Training Materials for RYS Coaches

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Thank You For Volunteering to Coach

Good coaches are the building blocks of great players. This is a core belief of the RYS Board of Directors. RYS wants to invest in the development of our coaches and volunteers. Per policy, we reimburse coaches 100% of their training costs (see policy in our by-laws).

This page has been designed to provide our volunteer coaches with the resources necessary to learn about coaching, obtain coaching licenses and certificates and to run successful team practices.

Coach Training & Licenses

US Soccer's Grassroots Coaching Pathway

RYS is promoting US Soccer's Grassroots Coaching Pathway. Coaches will begin their journey along the Coaching Development Pathway with the Introduction to Grassroots Coaching Module before progressing to any of the eight Grassroots Courses, which consist of Online and In-Person Courses that focus on the four grassroots game models: 4v4, 7v7, 9v9, and 11v11. The game models are defined in U.S. Soccer’s Player Development Initiatives. We urge you to start with the free Intro class.

To learn more about the grassroots program, and to access the online courses or look for in-person courses, visit U.S. Soccer’s Digital Coaching Center (DCC). This is the first step in the License pathway and the Play, Practice, Play method that Mass Youth Soccer is encouraging for the clubs in the state.

Here are some additional resources for practice ideas:

https://www.mayouthsoccer.org/coaches/session-plans/

https://www.usyouthsoccer.org/lesson-plans/

https://www.mojo.sport/coachs-corner?search=

https://www.kysoccer.net/coaches/lesson-plans/

2018 Soccer Champions Coaches Clinic Session Videos

Click Video below to start playing first video, then click on YouTube on bottom of video to be brought to the YouTube Playlist

In order to make practices run smoothly and be fun, it is important for us to have a basic understanding of the intellectual, emotional and physical developmental stage of the players we are coaching. Below is some information coaches should know relative to each age group, and session training plans that they can utilize.

U12 Training Material (9v9)

Here are some typical characteristics of the Under 12 player:

All children are maturing at different rates and are sensitive to that fact.
Need to warm-up and stretch as muscle pulls and other nagging injuries tend to become more common.
Typically understand elemental abstract concepts and hypothetical situations.
They like to solve problems.
Peer evaluation is a constant.
Egos are sensitive.
Coordination may depend on whether or not they are in a growth spurt.
Technique still needs to be reinforced constantly.
Playing too much can lead to overuse injuries.
Playing too much and not feeling like they have a choice in the matter can lead to burnout and drop-out.
This is the dawn of tactics!
Keep asking the players to be creative and to take risks.
Ask for feedback from them. They will tell you how things are going.
Try to hand over leadership and ownership of the team to them. They will enjoy leading and it will add to the learning environment.

Downloadable Session Plans:

Week 1 - Building in the Defensive Half	Week 6 - Defending in the Defensive Third
Week 2 - Building from the Midfield	Week 7 - Defending in the Middle Third
Week 3 - Building in the Attacking Half	Week 8 - Defending in the Attacking Third
Week 4 - Create Scoring Opportunities Through Wide Play	Week 9 - Defending Wide Play
Week 5 - Attacking Through the Midfield	Week 10 - Defending when in Transition
Full U12 Training Packet

U10 Training Material (7v7)

Here are some typical characteristics of the Under 10 player:

Attention span lengthens and they start to show the ability to sequence thoughts and actions.
Players start to think ahead and think “If this, then that”
Players are more inclined towards wanting to play soccer rather than being told to play
Demonstrate increased self-responsibility
Players start to recognize fundamental tactical concepts
Begin to become aware of peer pressure.Players affiliate with their team or their coach
There is a wide continuum of maturity evident on most teams.
U10 is still a crucial age for technical skill development.

Downloadable Session Plans:

Week 1 - Running with the Ball	Week 6 - Individual Attacking
Week 2 - Dribbling to Penetrate	Week 7 - Individual Defending
Week 3 - Dribbling to Set Up a Pass	Week 8 - Group Defending
Week 4 - Passing & Receiving 1	Week 9 - Shooting
Week 5 - Passing & Receiving 2	Week 10 - Crossing & Finishing
Full U10 Packet

U14 and Up Training Materials (11v11)

Downloadable Session Plans:

Attacking From the Back	Outside Backs Defending
Center Backs Defending	Pass, Move & Support in the Attack
Central Defender Attacking	Switch Point of Attack
Creating Scoring from Wide Positions	Transition From Attack to Defense
Holding Midfielder Front Screen	Wide Play & Wing Services with Finishing in the Box
Outside Backs Attacking

Goalkeeping

Week 1 - Goalkeeping Footwork , Quickness and Ball Handling	Week 5 - Goalkeeping Footwork , Quickness and Ball Handling
Week 2 - Quick & Soft-Hands	Week 6 - Goalkeeping High Ball Catching, Boxing and Tipping
Week 3 - Goalkeeping Footwork and Handling	Week 7 - Goalkeeping Distribution
Week 4 - Goalkeeping Footwork, Ball Handling and Angle Play	Week 8 - Goalkeeping Distribution - Passing

U8 Training Material

Here are some typical characteristics of the Under 8 player:

Enjoy playing in pairs
Are now able to take another’s perspective.
Still unable to think abstractly – be patient.
Cooling system still less efficient than adults – still make sure to give frequent water breaks.
Still prefer playing to watching – keep everyone active during practice.
Limited attention span
Have an understanding of time and sequence – “if I do this, then that happens”.
Some now have a third or fourth speed in addition to stopped and as fast as possible.
Very aware of adult reactions – be very aware of your reactions.
Seek out adult approval and need reassurance – be supportive.
Begin to become aware of peer perception – a social order is beginning to develop.
Wide range of abilities between children at this age
Beginning to develop motor memories
Some become more competitive
Less active imaginations than U6 players

2019 Challenger RYS Session Plans

Week 1 - Dribbling
Week 2 - Ball Striking & Accuracy
Week 2 - Passing & Receiving

2018 Challenger RYS Session Plans

Week 1 - Dribbling and Running with the Ball	Week 4 - Dribbling and Running with the Ball
Week 2 - Passing and Receiving	Week 5 - Passing and Receiving
Week 3 - Ball Striking and Accuracy	Week 5 - Shielding and Turning
Week 3 - Finishing and Scoring	Week 6 - Finishing and Scoring
Week 4 - 1v1 Defending	Week 7 - 1v1 Attacking

Although the RYS U8 program is run by Challenger Sports, here are some training plans that can be used if you put together practices for an indoor team off season:

Week 1 - Dribbling	Week 6 - Shooting & Striking the Ball
Week 2 - Passing	Week 7 - Dribbling to Beat an Opponent
Week 3 - Shooting	Week 8 - Passing & Receiving
Week 4 - Dribbling	Week 9 - Shooting Off the Dribble
Week 5 - Passing & Receiving	Week 10 - 4v4 Festival
Full U8 Training Packet