FC Bozeman Coaches' Handbook

Being a successful coach involves much more than coaching the game’s techniques and tactics. You are also an important figure in the lives of our players. We hope that you find this season rewarding. Please know that you DO make a difference!

Before the season starts, it is advisable to meet with your prospective players, and when possible, their parents, to determine the objectives of the team. Decide how the team will achieve these objectives, and clearly state each person’s involvement. Ask for needed help be specific-don’t expect parents to read minds. Let parents know that sportsmanship is a priority, and-yes-this means them, too.

Be sure that your expectations are appropriate to the age and the ability of the players, and be sure they understand what you expect. Think positive! Both you and the players should enjoy the season. If the team-including the coach practices good sportsmanship, they will feel good about themselves.

Talk with other volunteers. Referees, other coaches (both your opponents and those who are a member of your club), and the administrators who support your program are all members of the same team, with the common purpose of servicing the kids. Let’s all work together, please.

The longer you coach, the more things you will find that you need! Actually, you need very little besides your positive attitude, but here are a few ideas.

Come to practices and games prepared. Both you and the players will enjoy the time more if you are ready. Remember that you cannot greatly affect the play during the course of the game. Rely instead on practices and quality pre game preparation. As you observe your players, note where improvement is needed, and then design practices to emphasize the needed skills.

U-7 Coaching Objectives (6 Year Olds)

“Let the children play and have fun!”

• "Coaching 6, 7 & 8 Year Olds"
• Note: It is not necessary to teach heading to children at this age.
• Developed by Dave Schumacher, WSYSA Coaching Director (1997).
• Appreciation to Bobby Howe, US Soccer Coaching Director, and Tony Waiters for their contributions of these objectives.

1. Further development of U-7's objectives
2. Understanding of the basic principles of team play
3. Appreciation of space - Width, Length and Depth.  Understanding the team triangle
   • Support in attack - The Big Triangle
   • Support in defense - Smaller Triangle
4. Develop the role of the goalkeeper (Keeper-Sweeper)
   • How to use hands to defend the goal
   • Coming out to narrow the angle on shots (Makes view of goal smaller)
   • Moving out to clear long kicks with feet when necessary
   • Moving out to edge of goalkeeper zone and beyond, encourage goalkeeper to join in attack
5. Greater Cooperation by the field players
   • Collective attacking and defending
   • Rotation of all players to play in all roles
6. Further appreciation of space in team play by:
   • Attacking shape on goal-kicks and throw-ins
   • Use of width on the field
7. When in possession of the ball, stretching the opposition by the most advanced player pushing deep toward opposition goal
8. Encouragement to use both feet
9. Continued practice in the technique of the throw-in
10. Development of attacking opportunities from corner- kicks, throw-ins and free-kicks.
11. Encouragement in practices and games of the skills of dribbling, passing and ball control

The game is for all players - everyone should be encouraged to participate, particularly the “non-assertive” player(s).

• "Coaching 6, 7 & 8 Year Olds"
• Developed by Dave Schumacher, WSYSA Coaching Director (1997)
• Appreciation to Bobby Howe, US Soccer Coaching Director, and Tony Waiters for their contributions to these objectives.

“Let the games and practices be the teachers”; encourage use of space and support.

• “Coaching 6, 7 & 8 Year Olds”, “Coaching the 9, 10 and 11 year olds”

• Developed by Dave Schumacher, WSYSA Coaching Director (1997)

• Appreciation to Bobby Howe, US Soccer Coaching Director and Ton Waiters for their contributions in development of these objectives.

1. Further development of U-7, U-8 and U-9 objectives

2. Cooperative attacking - all players involved but with an awareness of cover (by the goalkeeper and at least one covering field player). Develop an understanding of the roles that players have in supporting the attack: player with ball, players providing immediate support of ball and other players who create length and unbalance the defense. All this needs to be shown in an environment with greater numbers of teammates and opponents on a larger playing field.

3. Cooperative defending-all players participating, even the most advanced players getting "goal side" of opposing players. Continue to develop show the principles of defends so all players gain the understanding of all the roles when defending. The role of the players that delay and put pressure on the ball; the players that provide support (cover) and the players that provide balance (width).

4. Triangles and diamonds are still the dominating team shapes but more complex because of the larger team numbers.

5. Continued development of the basic skills - passing, dribbling, shooting, ball control, and goalkeeping. The introduction of light heading.

6. Developing an understanding of team shape when attacking, and balance when defending.

• Continued emphasis on the concept of triangular supporting play
• Continued emphasis on combining with teammates (third man running)
• Cooperative attacking (all players)
• Cooperative defending (all players)
• Continued development of the basic skills

Encourage all players to provide good support whether attacking or defending.

Reference Material

• "Coaching 9, 10 and 11YearOlds”
• Developed by Dave Schumacher, WSYSA Coaching Director (1996)
• Appreciation to Bobby Howe, US Soccer Coaching Director and Tony Waiters for their contributions in development of these objectives.

1. Preparation for moving into 11-a-side play
2. Developing a basic understanding of the concept and rule of off-side or modified offside.
3. Continued concentration at this age on the more important developments of:
   • The Triangle in team play
   • The Diamond in team play
   • "Third Man running"
   • Appreciation of the team principles of play and their roles when the team is attacking or defending
   • High concentration on basic skills in cooperative play, i.e., passing, control, shooting and introduction to heading; goalkeeper techniques and role
4. Continued development of the techniques (basic skills) with limited pressure but in a challenging environment

5. Continued emphasis on the principles of play; and the roles of players when attacking and defending introduced at U-10. Players will need to understand their particular role on the team in supporting the attack and regaining possession of the ball when defending. The players will need guidance in the performance of these roles due to the greater number of players on the field and the increased size of the field. The players should have a basic understanding of how to interchange roles during the course of play.

• Readying players for 11 v 11
• Basic understanding of the offside rule and for tactical play
• Triangles, diamonds plus further development of basic skills

Avoid over-coaching at this transitional time as players get ready to move into 11-a-side.

• “Coaching the 9, 10, and 11 Year Olds” and “Coaching the Team”
• Developed by Dave Schumacher, WSYSA Coaching Director (1996)
• Appreciation to Bobby Howe, US Soccer Coaching Director and Tony Waiters for their contributions in development of these objectives.

1. Preparation for moving into 11-a-side play
2. Reinforce basic understanding rule of off-side.
3. Continued concentration at this age on the more important developments at this age of:
   • Application of age-appropriate activities
   • Emphasis on individual possession
   • Emphasis on individual defending
   • introduction of basic combination play (Wall pass and takeovers)
     • High concentration on basic skills in cooperative play, i.e., passing, control, shooting and heading
     • Individuals start to emerge and will begin to focus on role of goalkeeper (Develop foundation of basis techniques.)
4. Continued development of the techniques (basic skills) with greater pressure in a challenging, motivating environment and involve transition.
5. Continued emphasis on the principles of play; and the roles of players when attacking and defending introduced at U-10 and U-11. Players will need to understand their particular role on the team in supporting the attack and regaining possession of the ball when defending. The players should have a basic understanding of how to interchange roles during the course of play.

• Readying players for 11 v 11
• Stress importance of individual possession and defending
• Further development of basic skills

Implementation of developmentally appropriate activities. Stress the need for development of the individual player versus the success of the team. Avoid overloading this age player with too many tournaments.

• "Coaching 9, 10 and 11 Year Olds" and "Coaching the Team"
• Developed by Dave Schumacher, WSYSA Coaching Director (1997)
• Appreciation to Bobby Howe, US Soccer Coaching Director and Tony Waiters for their contributions in development of these objectives.

Coaching Priorities for Competitive Players

U-13 and U-14 - DEVELOPMENT OF INDIVIDUAL SKILL INDIVIDUAL AND SMALL GROUP TACTICS

1. Introduction to 11 v. 11 play.  The players will need guidance in the performance of their roles due to the greater number of players on the field and the increased size of the field.
2. HIGH PRIORITY
   1. The Importance of Possession: DO NOT GIVE THE BALL AWAY!!!
   2. Development of individual skill.
      • All practices to challenge the player in competition.
   3. Understanding of combination play.
      • Support
      • Takeovers
      • Wall Pass
   4. Individual and small group defense.
      • One session in every three to be devoted to lvls, 2v2s, 3v3s.
   5. Within the practices the players to have an understanding of:
      • Delay
      • Tracking back
      • Depth
      • Balance
3. LOWER EMPHASIS
   1. Functional play
   2. Team play
   3. Set plays
4. All activities should be challenging, motivating and involve TRANSITION!!!!

1. HIGH PRIORITY
   1. Combination play
      • Support
      • Take-overs
      • Wall pass
      • Third man running
      • Overlap
      • DO NOT GIVE THE BALL AWAY!!!
   2. 2) Defense
      • One session in every three to be devoted to 3v3s, 4v4s, 5v5s.
      • Depth * Role of the strong side defenders.
      • Balance * Role of the weak side defenders
      • Concentration
      • Communication * Who, What, When 
2. LOWER EMPHASIS
   1. Introduction to functional play
   2. Introduction to team play
   3. Set plays
      • Offensive and defensive responsibilities at corner and free kicks.
      • Possession from throw-ins.

All activities should be challenging, motivating and involve TRANSITION!!!!

1. HIGH PRIORITY
   1. Functional play
      • Offense
      • Defense - one session in every three to be devoted to defensive roles.
   2. Match related practice - offense vs. defense
   3. Crossing - Complete understanding of-
      • Crossing angle
      • Overlaps
      • Near post and far post runs
   4. Set Plays - Complete understanding of:
      • Offensive and defensive responsibilities at corners and free kicks.
      • Importance of possession from throw-ins in defensive and midfield third of field. Possession and creativity in final third.

All activities should be challenging, motivating and involve TRANSITION!!!!

1. HIGH PRIORITY
   1. Functional play
   2. Team play
      • Match-related - offense vs. defense
      • Match conditioned
   3. One session in every three to be devoted to defensive aspects of the game.

Players should have a complete understanding in the principles of team play