What to expect
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Fundamentals
60 mins training or practice sessions
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Movement
General Movement, Coordination, Technique, Small-Sided Games
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Technical
Technical skills revolve around core skills such as controlling the ball, dribbling, shooting, fakes, turns, and passing
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Dribbling
Develop dribbling with sole, inside and outside of the foot
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Passing
Develop short passing with the inside of the foot
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Shooting ability
Introduce receiving with the inside and outside of foot and instep, and shooting while dribbling
U9 Teams
- Play 7 vs. 7 (including goalkeeper)
- U9 ball size is #4
- Developmental level of soccer coached by licensed NCCP coach
- Players are expected to commit to 1-2 team practices and 1-2 games per week depending on the season (indoor or outdoor) plus the Technical Training (10-12 Technical practices per season)
- Entry in up to 2 tournaments (Sting FC includes 1)
- Player ID cards are required
- There are league standings
General
To fully develop their creativity and enjoyment of the game, children have to have the freedom to try things out at practice, to play freely and without interference.
Experience shows us that players will compete even in the absence of league standings. All young players understand that soccer is a game for scoring goals and “winning”. The absence of league titles does not diminish each player’s desire to compete each time they have a soccer match. When coaches in U9 leagues choose the “win at all costs” approach and/or parents criticize or pressure their children, poor player development is the most frequent result.
The aim for this age group should not be to win games, but to develop and promote each player. Every child is equally important! Sting FC has adopted the Canada Soccer Association philosophy to focus on broad-based player development. In addition, Sting FC adheres to the Alberta Soccer Association’s mandate that there are formal try-outs for U9 teams.
For this age group, players are expected to possess basic motoric and coordination skills along with some technical skills such as dribbling the ball at speed, controlling the ball with various body parts (no hands or head).