Introduction
The following is a ten-week curriculum designed for Foxboro youth soccer. It works on the following
fundamentals
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
8)
9)
10)
Passing and control
Dribbling
Defending
Transition
Crossing
Shooting and Finishing
Heading
Combination Play
Team Defending
Creating Space
It is not necessary to do these sessions in chronological order, but it is important that the players are
exposed to all of these sessions during the course of a season.
At this age level it is crucial that the sessions are rigorous and challenging from the start. Creating a culture
of discipline and respect for the game begins with the quality and intensity of the warm up.
Foxboro Youth Soccer
U14 Curriculum 2014
Week 1-Passing and Control
Aim: To be able to receive the ball keeping it under control and to make passes with accuracy and
appropriate power to a teammate
Skills
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Inside of the foot
Laces
Outside of the foot
Inside of the foot pass with curl
Back heel pass
Long aerial pass
No look pass
Warm-up:
In pairs, players pass and accelerate into space to receive the return pass.
Players must call for the ball both when passing and receiving.
Vary receiving surfaces and directions
Games:
Passing Partners
Put the players in pairs facing each other. They should have a ball between two. Spend time going over
appropriate technique by getting them to exchange passes. Icrease or decrease the passing area depending
on ability.
1) Inside of the foot –
 Approach from the side
 Standing foot close to the ball
 Strike the middle of the ball and follow through
 Keep your eye on the ball.
2) Laces –
 Approach the ball straight on
 Place the standing foot next to the ball
 Point the toes down
 Strike through the center of the ball
 Follow through after pass
3) Outside of the foot –
 Approach the ball straight on
 Place the standing foot next to the ball
 Point the toes down
 Strike the inside of the ball (closest to the standing foot)
 Follow through after pass
4) Inside of the foot pass with curl  Approach the ball side on.
 Place the standing foot next to the ball
 Strike the outside of the ball
 Follow through after pass
5) Aerial Pass
 Approach the ball side on
 Place the standing foot close to the ball
 Strike underneath the ball and centrally
 Strike using the inside top part of the foot
6) The Ronaldinho No-Look Pass
 Players approach the ball pretending to pass to a player
 As the player approaches the ball they look in a different direction to the person to whom they are
passing!
 This will deceive the defender
Hit the Targets
Players in pairs spread out approximately 20-30 yards apart. They try to play a ball accurately to their
partner. Receiving players must play the ball one touch to prepare then pass on their second touch
Coaching Points
1) Good pace and accuracy on the pass
2) Accurate passes rather than hurrying the pass
3) Good first touch from player receiving ball using different body parts and surfaces to receive
Exercises:
4 v 4 + 2 Possession with a Purpose
4 attackers try to possess the ball with the help of 2 neutral players versus 4 defenders. The players must
cross the opponent’s goal line in possession to score.
4 v 4 +2 Possession Using Width
4 attackers try to possess the ball with the help of 2 wide neutral players against 4 defenders. Players must
cross the line in possession to score. The goal is to use the wide players to both keep possession and to
advance the ball.
Game: 8 v 8. Passing accuracy and possession are emphasized.
Soccer Feature: Style of Play. Discussion with the team about the benefits of playing direct or
indirect soccer.
Week 2-Dribbling
Aim: To encourage close control of the ball whilst dribbling, using the correct parts of the foot
Skills
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Inside of the foot dribbling
Laces dribbling (toes down)
Sole dribbling
Outside of the foot dribbling
Fakes and turns
Warm-up:
Fakes and Turns
Players have a ball each and are dribbling around the square, on the coach’s command players can perform
one of the fakes listed below. To progress the drill the coach can have players pass and move with a ball
between two. On the coaches command the player that has the ball at the time of the coach’s signal can turn
and face their partner and try and dribble past them using a fake.
1) Shoulder Drop –
 As the ball carrier reaches the defender they bend their left knee and lower their left shoulder
 They then push of the bent knee and accelerate to the right
2) Scissors –
 The ball carrier steps over the ball with their left foot
 As they do so they lower their left shoulder
 They then push off the bent knee and accelerate to the right
3) Inside Outside –
 As the ball carrier approaches the defender they touch the ball with the inside of their foot
 As quickly as they can after that they touch the ball back with the outside of the foot and
accelerate
Turns
(reverse instructions for left footed players)
Inside hook
 Approach the ball to the right
 With your left foot next to the right side of the ball
 Use the instep of your right to play the ball behind you
Outside hook
 Approach the ball to the left
 Use the outside of the right foot to change direction
Drag Back
 Approach the ball head on
 With your left foot on the left of the ball
 Using the sole of the right foot drag the ball behind you
Coaching Points
1) Players should wait until the defender is close to them to perform a fake in order to give them less time
to react.
2) Players should accelerate quickly away from the defender after the fake
Dribbling Triangles
Players in groups of three dribble to the middle cone, then: cuts to left, right, step overs, scissors,
Maradona, Cruyf, Stanley Matthews, etc away to the other direction.
Exercises:
1 v 1 v 1 Zone
Players are in groups of three. They take turns dribbling into each other’s zone. The object is to beat the
opponent and get past the second one. The first to do so successfully wins the challenge
6 v 6 Man to Man
Players are paired up with their opponents. They must mark man to man. Players can only be tackled or
defended by their man. If the player breaks free with the ball, they can score uninhibited. Passing can still
occur but the emphasis is on taking players on
Game:
8 v 8 to Goals. The emphasis is on taking players on 1 v 1 when possible, and attacking space with the ball
Soccer Feature: Zonal v Man to Man Defending. Team discussions with the team, on the
need to adjust to the different types and areas of the field to incorporate these defensive
concepts.
Week 3-Defending Small Group
Aim: To help players to be able to pressure the ball carrier in an attempt to dispossess them
Skills
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To get close enough to a player to cause them to take a ‘bad’ touch
For the defender to stay on their feet and not slide in
Communication from teammates allows defenders to be aware of attackers behind them also
Key Principles
1) Players should pressure the ball carrier whilst not getting too close, as this reduces the amount of time
for the defender to be able to react.
2) The defender should try and poke at the ball and force the ball carrier into a wide position away from
the goal.
3) Players should always keep their eye on the ball and not the player
4) If a defender wins the ball they should look to attack and maintain possession rather than play a long
‘hopeful’ aerial pass
5) Players should take a ‘Side on’ position taken to allow quick change of direction
Warm-up:
Call The Defender
Every player has a ball that they are dribbling around the square. The coach calls out the name of a player
and they then must try and tag as many players as possible. When tagged the players must leave the square
and perform a skill of the coach’s choice e.g. 5 juggles. The defender must be rotated regularly.
Exercise:
The Number Game
Split the players into two teams. The two teams are put inside two squares with a ball per team and are
passing and moving. Each player has a number that corresponds with that number on the other team. When
the coach shouts out the player’s number they both rush out of their square after a ball rolled into a neutral
area by the coach. They must compete to win the ball and try and score into the goal.
Coaching Points
1) The defender (player second to the ball) must try and get between the attacker and the goal
2) The defender should try to sprint to where the attacker is going rather than chasing them, this allows
them to apply head on pressure to the ball carrier
3) The defender should force the attacker wide by staying ‘goal side’ of the attacker
Note: ‘Goal side’ refers to a defender taking up a position that is inside the attacker, blocking the route to
goal
2 v 2 Channel
Make several channels inside the square. 4 players per channel, with a goal at either end. There is one ball
per channel. The defenders starts with the ball and plays a pass to the attackers at the other end of the
channel. The attacker must then try and score in the defenders goal. The defenders must try and stop them.
Emphasize the opportunity for transition
Coaching Points
1)
2)
3)
4)
After the defender passes, they should immediately follow it to close down the space.
Stop closing down just before reaching the attacker to give space to react to a fake etc
Approach attacker at an angle blocking off the goal to cancel out an early shot.
Communicate with each other…I’ve got ball, jockey, tackle etc
6 v 4 Possession
There are six attackers who have possession of the ball. They will make passes to try and keep the ball
away from the four defenders. You can add conditions into the game such as:
 The attackers must make 5 passes to get a point
 If the defenders touch the ball the attackers lose a point.
 If the ball goes outside of the square then the attackers have lost control and the defenders again
get a point.
8 v 8 Defensive Grid
In three even grids, players are divided into 3-3-2 formation. They defend numbers up (3v2), even in the
midfield (3v3) and attack numbers down (2v3).
Game: 8 v 8 or 11 v 11
Soccer Feature: Fitness. Discussion on the need to improve individual and team fitness levels as it relates
to the demands of the game.
Week 4-Transition
Aim: To understand the importance of going from attacking to defending and vice versa
Skills
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Recognizing the moment of transition
Transition at speed
Transition shape and style
Key Principles
1) From defending to attacking, play as directly as possible
2) From defending to attacking, recognize the best possible option to keep the ball if numbers down
3) From attacking to defending, get pressure immediately on the ball and get numbers behind the ball
Warm-up
Drop Pass
Players in three (or fours) pass and follow their pass. The receiving player plays the ball one touch to the
oncoming player who plays it back( one touch) to the next player checking.
Exercises:
3 v 3 Transition w/Targets
Exercise:
4 v 4 Transition w/Targets
Game:
7 v 7 +1 Transition
Coaching Points:
In transition, players must move the ball quickly, to either possess or penetrate
Team winning the ball must create width, depth, and height with runs
Team losing the ball must compact the space and defend the direct path to the goal
Game: 8 v 8 or 11 v 11
Soccer Feature: Positioning
Set up players in recognized positions on the field and explain that players’ purpose. Show goalkeepers,
defenders, midfielders and forwards. You can then try and use these positions in a game situation.
Week 5 Crossing
Aim: To build on the understanding on when and how to serve the goal area and which runs are effective
Skills
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Being able to serve a ball with different types of curves
Being able to time runs that get to the end of crosses
Being able to finish off balls served into the box
Accuracy and proper pace of serves
Warm-up:
Short, Short, Long
Exercises:
2 V 2 Long Ball Serve
Runs into the Box
6 v 6 +2 Channel Game
Game:
8 v 8 or 11 v 11
Soccer Feature: Establishing a Rhythm of Play
Team discussion, about the importance of establishing a rhythm of play as early in the game as possible.
Week 6-Shooting and Finishing
Aim: To score goals by encouraging accurate shots that are away from the goalkeeper and on frame
Skills
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Inside of the foot shot
Laces shot
Dribble and shot
Inside of the foot shot with curl
Outside of the foot shot with curl
Key Principles
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
Players should get their body weight over the ball
They should maintain eye contact with the ball throughout the shot
They should not lean back.
The ankle should be locked and the toes should always be pointed down.
Accuracy over power should be encouraged.
Strike through the ball then follow through with the leg for more power
To curl the ball players should strike the outside of the ball rather than the center
1) Inside of the foot –
 Approach from the side
 Standing foot close to the ball
 Strike the middle of the ball and follow through
 Keep your eye on the ball.
2) Laces –
 Approach the ball straight on
 Place the standing foot next to the ball
 Point the toes down
 Strike through the center of the ball
 Follow through after shot
3) Outside of the foot –
 Approach the ball straight on
 Place the standing foot next to the ball
 Point the toes down
 Strike the inside of the ball (closest to the standing foot) to give curl
 Follow through after shot
4) Inside of the foot shot with curl  Approach the ball side on.
 Place the standing foot next to the ball
 Strike the outside of the ball
 Follow through after shot
Warm-up
Circle Exercise
Coaching Points:
1) Players check to the ball
2) Accuracy and quality of servers is as important as those of the receivers
3) Players rotate after a set time, alternating techniques
4) Players only dribble missed passes
Exercises:
Shooting thru Gates
Coaching Points:
1) Emphasis on making runs at speed and decelerating upon contact with the ball.
2) Players must concentrate on striking the ball accurately and at the proper spot.
3) It is important that they keep their eyes on the ball, and their head down when striking the ball.
4) Players should aim for placing the ball away from the goalkeeper
5) Players should alternate feet after changing gates
Three Tiered Shooting
Exercise: 4 v 4 Shooting/Finishing w/Bumpers
Game: 8 v 8 or 11 v 11
Soccer Feature: Formations 4-4-2, 4-3-3, 3-5-2, etc.
Week 7-Heading
Aim: To continue the reinforcement of appropriate technique when heading the ball.
Skills
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Proper technique , eyes open, mouth closed, use the forehead
Balance and the use of arms when heading
Generate power using the arms thrust and rigid neck
Heading to score versus heading to clear
Warm-Up:
Game:
3 Player Juggling Game
Coaching Points
1) Players must communicate
2) Players must keep moving their feet to get under the ball
3) Ball should be headed upwards to allow players to get under it
Exercise:
Heading Accuracy
Coaching Points:
1) Player 1 head the ball down to the legs of the server 2 (accuracy) , then over the head to player
3(distance) on the second toss
2) Heading player should approach the ball both straight on and sideways
3) Focus is on getting over the ball versus getting under it
5 v 5 Heading Team Handball
Game: 8 v8 or 11 v 11
Soccer Feature: Corner Kicks
Explain when they are awarded and how they are taken. When a defending team touches the ball last, and
the ball crosses the end line (the line that the goal is on), then the attacking team receives a corner kick. The
kick is taken from the corner on the side that the ball went out of play!
Week 8-Combination Play
Aim: To continue to build on the concept of playing in support of others.
Skills
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Playing with the head up
Ability to pass accurately and make supporting runs
Quality first touch on the ball and the ability to play quickly
Wall pass, give and go, takeovers, and overlap
Key principles:
1) Horizontal and vertical support
2) Runs initiates the pass
3) Attacking open spaces with movement and passing
4) Ball moves faster when passed than when dribbled
Warm Up:
Game:
3 v 2 Combination Play
Exercise:
6 v 6 +2 Zone Game
Game: 8 v 8 or 11 v 11
Soccer Feature: Sportsmanship
Explain certain aspects of sportsmanship in the game. Have players shake hands/high five the opposing
team at the end of the scrimmage.
Week 9-Team Defending
Aim: To work together to defend as a team incorporating the skills learnt previously about individual
defending
Skills
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Players should force the attacker away from the goal area
Players should approach the ball carrier at an angle that gets between them and the goal
Players should be on their toes ready to shift their momentum at any time
Key Principles
1) When defending players can stand on the side that the goal is on, meaning that the attacker must
dribble all the way around the defender to get to the goal.
2) This is ‘goal side’ defending.
3) When there are two defenders they can work together to dispossess the ball carrier.
4) Two defenders can communicate to try and double team the attacker. They can synchronize their
attempt to win the ball in this way
5) Defenders can wait for the ball carrier to take a touch on the ball which takes it far away from their
body, this allow the defender to possibly steal it.
Warm-Up
5 v 2 Keep-Away
Exercise:
5 v 3 To Goal
Exercise:
6 v 4 Defending w/Counter Attack
Coaching Points:
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
Defenders must set the restraining line high enough to allow for offside runs
Defenders must communicate clearly and definitively
Defenders stay as compact as possible
Defenders must deny penetration and also be shot-blockers
Goalkeepers must help organize the defenders
8 v 8 Defending
Game : 8 v 8 or 11 v 11
Soccer Feature: Playing the clock. Discuss the adjustments to style and formations that you can use
when either up or down goals late in the game.
Week 10-Creating Space
Aim: To work on an individual and team methods of creating space in order to create possession or scoring
opportunities
Skills
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Encourage players to spread out allowing for the ball to be played quickly across the field
To get players to attack space with and without the ball
Encourage players to use their mobility and timing to create space
Changing direction or speed while using deception
Key Principles
1) If players are in space they are in a better position to receive a pass than those that are covered
2) This gives those players time to dribble and attack the goal
3) If a player is confronted with pressure, they must be adept at losing their defender
4) Force defenders to make decision whether to mark the runner, or play the ball carrier
Warm-Up:
Get Lost
Players are paired up within a large circle or square holding a pinnie. On the coach’s command one of the
players lets go of the pinnie and attempts to lose their defender while running about the circle. Coach
counts to 10 seconds then game stops.
Exercises:
3 Man Weave
Checking In/Out
Players in pairs dribble about the grid. On command, the coach calls and the players checks towards the
ball at top speed. .The player first to the ball gets the pass from the coach, then spins out to check out and
away to lose their defender.
Runs:
Various runs are defined including bent, diagonal, straight, dummy, offside, curved, and
curl. Emphasis is on timing and quality of the runs in relation to the pass.
Second Runner
Players off the ball are shown when and how to make runs after the first attacker clears
space. Verbal and nonverbal communication is needed. First attacker demands the ball
thereby causing the defender to react. If the defender is not displaced, the first attacker
peels out and gets behind the defender for a pass. Attackers should not run offside.
5 v 3 Runs to Goal
Coaching Points:
Runners must vary their runs and disguise their intent. A curled, slashing, and a check run
made at the same time can have a devastating impact on a defense. Timing of the runs are
therefore crucial and must be done with speed and efficiency.
11 v 11 Creating Space Zone Game
Coaching Points:
Players keep possession and attempt to play quality passes to dynamic runners. Team
shape in the different zones is emphasized. Attacking players only can join another grid
once the ball is passed into that grid. Players must make dynamic and creative runs to
dislodge the defense and create attacking opportunities.
Game 11 v 11. Emphasis on making quality and well times runs to create and attack space.
Soccer Feature: Dealing with Adversity-Inclement Weather. Discussion about playing in varying
climatic and field of play challenges.