The Games Approach to Learning Soccer:

• Why Games not Drills?
• Basic Principles of Play
• Matching the Field Space to the Playing Numbers
• Ideas on Organizing Pre-Teen Soccer Practices
• Changing the Practice Variables
• The Coach's Tool Kit
• The OYSAN Youth Academy Model

Fun Games For The Little Ones (U-6/8)


Individual Skill Development Games (~U-10+)

• 1v1 to Two Small Goals
• 1v1 to End Lines
• 1v1 to Targets, with Support Players
• 1v1 (x2) Possession with Four Bumper Players
• 1v1 Soccer Tennis
• 2v2 Soccer Tennis
• 1v1 Box Games
• 1v1 Kicking Games
• 1v1 Soccer Ladder (Team Competition)
• 1v1 Soccer Ladder (Individual Competition)

• My players don't move to support around the ball
• My players don't spread out front-to-back (8v8)
• My players don't spread out front-to-back (6v6)
• My players don't spread out front to back
• My players don't spread out front to back-2 
• My players don't spread out side-to-side
• My players don't look to pass to the open side of the field
• My players don't look to pass to the open side of the field-2
• My players don't look around before they receive the ball
• My players don't defend individually
• My players don't defend as a group-2
• My players don't defend as a group-3
• My players don't defend as a group-4
• My players don't win the ball in the attacking half
• My players don't transition to attack as a team
• My players don't quickly transition to defense
• My players don't look to shoot often enough
• My players don't look to shoot often enough-2
• My players don't look to shoot from distance
• My players don't combine together
• My players don't combine together-2
• My players don't combine together-3
• My players don't combine together-4
• My players aren't soccer-fit
• My wide players need to improve their attacking play
• My players don't understand their positions and roles
• My forwards need to be more effective in and around the penalty area
• My forwards don't help our team build into attacking positions
• My forwards don't help our team build into attacking positions-2
• My players don't pass back to the goalkeeper
• My goalkeeper's distribution needs to be improved
• My goalkeeper's positioning for shots needs to be improved
• My players don't understand how to attack / defend offside space

Games For Team Development (~U-14+)



Coaching Theory: 

• National Coaching Report, by National Association for Sport and Physical Education
• Guidelines to Good Coaching Performance, by US Youth Soccer
• Games vs Drills, by Finesoccer.com
• FIFA: Trends in Modern Football
• Elite Player Development, by Greg Ryan
• Systems Roles and Responsibilities, by Tom Turner
• Sport and Character Development, by the President's Council
• The Future of the Game, by Dick Bate
• Try-outs: Right or Wrong?, by Glen Buckley
• The Wilson Report: Girls in Sport
• Qualities of Top Soccer Coaches, by Anonymous
• Player Development 6-16, by Brunoi Redolfi
• Sports Done Right, The University of Maine
• Player Development and the Art of Coaching, by Tom Turner
• Coaching and the Laws of the Game, by Tom Turner
• Match Observation, by Tom Turner
• "Lighthearted" World Soccer Tactics
• The Model Soccer Club, by Brett Thompson
• Player-Centered Coaching, by Brett Thompson
• Breaking into the Perennial Top Five (unknown author)
• Thoughts on Soccer Evolution, by Dick Bate
• Player Development and the Art of Coaching, by Tom Turner
• Boca United, FL: Advanced Training Program Overview
• Boca United, FL: Advanced Training Program Parent and Player Contract
• Unanchored Soccer Goals Can Pose a Danger, by Roger Anderson
• Total Player Development, edited by Tom Turner
• A Team of Technical Tips, by Tom Turner
• 2006 Word Cup Musings, by Klaas De Boer
• Coaching ethics and the developmental process, by Tom Turner
• Fifteen things to keep in mind while watching from the sidelines, by Michael Langlois
• Eleven reasons why the OYSAN State League uses restrict substitution, by Tom Turner
• 2006 OYSAN State Cup Observations (U-13 to U-17), by Tom Turner
• The Conundrum of Coaching for Creativity, by Tom Turner
• "The Better Team Lost: Exploring soccer's phases of play", by Tom Turner
• US Soccer "Best Practices" (2006)
• The UNC Legacy: A Paradox for American Soccer, by Tom Turner
• Player Development at the IMG Academy, by Tom Durkin
• Cologne Study on Small Sided Games
• Coaching Coaches: Ten things to think about, by Chuck Wielgus
• Pushing too hard too young, by Jacqueline Stenson
• The Youth Soccer Coach, by Mike Berticelli
• Vision, by SoccerExpert.com
• Personal Trainers for Kids, by Rita Giordano & Kristen Graham
• "Is Winning Everything?" by SoccerExpert.com
• A Model Training Program for U16 - U19 Elite Youth Soccer Players in the US
• As Team Sports Conflict, Some Parents Rebel, by Bill Pennington
• "The Lost Art of Dribbling?" by Soccer-expert.com
• Sports System Building and Long-term Athletic Development in British Columbia, by Dr. Istvan Balyi
• The Role of LTAD in Elite Sports, by Dr. Istvan Balyi
• Needs of the Women's Game, by Jeff Pill 
• How Coaches Assess Players, by Roby Stahl
• Primary School Football - The Rules of the Game, by Anonymous
• Game Numbers and Field Space
• Average Playing Time by Game Schedule and Roster Size 
• Learning From The Game, by Bob Jenkins
• Deconstructing Youth Soccer: Creating the ideals of street play in an organized soccer world" by Tom Turner 
• U.S. Soccer Department: Frequently Asked Questions
• Coaching Observation Tool
• US Women's National Teams Program: U12-U19 Club, State and Region Curriculum Guidelines
• A Model of Player Development
• Modeling the National Style of Play at the State Level.
• Imagination is More Important than Knowledge! 
• Developing Rugby Players Through and Empowerment Approach to Coaching, from New Zealand
• Developing Vision.
• The Logistics of Small-Sided Games; Part I: Community "Play Days"
• The Logistics of Small-Sided Games. Part II: "Split Game Models"
• The Coaching Hierarchy; Part I: Introduction.
• The Coaching Hierarchy; Part II: Spacing and Roles.
• The Coaching Hierarchy; Part III: Possession, penetration, creating space, and combination play.
• The Coaching Hierarchy; Part IV: Developing Speed of Play and Teambuilding 
• The Coaching Hierarchy, Part V: Final Thoughts.
• Coaching Comments And Their Messages.
• How To Assess Soccer Players Without Skill Tests.
• OFFSIDE ANYONE? The next step for match play at practice.
• Warning: Curriculum can be a hindrance to learning.
• Coaching Zone Defense, by Tom Turner
• Making Speed of Play More Tangible and Specific, by Tracey Leone, U.S. Under-19 Women's National Team Head Coach
• Teaching the 4-3-3, by Christian Lavers
• Playing at Soccer, by Christian Lavers

• US Soccer: Kicks from the Penalty Mark Memo (2009)
• US Soccer: Kicks from the Penalty Mark Checklist (2009)
• The Referee's Role in Youth Soccer, by Julie Iiacqua
• Hey Ref..Tackling From Behind?
• US Soccer: Cautions and Cautionable Offenses
• Addendum to US Youth Soccer Laws of the Game for U-6's (2009)
• Addendum to US Youth Soccer Laws of the Game for U-8's (2009)
• Addendum to US Youth Soccer Laws of the Game for U-10's (2009)
• Addendum to US Youth Soccer Laws of the Game for U-12's (2009)
• US Youth Soccer Laws of the Game for U-6's (2009)
• US Youth Soccer Laws of the Game for U-8's (2009)
• US Youth Soccer Laws of the Game for U-10's (2009)
• US Youth Soccer Laws of the Game for U-12's (2009)
• FIFA Laws of the Game (2009)
• US Soccer: Misconduct Involving Language and Gestures

• The Age Effect: Supporing The Youth Acadmy Model, by Tom Turner
• More than a game, by Julie Anderson
• Pushing Too Hard Too Young, by Jacqueline Stenson
• We Return You to His Regularly Scheduled Childhood, by Kevin Davitt
• Effective Playing Time Relative to Game Format and Roster Size
• Positive Play Day: A Great Way to Honor the Game
• Talk is Cheap - by Jim Thompson
• Maverick Still Weaving Magic; By Robert Phillip.
• Club Player Development Manual, by Jacob Daniel, the State Director of Coaching for Georgia.
• 2001 OYSAN Workshop: Presentation to League Presidents

• YOUNG GOALKEEPING DEVELOPMENT, 3v3 or 4v4 age 6-8 Goalkeepers or no Goalkeepers? - By Peter Mellor
• NATIONAL TEAMS GOALKEEPING: Goalkeeping Age Specific Development Program (Male & Female) - By Peter Mellor
• Playing and Training Issues for Goalkeepers

• Brunswick SA (OH) Play Day 2009
• Brunswick SA (OH) Play Day Logistics
• Brunswick (OH) Play Day Score Sheet
• Global Development vs Early Specialization, by Brian Grasso
• Indiana U-9 Youth Academy (2009), by Vince Ganzberg
• Indiana U-9 Youth Academy 2009 Memo, by Vince Ganzberg
• Development Academy Program, by Indiana Youth Soccer
• Indiana Development League, by Indiana Youth Soccer
• Building a Free Play Festival Program, Burke VA Soccer Club
• Manchester United 4v4 Pilot Study, by Rick Fenoglio
• Short-Sided Hockey, by Paul Willett
• Level I Skill Development Manual, by USA Hockey
• Best Arguments Against Small-Sided Games, by Tom Turner
• Anyone Can Fly, by Vince Ganzberg
• Playing Numbers and Player Qualities, by Jacob Daniel (2009)
• SSG Comparison: 4v4 vs 7v7 vs 11v11 for U-12's, by Grant Small
• Gaelic Football SSG Study, by Oliver Keating
• Scottish FA: Small-Sided Games
• US Youth Soccer Official Rules for Small-Sided Games
• SSG: An International Comparison
• California South Youth Soccer Association Small-sided Games Study: Purpose
• California South Youth Soccer Association Small-sided Games Study: NSCAA Journal Article (January 2004)
• California South Youth Soccer Association Small-sided Games Study
• Swinging for the Fences
• 4v4 taking root in England, by Soccerexpert.com
• Small-sided Games National Update: September 2003
• Small-Sided Games: Debate on National Resolution (2001-2002)
• Q&A on Small-Sided Games
• The Future of Ohio North Soccer: Structure and Logistics
• Small-Sided Games at U-10: Perspectives from the across the USA.
• The Evolution of Small Sided Play; By Dave Schumacher, Washington State Youth Soccer Association Coaching Director & US Soccer National Staff Coach.
• Small-sided Games, by Horst Wein.
• Basic Coaching Concepts for Under-9's and Under-10's in Small Sided Games.
• Space: The Tactical Frontier.
• Canadian Soccer Association Youth Development Model for 2002, and Beyond, by Tony Waiters. 
• Basic Coaching Concepts for Under the Age of Seven
• Basic Coaching Concepts for Under the Age of Nine
• Basic Coaching Concepts for Under the Age of Eleven
• Basic Coaching Concepts for Under the Age of Thirteen
• Coaching Team Tactics for U-11 & U12
• Coaching Small Group Tactics for Under the Age of Eleven
• US Youth Soccer National Coaches SSG Changes/Proposals

• Perspective: Brianna Scurry
• Motivation of Young Athletes: Why kids play sports.
• Good Sports: Raising a Young Athlete, by Sheila King
• Ethics Are Moving Back to the Forefront, by Eric Sondheimer

• US Soccer: raining the Core, by Pierre Barrieu
• University Hospitals: Initial Treatment of Injuries - PRICE
• University Hospitals: Soccer Nutrition
• University Hospitals: Concussion Guidelines
• University Hospitals: Hydration Guidelines
• University Hospitals: Injury Prevention
• University Hospitals: Mouth Guards
• University Hospitals: Fitting Running Shoes
• Little Athletes, Big Injuries, by Kate Stinchfield
• Periodization, by Tom Turner and Alan Kornspan
• U-17 Men's National Team Training Cycles
• U-17 Men's National Team Annual Periodization Plan
• U-17 Men's National Team Weekly Periodization Plan
• U-17 Men's National Team Monthly Periodization Plan
• ACL Injury and Prevention, by Dr. Suz Briskin
• Girls Gone Idle, by Sanjay Gupta
• Oslo Sports Traume ACL Prevention Exercises: The 11(+2) 
• Concussion Guidelines for Coaches, DHHS / CDC
• ACL Injury Prevention, by Dr. James Shear
• ACL Injury Prevention Exercises
• PEP Program: Santa Monica Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine
• Restoration and Regeneration for Optimal Performance, by Taylor Tollison
• Ten Worst Sports for Eye Injuries, from The Coalition to Prevention Sports Eye Injuries
  Concussion Findings
• Soccer Concussion Quiz
• US Soccer: Training Techniques, And Their Effect on Frequency of ACL Injuries in Female Soccer Players, by Holly J. Silvers, MPT
• Transition between lines, by Lang Wedemeyer
• US Soccer: Stress Fractures
• Hydration and Heat Illness Guidelines, from US Soccer
• Muscle Soreness and Training Specificity, by Don Kirkendall
• US Soccer: Recovery from Play
• US Soccer: Shin Splints
• Major League Soccer Injury Study, by Dr. Don Kirkendall
• US Soccer Guidelines on Preventing Heat Illness
• Children Growing Up: How much do we really know?, by Nick Levett
• Heading Soccer Ball Does Not Injure Brain: Study, By  Jill Oestreicher Gross.
• US Soccer: Position Paper on Padded Headgear
• US Soccer: General Injury Protocol
• US Soccer: Sun Safety Tips