U7/U8 Coaching Resources

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General U7/U8 Information

Roster:  6 players max

Practices:  45-60 minutes

Game Form:  4 v 4 (min 3)

Game Length:  2 - 20 minute halves

Goalkeeper:  No, but can keep a player on defense as long as they move up when past the back quarter of the field when their team is on offense.

Ball Size:  3

Field Size:  25-35 yards long x 20-30 yards wide

Player Equipment:  Team jersey, shorts, shin guards, soccer cleats, and socks.

Playing Time Requirement:  All players must receive 50% playing time in a game. 

Referee(s):  Referee(s) will be assigned by home soccer club.

U7/U8 Learning Objectives

Developmental Characteristics


Practice Objectives

Coaching Emphasis:  Fun!

Technique:  

Psychology:  Working in pairs. Sportsmanship.

Fitness:  Agility, eye/foot and eye/hand coordination; introduce the idea of cool-down, movement education.

Tactics:  Players need continual reinforcement to stay engaged in practice or the game. Coaches can also focus on those players who show a willingness to break from the swarm and encourage teammates to recognize this behavior. Coaches should encourage players to run with the ball and dribble past defenders. Players in the U8 age group must not be punished for dribbling the ball too much. Everyone attacks together and defends together and coaches can introduce what players must do when not in possession of the ball e.g. get back behind the ball, defend goal side. Team shape can be addressed but under no circumstances should players be put in positions or made to stay in a certain area. In the U8 age group players can be set up in a diamond shape to start the game and at other natural breaks (kick off, goal kicks etc.)

Training Videos

Many of the U6 videos and U9/U10 videos can be used for U7/U8 players.