Our Training Objectives

The age range that I will be targeting is 7 through 12, which is the optimal window for trainability of speed, flexibility (muscle memory), and skill retention. The technical side of training, in conjunction with the agility work, will be building a greater repertoire of soccer related movements. Repetitions are important to develop technical mastery, so one session will be dedicated to one move combined with agility and technique surrounding that move. By creating a fun and challenging soccer environment, I will provide your child with the fundamental building blocks that are needed when it comes to LTPD (Long-Term Player Development).

My training sessions will have an 8-1 player-coach ratio, which will enable me to give more individual technical instruction to players who need it at different times in their ability progression. Since instruction is based on individual development, I can be as basic or advanced with that player as their ability allows.

Session format:

• agility, balance, or co-ordination drills
• specific move for that week- proper technique
• one on one practice-
• small-sided controlled games

Technical skills for IPT players

Dribbling objectives

• change of direction
• change of speed
• deception
• ball manipulation mastery

Dribbling skills and moves

• Rolling the ball using the bottom of the foot, forward, back and  across the body
• Single cut and double cut on the ball to change direction  90 degrees
• Single and double step over (foot movement inside to out)
• Single and double scissors  (foot movement outside to inside)
• Fake pass, pull back and change direction (Puskas)
• Cruyff – fake pass, touch ball in opposite direction behind planted foot
• Flip flop (Stanley Mathews) – touch the ball with the inside of the foot and then quickly move the ball in the other direction using the outside of the same foot
• Shielding the ball
• 360 spin (Maradona)
• Shuttle movements

Passing Objectives

• Short passing with both feet
• Driven passes with both feet
• Bending the ball (inside and outside of the foot)
• Chipping the ball with both feet

The overall goal for the passing portion of the training is to get the non-dominant foot to a level where the child feels comfortable enough to use it in a game situation.