Hattiesburg Youth Soccer Association

U8 Coaches Manual

(Revised 9/10/16)

Table of Contents

Page(s)Information

3Introduction to HYSA

4-6HYSA U8 Rules

6Handling Disagreements

7Coaches Responsibilities

8How to get started…..

9-10Training Overview

11 Practice Template

12-16Example Drills/Activites

17-30Game Day Substitution Sheets

31Parents Responsibilities

32Coaches Notes

Introduction to HYSA

Currently HYSA is one of the largest youth soccer organizations in Mississippi and the number of boys and girls playing soccer is growing. Our Recreational Soccer Program forms the foundation of soccer development and currently consists of more than 100 teams. As young players grow older (9-10 years old) many of the talented players seek a more competitive environment, which is found in our Select Soccer Program. HYSA provides a place for players to optimize their abilities and skills, achieve great success on the field and have fun in the process.

HYSA teams have a tremendous history of success within the Mississippi Youth Soccer Association, including many State Cup championships, State Cup finalists, and division champions. HYSA teams have competed in and won many tournaments throughout Region III. Players from HYSA have been selected for Olympic Development Program (ODP) teams and, are regularly standout performers on their high school teams, with many earning college soccer scholarships.

HYSA is a non-profit organization that works to keep costs low through a combination of expense control, leveraging of resources among teams, and fund raising. The HYSA program supports educating players, parents and coaches while developing lifelong friendships.

HYSA U8 Rules

FIELD SIZE: 55 yards x 35 yards

FIELD MARKINGS: Outside boundary lines around the field of play. Goal boxes, half line, build out line, and center circle

BALL SIZE: Size 3

NUMBER OF PLAYERS ON THE FIELD: 35 players per team

GOALKEEPERS: Yes

SUBSTITUTIONS: Should be made on the fly, at any time for injuries, also at the quarters and half

PLAYER’S EQUIPMENT: Shin guards and soft-cleated soccer shoes without toe cleats. Socks should completely cover shin guards.

REFEREE/COACH: Referees will be provided and govern under the FIFA laws of the game.

DURATION OF THE GAME: 4 quarters lasting 8 minutes each

BREAKS: Five minutes at half time

INDIVIDUAL PLAYING TIME: Each player should play at least 50% of the playing time of each game. In some cases, due to roster sizes this may be impossible. In these cases, playing times should be alternated so that all players share equal playing time.

START OF PLAY: Kick –off from the center spot. All opposing players must be in their defensive half of the field, at least 3 yards from the ball. Same at each quarter, team’s alternate starting kick-offs.

BALL IN AND OUT OF PLAY/RE-STARTS:

Out of Bounds From Sidelines Throw in from the spot where the ball went out of play. All opposing players mustbe at least 3 yards from the ball.

After a Goal is Scored: Kick-off as for the start of play by the team that was scored on.

FOULS AND MISCONDUCT:

Pushing, Pulling, Slapping, Punching, and Body-Checking, Kicking, and Tripping – All of the above are against the rules and are stated in FIFA laws of the game. It will be at the discretion of the referee to enforce these rules.

OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR GAME DAY

*Coaches should greet each other and discuss the officiating before kick-off time.

*Coaches should relay relevant game information to parents before the kick-off.

*Parents should be on opposite sidelines during the games.

*Parents should only shout encouragement and not disparage their own child or the players, coaches and parents of either team.

*Opposing coaches, parents, and players should shake hands after each game.

Handling Disagreements

Any disagreements or concerns arising from the game should be addressed with the appropriate age group Commissioner immediately. Never argue or become aggressive with other adults or players.

U4 Wade
U5 & U6 Janis , 601-543-2363
U8- Keven , 601-248-8355
U10/ U12-Aaron , 601-818-4104

If the appropriate agegroup Commissioner is not available, please contact the Recreational Director of Coaching.

Director of Coaching: Clay Smith (601-270-2495)

Note: Coaches or persons who have been unprofessional, exhibited inappropriate behavior, unsportsmanlike conduct, or have made a negative impact on the HYSA Soccer Program will be removed from the program. They will not receive any compensation and shall not continue to be involved in HYSA in any capacity.

Coaches’ Responsibilities

* To schedule and be on time for practices.

*To plan practice sessions, and to plan for the game

*To give players equal opportunity for development.

*To encourage and be positive in correcting faults and maintain a professional attitude at all times.

*To have an adequate supply of balls and equipment.

*To listen to the players.

*To appoint a team Mom or Dad and help structure their responsibilities.

*Team list with addresses and telephone numbers.

*Practice and game schedule.

*Cancellation procedures.

* To make every effort to practice within your neighborhood (given HYSA prior approval).

* To plan and supervise a safe practice (do not allow anyone to hang on goals).

* To see that players are properly warmed up before practice and games (stretching).

TIPS for Practice

* Always follow this principle -- 1 ball, 1 player

* Remember the 3 L’s – NO Lines, NO Laps, NO Lectures

* The primary goal is to have everyone moving in the correct direction

* If all else fails, PLAY THE GAME!

How to Get Started………

Complete Kidsafe form.
Attend Coaches Meeting.
Attend Coaches Licensing Clinic.
Setup a practice schedule. Your team should practice a minimum of one time per week. HYSA also suggests having 1 additional team practice each week.
Receive roster and call parents as soon as possible regarding your practice schedule, game times, and player requirements:

soccer cleats

shin guards (no guards no practice)

black soccer shorts

black soccer socks

soccer ball

Request that each child bring a drink and their #3 soccer ball to practice.
Be prepared. Plan your practice in advance. What are you going to do and when are you going to do it.(see practice schedule)
Involve parents as much as possible. Select a team mom or dad to handle the snack schedule and setup a phone tree to relayinformation.

Training Overview

Objectives of the game for U-8

Attacking Objectives

• Score

• Maintain Possession

Defending Objectives

• Prevent Scoring

• Concentration

Principles of Play for U-8 player

Attacking Principles

• Penetration

• Width

• Depth

Defending Principles

• Delay

• Concentration

• Depth

Techniques

• Instep kick

• Dribbling

• Throw-in

• Inside of the foot–push pass

• Inside of the foot–ball control

Knowledge

• What is in and out of play

• Corner kick

• Goal kick

• Don’t kick or trip others

• Don’t hold or push others

• No handling of the ball

Regular Season Practice Template

10 minIndividual Ball Work

10 minDrill/Activity

2 minWater Break

10 minDrill/Activity

2 minWater Break

15-20 minScrimmage (Play the game)

Above is an ideal way to structure your practice. There are endless options for drills and activities. Just pick a topic and stick with it for the initial two activities. There a few activities here in the manual. Please refer to the HYSA website under the REC Resources tab for more resources.

Drills/Activities

Shadow Play

This soccer coaching drill is called 'Shadow Play' and is a great game for the U8 age group. As the players start to get older they begin to understand the game of soccer in a different way. For example, this drill focuses on ball retention and the game focuses on not losing the ball (not allowing your opponent to get the ball from you).

Preparation

Take a look at the diagram below. The great thing about this drill is that you only need a soccer ball between two players and a marked out area big enough to allow the amount of players you have to dribble the ball freely.

Explanation

This drill is good for a warm up early on in your soccer coaching session. The idea is for player 'A' to dribble the ball around the area and always make sure that they keep their backs to player 'B'.

Player 'B' will not attempt to tackle player 'A' at this time just simply look to get in front of the player. This will encourage the player with the ball to change direction often and think about keeping the soccer ball close to them. After a couple of minutes, allow player 'B' to have the ball and player 'A' will now try to get in front of them.

Progression

There are some really good ways to change this game up and test both players. After both players have had a turn at dribbling and keeping their back to the other player you can progress to 'shoulder shadow play'. Player 'A' will continue to dribble the ball as they have been but player 'B' can now attempt to get alongside player 'A' and use their shoulder against theirs to knock them off balance.

Shoulder to shoulder nudging is very common in soccer and this will help both players learn how to use it both with and without the soccer ball. This is all about balance and trying to retain the ball and keep your back to player 'B'. After a few minutes, switch around players once more.

Another great progression from the shoulder nudge is to put it into a real game scenario. Player 'B' will now attempt to shoulder nudge player 'A' and also use their foot/toe to kick away the ball. Player 'A' must be strong and try and retain the ball under the pressure. This soccer coaching drill is now starting to turn the young players in to young men by showing them the physical contact side of soccer.

Coaching Points

-> This drill is largely about dribbling, so ensure that good small touches are taken on the ball.

-> When dribbling, make sure that the player is low done with bent knees and changes direction frequently. Maybe even drop the shoulder one way and push off in opposite direction.

-> Player 'B' needs to use their shoulder in the correct way to unbalance player 'A', demonstrate this and make sure it is not malicious.

1v1 to win

Soccer games like these are terrific fun and allow the players to enjoy the competitive side of the game also. This game called '1v1 to win' is a game I like coaching at the end of a session rather than playing a match.

Preparation

Take a lookat the diagram below.Two teams are lined up next to each other facing two goals ahead of them (made out of cones) with only a single soccer ball required each round.

Explanation

Some games need a slight competitive edge to them and the young players love it. To begin, have two teams facing side by side behind a line as shown above. When the coach shouts 'GO' one player from each team at the front of the line will run toward the single soccer ball in the middle. It is then up to the red team to try and dribble the ball in to the right goal and the orange player to dribble the ball in to he left sided goal.

Keep going until every player on the team has had a go against different oppostion players. If you have a lot of players (12+) set up two of the above diagram layouts simultaneously to prevent boredom and ensure everyone has plenty of game time.

Progression

This game can be mixed up in a variety of ways. Firstly, if you have a player which is struggling to win any round then you can place the soccer ball closer to their goal to give them a better chance.An easy progression is to make the players go toward the other goal (should change their dribbling direction) or make them start by facing their team mates and the coach throws the soccer ball in after shouting 'GO'.

You can also change the size of the goals to make it harder to shoot from long range and force the players to dribble it in instead of shooting which often occurs.

You could also make the players shoot first time when they get to the ball (whoever gets there first) to practise shooting. Another way to practise shooting is to have two soccer balls each round (one for each player) and they both have to shoot towards a goal of the coaches choice as soon as they get to the ball.

Coaching Points

-> Make sure these soccer games remain fun but remeber to include coaching points such as dribbling in the correct way (small touches, ball close to feet)

-> If shooting make sure they use the inside of their foot or the laces

-> When both players are going for one ball make sure the shoulder nudges and tackles are fair but keep a certain level of competitiveness.

Game 1 (Week 1) Sub Form