:

    1. Team will spread to make the pitch wide and long — wide players move wide, defenders drop to create space, strikers and attacking midfielders try and run forward without going offside.

    2. Players will then decide whether to pass or dribble to attack the space that is left by the defending team. If no space then team keeps the ball with passing to give time to create space.

  • Attack to Defense Transition

    This is the time whereby the defenders are trying to win the ball in tackle but neither team has control of the ball. Attackers will start to move inwards to reduce space for opposition in case they gain control of the ball.

  • Defending

    This is where the team doesn't have the ball and the opposition do. The idea is to prevent space to attack by pressing or dropping to control where the opposition can play. How you do this depends on your players but try and play to your strengths — if you don’t have quick players don't leave space behind your defenders for example. You want to try and force the opposition to play where you want them to play.

  • Defense to Attack Transition

    This is the time whereby your team is tackling for the ball and neither team has controlled possession — your team should be ready to run forward or wide to create space.

Possession

Out of Possession

Low Block

A ‘low block’ is where the team are required to get back behind the ball to defend the goal to prevent opposition from scoring. Staying compact, blocking shots and making tackles are all vital skills to have when the ball is in this area of the pitch.

Mid Block

A ‘mid block’ is where the team remains calm and compact to prevent opposition playing between or through them. Distances between players are small and the nearest player will still apply pressure to the ball.

High Press

Every player is thinking about applying pressure to the person in possession in a ‘high press’. If their teammate is applying pressure they are supporting by marking players around the ball to prevent easy passes. High energy and lots of teamwork is required in this area.

In Possession

Playing Out from the Back

‘Playing out from the back’ is where a team will work out solutions to moving the ball safely up the pitch to be able to create an attack.

Create an Attack

‘Create an Attack’ is where the team will maintain possession of the ball whilst looking for opportunities to progress the ball into a dangerous area of the pitch safely.

Finish an Attack

‘Finish an Attack’ is where the team look to play the final pass or dribble to have shots or chances at goal.

Simple Tips

U6 – U7

  • Focus on individual ball mastery
  • Practice ball striking, receiving, dribbling
  • Scan for space while dribbling

U8 – U9

  • Begin sharing and passing the ball
  • Emphasize scanning and passing decisions

U10 – U11

  • Link techniques between players
  • Encourage moving the ball around the field
  • Teamwork develops at this stage

U12 – U13

  • Develop a range of ball striking skills
  • Build even stronger scanning abilities
  • Start working in groups to advance the ball

U14 – U16

  • Begin playing strategic soccer
  • Learn the team formations and play style
  • Win of lose — maintain the strategy
  • Continue supporting technical skill development

U17 – U18

  • Introduce tactical decisions
  • Utilize various team formations
  • Understand strengths and weaknesses of different styles

U19 – U21

  • Maximize tactical understanding
  • Enhance knowledge of team play styles

Adults

  • Emphasis on playing in a certain style and formation to win games.

Dos and Don'ts

  • Make it as fun as possible for ALL players
  • Help them become good people not just good footballers
  • Give everyone equal game time where possible
  • Be an example to your players when conducting yourself with opposition and officials
  • Set an environment which focusses on developing and solving problems
  • Find positives when team struggles to improve confidence
  • Prioritise your “best” players and just give them every minute
  • Abuse or insult officials
  • Treat players in a way that is not fair and consistent for every player
  • Play the same starting team every week — this effects everyones attitude and motivation long term
  • Prioritise winning over development
  • Make sure you don't get over excited or too low based on results. This shows the players that outcome is only thing that matters

The Coach's Bag

Wondering what to include in your coach's bag? Here are some of the minimum requirements to get started.

Footballs

Footballs

One ball for each player in the group.

Football Pump

Football Pump

Make sure balls are appropriately inflated every session.

Stack of Cones

Stack of Cones

50 pack of 3 colours will be plenty.

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Bibs

10 pack of 3 colours will be plenty.

Bibs

Medical First Aid Kit

Well-stocked in case of emergency.

Medical First Aid Kit

Coaches Folder

Register, session plan and contact information for players.

Mobile Phone

Mobile Phone

Needed in case of emergency to call relevant service or parent.

Season Plans

Here are some pre-built season plans for you to get started. These plans incorporate various session videos, topics, and styles. Mix and match your practices to include different topics!

View Season Plans