Each age group in soccer has its own specific training needs. You won't train U8 soccer player the same as you will a u18 soccer player. That is pretty obvious. In this section I have compiled information on training u8 soccer players. Below you will see a list of drills and fitness idea links to click on that will help you develop the u8 youth soccer player.

Developing youth soccer players is a progression from one skill set to another. Miss the fundamentals and you could negatively affect that soccer player forever.

We have surfed the internet and combined various resources to help with coaching U8 soccer players. Link to this page from your site because it is a very extensive list of drills and ideas to help coaches and parents reference when coaching that age.

Coaching the u8 level by US Youth Soccer

Above I mentioned that soccer players should be developed following a progression. To see what techniques, psychology, tactics, and fitness guidelines to train at that young of an age click here.

Dribbling Lesson Plan

This dribbling lesson plan provides 5 different drills you should be doing with your u8 soccer players. The lesson plan is gives the activity name, description of the drill, a diagram, and coaching points. If you are looking for more coaching ideas for dribbling development use this guide. by US Youth Soccer

U6-U8 Dribbling Lesson Plan

This lesson plan breaks down dribbling into various categories. Fundamental, match related, match condition, and cool down. Read this guide in that it provides titles, descriptions, diagrams and coaching points for each. by US Youth Soccer

U8 dribbling and passing games

4 ideas and games on working with u8 soccer players. These games have diagrams and coaching points to help as you coach this young age group through the drills. by US Youth Soccer

Passing through the gates

Here is a passing game design with CoachFX software to develop passing and dribbling skills. The objective is to pass the ball through the gate as many times as possible in the time allotted. The catch is you cannot go through the same gate two times in a row. This game is an animated version of one of the drills provided by US youth Soccer. Make sure you hit stop when done. Otherwise the video keeps playing while on this page and could affect the quality of watching other videos.

You can also view the drill below by downloading a free copy of the CoachFX Viewer. The advantage of the CoachFX viewer is that you can view the drill in different angles whereas on the on screen viewer you only get one angle. To download a free copy of the viewer, click here. Once on that website click on "Free CoachFX Viewer" on the left of the screen to download the Viewer. After downloading the free software click here to view the gates drill.

Pong Drill Activity by US youth Soccer

This pong drill is another drill taken from the lesson plans by US Youth Soccer and Animated. US Youth Soccer has given permission to use some of their lessons plans. We have taken some of those plans and made them animated. This pong drills is to be done in teams of two. Set up the cones 2-8 yards apart. The object is to pass the ball back and forth without the ball stopping. This means players will be developing one and two touch skills. Designed with CoachFX Software. Make sure you hit stop when done. Otherwise the video keeps playing while on this page and could affect the quality of watching other videos.

Through the gates by US youth Soccer

This through the gates drill is designed for the individual in mind. The player is to drill through as many gates as possible in a given time. The player cannot dribble through the same gate two times in a row. If they do it is not a point.

This drill is not available on screen here. So to view the drill below by downloading a free copy of the CoachFX Viewer. The advantage of the CoachFX viewer is that you can view the drill in different angles whereas on the on screen viewer you only get one angle. To download a free copy of the viewer, click here. Once on that website click on "Free CoachFX Viewer" on the left of the screen to download the Viewer.

Receiving a soccer ball

U8 soccer players have needs different from older ages when developing the skill of receiving. This Lesson plan outlines 6 different drills to focus on that will help develop this specific skill. The drills are broken up into individuals, cooperative, game, and a cool down. Each lesson plan provides the name, description, a diagram and a coaching points. by US Youth Soccer

Pairs Activities by US youth Soccer

5 drills specific to working on receiving for u8 soccer players. In this lesson plan you will work on juggling with a partner, soccer Newcomb, Volley game, Pong, and 2v2 get outta there. This lesson plan provides the name, description, diagram and coaching points.

Passing Lesson Plan by US youth Soccer

5 drills to work on passing at the u8 level. Retrieval activity in pairs-getting them to work together, Pong, Gates passing drill, gates game, the match. Lesson plan provides name, description and diagram of the drills.

Coaching manual

Although this manual does focus on u6-u8 soccer players it will provide a lot of ideas for coaching the u8 soccer player. First, it talks about characteristics of u8 soccer players, Then involving the parents of u8 soccer players, coaching rationale, and practice ideas. by cwsoccer.com

Formations and positional play for U8 soccer players

This article talks about why formations and positional play are not appropriate for u8 soccer players. footy4kids.com

Coaching the u8 Soccer player Utah Youth Soccer

This guide is broken down into:

Principles of youth coaching
Game/activity checklist
Understanding the U8 soccer player
U8 Coaching philosophy
Game Classifications
Typical training session format
Games and Activities

Teaching Games that Focus on Dribbling Technique

This focuses on small sided teaching games that will put the young soccer players in an environment conducive to learning and at the same time have fun. The presentation focuses on proper technique. by US youth Soccer.

AYSO Soccer Drills for U8 Soccer Players

Each of the drills below provide the skill to be developed, diagram and other important information.

You and Me-Dribbling, Attacking and Defending.
You and Me (1v1, Two) - Dribbling, Attacking and Defending.
Find the Number - Dribbling.
Moving Marbles - Dribbling, Passing.
Musical Balls - Dribbling.
Slalom Shooting - Dribbling and Shooting.
Take Overs - Dribbling and Take over.
The Race - Dribbling and Passing
The Shadow - Dribbling
The Web- Dribbling and Fitness.
Mad House - Dribbling, Passing, Attacking and Defending.
Shooting Skunks- Dribbling, Passing, Attacking and Defending.
My Buddy - Passing
Shooting Gallery - Shooting and Passing
Shoot for Shoes - Throw In.

Coaching Manual for U8 Soccer Coaches from NASL

8 week lesson plan for u8 soccer coaches.

Novice Coach DVD

If you are new to coaching and lack the experience and knowledge to coach youth soccer look at this DVD recommended by US youth Soccer. Click here to find out more.

Coaching U8's Book - A complete coaching course Soccer.com

This excellent book and cd-rom from the Dutch Soccer Association lay out complete season coaching plans for coaches of U8's.

Included are characteristics of players at each stage and what to expect in terms of performance and behavior. The Dutch method at all levels is based on a Circuit Model which emphasizes small groups, repetition and maximum ball contacts.

30 games and activities for U8 soccer players

Making soccer fun is the most important goal of any U8 soccer coach. On this DVD, developed by Iowa Soccer Association (ISA), U8 coaches are provided with the learning techniques to create fun and exciting coaching sessions for their young athletes.

Motor Development in Children

You will learn about:

The four stages of empowered athletes.
Foundations of human movements.
3 primary coaching goals.
Components of skill.
Open and closed skills. What are they?

If you feel something is missing from this u8 guide please email me at taylort@elitesoccerconditioning.com

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