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Danville, Virginia

Player Development Curriculum U18
(printable pdf version)

Cognitive
Speculates about future
Meaning of life
Separation
Balance of activities
Body image
Specialized training for position play
Pattern play for tactical understanding
Build attack from the back with inside/outside penetration
Speed of reaction in 2v1 - 6v5
Review technical concepts with both feet
Play the ball on the ground, minimal # of touches, Switch point of attack, 3rd attacker &
3rd defender

Field players:
· 2 Fakes with the ball that can be performed under pressure with either foot
o feint, scissors, cross, see ya, cryuff, cheeks, drag the ball, pull a v, coerver, double sole, Romario
· Directed first touch
· Receiving ground, bouncing and air balls with the lower leg, thigh, abdomen, chest and head
· Shooting from outside area
· Bending shots
· Finishing inside area
· Chipping to score
· Passing with inside, outside and instep of either foot
· Crossing to the near post and penalty spot
· Heel pass
· Half volley & volley shooting
· Heading - defensive & attacking
· Combination play - wall pass, overlap, sell
· 2v2 attacking: support
· 3v3 & 4v4 attacking: switch the point of attack
· Slide tackle
· 2v1 defending: pressure
· 2v2 defending: cover
· 3v3 & 4V4 defending: balance (to squeeze or not)
· verbal and visual communication for all positions
· half-time analysis with 1 defending point & 1 attacking point
· attack & defend corner kicks


Goalkeepers:
· Footwork
· Bowling
· Low dives & forward dives
· Angle play
· Near post play
· Shot stopping
· Saving penalty kicks
· Introduction to parrying and boxing

Training sessions should be well organized.
§ There should be a recognizable progression to the session.
§ It could be warm up, technical activities, themed games, scrimmage, cool down
§ Or warm up, Scrimmage, technical work, build numbers back up to full scrimmage, cool down
§ Or warm up, small group tactics (2v1-5v5), large group tactics (6v6-11v11), scrimmage, cool down
§ Remember, it is not the magic of some activity from an obscure video that will make the players better. It is YOU observing their play and making corrections that they take to heart.

Dribbling coaching points:
· Body mechanics - keeps ball close to body, use all parts of both feet
· Body shape and balance - knees bent & low to ground, arms out
· Change of pace / direction
· Deception
· Protecting the ball
· Vision of field
· When to beat a player and when to pass

Running with the ball Coaching Points
· Use laces of shoe
· Point toe down, and turn foot a little to the inside
· Touch ball every step, keep it close

Passing Coaching Points:
· Non-kicking foot pointed at target
· Lift toe of kicking foot
· Bend knee of kicking foot
· Step into the pass for some momentum
· Follow through straight ahead
· Pass power is from hip down
· Weight of pass
· Accuracy
· Timing of pass with timing of run

Receiving Coaching points:
· Body mechanics
· Body shape & balance
· Early selection of receiving surface
· Eye on ball; read flight of ball
· Body in line with flight of ball
· Relax with ball
· Control to ball to a new space, not stop it dead
· Preparation touch away from pressure to pass, dribble or shoot

Shooting Coaching Points:
· Body mechanics - non-kicking foot points at target, lock ankle
· Body shape, balance, weight transfer - snap leg, finish on shooting foot
· Eye on ball
· Preparation touch
· Vision
· Placement vs. power

Crossing Coaching Points:
· Body mechanics - plant foot to target, turn hips as strike ball, low follow through for near post balls
· Body shape / balance
· Eye on ball
· Preparation touch
· Angle of approach
· Driven, lofted or bent ball to near or far post


Heading Coaching Points:
· Body mechanics - eyes open, mouth shut!
· Body shape
· Eye on ball
· Read flight of ball
· Body In line with flight of ball
· Area of contact - forehead, right at hairline
· Use of upper body to drive through ball
· Defending: height, distance, aggressive attitude
· Attacking: down at goal line, aggressive attitude

 
 

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Last Updated  12 03 07