1. Alexandria Soccer Association U9-U12 Curriculum: Unit 4 Ryan Rich, Director of Coaching

2. Unit 4 Overview In Unit 4, players revisit executing playing out of the back in the context of the 8v8 game environment. While many of the general concepts stay the same, coaches should require more precise execution, movement off the ball, and how to prioritize left/right/split passing options in game situations. In addition, greater focus is placed on proper CM movement and how to effectively play off one another. On the defensive side of the ball, coaches address and teach more coordinated and group movements to win the ball in the attacking third of the field by linking the roles of the forwards and midfielders. Coaches should consider spending 12-14 weeks on this unit. To protect the proprietary and information included in this material, it can only be shared, in either print or electronic formats, within and among Alexandria Soccer Association coaches. All other uses require permission from Ryan Rich, Alexandria Soccer Association Director of Coaching.

3. 8v8 Game Formation GK RB LB CB CM CF GK-3-2-2 In Units 4-6, training concepts, activities, and style of play are addressed through a GK-3-2- 2 formation. The reason for choosing this formation is that it builds upon 7v7 game concepts (only addition is an extra CF). At 8v8, players continue to learn key GK-4-3-3 concepts (attacking outside defenders, interaction between multiple CMs) but also the roles of multiple CFs (similar to the front three in the 11v11 system). Through proper teaching of movement and roles, coaches can provide an effective bridge between 8v8 and 11v11. To protect the proprietary and information included in this material, it can only be shared, in either print or electronic formats, within and among Alexandria Soccer Association coaches. All other uses require permission from Ryan Rich, Alexandria Soccer Association Director of Coaching. CF

4. Game Transfer Objectives - Attacking Players will be able to… 1.Demonstrate understanding of the proper movement off the ball in order to create left/right/split options and how to prioritize each option in game-like situations; and 2.Develop the relationship and roles of the dual CMs and CFs in the context of building attacks out of the defensive third of the field. To protect the proprietary and information included in this material, it can only be shared, in either print or electronic formats, within and among Alexandria Soccer Association coaches. All other uses require permission from Ryan Rich, Alexandria Soccer Association Director of Coaching.

5. Attacking Roles & Responsibilities GK RB LB CB CM CF To protect the proprietary and information included in this material, it can only be shared, in either print or electronic formats, within and among Alexandria Soccer Association coaches. All other uses require permission from Ryan Rich, Alexandria Soccer Association Director of Coaching. CF Establishing and prioritizing left/right/split options 8v8 game context In the 8v8 game environment, the LB/RB have clear left/right/split options when playing out of the back. The ball-side CF moves to the sideline while the weak-side CF provides depth up the field by pushing as high as possible. The ball-side CM moves higher up the field to provide LB with room to move forward or receive in a good attacking position to go forward. The weak-side CM checks back centrally to provide short passing option. Coaches should make this process concrete and tangible by giving the analogy of a car’s window wipers moving back and forth to teach the CMs’ movements. The GK and CB move to deeper support position in case of back pass. The RB moves centrally to provide cover in case the ball is lost. The outside defenders should prioritize passing to the ball-side CM, ball-side CF, weak-side CM, and GK/CB (in that order). Coaches should highlight and demand execution of nuances (passing to and receiving with correct foot, visual checks forward, etc.). The key concepts are establishing the positional roles based on ball location, setting the priorities of passing options, and proper execution and technical details.

6. Game Transfer Objectives - Defending Players will be able to… 1.Demonstrate understanding of 1st defender pressure principles and decision- making based on visual cues in game situations and value of immediate pressure upon losing the ball in our attacking third. 2.Demonstrate understanding of small-group positional roles when defending opponent’s in the attacking third To protect the proprietary and information included in this material, it can only be shared, in either print or electronic formats, within and among Alexandria Soccer Association coaches. All other uses require permission from Ryan Rich, Alexandria Soccer Association Director of Coaching.

7. Defending Roles & Responsibilities GK RBLBCB CM CF To protect the proprietary and information included in this material, it can only be shared, in either print or electronic formats, within and among Alexandria Soccer Association coaches. All other uses require permission from Ryan Rich, Alexandria Soccer Association Director of Coaching. CF Defining small-group functions when defending in attacking third At U11, players learn how to defend in the attacking third in more depth and how their role fits inside a group dynamic. The CFs work a group to force and keep the ball to one side. The ball-side CF angles his/her run to force ball wide while weak-side CF drops central. The ball-side outside defender (LB) steps to opponent’s midfielder while CB and RB shift towards the ball. The ball-side CM drops slightly behind the LB to anticipate the longer ball into LB’s vacated space while weak-side CM moves to mark opponent’s CM. The GK stays high to win balls played over CB and RB. The key concepts are teaching individual roles within each group in order to press effectively as a team up the field, reinforcing 1 st and 2 nd defender principles, and proper execution.