CHESTERFIELD UNITED SOCCER CLUB

RECREATIONAL SOCCER PROGRAM

Curriculum

U8

CLUB EXPECTATIONS

Chesterfield United recreation program relies heavily on volunteer coaches to help run practices and games.  Without volunteers we would not be able to have enough coaches for every team. 

We at Chesterfield United appreciate and want to acknowledge the effort and time our volunteer coaches put in to help improve the sport for Chesterfield United.

CLUB EXPECTATIONS

As a coach and representative of Chesterfield United, you

will be held to a very high standard. Please familiarize

yourself with our coaching expectations.

Thank you for your help and continued

support. Chesterfield United is only as good as the

volunteers.

CLUB EXPECTATIONS

· Demonstrate professional conduct at all times

· Be dressed professionally in all Chesterfield United attire

· Promote good sportsmanship

· Promote and adhere to the Chesterfield United player development curriculum

· Treat all players with respect

· Lead by example

· Communicate effectively and regularly with parents

· Respect and support the referee

· Be good ambassadors Chesterfield United

· Provide the opportunity for players to develop skills at all positions

· Teach players how to win and lose gracefully

· Create a positive learning environment

· Be approachable for player questions

TOPIC: Dribbling WEEK: Week 1

ACTIVITY

DESCRIPTION DIAGRAM OBJECTIVES / COACHING POINTS

Warm Up(15 min)

Triangle Dribbling-In a 15x20 yard grid, set up 5 to 7 triangles (three cones)- All players with a ball must dribble through the triangle in order to score a point. Coach: - Player keep count of how many points scored in 30 seconds. - - Repeat, ask players to beat the score by one or more points. - - You can also ask them to dribble with their favorite foot or their foot or stop in each triangle.

Improve dribbling at pace:

-Play off front foot to dribble- look to change direction- head up

2(15 min)

Two Turns: - Pair up the players and place each player on the end line.- Player will go to the furthest cone and execute the turn, then go to the cone diagonally behind and execute the turn again, then RWB to the last cone. - The player that arrives to the last cone first gets 10 points Turns are: Inside of the foot cut, Outside foot hook and Drag Back

Improve turning with ball:

- Bend knees- keep ball close- Use inside foot, outside foot

and sole

3(15 min)

2v2 Combat:

-The coach makes two teams of 3-5 players each. - players are lined up next to the coach. - Coach serves the ball on to the field, two players next to the coach on each team will go after the soccer ball, retrieve and dribble or pass it into their team’s goal for a point.

Variation: Players must connect one pass before going to goal. Increase numbers to 2v2, 3v2 and 3v3’s.

Dribbling towards a target with pressure:

-Head up-feint/moves to unbalance defender- Ball on part of foot furthest from opponent

GAME(15 min)

5 v 5 game to goalsAll coaches to have generous supply of balls ready to keep the game flowing.

TOPIC: Passing WEEK: Week 2

ACTIVITY

DESCRIPTION DIAGRAM OBJECTIVES / COACHING POINTS

Warm Up(15 min)

Cats and Dogs:

- Set a20Wx30L yard grid divided in two halves. - All Players get partner; one player is a CAT and other a DOG. - Both players stand on the midline next to each other - When the coach calls CAT or DOG, that player will try to dribble to the end line before the other player.

Improve dribbling at speed:

-Keep ball close with soft touches-Use laces to go forward- Use all surfaces of foot

2(15 min)

Paint the Field- Passing: - 2 players pass the soccer ball in 20Wx25L grid. -The players soccer ball is a paint brush and wherever it rolls it will paint the area. - Their task to pass (kick) the soccer ball to paint as much of the grid as possible in the allotted time.

Version 2: Tell the players to use their other foot

Working on accuracy of passing:

- Use inside to pass ball- head up- Communicate

3(15 min)

Hot Potato:

- Set a20Wx30L yard grid divided into four areas. - two players in each area with a soccer ball. - Players will be passing and moving within their area. - When the coach says “HOT POTATO” the players in each grid will pass their soccer ball clockwise to the other grid.

Variation: have a group of 3 in each area

Passing and receiving:

- look around before you receive- Cushion away from pressure- non-kicking foot beside the ball

GAME(15 min)

5 v5 game towards goalFree playAll coaches to have generous supply of balls ready to keep the game flowing.

TOPIC: Passing WEEK: Week 3

ACTIVITY

DESCRIPTION DIAGRAM OBJECTIVES / COACHING POINTS

1(15 min)

4 Surfaces: - Each player has a ball. - Have the players try to use the 6 surfaces of the foot in 1 fluid motion in this order: Outside, Inside, Laces and Bottom, -challenge them to do it faster and in a smaller space. The sequence is: Outside of the foot touch - Inside of the foot touch - Laces (push)Laces (push) - Stop with bottom of the foot and Change foot.

Improve technique and control of ball

- repetition!!- try to increase speed- be creative in sequences

2(15 min)

Soccer Marbles: - Two players each with a ball. One player plays out their ball (using the inside of the foot) and the partner pass their own ball in an attempt to strike the ball their partner played out.

- Players should keep track of how many times they hit their partner’s ball.

Passing technique

- Weight of the pass - Accuracy of the pass

3(15 min)

Cops and Robbers

- 8 Tall cones in a 15 x 20 yard grid- Robbers try to strike balls down- the cops (2-3 players) are without balls and try to stand up cones before they are all struck down (bank robbed)

Improving passing accuracy

- use different surfaces of foot- Keep eye on ball and target- Look to pass with proper wieght

GAME(15 min)

5 v 5 Game to goals Free Play

TOPIC: Shooting WEEK: Week 4

ACTIVITY

DESCRIPTION DIAGRAM OBJECTIVES / COACHING POINTS

Warm Up(15 min)

Ball Tag: - All players are dribbling a soccer ball in a 20x25 yard grid. - Coach starts as the TAGGER and tries to hit another player’s feet or soccer ball with his soccer ball. The dribblers must try to not get tag. - Every player the coach tags becomes a tagger with the coach - Now the coach select two players and they try to tag - Now everyone tags. Players should keep count of how many times they tag another player.

Improve dribbling at pace and under pressure:

-Play off front foot to dribble- Look to move to space- look to change direction- head up

2(15 min)

Clean Your Backyard with Guards: - Two teams to play in a 20x25 yard gird. - With cones, divide the field into three portions. - no one can enter central portion. - Three goals (3yds each) at ends of the grid with 2 Gks - Players on each team will try to shoot/pass and score in any of the three goals Coach: Allow players to enter the buffer zone to retrieve any ball that has stopped in there.

Working on basic shooting technique:

-see the target (head up)-Accuracy before power- Strike with instep or inside of

foot or toe- Follow through

3(15 min)

Up and Down Numbers Get “Outta” There : - The players are divided into two teams. - Players are positioned at either side of the coach- Set s 10x15 yard grid with two small goals on each end line. - Coach serves a ball into the grid and the players try to gain possession and score on their opponent.- If a goal is scored or the soccer ball goes out of bounds, the coach calls out “Get outta there”. Coach: play 1v2, 2v3, or 4v3. They should vary the service.

Encouraging dribbling and shooting in 1 v1 situations:

- Same points as warm up and activity 2

GAME(15 min)

5 v 5 game to goals Free play

All coaches to have generous supply of balls ready to keep the game flowing.

TOPIC: Passing and Moving WEEK: Week 5

ACTIVITY

DESCRIPTION DIAGRAM OBJECTIVES / COACHING POINTS

14 Surfaces: - Have the players try to use the 4 surfaces of the foot in 1 fluid motion in this order: Outside, Inside, Laces and Bottom, Transfer the ball from the right to left foot after they stop the ball with the bottom (sole of the shoe)The sequence is: Outside of the foot touch - Inside of the foot touch - Laces (push)Laces (push) - Stop with bottom of the foot and Change foot

Improve touch on ball

-Keep ball close-Keep eye on the ball- Use all surfaces of foot

2Receive, Pass and Dribble: - Set up as many 5WX10L grids with 3players, 2 at one end. - The player with the ball will dribble towards the cone, beat the cone with a move and pass the ball to the next player in line - Player should not stop the ball when receiving it but redirect it towards the direction they want to go

Improving first touch and movement with ball-Head up-feint/moves to unbalance defender-Ball on part of foot furthest from opponent

-

3

Cops and Robbers - The coach sets up 8-10 stand up (tall) cones in a 15x20 yard grid. - Robbers will strike the ball and try to knock the cone (the banks) down. The cops (2 or 3 players) are without soccer balls and are trying to stand all the cones back up before all the banks are robbed. Rotate the cops and the robbers.

Improving movement and passing accuracy

-Proper weight- use different surfaces--eye on ball and target

GAME5 v5 scrimmage towards goal Free play

All coaches to have generous supply of balls ready to keep the game flowing.

TOPIC: Attacking 2v2 WEEK: Week 6

ACTIVITY

DESCRIPTION DIAGRAM OBJECTIVES / COACHING POINTS

Warm Up(15 min)

Catching Robbers: -All players are spread around a 20x25 grid. Only two players (the cops) have soccer balls. -The cops attempt to catch the robbers by striking their legs below knee height with their soccer balls.- Once a robber is caught, he/she gets any ball from the perimeter and becomes a cop. Coach: Place the balls that are not being used around the perimeter of the grid.

Striking ball with target:

-technique of passing/striking-Concentrate of weight of the pass (how hard to kick)- Accuracy of pass

2(15 min)

2v2 Combat: -Coach makes two teams of 3-5 players each next to coach.-Coach serves the ball on to the field, the players next to the coach will go after the soccer ball and retrieve it and dribble or pass it into their team’s goal for a point.Variation: Players must connect one pass before going to goal. Increase numbers to 2v2, 3v2 and 3v3’s.

Working on attacking.-Look to beat opponents back

foot- Change of pace is important- Look to change direction- Eye on ball- Travel the speed the ball

travels

3(15 min)

4 Corner Shooting Without Goalkeepers:

- In 20x25 yard grid with cone goals at each end, players of the same team are placed by the corner cones of the goal they are defending. - Coach in the middle with all the balls. - The game starts when the coach serves the ball onto the field. The game is over when one team scores or the ball goes out of bounds.

Same as above but now introduce striking of ball:

-Accuracy before power-Proper weight- ankle is tight

GAME(15 min)

5 v5 games towards goalFree play

Encourage creativity, speed of play and finishing.

TOPIC: Dribbling to Make A Pass WEEK: Week 7

ACTIVITY

DESCRIPTION DIAGRAM OBJECTIVES / COACHING POINTS

Warm Up(15 min)

6 Surfaces: -players with ball try to use the 6 surfaces of the foot in 1 fluid motion and in this order: Outside, Inside, Laces, Sole, Toe and Turn with the Heel. - Transfer the ball from the right to left foot after the turn. - challenge them to do it faster and in a smaller space. The sequence is: Outside of the foot touch - Inside of the foot touch - Laces push - Stop with sole and - Push with the toe, Turn with the Heel and Change foot.

Improving comfort on all parts of foot:

-Keep moving ball at speed- repetition-don`t be afraid to try different parts of foot- be creative

2(15 min)

4v4 to End Zones:

- In a 20Wx25L yard grid, place an End Zone of one yard wide along each end line. - Players will score by dribbling and stopping the soccer ball in the End Zone. Defenders can’t defend in the End zone.

Recognize Game like situations:

- Accelerate into space- Head up- Look to beat opponents back

foot

3(15 min)

4v4 Hit the Ball Off the Cone: - In a 20Wx25L yard grid with a 2 yard end zone, place 3 soccer balls on top of three cones. - Two cones are 5 yards from the corners and one is central. Place a soccer ball on each cone.- Two teams of 4 players score by knocking ball off the cone. Scoring: Hit the ball on the cone: 10 points - If the soccer ball goes between the cones: 1point No players are allowed in the end zone.

Same as above but now introduce striking of ball:

-Accuracy before power-Proper weight- ankle is tight

GAME(15 min)

4v4 to 4 Goals: In a 20Wx25L yard grid, place a two yard goal with cones close to the corners of each end line. Players will score by dribbling or passing through any of the two goals they are attacking.

Game

Encourage creativity

TOPIC: 1v 1, 2 v 1 Attacking WEEK: Week 8

ACTIVITY

DESCRIPTION DIAGRAM OBJECTIVES / COACHING POINTS

Warm up(15 min)

6 Surfaces: - Each player has a ball. - Have the players try to use the 6 surfaces of the foot in 1 fluid motion in this order: Outside, Inside, Laces and Bottom, Turn with the heel and change foot-challenge them to do it faster and in a smaller space. The sequence is: Outside of the foot touch - Inside of the foot touch - Laces (push)Laces (push) - Stop with bottom of the foot and Change foot. Turn with the heel and change foot

Improve technique and control of ball

- repetition!!- try to increase speed- be creative in sequences

2(15 min)

British Bulldogs

- Create a 15x20 yd grid- Dribblers will try to get to other side without being dispossessed by bulldog- If dribbler gets to opposite line the next one goes- If bulldog gets the ball the dribbler becomes bulldog

Changing speed and direction

- Keep ball close with lots of touches

- Attack at speed

3(15 min)

2 v 1 Pass or Dribble

-Create a 15x20 yd grid- Coach divides players into 3 groups, 2 attacking, 1 defending- Coach passes ball to one of the lines. The first play of each of 3 lines enters field and make a 2 v 1- 2 attackers must get the ball over line under control

Applying dribbling and passing technique under pressure

-Good decision making. When to pass and when to dribble- look to communicate

GAME(15 min)

5 v 5 Game to goals Free Play

WEEK 9

Mini World Cup Week

2v2/3v3/4v4 Tournament

RULESSplit teams into World Cup 2014 teams and run a mini World Cup during practice

Small goals and kick ins or dribbles ins – NO THROW IN’s

10-15 minute games – Aim for 4 games

If you are super organized – At the beginning of the week tell them to wear the color of the team you give them – ex USA (white), Brazil (yellow), France (blue) etc