U5-U8 Program Overview

 

Return to the Developmental U5-U8 Program Details.


OVERVIEW

  • Each week U5-U8 teams will have two different 15 minute drills alternating with two 15 minute games.

  • The fields will already be set up for the kids and the kids will only need to move around between the game fields and the drill fields.

  • Two teams will be on each field and depending on the schedule some teams will start on the games field and others will start on the drill field.

  • After the 60 min session, players may have 10 min for snack and water before going home.

Game format

  • Games will run for about 15 min.

  • There will be two small sided games on each game field.

  • For each small sided game, coaches will aim to play in a 2v2,3v3 or 4v4 format. This is to eliminate the need for substitutes, allowing for the kids to each get a lot of touches on the ball (NOTE: Sometimes teams will need to share players when one team does not have enough players).

  • The two team coaches will run the games as game leaders.  All game leaders are asked to do the 30 minutes game leader certification offered by the OSA:Click here for details

  • No score is kept. This is just for fun.

  • No referees, just the game leaders.

  • When a ball goes out of play, one of the managers/coaches will provide a new ball to be passed or dribbled into play by a player on the defensive team.  A prompt of “ready, set, go” will be used to help encourage quick restarts.

  • There are no throw ins or kick ins at this level.

  • Players will be rotated as often and as evenly as possible.

Training Format

  • The drills will run for 15 min each.

  • OTFC will provide Technical Coaches to run the drills/practice, as designed by our Club Head Coach. (Parent coaches are asked to help out once the Technical Coaches have demonstrated the drill).

  • At this level, the drills are designed with the LTPD in mind, and will focus on developing their basic ball skills as well as agility and coordination, in addition to their soccer skills.  At the same time, we try to keep the drills fun and exciting.

  • Discipline will be primarily the responsibility of the team’s parent coaches.  

  • Each OTFC Technical Coaches and staff will be responsible for the setup and tear down of the equipment at the beginning and end of each practice. Parents and players are welcome to assist.

  • Each 15 minute segment will be ended by a whistle or blow horn sounded by the field coordinator.  At that time, the teams will accompany their parent coach/manager to the next field.

  • EACH TEAM WILL SPEND THE ENTIRE DAY ON ONE HALF OF EACH 11-A-SIDE FIELD, rotating through each quadrant.


 


MOVEMENT OF TEAMS

Every 15 minutes, teams will ROTATE between the four fields from training to games.

Millennium during Micro Session

Technical Station (2x 15 minutes):

At Millennium parent coach

Millennium during Micro Session

Games Station (2 x 15 mins):

At Millennium mocro session

SESSION TIMELINE

  • 6:00 pm - Technical Coaches arrive at field and prepare the training fields.

  • 6:30 pm - first 15 min session starts with the kids

  • 6:45 pm - players change fields (game to drill or vice versa).

  • 7:00 pm - third session starts.

  • 7:15 pm - players change fields for the 4th and final session.

  • 7:30 pm - end of session, snack time for players, Technical Coaches will pack up equipment.

Issues on the field

  • NOTE: our Technical Coaches are mostly adolescents, who have played in our club for years and are working to share their skills and knowledge with these very young players. If you have an issue please address it with our Technical Coaches in a professional manner. If you are not satisfied with the response, you can address it to the field supervisor.

 

Micro Development

  • The program is designed with the Canadian Soccer Association Long Term Player Development (LTPD) model as the underlying foundation.

  • Through various games/drills/activities, the program will develop your children in the elements that they should be learning at this young stage in their development.  Namely, the program will focus on the fundamentals of technical development, SAQ (speed, agility and quickness), athletic coordination, as well as 1v1 and 2v2 play. Each player will participate in a variety of games and activities each week, aimed at developing some combination of those core focuses, and allowing our young players to continue their development as soccer players and athletes.

  • We want this program to give our youngest players an added opportunity to both develop as players and athletes, and to plant the seeds for a lifelong enjoyment of a sport that we as a coaching staff are all passionate about.  On the next slide, please take the time to read an excerpt from the LTPD outlining the developmental needs for players at the micro level.

 

If you are interested in further information you can visit: https://www.ontariosoccer.net/player-grassroots

 

ltpd stage 2 fundamentals