U13/U14 Coaching Resources
General U13/U14 Information
Roster: 22 players max (18 active)
Practices: 90-120 minutes
Game Form: 11 v 11 (min 9)
Game Length: 2 - 35 minute halves
Goalkeeper: Yes.
Heading: Allowed in games. Heading is limited at practices to 15-20 headers per player, per week.
Offside: Yes.
Ball Size: 5
Game Ball: Each team should have a properly inflated game ball provided to the Referee prior to the start of the match. The Referee will decide which ball to put into play.
Field Size: 100-120 yards long x 55-80 yards wide
Player Equipment: Team jerseys (2-home & away), black shorts, shin guards, soccer cleats, and black socks.
Playing Time Requirement: All players must receive 50% playing time in a game. If a coach is managing a disciplinary situation with a player, the player may receive less than 50% playing time. Prior to the game the coach must inform the parents, the referee, and the opposing coach of this disciplinary status.
Referee(s): Referee(s) will be assigned by home soccer club.
Reporting Scores: Team Manager or Coach of first team listed (Home team) will report score after completion of match through Tourney Machine Schedule.
Open up the schedule, “Public Result”.
Locate your division.
Locate your match.
Click on the “green” icon to post score.
Scores will be collected and posted publicly, but standings will not be kept or posted. Scores will be used as data points, if necessary, in helping to form “like playing level” groups for the spring season and to help monitor allowances such as “playing age group” selection and “guest players”.
Scores can also be reported here using PhoneItIn.
U13/U14 Learning Objectives
Developmental Characteristics
The more advanced U-14 players are able to execute the range of skills, but most others are still developing previously taught skills and are now being exposed to these additional skills.
Important psychosocial implications for a child entering puberty – early or late.
Popularity influences self-esteem.
Tests limits - a know-it-all attitude.
Fertile period to learn – full of eagerness.
Tend to be quite self-critical and may need regular positive reinforcement.
Bodies are going through physical changes that affect personal appearance.
There will be significant differences in physical maturation rates between individuals.
Rapid growth spurts of the skeleton leave ligaments, tendons and muscles catching up, so coordination and balance are astray. Temporary gangly movement may result in a loss of touch on the ball. Players do not always make the connection between their growth spurt and the temporary loss of form; they need help realizing that everything will come back into sync in six to 18 months
Practice Objectives
Coaching Emphasis: Train to compete.
Technique: Chipping to pass; bending passes; crossing to the far post and top of the penalty area; half volley and volley shooting; slide tackles; heading to pass; heading backwards; diving headers; kicking and receiving with outside of the instep; outside of foot shot; dummy the ball; shoulder charge. For goal- keepers far post play; medium and high diving; parrying over the crossbar and around the posts; boxing and catching crosses; half volley (drop kick); kick saves; long over arm throws.
Psychology: Assertiveness; tension control; self and team discipline; stay focused for an entire match; sportsmanship; parental involvement; “how to play”; mental focusing techniques; emotional management; self-regulation.
Fitness: Power; acceleration; anaerobic exercise; cardio respiratory and cardiovascular training.
Tactics: Individual and group tactics; compactness; command the goal area for the goalkeeper; role of 3rd defender; how to make recovery and tracking runs; throw-in, penalty kick and free kick plays defending and attacking; defending the defensive third-center and flanks; playing in the attacking third center and flanks; post match analysis; checking runs; take overs; switching positions during the flow of play; provide offensive support out to the penalty spot for the goalkeeper; zone defense; introduce the principles of attack.
Training Videos
Many of the videos posted on the U11/U12 Coaching Resources page can be used for U13/U14 players.