9v9: 5th - 6th
U11 - U13 · Development
Tactics emerge. Pressing triggers, transitions, formations (3-3-2 or 3-2-3). Driven pass becomes possible. This is where the game starts to look like soccer.
Keep it fun: before each practice, pick an idea or two from the Fun Ideas page to make it a practice they'll want to come back to.
How each week works: 3 layers
Practice 1 (Technical): We script this. Rotating focus: Dribbling, Passing, Shooting, Defense.
Practice 2 (Tactical): We script this. Core tactical concepts progressing weekly for your age group.
Warrior Way Principle: Not a separate activity. A coaching lens you apply across both practices that week.
Weeks 1-7 are fully scripted. Weeks 8-10 are coach's choice.
10-Week Season Overview
Practice 1: Dribbling
Dribbling under pressure and in tight spaces
“Close control in traffic. Bigger touches in open space.”
Practice 2: Formation shape (9v9)
Our home shape and why it works
“The shape is your home. You leave it to make a play, then come back.”
Videos
1vs1 Dribbling Soccer Drill
Coach behavior this week
Maximize game time in both sessions. If kids are in lines, something is wrong. At least 40% of every session should be actual play. Your job is to set it up and step back.
Practice 1: Passing
Driven pass and switching play
“Lock your ankle. Hit through the center of the ball. Follow through toward target.”
Practice 2: Positional roles
What each position does with and without the ball
“With the ball: what are your options? Without it: where should you be?”
Videos
Switching Play Drill (Technical Passing)
9v9 Player Roles and Responsibilities
Coach behavior this week
Count touches. Every activity should give every player maximum ball contacts. No lines, no waiting, no standing around watching. If someone doesn't have a ball, fix it.
Practice 1: Shooting
Finishing under pressure and from crosses
“Get your body over the ball. Side-foot for placement, laces for power.”
Practice 2: Build-out from the back
Playing through pressure instead of kicking long
“Short and smart. We trust each other with the ball.”
Videos
Finishing Drill: Overlap & Cross (U12+)
Playing Out from the Back (with Neutrals)
Coach behavior this week
When a player tries something and fails, praise the attempt. "I love that you tried that." Zero criticism for creative risk. The only bad play is the safe play they were afraid to try.
Practice 1: Defense
Pressing as a pair and covering
“First defender: slow them down. Second defender: cut off the pass.”
Practice 2: Pressing triggers
When and how we go win the ball
“We don't chase randomly. We press TOGETHER when we see the trigger.”
Videos
Pressure, Cover, Balance: Defensive Principles
Move As A Team 3v3 High Pressing & Overloads
Coach behavior this week
Watch your instruction time. Under 30 seconds for K-2. Under 60 seconds for 3-5. Show, don't tell. If you're talking and eyes are glazing, stop talking and demonstrate.
Practice 1: Dribbling
Beating players in 1v1 and creating space
“Attack the defender's front foot. Make them commit, then go.”
Practice 2: Transition (attack to defense)
The first 3 seconds after losing the ball
“We just lost it. What do we do in the next 3 seconds?”
Videos
How To Do A Pullback
How To Do A Maradona Turn
How To Do A Sidewinder
3v3 Transition: Attack to Defense
Coach behavior this week
Give choices ("Which game should we play next?"). Make sure every kid has a partner. Check in with the quiet ones. Autonomy, competence, belonging. Hit all three this week.
Practice 1: Passing
Combination play and third-man runs
“Timing of the run: go WHEN the ball is played, not before.”
Practice 2: Transition (defense to attack)
The first 3 seconds after winning the ball
“We just won it. Look forward first. Can we go fast?”
Videos
How to Do a Wall Pass
Hitting a Team on the Counter-Attack
Coach behavior this week
Focus on improvement, not results. Ask players: "What did you get better at today?" Never: "Did we win?" If you catch yourself coaching to win the scrimmage, pause and reset.
Practice 1: Shooting
Set piece finishing and volleys
“Watch the ball all the way onto your foot. Don't look at the goal until after contact.”
Practice 2: Game management
Understanding the flow and tempo of a match
“Soccer has a clock. Read the game. When to push, when to manage.”
Videos
Free Kick Techniques Every Player Should Know
How to Do a Soccer Volley
Changing Tempo Session Plan
Coach behavior this week
Rotate every player through every position in both sessions. Nobody is "the striker" or "the defender" yet. Multi-position experience builds complete players.
Weeks 8-10: Coach's Choice
Weeks 8-10 are yours. You've coached 7 principles, 7 technical focuses, and 7 tactical concepts. Now pick what your team needs most.
- •Repeat a week where your team struggled. There's no shame in consolidation.
- •Run a session focused on your team's weakest technical area.
- •Set up a full scrimmage and practice 'coach on the pause' with zero instruction.
- •Let the players plan a practice. Give them the session structure and see what they design.
- •Focus on game-day scenarios: halftime talk practice, pre-game warmup routine, penalty shootout prep.
- •Mix it up: technical from one week + tactical from a different week.
Week 10 is a great time for an end-of-season celebration. Mini tournament, player awards (effort-based, not skill-based), and a parent thank-you.