Training Program

Mike Barr, Director of Coaching

Gary Stephenson, Assistant Director of Coaching

Under 14
Season Plan
Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer
4070 Butler Pike, Suite 100
Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462
Ph: 610-238-9966
EPYSA.org
[email protected]

[1]
Goal/Objectives Setting
By Gary Stephenson & Mike Barr

Goals/Objectives! Why they are Essential

As a coach you play a very large and positive role in your players and their parent’s
development. You are often seen as much more than a leader in practices & games.
Because of your position you really are a teacher, as well as an individual mentor, to be
utilized when needed. To excel in this position you must set yourself goals for each
individual. The most important aspect in setting these goals is that they are not driven by
game results and are measurable. They should be detailed at the start of any season
giving you a realistic picture to strive towards. There has been a lot of research done in
the soccer world to put guidelines down as what players at each age group should be able
to do. We have taken this data and tailored objectives and lessons for age specific groups.
Before you sit down and work on the big picture there are a few factors which need to be
taken into account.

Research from Ewing, M. & Seefeldt, V., (1989). Participation and attrition patterns in American
agency-sponsored and interscholastic sports: An executive summary. Final report Sporting Goods
Manufacturer’s Association (North Palm Beach, FL: Sporting Goods Manufacturer’s Association)
as cited from Weinberg & Gould (2007). Foundations of Sport & Exercise Psychology.
Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.

Reasons kids drop out of sports: Reasons kids play sports:

•Failing to learn or improve skills •To learn & improve their skills
•Not having fun •To have fun
•Not being with their friends •To be with friends
•Lack of excitement, improvisation & creative •To experience the excitement of
opportunities competition
•Lack of exercise, meaningful movement & •To enhance their physical fitness
fitness improvements •To demonstrate their competence
•Lack of optimal challenges &/or consistent
failure

It becomes your role as teacher and mentor to examine your training sessions and see if they
are aligned with the reasons kids play and avoid the reasons children search out other activities.

[2]
U.S. SOCCER - Numbering
By Gary Stephenson & Mike Barr

U.S. Soccer’s
Numbering System (GK-4-3-3)

9
7
11 Forward

Left Right
Forward Forward
10
Attacking Center
Midfield

8
Center 6
Midfield

Defensive Center
Midfield
3 2
Left 5 4 Right
Defender Defender
Left Right
Defender Defender

1
Goalkeeper

[3]
U14 Week 1 By G Stephenson, Assistant Technical
Director Improve teams ability to build up from the defensive half
7v0 Shadow Play TECHNICAL WARM-UP
TRAINING AREA = 60W x 55L. Use players #1,2,3,4,5,6,8. Ball originates from the
GK. GK plays the ball out from the defensive half, and the team builds in
possession. Repetition ends when player dribbles the ball under control across the
halfway line.
Variations:
Look to develop new patterns and movements to enable #2,3,8 to carry the ball
under control across the line

Coaching Points:
Application of technique (passing, receiving, dribbling) Receive passes across their
body with their inside foot; Receive first touch forward into space if there is no
pressure; receive sideways or backwards if there is pressure; Possession passes =
to the players feet; Penetration passes = into space for the players to advance
without the ball

SMALL-SIDED ACTIVITY
7v6 to midline

TRAINING AREA = 60W x 55L. Use players #1,2,3,4,5,6,8. Red team scores by
successfully dribbling under control across the mid-line. White team scores on the
big goal.

Coaching Points:
Application of technique (passing, receiving, dribbling) ; Timing of support without
the ball should be as the ball travels, before the player receives the ball; Expand
supporting runs wide with a curved path; Accelerate forward without the ball
through angled runs for supporting penetrating runs

EXPANDED SMALL-SIDED ACTIVITY

9v8 to 1 goal & 3 goals

TRAINING AREA = 60W x 75L. Place (3) goals on the end-line below the half
way line. Place (1) goal on the opposite end-line. Use players
#1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,11. Red (9) v White (8). Red scores on (3) small goals, white
scores on (1) large goal.

Coaching Points
What - The moment to build possession; Passing – Accuracy, Timing, and
weight of passes ; Support of the ball – Timing, angle, and distance of support

GAME
Play 9v9 game with specific formations for each team.

Reinforce all points above

GK-3-2-3

[4]
U14 Week 2 By G Stephenson, Assistant Technical
Improve teams ability to build up through midfield (#6,#8,#10)

Central Play Combinations TECHNICAL WARM-UP

TRAINING AREA = 20W x 30L. Position players #6,8,10 inside the space, with #9
outside the space on each vertical end of the grid. Create various passing
sequences where all 3 players touch the ball before it is played to a target, and the
restart/repeat the pattern. #6 = Deep sitting midfielder; #8 = intermediate linking
midfielder for 6/10; #10 = advance midfielder
Possible patterns:
#6-#10-#8-#9
#6-#8-#10-#9
#8-#6-#10-#9

Coaching Points:
Application of Technique (passing, dribbling, receiving) - Proper weight, accuracy,
and angle of passes; Support of the ball – Timing, angle, and distance of
support ;Receiving/Control the pass – Open body shape, 1st touch into space (no
pressure); 1st touch sideways/backwards away from pressure

SMALL-SIDED ACTIVITY
5v5 to 4 goals

TRAINING AREA = 40W x 50L. Position (2) goals on each side of the end line in
the corner for a total of (4) goal). Play with #4,6,8,10,9. Red v White. Red & white
score by passing/shooting the ball into the goal.

Coaching Points:
What -Supporting movements off of one another and #4,10.; Passing – Accuracy,
Timing, and weight of passes; Support of the ball – Timing, angle, and distance of
support; Receiving/Control the pass – Open body shape, 1st touch into space (no
pressure); 1st touch sideways/backwards away from pressure

EXPANDED SMALL-SIDED ACTIVITY

8v7 to Goal

TRAINING AREA = 60W x 70L. Place (1) goal on each end of the space allow
for each team to score on 1 goal. Play with #1,2,3,4,6,8,10,9. Red v White. Red
& White score by passing/shooting the ball into the goal.

Coaching Points
When - The buildup begins when in possession, and moves forward if there are
numbers in midfield;Passing – Accuracy, Timing, and weight of passes; Support
of the ball – Timing, angle, and distance of support
Receiving/Control the pass – Open body shape, 1st touch into space (no
pressure); 1st touch sideways/backwards away from pressure

GAME
Play 9v9 game with specific formations for each team.

Reinforce all points above

GK-3-2-3

[5]
U14 Week 3 By G Stephenson, Assistant Technical
Improve team's ability to build using wide players

TECHNICAL WARM-UP
Pattern Passing & Combinations

TRAINING AREA = 30W x 30L. Use players #2,3,4,8. Develop various patterns
and combinations, encouraging possession & penetration from wide areas of the
field #2,3. Pass across the line to a player running into the space timed to stay on-
sides. Example sequence = #4-8-3-8

Coaching Points:
Application of technique (passing, receiving, dribbling) Passing (type of pass) –
instep, driven, lofted; Support – Timing, angle, distance; Receiving/Control the pass
– body shape, angle of 1st touch, surface used to control pass

SMALL-SIDED ACTIVITY
5v4 - Line soccer & 2 goals

TRAINING AREA = 60W x 50L. Place two lines across the field 25 yards from the
center line. On one line place (2) small goals on the left & right side of the field.
Play 5v4 in the space. Red (#3,4,2,6,8) score by being played into space (can not
cross the line before the ball). White (4) score on small goals.

Coaching points
What - Individual attacking decisions based on play of #4,6,8; Application of
technique (passing, receiving, dribbling) Passing (type of pass) – instep, driven,
lofted; Support – Timing, angle, distance; Receiving/Control the pass – body
shape, angle of 1st touch, surface used to control pass

EXPANDED SMALL-SIDED ACTIVITY

8v7 to goal

TRAINING AREA = 60W x 70L. Red (#1,2,3,4,6,8,7,11) vs White (7). Score by

shooting the ball in the goal.

Coaching Points:
Who - #2,#3,#7,#11; What - Combinations through possession in wide areas ;
Passing (type of pass) – instep, driven, lofted; Support – Timing, angle,
distance; Receiving/Control the pass – body shape, angle of 1st touch, surface
used to control pass

GAME
Play 9v9 game with specific formations for each team.

Reinforce all points above

GK-3-2-3

[6]
U14 Week 4 By G Stephenson, Assistant Technical
To improve the player’s and team’s ability to create and finish scoring
opportunities from wide positions through the #7,#11,#2,#3
Shadow Play 6v0 TECHNICAL WARM-UP
TRAINING AREA = 60W x 70L
Pattern/shadow play. Position (1) large goal at one end of the field for players to
attack. Place balls at opposite end of field to begin the play. Ball starts with #2/3.
Players look to combine in with emphasis on wide play patterns & combinations.
Work the ball through the thirds of the field to score on goal. (Flags, cones, wallmen
should serve as "goalie")
*Variations - limit touches, type of service, type of finish, direct v indirect attack

Coaching Points:
Application of Technique (passing, receiving, support) Who - Players #2,3,7,11;
What - Combinations in wide area specifically with #8, #10; Overlaps, wall passes
1-2s, give & gos = combinations in wide areas with #8,10 ; Support – Timing, angle,
distance; Passing (type of pass) – instep, driven, lofted

SMALL-SIDED ACTIVITY
6v6 - 1 goal & counter goals

TRAINING AREA = 60W x 70L. Build a free zone for #8 = 60W x 10L. Play 6v6.
Position (1) large goal at one end of the field for players to attack. Place (2)
counter goals at the opposite end of the field, 3 yards wide. Place balls at
opposite end of field to begin the play. Ball starts with #8 to initiate the play. Red
(6) = #8,2,3,10,7,11 v White (6). Red scores by passing the ball through the goal,
white scores by passing through the orange counter goals

Coaching Points:
What - Attacking runs forward with or without ball; What - Combinations in wide
area specifically with #8, #10; Overlaps, wall passes 1-2s, give & gos =
combinations in wide areas with #8,10 ; Support – Timing, angle, distance;
Passing (type of pass) – instep, driven, lofted

EXPANDED SMALL-SIDED ACTIVITY

8v7 to goals

TRAINING AREA = 60Wx 70L. Play 8v7 to 1 goal each. Red (8) =
#1,2,3,6,8,10,7,11 v White (7). Red & white score by passing/shooting the ball
into the goal.

Coaching Points:
What - Combinations in wide area specifically with #8, #10; Overlaps, wall
passes 1-2s, give & gos = combinations in wide areas with #8,10 ; Support –
Timing, angle, distance; Passing (type of pass) – instep, driven, lofted

GAME
Play 9v9 game with specific formations for each team.

Reinforce all points above

GK-3-2-3

[7]
U14 Week 5 By G Stephenson, Assistant Technical
Improve team's ability to create scoring chances from central areas (#6,#8,#9,#10)

4v0 to goal TECHNICAL WARM-UP

TRAINING AREA = 44W x 50L. Red (4) - #6,8,10,9 - work various combinations in
central areas in front of goal to produce a strike on the goal.
Combinations:
Up, back, through
Dribble penetration - pass - shoot
Penetrate into #9, and lay off for shot #10,8
Combination with #8/10 - shot for #6

Coaching Points:
Application of Technique (passing, receiving; shot) What - Types of passes to use in
front of goal (push pass, reverse pass, lay off pass, through-ball pass); Passing –
Accuracy, Timing, and weight of passes ;Receiving/Control the pass – body shape,
angle of 1st touch, surface used to control pass; Shooting – Look up at target – then
down to ball, Watch foot strike the ball, follow through with strike, position of non-
kicking/plant foot to impact shot

4v5 to Goal & Target SMALL-SIDED ACTIVITY

TRAINING AREA = 44W x 50L. Place (1) large goal at the end of the field Red is
attacking. Place a TARGER player at the opposite end of the field outside the
playing area. Red (4) - #6,8,9,10 v White (5). Red scores by passing/shooting
ball into the goal. White scores by passing the ball to TARGET.

Coaching Points:
What - Types of passes to use in front of goal (push pass, reverse pass, lay off
pass, through-ball pass)
What – Types of shot used from central areas (driven, lofted, bent, curled)
Passing – Accuracy, Timing, and weight of passes ;Receiving/Control the pass –
body shape, angle of 1st touch, surface used to control pass; Shooting – Look up
at target – then down to ball, Watch foot strike the ball, follow through with strike,
position of non-kicking/plant foot to impact shot

EXPANDED SMALL-SIDED ACTIVITY

6v6 to Goal & 2 small goals

TRAINING AREA = 44W x 60L. Place (1) large goal at the end of the field Red
is attacking. Place (2) small goals on the opposite end of the space in each
corner for white to attack. Red (6) - #6,8,10,11,7,9 v White (6). Red scores by
passing/shooting the ball into the goal. White scores by passing/shooting the
ball into the small goals.

Coaching Points:
What - Types of passes to use in front of goal (push pass, reverse pass, lay off
pass, through-ball pass)

GAME
Play 9v9 game with specific formations for each team.

Reinforce all points above

GK-3-2-3

[8]
U14 Week 6 By G Stephenson, Assistant Technical
Improve teams ability to build up from the defensive half

TECHNICAL WARM-UP
Overload Build Up

TRAINING AREA = 30W x 30L. Place (1) goal on each end line. Organize 4v4 in
each area. Start with 1v1 and progress to 4v4. A new player comes on the field:
after a goal, or ball out of bounds. 1v1-2v1-2v2-3v2-3v3-4v3-4v4. Red & white
teams score by passing the ball into the goal

Coaching Points:
Application of defensive technique & pressure; Who - Pressuring Defender (1st
defender) - Angle, Speed and Distance of approach; Tackle the ball on a poor touch,
or delay the ball when opposition is in possession without support; Who -
Recovering defender; Recovery run = Behind the ball, preferably behind pressuring
defender

SMALL-SIDED ACTIVITY
6v6 - Big Goal & Small Goals

TRAINING AREA = 60W x 70L. Place (2) cones in each corner 3 yards wide
making (2) goals above the mid-line. Place (1) goal on the opposite end line. Play
6v6 to goal. When red scores, White (server) immediately plays ball back into
white team. Red defends, denies penetration, and delays while teammate
recovers defensively. Red scores by dribbling through cone goals, white scores by
passing/shooting the ball in the goal.

Coaching Points:
Who - The closest two players to the ball = pressuring (1st) & covering defenders
(2nd); Direct pressure away from goal, or towards defenders (support/cover,
balance); Tackle the ball on a poor touch, or delay the ball when opposition is in
possession without support ; All other defenders recovery run = Behind the ball,
preferably behind pressuring defender

EXPANDED SMALL-SIDED ACTIVITY

7v7 - Big Goals

TRAINING AREA = 60W x 70L. Place (1) goal on each for the teams to score
on. Red & white score by passing/shooting the ball into the goal

Coaching Points:
Who - The balance player (furthest from the ball) & recovering defender; What -
As the furthest from the ball, the balancing player may need to shift forward and
across to reduce penetration (runs, passes, dribble) through the center of the
field; Recovery run = Behind the ball, preferably behind pressuring defender

GAME
Play 9v9 game with specific formations for each team.

Reinforce all points above

GK-3-2-3

[9]
U14 Week 7 By G Stephenson, Assistant Technical
Improve teams ability to defend against wide attack (#7,#11,#2,#3,#8,#6)

TECHNICAL WARM-UP
Wide play defending 1v1, 1v2, 2v2

TRAINING AREA = 10W x 15L. Place (1) goal on one end line. On the opposite
endline make a 10W x 3L scoring end-zone. The team that starts with the ball tries
to dribble into the end-zone under control in possession. The team that starts on
defense scores on the goal. Progress 1v1, 1v2, 2v2.

Coaching Points:
Application of defensive technique & pressure ; Who -Pressuring Defender (1st
defender) - Angle, Speed and Distance of approach; Angle, speed, timing of run -
Curve your run to force the attacker towards your support, or away from goal (angle
body towards area you wish to attacker to enter)

SMALL-SIDED ACTIVITY
4v4 - 2 goals, 1 goal

TRAINING AREA = 30W x 40L. Place (2) goals on one end-line, and on the
opposite end-line place (2) cones 5 yards wide making a goal. Red & white score
by passing/shooting the ball into the goal.

Coaching Points:
Application of defensive technique & pressure ; Who -Pressuring Defender (1st
defender) - Angle, Speed and Distance of approach; Angle, speed, timing of run -
Curve your run to force the attacker towards your support, or away from goal
(angle body towards area you wish to attacker to enter)

EXPANDED SMALL-SIDED ACTIVITY

8v7 - Big goal, and small goals

TRAINING AREA = 60W x 55L. Place (1) big goal on one end lines, place (2)
cones on each corner of the opposite end-line 5 yards wide making (2) goals.
Red & white score by passing/shooting the ball through the goals.

Coaching Points:
Who - #7,#11,#2,#3; What - To tackle the ball, or block penetrating cross; Why
- In wide areas near the goal, there is a great need to deny penetration; Angle,
speed, timing of run - Curve your run to force the attacker towards your support,
or away from goal (angle body towards area you wish to attacker to enter)

GAME
Play 9v9 game with specific formations for each team.

Reinforce all points above

GK-3-2-3

[10]
U14 Week 8 By G Stephenson, Assistant Technical
Improve teams ability to build up from the defensive half

4v4 Penetration
TECHNICAL WARM-UP
TRAINING AREA = 44W x 30L. Make a 44W x 15L channel in the middle of the
space where the defenders will play. Place a (T) target player on the other side of
the channel. The offense (white) tries to pass the ball around to connect with the
target. White players must stay in their zones. Reds must stay in the middle
channel. Reds (Defense) emphasize = Pressure on ball, stepping up individually &
group, shift right/left, drop, slide, cover, etc. to deny penetration

Coaching Points:
Application of defensive technique & pressure ; Who - Player closest to the ball =
pressure, player(s) in immediate support of ball = cover, furthest player from ball =
balance; Defensive Shape = knees bent, weight on toes, force the attacker towards
your support, or away from goal (angle body towards area you wish to attacker to
enter)

SMALL-SIDED ACTIVITY
6v5 - Big goal & small goal

TRAINING AREA = 60W x 55L. Place (1) one large goal on one end-line, and
small goal on the half-way line. Build a "restraining" line 60W x 40L for #1,2,3,4,5
to defend behind. #6 can move across the lines & between spaces. Red & white
scores by passing/shooting the ball in the goal.!

Coaching Points:
Defensive Shape = knees bent, weight on toes, force the attacker towards your
support, or away from goal (angle body towards area you wish to attacker to
enter); What - Shifting cover, and rotating across the field based on the speed,
distance, and angle of pressure of #6 on the ball; Who - #1,#2,#3,#4,#5 rotate
across the field above the 18 yard box below the restraining line

EXPANDED SMALL-SIDED ACTIVITY

8v7 Big Goals

TRAINING AREA = 60W x 55L. Place (1) big goal on the end-line and half-way
line for each team to attack. Red & white scores by passing/shooting the ball in
the goal.

Coaching Points:
Defensive Shape = knees bent, weight on toes, force the attacker towards your
support, or away from goal (angle body towards area you wish to attacker to
enter); What - Shifting cover, and rotating across the field based on the speed,
distance, and angle of pressure of #6 on the ball; Who - #1,2,3,4,5 rotate
across the field above the 18 yard box below the restraining line. Recovery run
behind ball or to center of goal

GAME
Play 9v9 game with specific formations for each team.

Reinforce all points above

GK-3-2-3

[11]
U14 Week 9 By G Stephenson, Assistant Technical
Improve team's ability to recover ball in attacking half (#7,#11,#9,#10,#8)

TECHNICAL WARM-UP
4v2 - 4v2

TRAINING AREA = 15x25L. Divide the space into (2) separate spaces. Play 4v2 in
one space. The attacking team should try to keep possession and count the highest
number of consecutive passes. The defending team should try to regain
possession, and pass the ball to their teammates in the opposite grid. As the ball
transitions to the opposite grid, (2) attacking players and defending players
transition to the grid with the ball.

Coaching Points:
Application of defensive technique & pressure ; What - Pressure, cover, balance;
Who - Player closest to the ball = pressure, player(s) in immediate support of ball =
cover, furthest player from ball = balance

SMALL-SIDED ACTIVITY
5v5 - 2 Goals & 1 Goal

TRAINING AREA = 60W x 50L. Place (2) goals on the end-line of the team you
are not coaching (white), and place (1) goal on the end-line of the team you are
coaching (red). Teams play 5v5. Red & White score by passing/shooting the ball
in the goal.

Coaching Points:
Application of defensive technique & pressure ; What - Pressure, cover, balance;
Who - Player closest to the ball = pressure, player(s) in immediate support of ball
= cover, furthest player from ball = balance; What – Cover for the pressuring
defender. Angle, speed, and distance of support based on pressuring defender;
Who – The supporting defender

EXPANDED SMALL-SIDED ACTIVITY

7v6 - Big Goals

TRAINING AREA = 60W x 70L. Place (1) goal on each end-line for the teams
to attack. Red & White score by passing/shooting the ball in the goal.

Coaching Points:
What – Compress spaces between supporting/balancing defenders to deny
penetration; Who – The balancing player, defender (2) or more passes away
from the ball; Why - To eliminate penetrating opportunities, and to win
possession near goal in order increase scoring chances

GAME
Play 9v9 game with specific formations for each team.

Reinforce all points above

GK-3-2-3

[12]
U14 Week 10 By G Stephenson, Assistant Technical
GK Angle play based on shape of the Back 4

TECHNICAL WARM-UP
Double 18 Shot Stopping

TRAINING AREA = 44W x 36L. Build a "second" 18 yard box off the existing 18
yard box. Have the white 18 yard box line serve as the mid-line between the two
zones. In (1) zone = K, #3,4,5,2 v (2) attackers; in the (2) zone = #6 v (4) attackers.
Balls always start with white opposition in far grid with (4) attackers. Their objective
is to strike on goal, or combine with their (2) attackers. If red team wins possession
they can shot on goal, or combine with #6 to go to goal. ALL PLAYERS ARE
RESTRICTED TO THEIR SPACE/ZONE.

Coaching Points:
Technical application of collecting the ball – footwork, handling, starting position;
What - GK(#1) movement, positioning, and angle play based on shape of the back 4
(#2,3,4,5); When - As the ball moves in front of the back 4, read the body shape of
back 4 & #6 to determine if shot on target is possible

SMALL-SIDED ACTIVITY
7v7 to 1 large goal, & 2 small goals.

TRAINING AREA = 60W x 55L. Place (1) large goal the end-line, and (2) small
goals on the halfway line. Balls always start with white team in possession from
the mid-line. White scores on large goal, red scores on small goals.

Coaching Points:
What - Reading the body shape of the defense; Who – GK; When - The moment
the defense forces the play central or wide; Why - Reading the defensive body
shape and being prepare will allow the GK to position themselves more efficiently
to make more saves

EXPANDED SMALL-SIDED ACTIVITY

9 v 8 to large goals.

TRAINING AREA = 60W x 70L. Place one goal on each end-line of the space.
White team (8) and attack red team (9).

Coaching Points:
What - Reading the body shape of the defense; Who – GK; When - The
moment the defense forces the play central or wide; Why - Organizing the back
4 based on the highest defenders will help to prevent shots from coming on
goal, and all for better anticipation of the penetration balls from the opposition

GAME
Play 9v9 game with specific formations for each team.

Reinforce all points above

GK-3-2-3

[13]