U12 Curriculum
7v7 · 1-2-3-1 · 75-minute sessions · 10 weeks
U12 is where soccer IQ takes off: your players can already dribble, pass, and shoot, so this season is about doing those things under pressure and making good decisions fast. You will coach mostly with questions — freeze the moment, ask what they see, and let them find the answer. Keep every activity game-like, keep everyone moving, and always finish with real soccer.
What this season builds toward
- Keep the ball under pressure in tight spaces — a calm first touch and a firm pass beat panic every time
- Make decisions, not just moves: dribble vs pass, turn vs bounce back, counter fast vs keep the ball
- Use the whole field — spread wide, support the ball, and switch play (move the ball to the far side where the defense is thin)
- Defend with brains: angle, patience, and working in pairs instead of diving in
- React to both transitions — chase for 5 seconds when we lose it, look forward first when we win it
Fall 2026
Fall Break Oct 10–17 — no soccer (between Weeks 6 and 7)
Spring 2027 (provisional)
* provisional — dates not yet confirmed
Game day — 7v7 — the 1-2-3-1
Play a 1-2-3-1: one goalkeeper, two defenders, three midfielders, one forward. Manage the game simply — structure without overwhelm. Guide by asking questions instead of shouting instructions, coach movement off the ball, and encourage building out from the back with simple passes rather than kicking blind.
- Defenders move up to half field on transitions instead of standing deep.
- Midfielders spread wide and connect play, creating passing options.
- The single forward stays high but works hard to defend from the front.
- Build out from the back with simple passes — no purposeless booting.
- Goalkeeper
- Start the attack — throw or pass with purpose.
- Defenders
- Step up with the play; never camp on the back line.
- Midfielders
- Spread wide, connect the play, offer passing options.
- Forward
- Stay high, stretch the defense, press from the front.
A letter-size document — cover, all ten weeks with QR codes, game-day guide, and parent notes.