U14 Formal Phase (The Commitment)
Development of Individual Skills and Small Group Tactics
Adult standards and formal rules become the focal point during this period. The pace of development quickens at this level due to the acceleration of physical and mental maturation. The demands of skill training as well as training loads should increase thus provoking improvement in mental toughness, concentration and diligence. Awareness of tactics within the game becomes an important facet of the learning process. Players tend to be self-critical, rebellious but have a strong commitment to the team.
Coach: strong personality, soccer knowledgeable, enthusiastic License: USSF "C" License or higher.
Technique: build on the base, development of individual skills under the pressure of time, space and an opponent, increase technical speed.
Dribbling: encourage to take player on 1 v 1, feints / moves, keep possession, shielding / spin turns.
Receiving: quality first touch and take balls out of the air, turning, all surfaces shooting on the run, on the turn, from all angles and crosses, volleys.
Passing: short, long, bent, cross, driven, chipped, all surfaces, all on the run, heading to goal (shoot / glance), to pass, to clear, tackling using proper technique, slide and block tackle.
Tactics: increase tactical speed (decision making) individual1 v 1.
Attacking: keep possession, encourage risk taking, take players on 1 v 1 in proper areas of the field, promote attacking soccer. Formations: 4-4-2, 3-4-3, 3-5-2.
Defending: pressure, cover balance, compactness, delay, tracking back, simple set plays.
* A great deal of coaching, teaching within 4 v 4 games *
Physical: all fitness work with the ball flexibility, static stretching, dynamic stretching, agility, coordination on the ball with speed.
Psychological: the game should remain fun and enjoyable. Players should have a passion for the game and show imagination. Creativity increase demands. Establish training targets maintain discipline and encourage players to watch high level soccer. Must be competitive in training and games.
