The goal of this project to improve the basic movement patterns of beginner-level youth soccer players (under 6,8,10) by providing novice coaches with practice plans that are designed to progressively improve soccer skill performance. The format of the practice planning tool box is designed to help novice coaches integrate existing information related to soccer skill acquisition into their daily practice plans. The practice planning tool box is considered to be a “work-in progress”that will continue to evolve as we incorporate your constructive feedback regarding content and format. Please email mcnitt@usc.edu with your comments and ideas.
Our aim is to provide a practice planning tool box that incorporates skill progressions and games that foster soccer-specific skill acquisition in an enjoyable way and provides opportunities for players to make decisions on the field. Specifically, this project focuses on the acquisition of fundamental dribbling, passing, and receiving skills related to maintaining ball possession. Ten weeks of exemplar practice plans have been created. A general template that allows coaches to incorporate their own favorite games and skill progressions within the general practice plan structure has also been included. The general structure of each practice plan includes the following components:

• Warm-up activities that prepare the body and the nervous system for soccer practice.
• Skill progressions that focus on developing basic movement mechanics and ball control skills essential for ball possession.
• Games that reinforce and encourage quality practice of individual foot- ball, partner, and team-level interactions.
• Game-like scenarios that integrate acquired skills into game situations.
• Cool-down activities that provide an opportunity for coaches to review with players and parents lessons learned during practice and plans for incorporating acquired skills into upcoming games.