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Mad River Youth Soccer League
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MRYSL Program |
Mad River
Youth Soccer League
Coaches' Zone
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U-10
Program
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on the pyramid for quick access to age specific
content.
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Soccer Practice #19
7-10 year olds
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Review of Prior Lessons: 1st defender (footwork)
- Preliminary Activity: A plyometric-style warm up emphasizing short (30 yards at
50 % intensity) but technical periods of BACKWARD FOOTWORK: basic stance.
…running backpedal… sliding back-pedal… carioca step/grapevine etc.
- Stretch:
Use this time also to review verbally/briefly demo the 4 critical elements of DF
(stance-footwork-balance-patience).
- Technical Work: 1 vs. 1 shadow work.
Look
at “keeping a respectful distance” if you are up against a very FAST player.
Look at not “biting’ if up against a very TRICKY player.
- Games: 1 vs. 1:
Award 10 points if you get a shutout 5 points if you only conceded one goal. 2
points-2 goals.
Coaching Tip: The Coach must look to praise and REWARD good (or
IMPROVING!!) DF ONLY. There is no need to comment on dribbling/trapping/other
aspects. Players this age have rarely even considered playing DF before…so ANY
progress must be enthusiastically reinforced by Coach.
Scrimmage: 3 vs. 3
Games with Full-size goals and GKs (so 4 v4 in reality) on a short 30 x 20
field. Lots o f opportunity to defend in critical “danger” areas.
Closure:
compliments showered on those who have improved some aspect of their DF!!!
Coaching Tip; As you notice these lessons apparently getting ‘shorter” on the
page, it is well to remind yourself that presenting a “list of drills” is not
quality Coaching. Your job as an EDUCATOR is to make the drills come alive- - A
positive and enthusiastic atmosphere - Small simple easy-to-digest Coaching Tips
such as “Quick feet-shift hips!” - The ability to analyze a movement pattern -
The wisdom to leave things alone at times - The discipline to “shut up and let
them enjoy”
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fax (707)443-1946