FOLEY PARKS AND RECREATION SOCCER COACHING MANUAL: A Community-Focused Guide to Developing Young Players

FOLEY PARKS AND RECREATION SOCCER COACHING MANUAL: A Community-Focused Guide to Developing Young Players

A Message from the Foley Parks and Recreation Department

Welcome, Coach! On behalf of the Foley Parks and Recreation Department, we extend our sincere gratitude for volunteering your time and energy to guide our community’s youth. This Foley Soccer Coaching Manual is your dedicated resource, designed to support you in creating a positive, educational, and enjoyable soccer experience for every child. Our philosophy is simple: Every Child Develops, Every Child Plays, Every Child has Fun. Whether you are a seasoned coach or a first-time volunteer, this manual will provide you with the foundational tools, age-appropriate drills, and philosophical guidance to succeed. Remember, you are not just teaching soccer; you are building character, fostering a love for physical activity, and strengthening our community. Thank you for being a vital part of the Foley sports family.

Section 1: The Foley Philosophy – Why We Coach

Before we discuss formations or drills, we must establish our core coaching philosophy. Our mission at Foley Parks and Recreation is to use soccer as a vehicle for holistic youth development.

1.1 The Four Pillars of Foley Soccer

Our program is built upon four equally important pillars:

Fun and Enjoyment: If children are not having fun, they will not develop a lifelong love for the game. Our primary measure of success is the number of smiles on the pitch.
Skill Development: We focus on age-appropriate technical and tactical development, ensuring players build a solid foundation regardless of their natural ability.
Sportsmanship and Respect: We teach players to respect their teammates, opponents, coaches, and officials. Winning is secondary to how we play the game.
Inclusion: Every player gets to play. We rotate positions and ensure equal playing time for all participants.

This philosophy aligns with the best practices in grassroots sports and is supported by the foundational principles found in resources like the UEFA B License Coaching Manual PDF.

1.2 The Coach as a Role Model

You are the most influential person on the pitch. Your attitude, language, and behavior set the tone.

Use Positive Reinforcement: Focus on what players do right. “Great effort!” or “I loved that pass!” is more effective than criticizing mistakes.
Demonstrate Emotional Control: Children will mirror your reactions. Stay calm and positive, even when a call goes against your team.
Be an Educator, Not Just a Coach: Use the “Why” Question: “Why was that a good space to run into?” This develops their understanding.

Section 2: Age-Specific Coaching Guidelines

One size does not fit all in youth soccer. Here is our age-specific framework for Foley coaches.

2.1 Coaching U6-U8 (The Foundation Phase)

Focus: The Joy of Movement and the Ball

Session Length: 45-60 minutes.
Key Objectives: Basic ball familiarity, coordination, and social interaction.
Drill Philosophy: All activities should be disguised games. Avoid lines and lectures.
Sample Activity: “Red Light, Green Light” with a Ball: Players dribble their soccer ball. When you shout “Green Light!” they go. “Red Light!” they stop and put their foot on the ball. This teaches dribbling and control in a fun, engaging way.
Game Day: No standings or goalkeepers. Small-sided games (4v4) on a small field.

2.2 Coaching U9-U12 (The Skill Acquisition Phase)

Focus: Introduction to Core Skills and Basic Tactics

Session Length: 60-75 minutes.
Key Objectives: Mastering the core techniques of passing, receiving, and shooting. Introducing basic principles of play.
Drill Philosophy: Introduce more structure while keeping it engaging. Use the excellent, game-based drills found in the 60 Training Games PDF.
Sample Activity: “The Passing Square”: Four players form a square with one defender in the middle. The outside players must pass and move to keep possession. This teaches support, passing under pressure, and communication.
Game Day: Introduce positions gently but continue to rotate players. Explain basic concepts like “spreading out” (width) and “helping the player with the ball” (support).

2.3 Coaching U13+ (The Game Understanding Phase)

Focus: Tactical Awareness and Position-Specific Skills

Session Length: 75-90 minutes.
Key Objectives: Developing a deeper understanding of team shape, formations, and the principles of attack and defense.
Drill Philosophy: More complex, game-realistic drills. You can begin to introduce concepts from the Principles of Play Attacking PDF.
Sample Activity: “Phase of Play”: Set up a scenario (e.g., your team is attacking the goal). Have 7 attackers play against 5 defenders and a goalkeeper. This allows you to coach specific tactical points in a controlled environment.
Game Day: Can discuss more advanced formations and strategies, but always prioritize player development over the result.

Section 3: The Foley Session Plan Template

Every Foley training session should follow a consistent, progressive structure.

The Four-Part Session (Total: 60-75 minutes)

Warm-Up (10-15 minutes): Foley Standard: Always with a ball. Use dynamic activities from the Warm-Up Exercises with Ball PDF to get hearts pumping and players engaged from the first minute.
Technical Skill Activity (15-20 minutes): Focus on one or two core skills. For example, passing and receiving. Keep repetitions high and waiting time low.
Small-Sided Conditioned Game (20-25 minutes): This is the most important part! Apply the technical skill in a game-like setting. Use a condition to encourage the desired behavior. E.g., “A goal only counts if your team makes 3 passes first.”
Scrimmage & Cool-Down (10-15 minutes): Let them play! Minimize coaching interruptions. Follow with static stretching.

For a full season of structured sessions, our volunteer coaches have access to a curated Soccer Training Programs library.

Section 4: Essential Drills for Every Foley Coach

Here are cornerstone drills suitable for multiple age groups.

4.1 The Foley Rondo (The 4v2 Possession Game)

Why we use it: It’s the single best drill for improving passing, receiving, and movement under pressure.
Setup: Four attackers form a 10×10 yard square. Two defenders try to win the ball.
Coaching Points: “Can you play the ball with one touch?” “Move to create a better passing angle for your teammate!”

4.2 1v1 to Small Goals

Why we use it: Develops confidence, dribbling, and defending in the most common game situation.
Setup: Multiple 15-yard wide channels, each with a small goal at either end.
Coaching Points: For attackers: “Be brave! Take on the defender!” For defenders: “Stay on your feet and show them to the outside.”

Section 5: Game Day Management

The Foley Way:

Arrive Early: Be the first one there to set up and greet players.
Pre-Game Talk: Be positive and brief. Focus on one simple objective (e.g., “Today, let’s focus on talking to each other on the field”).
During the Game: Coach from the sideline, but avoid “command and control” shouting. Let the players play and make their own decisions.
Halftime: Hydration and positive reinforcement. Make one simple tactical adjustment if needed.
Post-Game: Shake hands with the opposing team and coach. Gather your team, praise their effort, and end on a positive note.

Section 6: Safety and Administration

Player Safety: Your first priority. Ensure players have water and shin guards. Have a first-aid kit and emergency contact list for every player.
Communication: Communicate schedule changes clearly and early with parents.
Inclusivity: Foster an environment where every child feels valued and supported, regardless of skill level. This is the cornerstone of our community program, reflecting the values of elite academies like the Leicester City Football Club Academy PDF and the Sheffield United F.C. U14 Academy.

Conclusion: Your Role in the Foley Community

Thank you for dedicating your time to this Foley Soccer Coaching Manual. Your role as a volunteer coach is invaluable. You are not just teaching soccer skills; you are teaching life lessons about teamwork, resilience, and respect. You are creating lasting memories and fostering a positive sporting culture in our community.

Remember, the most successful Foley coaches are those who prioritize the well-being and development of their players above all else. Use this manual, the linked resources like the UEFA A Coaching Session Plans for inspiration, and don’t hesitate to reach out to the Foley Parks and Recreation Department with any questions.

For your own continued development, we encourage you to explore free online resources from U.S. Youth Soccer and The FA’s Learning Platform.

You have the power to make this season a fantastic experience for every child on your team. Embrace the challenge, enjoy the journey, and let’s work together to make Foley a great place to play the beautiful game.

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