NJ Wildcats Player Development Model

U-8/9/10 Model

A finished product/player at the end of the U8 - U10 program should possess the following skills:

Love of the game
Creative Free Play is encouraged
Demonstrate a sound understanding of tachnical ability
Start to understand tactical componenets such as 1v1 attacking and defending
Shooting technique
Aerial Control
Passing technique
Trapping technique
Start to master juggling use all surfaces
Futsal play should be leveraged to emphasize and reinforce individual technique.
Focus in practice, practice isn’t for wasting time, players should learn professional habits (show up early, wear uniform, shake coaches hand at end of practice, maximum effort, respect your teammates, etc…)
Two-footed players = all skill work should be geared towards developing both feet

U-11/12 Model

A finished product/player at the end of the 12 program should possess the following skills:

Love of the game
Creative Free Play is encouraged
An arsenal of dribbling moves, i.e. Cryuff, Maradonna, etc…
Confidence and competence of 1 vs. 1 attacking and defending
Shooting technique
Heading technique
Passing technique
Trapping technique
Mastery of juggling
Futsal play should be leveraged to emphasize and reinforce individual technique.
Focus in practice, practice isn’t for wasting time, players should learn professional habits (show up early, wear uniform, shake coaches hand at end of practice, maximum effort, respect your teammates, etc…)
Two-footed players = all skill work should be geared towards developing both feet
Small group tactics/awareness, 1 vs 1 building to 4 vs 4 (max)

U-13/14 Model

A finished product/player at the end of the 14 program should possess the following skills:

Technical emphasis continued from 12’s
Emphasis on style of play
Switching the point of attack
Functional training introduced
Creative free play is encouraged
Futsal
Touch restrictions introduced
Possession games
Passing to the proper foot
Properly weighted passes
Two footed players
2nd and 3rd Defender
Understanding and application of the principles of attack = width, depth, mobility, penetration, and improvisation
Understanding and application of the principles of defending = pressure, cover, balance, compactness, communication
Introduction to systems of play (4-4-2, 4-2-3-1, 3-5-2)
Combination Play
Introduction to managing the game (Up late, down late)

U-15/16 Model

A finished product/player at the end of the 16 program should possess the following skills:

Zonal defending
Awareness and application of offside rule
High-level fitness
Tactical knowledge of the game
Comprehensive understanding of managing the game
Touch restrictions more prevalent
Runs/movement off the ball (3rd man combos)
Mastery of possession games
Understanding of importance and execution of offensive and defensive restarts
Futsal
Soccer IQ (i.e. when to overlap as wing backs, runs forwards should make and when, positioning of center backs – when to step and when to delay)
Individual responsibility, learning to take ownership of soccer career and minimizing parent involvement (responsible for e-mails, college profile, etc…)
Gamesmanship

U-17/18 Model

A finished product/player at the end of the 18 program should possess the following skills: