**Below are the recommended levels of skills that players need to demonstrate before moving onto the next group/division.  AND NOW (3/15/26) adding a few drills to help in these progressions . . .

Make sure players understand your formations and every player’s responsibilities (offensive and defensive). ALL players have offensive and defensive jobs. Each player should have a strength position but also know how to play all positions around them in your formation. Check their understanding by asking guided questions.

INTRACITY (PRE-K THRU GRADE 2)

US Soccer recommends players in this age group play 4v4

Pre-K & Kindergarten:

1. FUN, FUN, FUN
2. Skills and games surround basic dribbling, shooting , defending and passing (trap/pass to a partner)
3. FUN, FUN, FUN

Grade 1:

1. Continue repetition from ALL above (dribble with/without cones, shooting, passing trap/pass to partner and start 1v1 defending).
2. Introduce basic positions like attackers & defenders
3. Introduce throw-ins, goal kicks, and corner kicks.
4. Coaches should start focusing and organizing practice sessions around PLAY-PRACTICE-PLAY.
5. Introduce spreading the field on attacks/possession (not bunching up) and looking for 1v1 defending.
   

Grade 2:

1. More in-depth discussions with Grade 1 above, plus more 1v1 defending or team defending in general — "Who am I covering or marking?”
2. Have players do throw-ins properly and demonstrate if needed — feet behind the line, ball over the head, and keep feet on the ground.
3. "Building or playing from the back" vs traditional goal kicks or punts - Why do we build vs kick it away?
4. Formations and position — introduce positions and terminologies, such as forwards/strikers, wingers/midfielders, defensive backs and goalkeepers. Show where they are positioned on the field.
5. How do we attack (positionally - DO WE SEE TRIANGLES? Are we being unpredictable in or attacks? )
6. How do we defend (positionally) -  on throw-ins, goal kicks and corner kicks?  Is out team shifting as 1 unit on the field?  are we applying pressure when we don't have the ball?  How is our 1v1 containments?
7. Have players attend player development training sessions to strength their skills and understand more about formations too (basic formation lanes and lines, 1-3-3 or 1-2-2-2).
   

TRAVEL (GRADES 3 & UP)

Grade 3/4:

US Soccer recommends this age group play 7v7.

1. Continue repetition from ALL above (dribble with/without cones, shooting and passing-trap/pass to partner), now with strong and weak foot. Recommend doing this during your practice as a player developmental skill session, 1x per week.
2. Explain positioning, attacking in triangles, formation and player responsibility surrounding these items for this age level (7v7). Explain offsides, and other general rules before first game and throughout the season.
3. ONLY PLAY-PRACTICE-PLAY should be used in each 60-minute practice session.
4. Introduce some fitness (suggested: sprint type ladder drills, 5 minutes) in the later part of your first “PLAY” section, right after a small-sided game / rondo / possession type game for 15 minutes.
5. Start finding some athletic players to rotate in/out of the goalkeeper role in each game, and teach field players that the ball needs to move in/out and out/in on your attacks.
6. For goalkeepers, introduce “building from the back” vs. goal kicks/punts, and playing from the back to support your defensive back line.
7. Run through corner kicks and free kicks — how to attack them and defend them in a 7v7. And 1v1 defending (technique and positioning)/cutting down angles if you get beat, and introduce team press to prevent buildups within the 1v1 discussions.
   

Grade 5/6:

US Soccer recommends this age group play 9v9.

1. Continue repetition from ALL above, (dribble, shooting, and passing trap/pass to partner), now with strong and weak foot within a passing line drill or triangle/diamond passing shape drill. Recommend doing this during your practice as a player developmental skill session, 1x per week.
2. Explain positioning, formation and player responsibility surrounding these items for this age level (9v9) - playing possession soccer - understanding 1v1/team defending, (technique and positioning)/cutting down angles if you get beat
3. ONLY PLAY-PRACTICE-PLAY should be used in each 60-minute practice session.
4. Introduce some fitness (suggest sprint type ladder drills, 5 minutes) in the later part of your first “PLAY” section, right after a small-sided game / rondo / possession type game for 15 minutes.
5. Players should be able to control and/or dribble and/or shoot a ball off a bounce in a game like situation before graduating at this grade level with both feet.
6. For goalkeepers, continue with building/playing from the back (see above) and discuss “wall” building.
7. Run through corner kicks, free kicks — how to attack them and defend them in a 9v9. And 1v1 defending (technique and positioning)/cutting down angles if you get beat and introduce team press to prevent buildups within the 1v1 discussions.
   

Grade 7/8:

US Soccer recommends this age group play 11v11.

1. Continue repetition from ALL above, (dribble, shooting and passing trap/pass to partner), strong and weak foot within a passing line drill or triangle/diamond passing shape drill. Maybe this is done during your practice as player developmental skill sessions, too. Start FOCUS on two-touch soccer with both feet. PRACTICE HEADING THE BALL to clear it defensively and to score.
2. Explain positioning, formation and player responsibility surrounding these items for this age level (11v11) — playing possession soccer, understanding 1v1/team defending. Communication and player’s positioning is vital here.
3. ONLY PLAY-PRACTICE-PLAY should be used each 60-minute practice session.
4. First “PLAY” section should be 10 minutes of a small-sided game / rondo / possession type game. Then 5 minutes of fitness (suggest spring type ladder drills), and finish up with 5 minutes of stretching.
   
5. Name 1-2 goalkeepers for your team. Continue with building/playing from the back (see above) and when to build walls.
6. Decision-making and reading the game at all positions – Players should have position of strength but knowledge of the other positions surrounding them.
7. Run through corner kicks, free kicks — how to attack them and defend them in a 11v11. And 1v1 defending (technique and positioning)/cutting down angles if you get beat and introduce team press to prevent buildups within the 1v1 discussions.