U19 Coaching Resources
General U19 Information
Roster: 22 players max (18 active)
Practices: 90-120 minutes
Game Form: 11 v 11 (min 9)
Game Length: 2 - 45 minute halves
Goalkeeper: Yes.
Heading: Allowed.
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.
U19 Learning Objectives
Developmental Characteristics
Emotions can still overcome tactical logic.
They are likely to solve soccer problems with their legs first and their brains second.
May have bad diet and sleep habits, and, as a result, low energy levels.
The skeleton is close to full maturation, but peak athleticism is still a few years off.
Very concerned with what others say and think about them.
Developing a team consciousness – want and need a strong voice in planning their activities/game plans.
May try to manipulate others to get what they want.
Loud behavior may hide their lack of self-confidence.
Look at the world more objectively – look at adults more subjectively and are critical of them, yet they still want adult leadership.
Go to extremes – often appear to be unstable emotionally while having a know-it-all attitude.
Vulnerable – emotionally insecure, fear of rejection and mood swings.
Social needs and desires are high.
Many will leave the game for employment and many who go to college will not return to the game after graduation.
There is still a strong desire to be part of a team.
Practice Objectives
Coaching Emphasis: Train to compete.
Technique: Technical/tactical functional training; all techniques rehearsed at match speed and at match related and match condition levels; technical functional training.
Psychology: Reduce mental mistakes; control emotions during a match; dedication; commitment; take personal responsibility for actions on and off the field; sportsmanship; emotional management; “how to play”; parental involvement; selfless-team comes first.
Fitness: Overload principal; fitness tests; follow the U.S. Soccer Olympic Team concept.
Tactics: Team tactics; tactical/technical functional training; specialized tactics for a particular opponent; midfield play; attacking out of the back third; should be able to adapt tactics and change team formation during the flow of play; playing a role; command beyond the penalty area for the goalkeeper; support the attack from the defensive third for the goalkeeper; combination zone and man-to-man marking defense; tactical functional training; creativity on the attack; total soccer concept.
