For U9 Soccer, the question is the answer for true player development
Guided Discovery—-The concept introduced to me by United States Youth Soccer Director of Coaching Education Sam Snow that has opened my eyes to the importance of “teaching by asking” to the young players. For U9 soccer parents, a few simple questions a day can open your child’s eyes to different aspects of the game. It also helps them build tremendous confidence as a soccer player (plus kids LOVE teaching their parents things:)
The majority of this question asking should be related to the technical side of the soccer game. For example, “What are some different ways that you can make a pass?” Show me,” is much more appropriate than “Can you explain to me different ways to attack out of a 4-4-2 formation?”
However, some simple tactical ideas can be introduced as well in U9. Understanding the areas of the field and the ability to weigh the risk/reward factor should certainly be introduced. A soccer field is divided into three areas, the defensive third, the midfield third, and the attacking third. A simple concept at this age is to encourage players to take opposing players on while dribbling in the attacking third. If you lose the ball, the opposing team has to go the length of the field to score, therefore low risk. However, if you happen to take the opponent on and get a chance to shoot……..possible goal. Highest reward. On the contrary, taking chances with dribbling and playing blind balls in the defensive third may lead to giving away shots on your goal that could have been prevented, so a young player must begin to learn when and where to do what. Our guided discovery questioning can help them solve the problems that the game of soccer presents.
The key here is that we don’t want to give them all the answers, because in the heat of an actual soccer game, players have to be free thinking and able to make quick decisions on their own. We do, however, want to continue to ask them questions so that the answers come out of THEM. A few questions a day will make them better when they play.
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