U-12 "Technical Director" Advice?

[Liggie]

My brother has asked for my help. By default -- the regular coach decided not to do it this year -- he is head coach for his son's U-12 (5th grade) soccer teams at their Catholic grade school. He's good at coaching kids of this age, especially in baseball, but he readily admits he doesn't know much about soccer other than the basics. So he wants me involved.

Unfortunately, I can't be an assistant coach (other parents got those spots, due to volunteer quotas or to get a tuition break) or a referee (though parents and players liked my work last year as a ref, U-12 is where the Catholic league provides its own refs). So instead, I'll serve as a makeshift "technical director". My brother wants my input on more intermediate skill-development drills, more specifics on the rules, and most importantly strategy, the latter of which he knows nothing about.

This is where I'll need your input. I'd like to see what you would recommend imparting knowledge about these areas. Here's what my initial thoughts are; let me know if you approve of this track and / or want to suggest other thoughts.

Drills -- Offensively, I'd concentrate on dribbling, passing accuracy and one-touch shots, as developing those skills at this age will be a huge advantage in later levels. Defensively, I'd emphasize tackling techniques (especially what's legal and what's not) and proper positioning. Keeprs, I'd work on angle play and catching techniques.

Rules -- If I can get my brother to understand the offside rule, which not many people do (resisting shot at MLS officiating!), and maybe also the difference between an indirect and a direct kick, I'll be happy.

Strategy -- I'm only going to recommend basic strategies, as I think at this level it should be more about developing skills and basic smarts than winning a chess match with the other coach. My instinct is that a 3-4-3 would be an ideal formation to help develop skills and smarts. Three defenders would teach positional play, as you have to cover more ground, and it forces the keepers to make more decisions (and learn more) than a four-man back line would. I want more in the midfield than the other lines, as that develops more two-way play and, therefore, more versatility. I especially want three forwards, as finishing is a skill American players tend to be behind on, and three forwards gets more players a chance to work on this than two forwards would.

Regarding game action? Keepers, I'd ask them to stay on their lines unless it's a breakaway, and to play the angles. Defenders, I'd want them to focus on winning the ball cleanly and maintaining proper positioning, and when they win the ball, get it out of harm's way with dribbing or short passes. (Unless it's a panic situation, I don't want them hacking it out or sending long balls; that doesn't develop skills.) Midfielders, I think it's about marking and positional play on defense, and getting into pass-receiving positions and winning one-on-one battles on offense. Forwards, I'd direct them to dribble and run right at defenders when there's room, move into open positions off the ball, and shoot whenever they get even a half-clear look at goal. And for the whole team, when the opposition goes on attack, I want everyone behind the ball, to instill defensive responsibility (and to keep the egos of prima-donna forwards in check!).

Would this be a good plan for U-12 teams?

-- Mike

[pexbo]

Liggie,

What you have here is great. Check out my blog. Scroll down to the 4 P's of football and see if it helps.


http://www.placentiafootballclub.blogspot.com/

[siralfred]

Thanks for the link, pexbo. I'm running a practice with my U12 boys tonight so I'll have to remember to tell them that there's NO KICKING IN FOOTBALL.

Liggie, I've been thinking about replying since you first posted, but can't think of much to add or criticize. Looks like you've got it covered. In the bigger picture, though, 11 v 11 is too much at this age, IMHO, but I realize that's not your decision. Good luck!

[pexbo]

How many times have you heard parents on the sidelines screaming “Kick it, kick it hard”!!? As a trainer I’m thinking: kick it where? Are we not teaching the kids just to kick it? Is this not just kick ball?

So I tell the parents during our team meeting that there is “No Kicking in Football”. Well, they look at me and say what are you talking about, or course there’s kicking in soccer.

I ask, “give me an example of kicking”.

“Well, you kick it into the goal, right”?

I respond “Yes, but that’s called a shot on goal”.

Parent responds “Well, that’s kicking”

I say “Yes, but with the intent (see P #4 Purpose) to score which is a technical skill called finishing”.

Parent responds “Oh, I see. So what should I say”?

I respond “If you need to scream, I would prefer you scream, SHOOT or FINISH. Which has in implied intent rather then KICK IT which has no tactical value what-so-ever”.

That’s my theory behind “There is No Kicking in Football”.

[Liggie]

Thanks for the feedback. The volunteer parent co-coaching with my brother is pretty good with the kids and knowledgeable -- he's even using a sweeper system, and the players figured it out right off the bat. Besides the sweeper system, the coaches are having the midfield and forwards switch positions every X minutes, to help the players rest (forwards do less running than mids) and trying to get them to spread out off the ball.

I stayed out of the way mostly. I explained the offside rule from the sideline and at halftime, and told them to say on the ground instead of jumping when a ball's being shot. Telling them that unless you're Wile E. Coyote, you can't adjust your position in midair seemed to work.

My brother is even inventive in teaching skills; after the first game, he gave everyone a soccer ball Hacky Sack ™ and told them to practice with it at home, with the goal of juggling it five times before it hits the floor. Wonder how imany other coaches try this?

I may have a bigger role for the next game. If the referee doesn't show up, I'll take over. I enjoyed it last time, and it would be fun to do it again. Major question: The field is one of those FieldTurf surfaces. Putting aside your personal feelings about the stuff, are there special types of cleats for those, or can an all-purpose soccer shoe suffice?

-- Mike