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.
Coaching Resources & Downloads
The following resources support the club’s junior development framework and provide coaches with practical guidance for planning and delivering training sessions.
Club Development & Coaching Framework
- Mudgeeraba Soccer Club Junior Development Plan – The Mudgee Way
The club’s junior development philosophy and approach to player development. - The Football Coaching Process
A resource covering the planning and delivery of effective training sessions. - FFA National Curriculum
National guidance on player development and coaching. - U13–U17 Building Blocks – Game Training Guide
Age-specific guidance for the Game Training development stage. - U13–U17 11 v 11 Guide
Guidance for developing players within the full-sided game.
Team Coaching & Administration
These resources help coaches organise their teams, manage attendance and support the day-to-day running of their program.
Weekly Training Guides
The club provides eleven weekly training guides to support session planning and maintain a consistent development focus throughout the season.
Each guide provides a framework for planning training activities and developing players through the Game Training stage.
Support for Coaches
Mudgeeraba Soccer Club is committed to supporting its coaches with development resources, guidance and a consistent approach to junior soccer.
Coaches are encouraged to work with the Director of Coaching (DOC) or Assistant Director of Coaching (ADOC) to plan sessions, reinforce development priorities and address the specific needs of their teams.
For general junior soccer enquiries, contact:
Vice President – Juniors
De Miller | 0412 305 611 | juniors@mudgeerabasoccer.com
Developing the Complete Player
The U13–U17 years are about bringing together technical ability, tactical understanding, physical development and teamwork.
Players are encouraged to take responsibility, understand their role within the team and develop the confidence to make decisions in competitive match situations. Our objective is to develop capable, confident players who understand the game and are prepared for the next stage of their soccer journey.
Understand the game. Play with purpose. Perform as a team.
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