U8 and Younger Development Goals

Technique: 

• Player understands the qualities of a rolling or spinning ball (knows where it’s going to go).
• Player can lift the ball with their foot
• Player understands blocking
• Player can receive ground balls with the inside and sole of the foot 
• Player shoots with the inside of the foot 
• Player uses toe passing and shooting 
• Player can dribble while changing direction. 

Psychology:

• Player works in pairs with other teammates 
• Player exhibits good sportsmanship 
• Player needs limited parental involvement 
• Player understands general concepts of how to play 
• Player has good emotional management 

Fitness:

• Agility 
• Eye-foot and eye-hand coordination 
• Balance

Tactics:

• Player understands roles of back line and forward line 
• Player understands 1v1 attack and choosing to dribble or pass 
• Player uses problem solving in small sided situations 
• Player cooperates with teammates to play together (passing) 
• Player understands to run back to help on defense

U8 and Younger Sample Practice Plans

Click on the links below to download weekly sample practice plans.