Title:
Milwaukee Kickers U7 Practice Plans: Building Foundations Through Fun and Fundamentals
Introduction:
The U7 Practice Plans by the Milwaukee Kickers Soccer Club (MKSC) is a meticulously designed curriculum aimed at introducing young players to soccer through engaging, age-appropriate activities. Focused on fostering a love for the game while developing foundational skills like dribbling, shielding, and spatial awareness, this guide is a goldmine for volunteer coaches working with children under seven.
1. Philosophy: Play-Centric Learning
The MKSC curriculum emphasizes learning through play, aligning with US Youth Soccer recommendations for U8s. Key principles include:
- Minimal Coaching: Activities like Street Soccer (Page 6) and Free Style 5 (Page 5) encourage creativity by letting players explore the ball independently.
- Skill Over Tactics: Weeks 1–4 focus on dribbling control, while Weeks 5–8 introduce progressions like using non-dominant feet or specific foot parts (e.g., laces for speed).
- Positive Reinforcement: The Team Huddle (Page 9) ends each session with peer compliments (“Circle of Love”) to build camaraderie.
2. Core Drills and Progressions
The plans break down 60-minute practices into dynamic segments:
- Fast Feet Warm-Up (Page 7): Toe taps, sole rolls, and step-overs improve ball familiarity.
- Skill-Building Games:
- Cross in the River (Page 10): Players evade “crocs” (coaches/peers) to practice dribbling under pressure.
- 1v1 Galaxy Battle (Page 13): Dribbling through triangular “galaxies” adds a fun, competitive twist.
- Scrimmages: Unstructured play (Page 8) lets kids apply skills in game-like scenarios.
Progressive Challenges: By Week 6, defenders are added to Dribbling Gates (Page 12), teaching shielding and quick decision-making.
3. Parent and Coach Resources
The guide extends beyond drills, offering tools for holistic player development:
- Parent Meeting Template (Page 4): Covers sideline etiquette (e.g., no sideline coaching) and shares TED Talks like Changing the Game to promote a positive sports environment.
- Assessment Tools (Pages 11, 15, 20): Simple 1–5 scales track dribbling progress, helping coaches identify areas for improvement.
4. Why It Works
- Engagement First: Games like Soccer Bowling (Page 14) and Super Mario Brothers (Page 16) turn technical work into adventures.
- Adaptability: Coaches are encouraged to modify activities based on team energy (e.g., adjusting Math Dribbling groups).
- Club Support: MKSC provides weekly videos and NSCAA partnerships (Page 21) for ongoing coach education.
Conclusion:
The U7 Practice Plans exemplify how structured fun can lay the groundwork for lifelong soccer passion. By prioritizing creativity, repetition, and joy, MKSC’s curriculum transforms novice players into confident dribblers—one galaxy and crocodile at a time.
Final Thought:
As the manual reminds coaches: “Heads, I listen to my coach. Tails, I listen to my dad.” Keeping it light ensures everyone wins.