Training To Perfection At Ages 9 & 10 by Brad Elmenhurst
To train for perfection, you must have the internal desire, belief, and love for the game. You also must imagine (I always imagined I was a star player like Pele, etc.) you are the best player of all time. A training plan must build off a foundation and strive for continuous improvement of the basic components of the game. For example if you do not have proper technique for passing accurately, then perfect that first. If you can’t trap a ball, you will not do well with two touch or possession. Execute your training sessions building on components of the game. Repetition is the only way to perfect your game. I have found training by myself, against the wall, has always been the most efficient. Track your progress, number of training sessions, amount of time, and your progression towards perfection. If you really want to be the best, you must train more than the rest. This is all up to you!!
I would like you to practice these activities 5 times a week. If you need to improvise some of these activities, that is fine.
It is very important to train with the proper technique and body mechanics. If you have the right technique and body mechanics you will be able to move to the next stage of development. If you repeated poor technique and body mechanics, you will struggle to progress in certain areas in the game. I have players on my U-17 Washington State team that have stopped their development in some areas due to very poor technique and body mechanics. Also it is important that you train all parts of your body. Both feet, inside and outside of the feet, thighs, chest and head (hands for GKs). This is prime time for balance and coordination learning for the boys. Their minds and bodies can learn very fast if challenged and with repetition. Always start with static and slow training, working on techniques and body mechanics. Add movement with no pressure, then add some pressure (e.g. faster, another player, more difficult service, etc.). But be careful not train lazy habits (e.g. a lot of standing, walking, low work rate, etc.), because laziness is trained as well (if repeated enough times).
Techniques Descriptions:
Side of the foot Passing “Push pass” techniques – non-kicking foot is pointed towards the target; heal down, toe up; following through towards the target
Instep Passing techniques – non-kicking foot is pointed towards the target; strike the ball with shoelaces; ankle locked, heel up, toe down; knee is slightly bent and should end up in your chest, following through towards the target
Trapping techniques – on your toes, relaxed, get your body behind the ball, and cushion the ball when it hits your body
Heading techniques – eyes open, mouth shut, bend backwards at the waist and strike the ball with your forehead
Dribbling techniques – use the center and top of your feet, inside of the foot is for tight control; outside of the foot is for speed; keep looking up, need a good center of gravity
Lofted Ball techniques - non-kicking foot is pointed towards the target; strike the ball with inside of the shoelaces; ankle locked, heel and toe are down; knee is slightly bent and should end up in your chest, strike the ball below center, where the ball is touching the surfaces, following through towards the target
Training to Perfection Measurements:
Push Pass - Passing the ball into a 4-yard goal from 15 yards away - 8 out of 10 times
Trapping - So that you’re able to pass, shoot or dribbling within 2 touches
First touch - Into space, setup the 2 touch
Finishing
Strike with the side or instep (shoelaces) of both feet - low to far post
Headers – down and from all angles
From a cross - back to the side of the goal where the cross was from
PKs - 2 yards inside the post
Volleys – Full and half volleys, keep the ball low
Defense - Win one on one tackles (lead foot, block, sliding, etc.). ’
Heading - Head the ball forward
Possession - Pass the ball to your teammates 5 out of 10 touches
Ball-juggling - 10 times with your feet, thighs and head (e.g. 10 w/feet; 10 w/things; 10 w/head)
Desire - ‘The ball is mine’; will to win; work rate, top 5% of all the U-11 players in Washington State
Vision - Look far and you will see everything in between; 25 yards – forward and side to side
Speed - Quick in the first 10 yards (1st); all directions (forward, backwards, sideways, diagonals, etc.)
Endurance - 50 minute game (at 80% or higher work rate)
Communication - When involved in the play or situation
Dribbling - At least one move to: stop and start, change direction, change of pace and feint
Knowledge - All positions on the field, basic laws of the game, wall passes, and creating space
Offense - Beating defenders in one on one situations; scoring and penetrating passes
Transition - Switching the point of attack, close passing lanes
Lofted Ball - Hit the ball into the goal, in the air, from 22 yards 7 out of 10 times
