Coaching U7's

[Andy38]

Hi to everybody
This is my first post - hopefully doing it correctly?!
I have just started coaching a new U7 team, and we are starting to make headway after first few weeks (1 game so far with a creditable 1-0 loss). We are trying to give confidence and basic skills to a very mixed ability of U7 boys. We are doing simple side-foot passing, penalties/shooting, basic throw-in technique, all dribbling in a box, and trying to get away from the everyone chasing the ball at once - while keeping everything relaxed and fun.

Does anyone have any advice and practices that are fun but practical for this age group?

I am hoping to get a coaching plan in place so that I can vary weeks, but also build on exercises over the weeks to go from basic technique to more complex (but fun) game related scenarios.

Regards
Andy

[Val]

Each season (well, OK, just for the last two years) I layout the practices/skills I want to develop. For my U11 girls this fall, I had maybe 12 sessions/exercises and then I just rotated them about a bit to keep things fresh, but mostly so I had to do less time planning.

Here's my season plan: Building a Girl's Team and League: A Blog

For U7s and U8s, I would start with 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 9 and 10. I would also start with the Tony Carr book mentioned, How to Coach a Soccer Team, which has some nice progressions. Other good games are various forms of tag. With littler kids, let them play keep away, using their hands. any good games from camp or such. You can even ask the kids to find out the games they like.

[74offsuit]

I would advise focusing your coaching on improving and developing players. It's great to win matches, we all like to win, it's a given. But the real challenge for great coaching in my opinion, is improving all your players.

[Kevin Evans]

At this age its all about the individual, practice 1v1 2v2 3v3 4v4 we concentrate far too much on passing to early put your players into dribbling and defending situations. The game wont pass anybody by, put lesser players together to give them success. Plenty of encouragment everyone will make tackles and score goals. Its hard to sometimes let go and just let them play float around the games offer advice when needed.

When doing drills make sure everyone has a ball lots of touches will improve them. Ask them individualy to do a skill they will amaze you. Put a defender in and give players saftey zones to rest this will automatically increase speed of practice if a player is tackled and looses ball there not out just get the ball and join back in.

I hope this helps

I work in 6 schools and run U7s at my club every year. 19 boys were with me last year 7 in academys all at one time although only 2 remain now unfortunately.

This year 9 boys 1 in an academy

for me this age group is the most rewarding Players hark on your every word so make it all positive fun.

[peterhart]

I think that you are doing the right things, stick to the basics at this age.
Each player will develop at their own pace and you can probably already spot your superstars.
Don't get too carried away, I've seen coaches teaching kids at this age who think that they are the next Alf Ramsey. Keep it fun and don't much too much emphasis on winning. (The parents will do that!)

[matt mair]

Hi

Try enrolling on the new FA age appropriate Coaching Courses which are now available through county FA's