Football/Soccer Session (Beginner): U7/8 5v5

U 7/8 5v5 formation

Team Function: Playing a diamond formation with a goalkeeper.

Coaching Points: 

Emphasize team shape. Use verbal commands that are specific to play such as: " Get our shape" while attacking or defending.

For team shape start with positional names of "top of the diamond, bottom of the diamond, left and right side of the diamond". These names will be slowly changed to "Striker" (top), "Defender" (bottom),  and "Mid" (left or right) as they learn to play the positions.

Encourage two touches on the ball, try to eliminate randomly kicking the ball away. Use the command "take two touches". Explain to the player that we control the ball first for control and then make a pass, shoot, or run with the ball.

Try to avoid generalized instructions, such as "kick it up or away", "get the ball", run, etc. When possible use the players name when giving instruction, " Sarah who can you pass to", tells the player someone on the field is open for a pass. "Jeffery go to the ball" will tell a specific player to try and win the ball back.  This helps the players develop in positional play instead of everyone running after the ball in a pack.