U14 Guidelines
Framework for Player Development
Soccer Definitions:
-Technique/Technical: A player’s ability with the ball, a certain skill set (dribbling, passing, shooting, receiving).
-Tactics/Tactical: Decision Making (both individual decision making and group decision making).
-Dribbling: The art of keeping the ball close to you as you run or walk.
-Receiving: Settling, stopping, or directing the ball as it comes to you.
U14-Individual Skills and Small Group Tactics
Adult standards and formal rules become the focal point. The demands of skill training as well as training loads should increase thus provoking improvement in mental toughness, concentration and diligence.
Coach: Strong personality; Soccer knowledge; Enthusiastic; Demonstrate
TECHNIQUE: Build on the base. Development of individual skill under pressure
Dribbling Encourage players to take players on 1v1; Moves; Shielding and Spin turns.
Receiving Quality 1st touch. Still highly emphasized. Take balls out of air/turning; all
surfaces.
Passing Short, long, bent, crosses, driven, chipped; all surfaces and on the move.
Shooting On the run; on the turn; from all angles; Volleys; 1/2 volleys
Heading To goal; To pass; To clear
Tackling Proper technique and timing; Slide
TACTICS: Increase tactical speed (decision making)
Individual 1V1
Attacking Encourage the creative risk taker; take players on in proper areas of the field
Defending Proper pressure (in front and behind); Channel player; immediate chase
Small Group 2V1, 2V2, 3V2, 3V3, 4V2, 4V3, 4V4
Attacking Keep possession; Support; Combination Play; Width, Depth, Penetration;
Crossing with proper runs; Simple set plays
Defending Pressure-Cover-Balance, Compactness, Delay, Tracking back; Simple set plays
Play a lot of small-sided games and coach within the games. Join in
PHYSICAL: Flexibility, Agility
Speed
Strength
Endurance
MENTAL: The game must remain fun
Imagination/Creativity/Risk Taking
Increase Demands
Establish Training Targets
Maintain Discipline
Encourage them to watch high-level games.