Introduction to U12 boy coaching

The Group
The group I coach are aged between 11 – 12 and male. There are boys with many different abilities that take part in my sessions. The reasons that they participate also vary with some coming along to be with there friends and others who want to eventually progress to hopefully national level. All of the boys that participate in my session are interested in football and have a basic level of understanding the game and the rules. The fitness levels of the group are quit high as they take part in all other sports teams in there school as well as the football club I run.

Skills
The group all have a good level of knowledge and skill at football. 80% of the group are young sport leaders, learning how to demonstrate good social and team cohesion. The team have set targets for where they would like to be in the next year and how they are going to reach each of there goals.

What do they want to do?
When taken over this team as coach i was told they did not play well together after a season coaching with them they now stand second in the table with a game in hand. In the long term they wish to be champions of there league then move on up. There short term goal is to regain there concentration and prepare for the next match against the league leaders in the following week ahead. They also have a local 7 a side tournament coming up which gives the team there first real chance of some silver wear.

The Coaching Sessions
In the sessions over the eight week period i hope to progress the sessions on at a pace where everybody can learn and not get bored. As the session is held the day after match day, a Monday evening this will allow us to work on points that went wrong in the match whist still fresh in out heads. All of the participants take part in after school clubs on a Tuesday and Thursday night, a football session and a circuit training session with matches sometimes on a Wednesday for there school team. Therefore i understand it is possible that some participants will experience burn out and i will try to ensure this doesn't occur by allowing breaks and time out for players that are finding there sport time table difficult.

Programme Objectives

By the end of the six week coaching plan the intention is that players will

1. Be able to control a football with all parts of the body confidently and skilfully and then complete a pass both long and short.
2. To be able to dribble confidently keeping head up and awareness of the surrounding area.
3. Been able to shoot from all ranges on target – working towards a more powerful shot.
4. Having the ability to head the ball both defensively and attacking also been able to differentiate between the two.
5. To have a basic understanding of defensive techniques; closing down and showing inside and out.
6. Basic understanding of the rules and regulations.