Sam Snow discusses the importance of skill development over physical advantage in youth soccer, particularly for U12 players. He highlights the need for coaches to focus on technical speed, enjoyment of the game, and tactical awareness, while warning against the pitfalls of the 'bigger is better' mentality. The document emphasizes that effective coaching methods, including small-sided games, are crucial for fostering individual technique and intrinsic motivation among young players.

1. Sam Snow, Director of Coaching Education - US
Youth Soccer
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U12 Soccer
SKILL versus SIZE
Sam Snow
Director of Coaching Education
US Youth Soccer
U. S. Soccer National Staff Instructor

2. Sam Snow, Director of Coaching Education - US
Youth Soccer
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Long Term DEVELOPMENT
or Short Term Wins?...
 While coaching at the
college level I often met
players who were good
athletes, but not good
soccer players! Their
playing ability did not
live up to their athletic
prowess.
 Are any of these
players your children?

3. Sam Snow, Director of Coaching Education - US
Youth Soccer
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Generally the cases were quite similar.
 Players who during puberty grow physically
faster than their peers may be 1 to 3 years
biologically ahead of their teammates.
Consequently they are bigger, faster and
stronger.
 The “bigger is better” approach can bring
success in the won/lost record, resulting in
everyone thinking things are going great.
Unfortunately these players may not be
learning how to play soccer. Often they are
limited in their balls skills and tactically naïve.

4. Sam Snow, Director of Coaching Education - US
Youth Soccer
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KICK-N-RUN
 The approach of the coach often is to make this type of player
the “star”, usually as a forward. “Just kick down field to Bruce
whenever you get the ball”, was the command to the other
players on the team. Bruce of course was expected to out run
the opposition and shoot the ball so hard the opposing 10 or 11
year old goalkeeper would shy away from the ball.

5. Sam Snow, Director of Coaching Education - US
Youth Soccer
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STILL KICKIN’?
 Once that player gets to
college (if indeed they
stay with soccer that
long) most of the other
players are now just as
fast or faster AND they
have technique and
tactical awareness.
Being athletically
superior alone is not
enough to be a
successful player.

6. Sam Snow, Director of Coaching Education - US
Youth Soccer
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What’s more important for an
U12 player, speed or skill?
 Generally speaking, the physically dominating
U12 teams win the match. These players are
bigger, stronger and, most importantly, faster.
However, the most important aspect of an
U12 player’s game is technical speed.
Improving technical speed puts a player on
the road to tactical awareness.

7. Sam Snow, Director of Coaching Education - US
Youth Soccer
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PUBERTY
 As muscles mature in
players, strength and
power become a factor in
their performance.
Coordination improves at
this age. Increased
coordination allows a
player to perform technical
skills with more
confidence.

8. Sam Snow, Director of Coaching Education - US
Youth Soccer
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PUBERTY
 This is truly an exciting time in the lives of
young players to enjoy the game even more
than their earlier “playing days.” As their
bodies strengthen and they become more
confident with the ball, the joy of the game
becomes apparent. Still, there is a wide
spread of technical ability and tactical
awareness between players and the coach
must proceed with that in mind.

9. Sam Snow, Director of Coaching Education - US
Youth Soccer
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PUBERTY
 At this point in their physical
and psychological
development, most 10 and
11 year old children can
play rather than play at the
game of soccer. Coaches
must be careful at this
juncture and not fall victim to
the false assumption that
these “small adults” (which
they are not) are now able to
play mature soccer.

10. Sam Snow, Director of Coaching Education - US
Youth Soccer
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LONG TERM DEVELOPMENT
Now is the time to cement
their passion for the game:
 Benefit # 1: The continued philosophy for
the coach is to present training with an
emphasis on the enjoyment of the players.
 The notion being that if U12 players enjoy
training as a team member then they just may
do more things with the ball on their own.

11. Sam Snow, Director of Coaching Education - US
Youth Soccer
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Now is the time to cement their
passion for the game:
 Benefit # 2: A U12 player should still be having a lot
of fun in and with the game.
 There is more competence in their individual,
technical performance. In fact, the word “team” now
becomes more than an abstract concept.

12. Sam Snow, Director of Coaching Education - US
Youth Soccer
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Now is the time to cement their
passion for the game:
 Benefit # 3: With this
approach we are
moving closer
toward intrinsic
motivation, which is
precisely where we
want to be if we
honestly believe that
soccer is a player’s
game.

13. Sam Snow, Director of Coaching Education - US
Youth Soccer
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Now is the time to cement their
passion for the game:
 Benefit # 4: The U12 age is a fertile learning
period. Players at this age can be expected
to be more thoughtful in meeting the
demands of the game. A coach can expect
the players to understand the sport and use
teammates to help solve problems. If training
sessions present appropriate problems for
players to solve, reasonable match results
can be expected.

14. Sam Snow, Director of Coaching Education - US
Youth Soccer
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SMALL SIDED GAMES
 I recommend that U12 teams play 8 vs. 8!
 Technically abilities will accelerate due to
increased time with the ball. Further, the ball
skill demands are now realistic on a smaller
pitch.
 Athletic growth is enhanced due to
continuous movement.
 There is a greater demand on mental
concentration. The game is more fun to play
because the players are always involved.

15. Sam Snow, Director of Coaching Education - US
Youth Soccer
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Lines of Interaction
 The following slide shows all of the possible
lines of interaction among 16 players on the
field in an 8 vs. 8 match. It is quite clear from
the graph that the game environment can be
quite complex.

16. Sam Snow, Director of Coaching Education - US
Youth Soccer
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8 v 8

17. Sam Snow, Director of Coaching Education - US
Youth Soccer
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SMALL SIDED GAMES
 This match environment now demands
transition and thus tactical awareness. The
players are involved on both sides of the ball,
so there is no hiding in the weeds.
 There is a greater demand on individual and
group tactics. The team tactical concept of
compactness is enhanced in the small sided
game.
 More opportunities for problem solving are
created for the players to work out together.
Hence “teamwork” is promoted!

18. Sam Snow, Director of Coaching Education - US
Youth Soccer
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The impact of the COACH
 Outside the immediate family, “coach” is an
extremely important figure. Everything a coach says
or does takes on a magnified importance with
children this age. Actions and words are important,
as are the more subtle characteristics of appearance,
promptness, attitude, energy output, commitment,
respect, etc. Children at this stage of development
begin to reflect the strengths and weaknesses of their
teachers. Accept the fact that you are a very
important role model!

19. Sam Snow, Director of Coaching Education - US
Youth Soccer
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COACHING METHODS
 All techniques must be practiced in match
related conditions with appropriate defensive
pressure. If an activity is too staid or
fundamental {no pressure}, players will not
improve. At this age, players must be
appropriately allowed to test their abilities to
perform a technique against an opponent.
Many factors are coming into place for the
U12 player and it is the coach’s responsibility
to guide players to technical confidence and
tactical awareness.

20. Sam Snow, Director of Coaching Education - US
Youth Soccer
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COACHING METHODS
 A U12 player should exhibit confidence with
the ball. At this stage, they should also play
with reasonable degrees of speed. The
coach should encourage a quicker pace.

21. Sam Snow, Director of Coaching Education - US
Youth Soccer
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COACHING METHODS
 Technical training at the U12 level must be as
fun-filled and exciting as at younger levels.
At the same time this training must be aimed
at perfecting domination of the ball. In your
training sessions have higher repetition,
increased pressure, movement and intensity
of effort. Improving ball skills is the main
objective with this age group. Skills become
an even more important factor at this point in
their development because the players need
to be introduced to general tactics as well.

22. Sam Snow, Director of Coaching Education - US
Youth Soccer
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COACHING METHODS
 At this point in their development, U12 players should
be able to simultaneously run, strike the ball and
THINK. The U12 player is usually eager to learn.
The nature of training sessions is crucial as it may
stimulate or stifle the learning process.

23. Sam Snow, Director of Coaching Education - US
Youth Soccer
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EDUCATION & DEVELOPMENT
 BALL SKILLS! BALL SKILLS! BALL SKILLS!
 When skillful players hit the field soccer is exciting
and dynamic. The development of individual
technique is first and foremost the responsibility of
the players. Not enough players spend extra time
with the ball trying to improve. Yet not enough of
them are being asked by their coaches and
teammates to do so.
 Our goal is to have our players comfortable with
the ball and excited about learning and trying new
skills. This attitude toward technical development
starts with the youth coach.

24. Sam Snow, Director of Coaching Education - US
Youth Soccer
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EDUCATION & DEVELOPMENT
 Technical development
is the responsibility of
all coaches. Too many
coaches accelerate
right to team tactics
even though the
players really do not
have the skill to
execute those tactics.

25. Sam Snow, Director of Coaching Education - US
Youth Soccer
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THE FOUR COMPONENTS
 Technique: feints with the ball; receiving
ground, bouncing & air balls with the heel,
shins, thigh, abdomen, chest & head; heading
to score goals & for clearances-standing &
jumping; chipping to score; outside of foot
pass; bending shots; crossing to near post &
penalty spot space; heel pass; kicking &
receiving with inside of the instep; introduce
half volley & volley shooting; introduce slide
tackle.

26. Sam Snow, Director of Coaching Education - US
Youth Soccer
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THE FOUR COMPONENTS
 Technique: For
goalkeepers-
footwork; bowling;
low dives & forward
diving; angle play;
near post play;
saving penalty kicks;
introduce parrying &
boxing.

27. Sam Snow, Director of Coaching Education - US
Youth Soccer
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THE FOUR COMPONENTS
Psychology: teamwork; confidence,
desire; mental rehearsal; intrinsic
motivation; handling distress; how
to learn from each match;
sportsmanship; parental
involvement; emotional
management

28. Sam Snow, Director of Coaching Education - US
Youth Soccer
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THE FOUR COMPONENTS
 Fitness: speed; strength; aerobic exercise

29. Sam Snow, Director of Coaching Education - US
Youth Soccer
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THE FOUR COMPONENTS
 Tactics: 2 v 1 defending; 2 v 2 attacking &
defending; roles of 2nd
attacker & defender;
combination passing; verbal & visual
communication for all positions; commanding
the goalmouth for the goalkeeper; half-time
analysis; corner kick plays-defending &
attacking; kick-off play; wall pass; beginning
to identify potential roles for players-
goalkeeper, defender, midfielder and/or
forward; introduce the principles of defense.

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Youth Soccer
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YOU
 Finally, working with
U12 players
demands the
constant
improvement of the
coach. The growing
coach seeks out
opportunities to
improve!