Yes — U6–U9 is the golden age for dribbling and ball mastery.
But here’s why you still want to coach Off-the-Ball Movement at this age 🧵
But here’s why you still want to coach Off-the-Ball Movement at this age 🧵
2.
At this age, kids love the ball.
And they should.
We don’t want pass-first players.
We want confident dribblers.
But the game doesn’t stop when you don’t have the ball.
At this age, kids love the ball.
And they should.
We don’t want pass-first players.
We want confident dribblers.
But the game doesn’t stop when you don’t have the ball.
3.
If players only “exist” when they’re on the ball, they disappear for most of the game.
That habit is hard to unlearn later.
Teaching movement early keeps them active and engaged—always part of the play.
If players only “exist” when they’re on the ball, they disappear for most of the game.
That habit is hard to unlearn later.
Teaching movement early keeps them active and engaged—always part of the play.
4.
What Off-the-Ball Movement means at U6–U9:
🏃 Keep running after your dribble
🙋 Move into open space
👀 Don’t stop and watch—stay in the game
Simple. Fun. Natural.
What Off-the-Ball Movement means at U6–U9:
🏃 Keep running after your dribble
🙋 Move into open space
👀 Don’t stop and watch—stay in the game
Simple. Fun. Natural.
5.
Why it matters:
Stillness kills the game—even at this age.
If kids freeze after a dribble or shot, they disappear.
If they keep moving, the whole game has rhythm.
It becomes easier (and more fun) for the one with the ball.
Why it matters:
Stillness kills the game—even at this age.
If kids freeze after a dribble or shot, they disappear.
If they keep moving, the whole game has rhythm.
It becomes easier (and more fun) for the one with the ball.
6.
How to train it?
→ Tag games where everyone must keep moving—even when not “it”
→ 2v1 dribbling games where the teammate must move into space
→ Rules like “after your dribble, take 3 steps into space”
Movement becomes a habit.
How to train it?
→ Tag games where everyone must keep moving—even when not “it”
→ 2v1 dribbling games where the teammate must move into space
→ Rules like “after your dribble, take 3 steps into space”
Movement becomes a habit.
7.
When it’s right, you’ll see:
- Kids don’t freeze when they lose the ball.
- They don’t hide when they pass.
- Everyone is active, chasing, moving, finding space.
It looks chaotic—but it’s the start of real football intelligence.
When it’s right, you’ll see:
- Kids don’t freeze when they lose the ball.
- They don’t hide when they pass.
- Everyone is active, chasing, moving, finding space.
It looks chaotic—but it’s the start of real football intelligence.
8.
And here’s the key:
You’re not teaching “patterns” or “team tactics.”
You’re teaching energy, involvement, and habits.
Later, this becomes scanning, offering, stretching.
But it starts here.
And here’s the key:
You’re not teaching “patterns” or “team tactics.”
You’re teaching energy, involvement, and habits.
Later, this becomes scanning, offering, stretching.
But it starts here.
9.
So yes—let U6–U9 dribble, dribble, dribble.
But also coach the habit of never standing still.
Off-the-ball movement makes dribbling more dangerous—and keeps all kids engaged.
So yes—let U6–U9 dribble, dribble, dribble.
But also coach the habit of never standing still.
Off-the-ball movement makes dribbling more dangerous—and keeps all kids engaged.
10.
This is why our framework for U6–U9 combines:
⚽ Ball mastery and dribbling
⚽ Confidence in 1v1s
⚽ Off-the-ball habits to stay active
The foundation for brave, fast, competitive players.
This is why our framework for U6–U9 combines:
⚽ Ball mastery and dribbling
⚽ Confidence in 1v1s
⚽ Off-the-ball habits to stay active
The foundation for brave, fast, competitive players.
11.
This is exactly what we teach inside the Football Coaching Hub.
A simple, principle-based framework to build players the right way.
150+ coaches inside.
$7/month or $47/year.
Join here: skool.com/football-coach…
This is exactly what we teach inside the Football Coaching Hub.
A simple, principle-based framework to build players the right way.
150+ coaches inside.
$7/month or $47/year.
Join here: skool.com/football-coach…
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