Geneseo Soccer Club - Soccer Curriculum

U9-U12 - Develop the basic technical skills of the game.

The coach should focus on the technical skills of the soccer players. It should be recognized that the youngest players are physically and cognitively immature. Concentration on team tactics and/or fitness is not only a waste of time at this age but can be detrimental to the development of the player. The coach should encourage the player's natural creativity in situations the player can understand, that is, in individual or very small group situations, 1v1, 2v1, 2v2, etc.

Ball control, trapping.
Dribbling, with both feet.
Shooting, drive and curve, outside of the box.
Passing, inside and outside of the foot, driven, push and chip passes.
Crossing, long and short.
Heading, offensive and defensive.
Defending 1v1, pressure.
Defending 1v2, cover.
Introduction to offensive and defensive positioning.
Participation in a competitive soccer league, Illowa Youth Soccer League.
Participation in 2-4 appropriate tournaments.
Training and games, 3-4 times total per week.

U13-U14 - Develop speed of performance of technical skills in game situations.

Review technical skills.
Playing the ball on the ground.
Minimizing the number of touches.
Receiving the ball and switching the point of attack.
Diagonal positioning, defensive and offensive. Showing for the ball.
Players should learn how to play in all sectors of the field.
Circulation of the ball and players will be introduced.
Intensity of training should increase.
Participation in a competitive soccer league.
Participation in 2-4 tournaments.

At the end of the U14 year, the player should fit the following description.

Superior 1v1 skills. The player should have the ability and confidence to take on and beat an opponent in a 1v1 situation, as well as the poise to keep possession under strong defensive pressure.
Quality first touch. The player should have the skill and vision to place the ball with his or her first touch in a spot so the ball can be controlled and played efficiently.
Striking accuracy and power. The player should have superior skill when striking the ball with all surfaces of both feet.
Mastery of small group situations. The player should be tactically creative in small group situations, 2v1, 2v2, 3v1, etc.

U15-U16 - Technical and tactical training for the individual player and the team.

Review technical skills.
Identify the best sector, defensive, midfield or forward, for each player and develop his/her expertise in that sector.
Tactical patterns and circulation of the ball.
Building from the back with inside or outside penetration.
Participation in the GHS soccer program.
Participation in a competitive soccer league.
Participation in 2-4 tournaments.

U17-U19 - Tactical knowledge of strategies applied in different systems.

Review technical skills.
Strategies of 4-4-2, 3-5-2, 3-4-3, etc.
Circulation of midfielders.
Full game must be understood.
Participation in the GHS soccer program.
Participation in a competitive soccer league.
Participation in 2-4 tournaments.

This curriculum was taken in large part from The Principles of Brazilian Soccer by Jose Thadeu Goncalves, Reedswain, 1998.