GLOBAL PREMIER SOCCER

GPS JUNIORS CURRICULUM 2015

U6 & U7 MODULE 1
 Leading GPS Juniors

In this document you will find eight sessions which incorporate a mixture of fun themes, basic movements and soccer
techniques. Each session is carefully explained so that you, the coach, will get maximum understanding to be able to run
these sessions effectively. The eight sessions, have a main technical theme to the session, some psychological compo-
nents and also key basic physical components. The coach may have the flexibility to alternate the games/exercises but
should follow the technical and physical theme to ensure the players cover all keys aspects through each module. In
order to make each coach feel comfortable running a GPS Juniors session below are a list of help reminders what to do
for every session;
• Arrive Early – Get to your session 15-30 minutes before it starts. If your session starts at 1pm and you arrive at 1pm
YOUR LATE.
• Have appropriate equipment – Make sure that all your soccer balls are pumped up before you even leave for
your session. At this age group we use size 3 soccer balls which you can request to borrow from Operations. Also have
clean colorful pinnies and cones because players this age group like colorful and new equipment.
• Communication – speak clearly, calmly, and unrushed. As you will be working with 3-6 year olds they are still tuning
their sense of hearing so better communication we have the easier it will be for the players. Ensure you demonstrate.
• Be patient and entertaining – The children you work with may be completely new to soccer. They will take time to
even familiarize themselves with a soccer ball so keep reinforcing the basics; using feet instead of hands, can we
keep our head up, keep the ball under control.
• HAVE FUN – Most importantly have fun! Do not be afraid to have fun yourself and be funny because the players will
respond to that. If you provide energy and happiness to the session the players will do the same!
KEY

PLAYER MOVEMENT WITH THE BALL

PLAYER MOVEMENT WITHOUT THE BALL

MOVEMENT OF THE BALL (PASS / SHOT)

 Small-Sided Games

Each session should finish with small sided games, giving the players the opportunity for free play.

The small sided games should account for around 40% of the session time at this age (approx 25mins)

This allows the players at a young age the opportunity to express themselves and to practice what has just been coached,
in a fun and structured environment.
Small Sided Game (25mins) - 3v3/4v4 (no goalkeepers)
30x25 yard area

Restarts should be made by the coach, where possible playing a ball into play. Allowing the ball to be in play as much as
possible.
The time can be split into three 7 minute periods, allowing the players the opportunity to play for longer spells with a
coaching point being made at the start or end of each period.
Coaching Points
Close control- Keep ball close to feet
Awareness- look for space to dribble/move into, where is
the defender? Where is your team mate?
Movement- try to keep moving into space, help be an
option for your team mate to pass to.
Physical- ensure their basic movements are correct
Have FUN! Let them play!!
 GPS CURRICULUM INDEX

INDEX- U6 & U7 Module 1

Physical Element- Basics- Running, Changing direction, Acceleration and Deceleration

Technical Elements- (Opportunity for players task on the FCB player)

Week 1 - Awareness like Schweinsteiger- Spacial Awareness

Week 2 - Dribbling like Ribery - Dribbling

Week 3 - Dribbling like Robben- Dribbling

Week 4 - Skillful as Goetze - Dribbling and Changing Direction

Week 5 - Talented as Thiago- Dribbling and Changing Direction

Week 6 - Turning like Muller- Stop Turn

Week 7 - Passing like Alonso- Passing

Week 8 - GPS Juniors World Cup

 Awareness like Schweinsteiger- Spacial Awareness

WARM UP
Technical - Traffic Lights Progression
Set up 10x10 yard area Introduce a ball each
The coach (highlighted) on the outside has one red Add a third colour cone to make players turn
and one green pinny.
When coach shows red players stop. Coach shows
green players move. Can they freeze and hold balance
when red is up.

Coaching Points
Ensuring players basic movement technique is correct
Push off to change direction. Maintaining balance.
Keep ball close to feet
Keep head up to see Pinny

TECHNICAL/TACTICAL
Technical - Pinny Tag Progression
Set up 10x10 yard area Add another catcher
Each player has a pinny tucked into their shorts. 1 Each player now has a ball
player (highlighted) will try and grab as many pinnies
as possible. 1 point for each pinny. Once a pinny has
been taken, it is dropped on the floor so player can
re-join the game. Players mopve around the area
trying to keep away from all other players.

Coaching Points
Move into space
Keep ball close to feet

SMALL SIDED GAME

Small Sided Games (25mins) - 3v3/4v4 Progression
Setup Re-starts need to be as quick as possible - have
25x20 yard area a spare ball ready to put into play
Free play games.
Coach should have plenty of footballs to pass into 3 short periods
the playing area when ball goes out of play.
Keep the game flowing. With periodic coaching points Don’t keep score

Coaching Points
Look for space, defender, team mate
Move into space to receive
Head up when on the ball- can you find a team mate
Keep ball close to feet- under control
 Dribbling like Ribery - Dribbling
WARM UP
Warm-Up- Walk the Dog Progression
Set-Up 25x30 yards Pet the dog by doing toe-taps on the ball
Place dribbling arches randomly inside the area.
Play with the dog by doing inside taps
Each player has a ball. Tell the players that their ball is (Foundations) on the ball.
their dog and that they must keep it close to them all
the time. Players try and dribble the ball under an arch Add a tagger. If player stops ball under an
( a bridge in the park). Dribble and run under as many arch they are safe from tagger. Can only
bridges as possible. stay under an arch for 6 seconds. If tagged
Coaching Points player must put one foot on the ball for 6
Use the instep or inside of foot to connect with the ball. seconds.
Eyes up to see where other players are.

TECHNICAL/TACTICAL
Technical- Feed the Dog Progression
Set-Up 25x30 yards How many bowls can they dribble to in 30
Place some cones upside down on the outside of the seconds
area
Players dribble the ball around the area. On coach’s
command, players will dribble the ball to the outside
to a free cone. The ball is the players dog and the
upside down cone is a food bowl. Players are feeding
their hungry dog.
Coaching Points
Use the inside of feet to connect with the ball.
Head up to see where other players are.

SMALL SIDED GAME

Small Sided Games (25mins) - 3v3/4v4 Progression
Setup 25x20 yard area Re-starts need to be as quick as possible - have
Free play games. a spare ball ready to put into play
Coach should have plenty of footballs to pass into
the playing area when ball goes out of play. 3 short periods
Keep the game flowing. With periodic coaching points
Don’t keep score
Coaching Points
Look for space, defender, team mate
Move into space to receive
Head up when on the ball- can you find a team mate
Keep ball close to feet- under control
 Dribbling like Robben- Dribbling
WARM UP
Technical - Sticky Toffee Progression
Set up 15x15 yard area Give each player a soccer ball, if their ball is
Players move around in the area whilst the catcher touched by the catcher they become stuck
tries to catch them. If player is caught then they stand Only way to release a player is
in a star position. Only way they can be released is by passing a ball between their legs
another player give them a high five.

Coaching Points
Spatial Awareness

TECHNICAL/TACTICAL
Technical - Chasing Numbers Progression
Set up 15x15 yard area Player has to dribble round said number cone
Scatter the cones around the field given by coach
Players dribble round cones in number order (1-6 then
back to 1 to start again)

Coaching Points
Both these drills help players to keep their head up to
survey the area for the next numbers

SMALL SIDED GAME

Small Sided Games (25mins) - 3v3/4v4 Progression
Setup Re-starts need to be as quick as possible - have
25x20 yard area a spare ball ready to put into play
Free play games.
Coach should have plenty of footballs to pass into 3 short periods
the playing area when ball goes out of play.
Keep the game flowing. With periodic coaching points Don’t keep score

Coaching Points
Look for space, defender, team mate
Move into space to receive
Head up when on the ball- can you find a team mate
Keep ball close to feet- under control
 Skillful as Goetze - Dribbling and Changing Direction
WARM UP
Warm-Up- Finding Nemo Progression
Set-Up 30 x 30 yards. 5 toe-taps before looking under the cone.
Hide an object (Nemo) underneath one of the cones. 5 inside taps before looking under a cone.
You may like to print a picture of Nemo to make the Must do a turn before looking under a cone.
game more realistic. The idea is players have to swim Must do a skill before looking under a cone.
(dribble their ball) around and find Nemo by stopping
their ball and looking under the cones. Once Nemo Coaching Points
is found all players must swim (dribble) to land and Using the laces or inside of the foot to touch
rest (lay down so they can’t see when you hide Nemo the ball when dribbling.
again) Eyes up us see the next cone.
Speed moving to the next cone.

TECHNICAL/TACTICAL
Technical- Progression
Can’t carry the cones with your hands. (balance on
Set-Up 20 x 20 yards divided into 10x20 halves. head, wear like a bracelet)
Place a large amount of cones randomly in each half
(same amount in each half )

Split players into two teams. In a half each. Teams have Coaching Points
to try and get all their cones into the other teams half Using the laces or inside of the foot to touch
by picking up a cone and dribbling into other half. the ball when dribbling
Eyes up us see other players are
Place cones in big space

SMALL SIDED GAME

Small Sided Games (25mins) - 3v3/4v4 Progression
Setup Re-starts need to be as quick as possible - have
25x20 yard area a spare ball ready to put into play
Free play games.
Coach should have plenty of footballs to pass into 3 short periods
the playing area when ball goes out of play.
Keep the game flowing. With periodic coaching points Don’t keep score

Coaching Points
Look for space, defender, team mate
Move into space to receive
Head up when on the ball- can you find a team mate
Keep ball close to feet- under control
 Talented as Thiago- Dribbling and Changing Direction
WARM UP
Technical - Follow the leader Progression
Set up 15x15 yard area Give the players balls to use during the game
In small groups or pairs, the front player leads the
others. The following players must copy the move-
ments of the leader. Take turns so everyone has a
chance at being the leader.

Coaching Points
Different types of movement
Communication

TECHNICAL/TACTICAL
Technical - Painting with the ball Progression
Set up 15x15 yard area Introduce stop turn
Scatter multiple colours around the field Add other turns dependent upon ability of the
Ask players to dribble to a colour then turn to change group
direction once they reach the colour in question. Add more colours into the session

Coaching points
Correct turning technique
Sharp and quick turns

SMALL SIDED GAME

Small Sided Games (25mins) - 3v3/4v4 Progression
Setup Re-starts need to be as quick as possible - have
25x20 yard area a spare ball ready to put into play
Free play games.
Coach should have plenty of footballs to pass into 3 short periods
the playing area when ball goes out of play.
Keep the game flowing. With periodic coaching points Don’t keep score

Coaching Points
Look for space, defender, team mate
Move into space to receive
Head up when on the ball- can you find a team mate
Keep ball close to feet- under control
 Turning like Muller- Stop Turn
WARM UP
Warm-Up- Foundations - Static to movement Progression
Set-Up Foundations
Each player will have a ball and find a space inside the Introduce Stop Turn
area.
Week 1 review on Toe-Taps.
Demo Foundation Exercise- static firstly
Into foundations while movement if possible.
Coaching Points
Use inside of the feet to flick the ball from side to side
Use arms for balance
Get into a rhythm.

TECHNICAL/TACTICAL
Progression
Technical- Turning - Super Skill - Stop Turn
Use other foot
Set out 2 cones in a line 10 yards apart with a cone in
Use both feet
the middle.
Relay Race
Set-Up
Split into groups of 4 and have 2 at each cone.
Electric Fence game:
Players dribble towards each other and turn before
Create 2 lines of cones 10 yards apart.
their soccer balls hit each other. Use one foot only.
Players stand on one line and dribble to the
Coaching Points other. Players must turn before their ball
Keep ball close to feet crosses the line to stop them being shocked
Head up for awareness by the electric fence.

SMALL SIDED GAME

Small Sided Games (25mins) - 3v3/4v4 Progression
Setup Re-starts need to be as quick as possible - have
25x20 yard area a spare ball ready to put into play
Free play games.
Coach should have plenty of footballs to pass into 3 short periods
the playing area when ball goes out of play.
Keep the game flowing. With periodic coaching points Don’t keep score

Coaching Points
Look for space, defender, team mate
Move into space to receive
Head up when on the ball- can you find a team mate
Keep ball close to feet- under control
 Passing like Alonso- Passing
WARM UP
Technical - Sticky Toffee Progression
Set up 15x15 yard area Give each player a soccer ball, if their ball is
Players move around in the area whilst the catcher touched by the catcher they become stuck
tries to catch them. If player is caught then they stand Only way to release a player is
in a star position. Only way they can be released is by passing a ball between their legs
another player give them a high five

Coaching Points
Spatial Awareness

TECHNICAL/TACTICAL
Technical - Power Pass Progression
15x15 yard area Increase distance to pass the ball
Pass with ‘other’ foot
Set up
Put two cones, one at either end.
Rest of the cones put in middle of area with balls on
top of them
Players dribble from either end of the area and try to
knock a ball off the cone

Coaching Points
Use correct part of the foot to pass the ball, dependant
on distance and ability

SMALL SIDED GAME

Small Sided Games (25mins) - 3v3/4v4 Progression
Setup Re-starts need to be as quick as possible - have
25x20 yard area a spare ball ready to put into play
Free play games.
Coach should have plenty of footballs to pass into 3 short periods
the playing area when ball goes out of play.
Keep the game flowing. With periodic coaching points Don’t keep score

Coaching Points
Look for space, defender, team mate
Move into space to receive
Head up when on the ball- can you find a team mate
Keep ball close to feet- under control
 GPS Juniors World Cup - Recap
TECHNICAL/TACTICAL
Technical - Sticky Toffee (20mins) Progression
Set up 15x15 yard area Give each player a soccer ball, if their ball is
Players move around in the area whilst the catcher touched by the catcher they become stuck.
tries to tag them. If player is caught then they stand
in a star position. Only way they can be released is by Only way to release a player is passing a
another player give them a high five. ball between their legs

Coaching Points
Spatial Awareness

SMALL SIDED GAME

Small Sided Games (35mins) - 3v3/4v4 Progression
Setup Re-starts need to be as quick as possible - have
25x20 yard area a spare ball ready to put into play
Free play games.
Coach should have plenty of footballs to pass into 3 short periods
the playing area when ball goes out of play.
Keep the game flowing. With periodic coaching points Don’t keep score

Coaching Points
Look for space, defender, team mate
Move into space to receive
Head up when on the ball- can you find a team mate
Keep ball close to feet- under control