Coaching Corner – Game Training (U13-17)

Understanding the Game. Developing Performance. Building Better Teams.

Welcome to the Mudgeeraba Soccer Club Coaching Guide for U13–U17 coaches.

The U13–U17 years represent an important stage in a player’s development. Players are progressing into the full-sided game, developing a stronger understanding of team tactics and learning to apply their technical skills in more demanding match situations.

Our focus during this stage is Game Training. Players develop their ability to read the game, make decisions, understand their roles and responsibilities, and contribute effectively within a team structure. Training sessions become more structured and purposeful, with a greater emphasis on technical execution, tactical understanding, teamwork and game performance.

Coaching Priorities: U13–U17

Coaches focus on developing players who can understand the game, make effective decisions and perform confidently within a team environment.

The key development priorities are:

Technical Ability Under Pressure

Continue developing passing, receiving, first touch, ball control, dribbling and finishing. Players learn to execute these skills consistently while under pressure from opponents and within realistic game situations.

Tactical Awareness and Game Understanding

Develop players’ understanding of space, positioning, movement and team shape. Help players recognise what is happening around them and make decisions that support the team’s approach to the game.

Attacking Principles

Develop an understanding of creating space, maintaining possession, progressing the ball, supporting teammates and creating goal-scoring opportunities.

Defensive Principles

Build an understanding of defensive positioning, pressure, cover, balance, tracking opponents and working together to regain possession.

Transitions

Help players understand the moments when possession changes. Develop quick reactions and decision-making when moving from attack to defence and defence to attack.

Positioning and Team Roles

Develop an understanding of positional responsibilities, team organisation and how individual roles contribute to the overall team performance.

Communication and Teamwork

Encourage effective communication, leadership, accountability and cooperation. Players develop an appreciation of their responsibilities to teammates and the team as a whole.

Physical Development

Support the development of fitness, speed, agility, strength, coordination and movement appropriate to the age and development of each player.

At U13–U17, the emphasis is on combining technical ability with tactical awareness, decision-making and effective team performance.

Training Nights

The U13–U17 coaching program follows a two-night training approach, providing a balance between structured club development and coach-led planning.

Night 1 – Structured Coaching Session

A structured training session planned and delivered with guidance from the Director of Coaching (DOC) or Assistant Director of Coaching (ADOC). Sessions follow the club’s development priorities and focus on the technical and tactical requirements of Game Training.

Night 2 – Coach-Led Training Session

A coach-led session where the coach determines the activities and training focus in consultation with the DOC or ADOC. This provides flexibility to address the specific needs of the team, reinforce learning and prepare players for match situations.

Training Night Structure

Training sessions follow a four-stage structure, progressing from technical preparation through to applying learning in a full training game.

1. Passing Exercise

Passing drills with plenty of repetition.

Focus on:

Passing accuracy and technique.
First touch and receiving.
Movement and support.
Passing combinations and timing.

2. Positioning Game

Possession-based exercises that provide frequent opportunities to touch the ball, develop movement and improve decision-making.

Focus on:

Maintaining possession.
Creating and using space.
Supporting teammates.
Movement off the ball.
Recognising passing options.

3. Game Training

Technical and tactical instruction through realistic game-based activities.

Focus on:

Team shape and positioning.
Attacking and defensive principles.
Decision-making under pressure.
Individual and team responsibilities.
Applying the week’s coaching focus.

4. Training Game

Finish with a match-style game that allows players to put their learning into practice.

The training game provides an opportunity to observe how players apply the skills, tactics and concepts developed during the session.Mudgeeraba Soccer Club Junior Development Plan

The Football Coaching Process

FFA National Curriculum

U13 – U17 Building Blocks Game Training Guide

U13 – U17 11 V 11 Guide

Training Nights :