CYS 7/8 (U14) Curriculum

CYS Development Targets

Over the course of the 7/8 (U14) seasons, we want 7th and 8th grade players to develop the ability to:

Techniques

• Make long passes with distance and accuracy

• Pass with different surfaces of the foot

• Receive balls in the air

• Shoot with different surfaces of the foot

• Perform offensive and defensive headers

Tactics

• Perform individual and group tactical roles (1st, 2nd, 3rd attacker and defender roles)

• Demonstrate compactness

• Execute zonal and individual marking and defending

• Comprehend safety vs risk in different thirds of the field

Psychology

• Be proactive

• Manage emotions in a variety of competitive situations

• Demonstrate tactical discipline around collective concepts

• Concentrate/focus for extended periods of time

• Demonstrate sportsmanship

Weekly Practice Curriculum

This weekly practice Curriculum follows the Play-Practice-Play approach as explained in How to Run an Effective Practice. The 7/8 practices still focus on developing personal skills, but they do so with an eye to making your players and team more tactical in their approach.

Session 1: Passing & Receiving-Possession with Purpose

Session 2: Playing Out of the Back

Session 3: Attacking in Opponents Half

Session 4: Defending in Own Half

Session 5: Finishing-Scoring Goals

Session 6: Defending in Opponents Half-High Pressure