TO: Micro Soccer (First Grade) Coaches
OBJECTIVE: Our aim is for the kids to HAVE FUN and to MAXIMIZE BALL TOUCHES, and to allow players to meet the game’s real situations. Be sure to organize warm-ups quickly and clearly – then step back and let the kids play. Once the Micro Soccer (First Grade) game begins, let them play with as few interruptions as possible (goals, substitutes and injuries aside).
THE GAME ITSELF IS THE GREATEST TEACHER! Soccer is a simple game with two basic challenges:
1. Score a goal before your opponents can take the ball away from you.
2. Take the ball away from your opponents before they can score a goal on you.
COACH’S RESPONSIBILITY: Words like “activity coordinator” and “time keeper” come to mind for your primary responsibility.
Stay focused on fun, sportsmanship and player safety (teaching these basics now will set us up for success in future years both on and off the field). Be on time, and plan ahead, for the warm-ups and the Micro Soccer (First Grade) game. Utilize the drills and games you learned in the G License Course. Be prepared with an adequate supply of balls and equipment (BYS provides balls and cones at each field). Please make sure you keep all provided equipment together, and return them to the provided bag after warm-ups and after the game so that the next team can use them as well. Always give players equal time and opportunities on the field. Communication is key; so communicate clearly and completely to all players and their PARENTS/GUARDIANS as well.
WARM-UPS: The warm-up session should last about 20 minutes. Each warm-up session should be geared around touching the ball as many times as possible. EVERY PLAYER SHOULD HAVE A BALL DURING THE WARM-UP SESSION. Balls will be provided by BYS at each field. Try to have each player touch a ball hundreds of times during each warm-up session. Avoid having kids waiting in lines for drills. NO LINES OF KIDS SHOULD BE WAITING TO SHOOT AT THE GOAL; KEEP THE KIDS MOVING AND INTERESTED IN THE GAME!!!
Some examples of activities that involve everyone include:
Four squares, dribbling (with right, left, sides, and soles of feet), wickets, fast feet (inside of feet and sole of feet), relay races, and stopping the ball with various body parts.
PLEASE FEEL FREE TO SUPPLEMENT THESE AND CHANGE THEM FROM WEEK-TO-WEEK BY USING YOUR G LICENSE MANUAL AND THE INFORMATION FROM THE WEBSITES WE PROVIDED TO YOU IN YOUR COACH’S PACKET.
MICRO SOCCER (First Grade) GAME:
The Micro Soccer (First Grade) game should last about 25 minutes. Coaches do not need to be on the field during a Micro Soccer game, but serve as the referee/facilitator to keep the game moving. The coach’s main responsibility is to make sure that each child get equal playing time regardless of ability level/skill. We want to have continuous play as much as possible. We are not trying to teach restarts during a Micro Soccer game (i.e. NO THROW-INS, GOAL KICKS, CORNER KICKS, FREE KICKS, PENALTY KICKS, ETC.). Most kids at this age cannot or will not pass the ball nor will they stay in a certain position. Twenty seconds after the start of a game, every player will be within five yards of the ball. Coaches should not get overly concerned with teaching positional play. THE GAME ITSELF IS THE GREATEST TEACHER. JUST LET THE KIDS PLAY!
NUMBER OF PLAYERS: Five versus five.
THERE IS A GOALKEEPER. Encourage all children to play a position (forward/defender). HAVE THEM GO BOTH WAYS. THE OBJECT IS TO OBTAIN AND POSSESS THE BALL AND SCORE GOALS. WHEN THE OTHER TEAM HAS THE BALL, THEY SHOULD DEFEND AGAINST THEM!!! GOALIES CAN ONLY THROW OR ROLL THE BALL OUT;
ABSOLUTELY NO PUNTING!
SUBSTITUTIONS: Every three minutes or so, the coaches should stop the game and all ten players should come off the field and ten new players should come on the field (provided each team has enough subs to do so). GOALKEEPERS MUST BE SUBBED OUT ON EACH SUBSTITUTION REGARDLESS OF HOW MANY SUBS A TEAM HAS!!!
RESTARTS: Strive for continuous play as much as possible. Parents should help to keep the ball in play by positioning themselves around the perimeter of the playing field. After a goal, remember to restart the game with a place kick at midfield. Defending players should be at least 5 yards away from the ball before the place kick is taken. The coaches should stop and restart the game when necessary to prevent injuries and also to substitute the players every three minutes or so.
ALL PLAYERS MUST WEAR SHIN GUARDS!!!
SOCCER CLEATS AND MOUTH GUARDS ARE RECOMMENDED.