For players up to, and including 13 years.

Under 13 sessions are designed for players with beginner and intermediate soccer skills, helping footballers achieve greater knowledge and understanding of the game. This is the age when players need to begin to start "thinking" for themselves and envisioning plays. Up to this point, players have been coached as individuals and told what they should and shouldn't do. Now is the time for them to start making their own decisions! These sessions will focus more heavily on teamwork, while attending to each player's strengths and weaknesses. These sessions will provide each player with a strong foundation of soccer skills to enjoy and build on for the rest of their lives.

Characteristics of Coaching this Age Group

Technique: Master the qualities of a bouncing, spinning ball. Experiment with aerial balls. First touch receiving, receiving with chest and thigh, receiving with either foot.

Fitness: 2 v 1 defending, 2 v 2 attacking and defending, man to man defense. Verbal and visual communication, work on all restarts, combination passing.

Psychology: Keep it fun. Focus on teamwork, confidence and how to learn from each match.​

Tactics: Fitness work with the ball. Strength can be improved with body resistance and aerobic excercises. Focus on agility at speed (sharp turns), acceleration, deceleration, reaction speed and proper warm-up.