U9 Ambush Academy Curriculum

Coach: Jeff Addison 

 

The Academy approach to soccer is a means of teaching the players the introductory skills need to play in the future.  We will focus on technique in all categories of play.  As the players progress they will be put in different groups to allow them to advance and continue to be challenged by their peers.  Each player will receive a great amount of touches on the ball.  The training environment will emphasize technique over tactics and will be positive and fun.  We will cover a certain topic each week and will rotate every week to make sure that they are developing a variety of necessary skills to play soccer.  For example, the format will go as follows;

Week 1 – Dribbling, Week 2 – Passing, Week 3 – Shooting, etc.  Each training session will follow the following format; Warm-up, Small-Sided Activity, Expanded Small-Sided Activity, and then we will finish with 4v4, 5v5, or 6v6 Small-Sided games.  Each activity will be designed to flow with the topic of the day.  At the end you will find a blank lesson plan and an example of a lesson plan.  At the beginning of each month you will receive the lesson plans for the entire month so that you and the players will know what to expect.  It is important that all players bring the proper equipment for their own safety.  Below is a guideline for training sessions in the Ambush Academy. 

 

Technical Emphasis:

 

1.    Dribbling

o       Proper technique of dribbling

o       Finding space (while keeping your head up)

o       Beating an opponent (taking players on/being creative)

o       Dribbling to keep possession (shielding)

o       Changing pace while dribbling

 

2.    Passing

o       Proper technique of passing

o       Short passing

o       Medium range passing

o       Disguising your passes

o       Introduction to striking longer balls

 

 

 

3.    Receiving

o       Mechanics of receiving balls on ground

o       Importance of first touch (sets up second touch)

o       When you receive the ball learning how to “Take it somewhere new”

 

4.    Shooting/Finishing

o       Mechanics of shooting

o       Mentality to finish

o       Finishing off the dribble

 

5.    Juggling

o       Individual

o       With a partner

 

6.    Goalkeeping

o       Footwork (Getting behind the ball)

o       Collecting balls off ground

o       Catching techniques

o       Stance

 

Tactical Emphasis

 

1.       Penetration via dribble or pass

2.     Role of support

3.     Introduction of simple 2 player combinations

4.     Mentality of winning the ball back (getting pressure)

5.     Understanding of transition from attack to defense

6.     Understanding of transition from defense to attack

7.     Understanding of how 2 playing lines interact

 

 

 

 

Psychological Emphasis

 

1.       Positive attitude

2.     Learning to enjoy the game of soccer

3.     Encouraging players to “take risks” (encourage dribbling and creative play over passing)

4.     Encouraging the players to have Fun! (Soccer is a game!)

 

Fitness

 

1.       Should not be done as a means of getting them “FIT”. No sprint tests, long distance runs, etc.

2.     Should be done as a means of getting better with the ball and should include the ball. Should be FUN! 

3.     Running mechanics

4.     Range of Motion activities

 

 

                                                                      Soccer Lesson Plans                                  

TOPIC = Dribbling to beat an opponent            Team = Ambush Academy                  COACH = Tyler Stallons                    DATE =

WARM UP	ORGANIZATION	KEY COACHING POINTS
	§          Everyone with a ball in 12-x-15 yard area – moving and dribbling §          On coaches command, players must do a move §          After doing a move players continue to dribble Progressions: =After doing a move, players must accelerate as fast as they can.  Specify what moves they should do at first, then give them a chance to do whatever move they want or have them make up a move	§          Head up to read game §          Body feint to throw defender off §          Change of direction §          Change of speed
MATCH RELATED ACTIVITY	§          Five 2-3 yard goals spaced evenly on a circle §          Simultaneous games of 1v1 occur for 60 seconds §          Game begins with one player in possession of ball in circle §          Attacker attempts to score by dribbling ball and stopping it between a cone goal §          Switch roles after loss of possession Progressions: =After a goal is scored the same person turns around and tries to score again.	§          Head up to read game §          Body feint to throw defender off §          Change of direction §          Change of speed §          Decisive decisions – pick a move and do it §          Correct timing of move
MATCH RELATED ACTIVITY	§          Two teams send out one player each to a 15-x-10 yard area with 2 yard deep end zones at each end §          Ball is served by coach, players try to get ball, beat opponent on dribble, and stop ball in end zone §          Switch roles after loss of possession §          New ball is served should ball leave area §          New pair after goal or 1 minute §          First team to score x goals wins Progressions: =Play 2v2 and 3v3.	§          Head up to read game §          Body feint to throw defender off §          Change of direction §          Change of speed §          Decisive decisions – pick a move and do it §          Correct timing of move
MATCH CONDITION GAME 5v5	§          Play 5v5 §          No restrictions on players §          Give points for goals and for an attacker beating a defender on the dribble in the attacking third of the field	§          Observe to see is session has helped with dribbling to beat an opponent