From: The Myers Family [myer@sgi.net]
Sent: Tuesday, July 02, 2002 10:56 PM
To: coaches@pleasanthillssoccer.org
Subject: Summer program outline and introduction
Pleasant Hills Soccer Association
Summer Session, June 18, 2002

`Introduction`

The following contains the general introductory material for coaches summer outdoor session with the U8, U9, U10, and U11 players. This soccer program is designed to be age appropriate, fun, and focused upon the skills development of the players which were not necessarily covered during the previous Fall, Winter, and Spring sessions. The general theme is "It's in the air!"; implying that skills related to air balls are covered. The general priority and objective of each session is: 1. Fun, 2. Fun, 3. Fun, and 4. Air ball skills. That is, keep the summer sessions light and fun. Do not over challenge the players with the skills and keep the success rate high when covering skills. Target the skills portion of each session to about 20 minutes for the U8 and 30 minutes for the U9 and up, as a maximum.

`Tentative Schedule`

The outdoor schedule is approximately 7 to 8 weeks in length. Since the weather may be excessively hot, please do not overwork the players. Have the children bring their own water. Coaches should bring extra water and, if possible, have a sprayer around for their use as well. Consider starting the evening sessions later if the weather seems to be unreasonable.

Week 1: Skill session:
U8 - U11: Receiving with the thigh

Week 2: Skill session:
U8 - U11: Receiving with the chest

Week 3: Skill session:
U8 - U11: Heading

    Week 4: Skill session:
        U8: Receiving air balls with the foot touches
        U9 - U11: Trapping with the inside and outside of the foot

    Week 5: Skill session:
        U8: Long ball passing and service
        U9 - U11: Passing long balls with power, front, and chips

    Week 6: Skill session:
        U8: Simple trapping techniques
        U9 - U11: Receiving long ball passes

Week 7: Skill session:
U8 - U11: Putting it all together out of the air

`Team Training Sessions`

The general structure or form of the team training sessions are as follows. The first three portions of the session should not take more than 20 minutes for the U8's and 30 minutes for the U10's. The last two sessions should be the remaining portion of the session and very much game related. Do not hesitate to take breaks. These breaks may be longer than usual to enable the children to cool down if the weather is hot.

Warm-up - typical technical light individual activity, may include stretching for the U10's
Individual Activity - technical activity based on skills needed for the theme of the day
Activities in Pairs - technical activity in pairs
Game Conditioned Activity - Usually game situation conditioned to increase the frequency of the current theme of the day
THE GAME - At least 25% of the training session is the game of soccer in various forms.
Warm down - Fun light activity which send the children home with a smile