U11 & U12 Curriculum

Tactical Awareness & Advanced Play. Click any card to open it full screen or download for the field.

🔥 WARMUP TRAINING

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Defensive 1v1 Footwork (Left)

Defensive jockeying and footwork.

💡 Coaching Point: Stay low, keep your feet moving, and force the attacker to their weaker side.

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Defensive 1v1 Footwork (Right)

Defensive jockeying and footwork.

💡 Coaching Point: Be patient. Don’t dive in. Wait for the attacker to take a heavy touch before you tackle.

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Combination Double Pass (Left)

Quick combination passing warmup.

💡 Coaching Point: One-touch passing. Keep the tempo high and your feet moving before the ball arrives.

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Combination Double Pass (Right)

Quick combination passing warmup.

💡 Coaching Point: Communicate. Call the player’s name before you pass so they are prepared to receive.

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Receiving Into Space (Left)

Finding open space to receive passes.

💡 Coaching Point: Scan the field. Look over your shoulder before the ball arrives to see where the pressure is coming from.

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Receiving Into Space (Right)

Finding open space to receive passes.

💡 Coaching Point: Create space by checking away from the ball, then check back into the open passing lane.

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Diagonal Passing (Left)

Warmup utilizing diagonal passes.

💡 Coaching Point: Diagonal passes break lines. Look to switch the point of attack when the space opens up.

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Diagonal Passing (Right)

Warmup utilizing diagonal passes.

💡 Coaching Point: Weight the pass so the receiver can take it in stride without breaking their run.

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Visual Training (With Ball)

Visual awareness while dribbling.

💡 Coaching Point: Keep your head up while dribbling. The best players scan the field before they even receive the ball.

⚽ TECHNICAL TRAINING

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1-Touch Diagonal Finishing

One-touch finishing from diagonal passes.

💡 Coaching Point: Get your body across the defender. Aim for the far post with the inside of your foot.

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2v2 Transition to 2v1

Transitioning from defense to an attacking overload.

💡 Coaching Point: When transitioning to a 2v1, attack the space quickly before the defender can recover. Don’t let them set up.

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Overlapping Crosses & Finishing

Crossing and finishing using an overlap run.

💡 Coaching Point: The overlapping player must run hard to create the numerical advantage in the box. Time your run to meet the cross.

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Counter Attack Training

Fast breaks and counter-attacking drills.

💡 Coaching Point: Counter-attacks must be fast and direct. Look to play forward within the first three passes.

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Penetrating Pass & Shooting

Breaking lines with a pass followed by a shot.

💡 Coaching Point: The through ball must be played into the space behind the defense, forcing the defender to turn and chase.

🧠 TACTICAL & GAMES

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3-Team Possession Game

Possession game with three teams.

💡 Coaching Point: When your team loses the ball, immediately transition to defend. The closest player pressures the ball.

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Possession 4-Goal Game

Possession game with 4 goals and outside players.

💡 Coaching Point: Use the outside players to relieve pressure. When the middle is crowded, play wide and switch the point of attack.

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4v4 Transition Possession

Possession game emphasizing quick transitions.

💡 Coaching Point: React quickly when the ball turns over. The first 3 seconds after winning possession are crucial.

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Defensive Back Four Counter

Defensive shape and counter-attacking.

💡 Coaching Point: Defensively, the back four must stay connected. When you win the ball, look to counter-attack immediately.

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Possession 5v2

Rondo-style possession game.

💡 Coaching Point: Keep the ball moving. One-touch passing and constant movement off the ball will break down the defense.

📋 RESOURCES & PLANNERS

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PDF DOCUMENT

Additional Resources

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💡 Coaching Point: At U11/U12, players should start taking ownership of their own development. Encourage them to ask questions.

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PDF DOCUMENT

Session Planner

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💡 Coaching Point: Plan your training sessions around a specific tactical theme (e.g., counter-attacking) and build the drills around it.

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PDF DOCUMENT

U11/U12 Developmental Goals

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💡 Coaching Point: Use these goals to track player progress. Every player develops at a different rate, so focus on the individual journey.

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Outline ASM Background

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💡 Coaching Point: Visual aids help players understand complex tactical shapes like the back four or a midfield diamond.

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Counter Attack Session Plan

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💡 Coaching Point: Counter-attacking requires speed, directness, and making the right decision in the final third.

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U11/U12 Course Banner

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💡 Coaching Point: This is the “Golden Age” of learning. Tactical concepts introduced now will stay with players for the rest of their careers.