Philosophy
6-10: teach them to love in
10-16: teach them to play it
16-18: teach them to win
“Let the children play day and night, and let them make mistakes.” - Pep Guardiola
Relationships with parents, coaches, players
Are the sessions fun?
Are sessions safe?
Developing the roots for wanting to play and learn
Creating an environment for experiential learning
Introducing and developing basic technical abilities
The best teacher is the game itself.
Encourage kids to play on their own - backyard play
Tactical development
Understanding the game, roles, and positions
More advanced technical work
Game related training
Developing a team culture
Team expectations and behavior
Developing a winning mindset
Motivate players intrinsically to reach their full potential
Team framework and chemistry
Creating a pathway for players to further their career
Create strong resilient people ready for life - good citizens
Famous author and researcher Malcolm Gladwell writes about how the technical knowledge of the first coach is much, much less important than their ability to interest the person in the activity. A study of professional musicians, for example, found that they typically didn’t get high quality tuition until they had already been playing for several years. The lack of ‘technical’ tuition at the beginning didn’t hurt them because they loved the instrument and wanted to practice. In hindsight, it is obvious that people will spend much more time and energy doing things they love. That is why it can be argued that the very first and most important coaching skill is to teach to love the activity.
Teach them to love the game first... The first coach is the most important.
Under 6-7
“Skill is technique under pressure”
Ball mastery is the key component to build a foundation for higher technical ability. Free play is vital to develop problem solving without outside input (thinking for themselves). Coaching staff must create a safe and fun atmosphere for all participants. Focus on character development and encouraging positive players. Limited instruction but lots of positivity and encouragement.
Coaches should never advise their players to pass or shoot during play - the player should learn to make the decision on their own. Focus on spatial awareness and not necessarily positions.
Under 8
The goalie can use his or her hands, and when they have possession, they should be advised to roll the ball out with their hands, or pass the ball with their feet to a teammate nearby. Field players should be aware of width and depth, making the field bigger (spacing). Reaffirm taking risks and learning from mistakes.
1v1 should be a part of every training session in some capacity. Players should be able to execute 3-4 dribbling moves while moving. Introduce the importance of scanning the field for defensive players and for open spaces.
Process of learning → written word first, then hearing, then observing, then practicing. Coaches need to work to provide this process for kids. Some kids need each stage of learning. The same can be said of coaches too. Coaches may not want or have the ability to read this page, so we want to have videos and coaching clinics available as well.
Under 10
The focus at these ages should be FUN and individual growth with the ball to create a passion for the game. Coaches need to be comfortable with sacrificing some results for the benefit of individual growth and development. Team shape on both sides of the ball can now be introduced as well as certain requirements within the system of play (making the field bigger).
Areas of Focus: Establishing proper technique on the ball (dribbling, turns, moves, passing, and receiving) through repetition and progression is the goal. Good activities (1v1 – 4v4) will include technical, tactical and cognitive elements that are competitive, free flowing and fun. Keep coaching interruptions to a minimum. Coaches at these ages should be supportive and focusing on success while identifying areas of need, we should picking out what is good.
Under 12
Feeling comfortable building out of the back.
Making mistakes is part of the process.
Developing range of passing.
Understanding of team concepts.
Importance of being a team player and commitment to the team (attending practices and games, effort, etc.)
As players go from 7 to 9 a side, they are asked to process the game with more players on the field and begin to discover solutions to the problems that they will encounter. Solutions should be based on reading the game, creativity, comfort on the ball, and playing out of danger. Players and coaches should continue to explore multiple positions on the field and gain an appreciation and understanding for each role. Creative solutions to the challenges that the game presents will breed confidence and ultimately lead to more enjoyment for players.
Areas of Focus: The emphasis of 9 v 9 soccer is still on individual player development while the concept of keeping all players on the field involved and connected is introduced. Small sided 3v3 & 4 v 4 to 8 v 8 exercises, along with numbers up/down situations, are now introduced with an increased awareness of the concepts of transition. All players should recognize both opportunities to attack (develop and identify goal scorers) and the responsibility of everyone to defend. Roles and responsibilities become more established for positional play within a system. The concept of zonal defending should also be introduced.
Coaching on the Sideline
Please refrain from asking players to dribble, pass and shoot while they are playing. At this age, or any age, it does not help the player's development. They need to be able to make decisions on their own while they are on the ball. If we really want to teach our kids, we should wait until a stoppage of play or when they are off the field and tell them when they should dribble, when they should pass
Warm-up before Matches
Ask players to arrive with their soccer balls 15-30 minutes before the game. This is the perfect time to hold a skills session with your kids. This is the time they are usually most focused because they are wearing their jerseys and ready to play. Work on toe touches, milkshakes (ball back and forth with inside of foot), inside-outside, inside-outside with both feet, red-light, green-light, working on moves like pull-backs, fake left - go right (push with outside of right foot) and fake right - go left (push with outside of left foot).
Success, Redefined
As we guide our young players through their soccer journey, it’s worth reflecting on how we define success, especially at the youth level. Winning often takes center stage—it’s a natural goal for coaches, parents, and players alike. But when we overemphasize victories, particularly for kids as young as 4-10, we risk sacrificing long-term development for short-term results. Here’s a closer look at how parents, coaches, and our club can work together to prioritize the process over the outcome, ensuring our players grow into skilled, healthy, and passionate athletes.
The Big Picture: Winning vs. Development
There’s nothing wrong with wanting to win—success feels good! However, when the scoreboard becomes the sole measure of achievement, we can unintentionally sideline the reasons kids play: fun, friendships, and building a foundation for lifelong fitness. Research shows that kids who enjoy sports early on are more likely to stick with them, while those burned out by pressure often drop out by their teens. At the youth level, our focus should be on developing healthy habits and fundamental skills, not just racking up trophies.
Where It Starts: Parents
Parents play a huge role in shaping how kids view soccer. Here are a few common pitfalls—and how to avoid them:
Rewarding Goals Over Teamwork: Offering treats or praise only for scoring can send the wrong message. If a coach is emphasizing passing or defending, but a player’s focus shifts to personal stats, it undermines the team-first nature of soccer. Let’s celebrate effort and collaboration, not just the score sheet.
Sideline Coaching: Kids naturally want to please their parents, and your voice often carries the most weight. But when it conflicts with the coach’s instructions, it creates confusion—imagine a GPS and a backseat driver giving directions at once! Trust the coach’s plan and cheer without directing play. Too many voices can overwhelm young players and cause them to shut down.
The Coach’s Role: Setting the Tone
For kids aged 6-10, coaches are more than instructors—they’re architects of a player’s love for the game. Here’s a simple “priority pyramid” to guide coaching at this age:
Safety: Players need to feel secure, both physically and emotionally.
Fun: If it’s not enjoyable, they won’t come back.
Social Interaction: Soccer might be their first chance to bond with peers outside family, fostering friendships and social skills.
Ball Mastery: Comfort with the ball is the bedrock of future success—think dribbling, passing, and small-sided games over rigid drills.
Pre-game routines like long lines shooting at the goal might look productive, but they often miss the mark on creativity and teamwork. Instead, let’s encourage activities that spark joy and build confidence with the ball.
The Club’s Role: A Long-Term Vision
Our organization should lead the way with a clear development plan from ages 4 to 18, tailored to what kids need at each stage—cognitively, physically, and emotionally. For our youngest players, this means prioritizing motor skills and game sense over league standings. As they grow, we can layer in strategy and competition. Clubs in soccer powerhouses like Spain and England thrive by focusing on technical development and enjoyment early on, often through small-sided games rather than full-field battles. We can adopt that mindset to keep our players engaged and improving year after year.
Moving Forward
True success at the youth level isn’t a win-loss record at age 7—it’s whether our kids still want to lace up their boots at 17. By aligning as parents, coaches, and a club, we can shift the focus from short-term wins to long-term growth. Have you seen this balance work well (or not) in your own experiences? I’d love to hear your thoughts—let’s keep this conversation going as we support our young athletes.
Food for thought
Only 1.5-1.7% of men's soccer players get drafted from college to the MLS
Only 1.0% of women's soccer players get drafted from college to the NWSL