Typical Characteristics of U12 Players

• Peer evaluation is a constant

• Technique needs to be reinforced constantly

• keep asking the players to be creative and to take risks---we never want them to stop

• ask for feedback from them---they will tell you how things are going

• try to hand over leadership and ownership of the team to them

Keep it fun!!

 

Technique

Ø  Continue with all U10 focus

Ø  Running with a ball in traffic                                         }

Ø  Power/Accuracy Shooting                                               }          Both Feet

Ø  Passing – Pass selection (chip, driven, lofted, bend)          }

Ø  Control  - 1^st touch – how to receive out of the air   }

Ø  Heading – defensive v attacking header

Ø  Skills

Ø  Spatial Awareness – how to create space off the ball

Structured

Ø  Small sided games                          }        Fun Based

Ø  Possession games               }        Encourage positive play and individual expression

Ø  1v1, 2v2, 3v3 etc                }

Ø  Introduction to all roles in 3v3}

Ø  Combination Play                }

Ø  How and when to switch the point of attack}

Ø  Understand roles of 1^st & 2^nd Defender }

Ø  Understand roles of 1^st & 2^nd Attacker }

Basic understanding of roles in 8v8 soccer

Ø  Positional awareness        }          With and without the ball

Ø  Understanding                   }

US Youth Soccer & JFC Recommendations:

Game Form:            8 vs 8 (goalkeepers share time in order of priority)

Game Duration:      2 x 30 minutes (free substitution)

Field Size:                 80 yards x 50 yards

Ball Size/Game Rules:#4. FIFA rules apply

Practices:     JFC D2 Training + 1/2 practices (check website for dates & times)