U9 Program

FUNdamentals

As adults, we need remember that kids play for fun. When it stops being fun, they hide away and development becomes stagnant. Players go through stages of development. Small-sided games (SSG’s) that scale down the adult game to an appropriate size will maximize touches for the individual player and keep the game exciting. Imposing full field games on youth players too early will frustrate and hinder their development. At MMU, we know the stages and recognize where our players are on the continuum.

Development Focus
  • 1) Technical - 60% – Challenge the players to maneuver the ball individually, focus should be on ball mastery skills as well as passing and receiving. Allow the kids as much time with their individual ball
  • 2) Social - 15% – Make it fun, enjoyable and continue to develop love for soccer
  • 3) Physical - 10% - Keep the players moving, active and engaged as much as possible
  • 4) Tactical - 10% – Limited requirement. No specific talk of positions, introduction to formations and ways to play is needed
  • 5) Psychological - 5% – Challenging players to think/mentally engage with soccer related concepts
Blossoming individual technique (The Player, the Ball, and the Partner)

Players in this age group must be able to control, dribble and pass short passes consistently before they are ready to start solving tactical problems. For example, the player on the ball is beginning to make decisions on when to pass, when to dribble, and when to shoot. The player without the ball begins to think about his position and movement in relation to the ball and opponent. To simplify, players are technically within the 4v4 game range (although game is 7v7).