The Learn To Train coach’s piece of the player development puzzle can be spelled out in the season objectives that are to be achieved by the players at this level. Keep these objectives in mind every time you spend a practice or a game with your team. When you ask yourself what your contribution to these players will be, just look over the season objectives to remind yourself. You should periodically monitor these objectives throughout the season to see if players are on the right track and making progress.

Locomotor Skills – Players will show improvement in running, sliding (side stepping), leaping, jumping, starting and stopping. Are the able to avoid collisions and if stumbling are they able to recover.

Stability Skills – Players will show improvements in balance (both static and dynamic) and dodging.

Social Skills – Players will show improvements in their interaction with other children of the same age within a structured learning environment that stresses play and imagination.

Dribbling – Players will attempt to use both feet and improve balance and coordination (not trip over the ball as much). In ‘Advanced Sessions’, players will dribble at various speeds and be able to identify open space.

Ball Striking – Players will attempt to shoot and pass the ball over greater distances using the instep (laces) of both right and left feet.

Passing – Players will attempt to pass the ball using the inside of both right and left feet.

Controlling – Players will attempt to control the ball first before passing it (encourage players to control first versus immediately kicking it up the field (often to the delight of spectators)).

Heading – Most clubs have a policy around the age group which heading is permitted. Please discuss with your club’s Technical Director. If heading is permitted, even in a graduated manner, players should be able to practice heading by being in complete control (from their hands), thus, they will determine how high to toss.

Catching – Players, as goalkeepers, will be able to catch a ball rolled or thrown towards them as well as a ball thrown directly above them.

Rolling – Players, as goalkeepers, will be able to roll the ball to the feet of another player over short distances. Perhaps, with patience you can even teach them to roll themselves into small balls and do forward or backward rolls in the grass.

Scrimmage – Players will attempt to use all the general space (spread out instead of swarm around the ball) and begin to appreciate and understand the basic rules and boundaries necessary to play soccer. Players will also begin to understand the concept of cooperation and attempt making passes to teammates

Affective – Players will have fun, develop self-confidence and intrinsic motivation towards the game of soccer.