The Official US Youth Soccer Coaching Manual - Chapters 1-15 - Coaching Guidance for Youth Players

Sep 22, 2026

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The Official US Youth Soccer Coaching Manual provides coaching guidance for working with youth players, emphasizing child-centered, age-appropriate learning rather than treating youth soccer like adult “X’s and O’s.” It motivates coaches to create supportive experiences that support long-term enjoyment and development. The book addresses why training matters, outlines key questions parents should ask, and explains developmental considerations for children ages 5–12 and beyond, including safe, effective coaching practices.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLifestyle

FormatPDF

Pages106

Reading Time2 h 43 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Coaching Philosophy and Need for Training

Chapter 1

Caution: Children at Play, Proceed With Care

Children and Play

Developmental Fit for Activities

Chapter 2

Foundations of Coaching Children

Chapter 3

Effective Coaching Behavior

Chapter 4

Coaching Five and Six Year Olds

The Official US Youth Soccer Coaching Manual By Dr. Thomas Fleck, Dr. Ronald W. Quinn, Dr. David Carr, William Buren, Virgil Stringfield Copyright 2008 US Youth Soccer All Rights Reserved | The Official US Youth Soccer Coaching Manual
Table of Contents
Page
Dedication 1 | | | | --- | --- | --- | | Introduction | | 1 | | Chapter 1 | Caution: Children at Play, Proceed With Care | 2 | | Chapter 2 | Foundations of Coaching Children | 6 | | Chapter 3 | Effective Coaching Behavior | 1 􀀛 | | Chapter 4 | Coaching Five and Six Year Olds:
“Which Way Do I Go?” | 2􀀗 | | Chapter 5 | Coaching Seven and Eight Year Olds:
Are You My Teammate? | 􀀖􀀓 | | Chapter 6 | Coaching Nine and Ten Year Olds: Team Identity | 3􀀙 | | Chapter 7 | Coaching Eleven and Twelve Year Olds: The Dawning of Tactical Awareness | 42 | | Chapter 8 | The Role of Competition in Player Development | 52 | | Chapter 9 | Team Management | 56 | | Chapter 10 | Risk Management: Keeping Children Safe | 62 | | Chapter 11 | Coaching Players with Disabilities | 66 | | Chapter 12 | Street Soccer | 􀀚􀀕 | | Chapter 13 | Sports Nutrition for Youth Soccer | 􀀚􀀙 | | Chapter 14 | US Youth Soccer Modified Rules of Play | 􀀛􀀘 | | Chapter 15 | The Importance of Responsible Coaching | 􀀜􀀔 | | References | | 􀀔􀀓􀀓 | | About the Authors | | 10􀀕 | | | | | Dedication To the most important people in youth soccer today–the youth parent/ coach. Your efforts start the wheel of inertia that initiate a love of soccer for children, which through the help of countless others will provide the foundation for people to experience the joy of participation throughout their lifetime. Introduction US Youth Soccer is delighted to present this coaching resource to our greatest asset—the youth soccer coach. Many great players can trace their success to the coaching that they received at an early age. We hope that you, the youth soccer coach, will one day look back with pride at the opportunities you created for learning and enjoyment. A supportive, child centered, positive experience in youth soccer is vital to the growth of our sport. Far too many soccer coaching books and videos focus solely on the “X’sand O’s” or are written for those who coach players older than age 14. Few of these resources deal with the most important years in player development, ages five through fourteen. Our philosophy of coaching youth soccer places great importance on age appropriate activities and creating a child centered learning environment. This manual contains a gold mine of information for novice as well as experienced youth coaches. Using an educational and sport science foundation rather than a simple collection of drills allows the youth coach a better understanding of the player. We urge you to continue your coaching education through coaching clinics offered by your US Youth Soccer State Association. Contact your local club, league, [State Association or visit www.UsYouthSoccer.org](State Association or visit www.UsYouthSoccer.org). Chapter 1 Caution: Children At Play, Proceed With Care“Play is the Key to Open Many Doors.” Dr. Marianne Torbert, Professor, Temple University Director, Leonard Gordon Institute for Human Growth Through Play In the 21st century, children ages 5 through 12 years old are playing soccer in vast numbers throughout North America. And the number of players has increased significantly over the most recent several years. In 2003, there were over 19 million total soccer participants in the U.S. with over 8 million soccer participants under the age of 12 (SGMA, 2003) . However, fewer than 20 percent of our youth sport coaches have received any type of training to become coaches (Marten, 1990; Stewart & Sweet, 1992) . This translates into an imperative need to educate parents and volunteer coaches. Recent studies show that more than 73 percent of all kids who play organized youth sports end up quitting by the time they reach the age of 13 (Time Magazine, Jul

FAQs

Why does the manual emphasize child-centered coaching in youth soccer?

It argues that a supportive, child-centered, positive experience is vital for growth of the sport and for creating learning and enjoyment opportunities. The manual also stresses age-appropriate activities as a core coaching philosophy.

What questions should parents ask before enrolling a child in organized soccer?

Parents should inquire about whether the child is ready physically, mentally, and socially; the coach’s philosophy; parent responsibilities such as transportation and communication; training and game attendance requirements; overall costs; and whether the child will play as much as others.

How should coaches choose activities for young players?

Activities should match the children’s developmental levels. The manual warns against forcing children to fit activities, noting that activities that are too difficult lead to frustration, while those too easy lead to boredom.

Sep 22, 2026

Upload by Liam