Active Start

Session Plan
For coaches of U4-U5 year-olds
 Ontario Soccer Player Development Model: The
Station Concept
The activities provided illustrate how stations can being used during Grassroots
practices.
All sessions take a holistic approach to developing our youth. Each game and
activity will focus on 4 main areas of the child's development; these include
social/emotional, physical, psychological and also technical.
Total practice time 40 minutes as per the Recreational and Development Matrix.

Play. Inspire. Unite.

2
 Ontario Soccer
Player Development Model
How it works

Introduction Technical Physical

U4 U5 U4 U5
During the practice players will spend an allotted Dribbling 1 1 Running Forward 1 1
time at each station having fun, developing specific Running
skills and qualities before moving onto the next Running with the ball 1 1 1 1
Backwards
station. By using station work we create an Station A Station B Shooting 1 1 Jumping 1 1
Physical Literacy Game 1 Ball Control 3 2 Skipping 1 1
environment where players are continually motivated
25% 25% Passing 3 3 Hopping 1 1
and challenged.
Receiving 4 4 Bounding 2 2
Organisation Heading 4 4 Crawling 2 2
If working with a larger group, organize players into Shielding 4 4 Turning 2 2
groups of 6. Each station has a coach who leads that Crossing 4 4 Falling / diving 3 2
specific station for the session. Finishing 4 4 Twisting 2 2
1v1 Defending 4 4 Rolling 3 3
If working with a smaller group, simply move 1v1 Attacking 4 4 Other Sports 1 1
Station D Station C
together through all 4 stations until all are complete. Game 2 Analytical Activity Social Psychological
25% 25% U4 U5 U4 U5
Procedure Listening 2 2 Motivation 1 1
Players rotate every 8 minutes. Provide a 2 minute Co-operation 3 3 Self Confidence 1 1
break in between each station for water and to allow Communication 1 1 Competitveness 4 4
movement to the next station. Sharing 3 3 Concentration 4 4
Problem-solving 3 3 Commitment 4 4
Emphasis Decision-making 3 2 Self Control 3 3
In these examples one station focuses on Physical Empathy 3 2 Priority Key
Literacy, two stations on movements with the ball or Timing Area Patience 3 2 High 1
small sided games and the 4th station is focused Respect / discipline 2 2 Medium 2
around technique with decision making. Total Time: 40 Low 3
20m x 20 m (x4)
4 x 8 minute Stations Fair play / honesty 3 2 Not Applicable 4

Encourage the players to make decisions and have fun. When talking to the players, crouch down so you are at eye level with them rather than towering above
Top Tip them. This can be intimidating for young children. Speaking to the players at eye level allows you to better connect with them.
3
 Active Start
Activity
Show me you can!

Organization Objective
Every player has a ball. Parents are on the outside of Players are able to be confident, safe and participate in
the area with a ball to allow their child to keep playing the activities
with a new ball incase the ball rolls away. Outcome
Procedure Coach All players - will be able to join in and try some of the
movements and skills
Coach presents different challenges to the players. Parent Most players - will be able to do a variety of moves
e.g. “Show me you can……”
and skills
* Bounce the ball and catch it
Some players - will be able to do a variety of moves
* Do a figure 8 with the ball between your legs
and skills and come up with their own
* Roll the ball through your legs
* Throw and catch with two hands
Technical / Tactical Psychological
* Throw and catch with one hand
* Run with the ball using your feet Child Confidence
* Do a super hero stance on your ball Awareness
Ball mastery
Emphasis Creativity
Creating a safe environment, Fun
Positive reinforcement Socio - Emotional Physical
Allows players to be create and make decisions
decisions Problem Solving Agility
Asking questions Listening Balance
Allowing the players to demonstrate Timing Area Communication Co-ordination
Progression Change of Direction
8 Minutes 20x20m diameter Change of Speed
N/A

Top Tip Active Start players are very egocentric and working with others is an abstract concept. Don't ask them to share the ball, give them a 'toy' each. 4
 Active Start
Small Sided Game
Backyard Soccer

Organization Objective
Players are able to be confident, safe and participate in
Organize players into 2v2. the activities
(1 player and a parent vs 1 player and a parent/
guardian)
Outcome
All players - will be able to join in and try some of the
Parent movements and skills
Procedure Most players - will be able to do a variety of moves
Child and parent/guardian play a 2v2 game. If the Child and skills
ball goes behind the goal, take the closest ball to Coach Some players - will be able to do a variety of moves
keep the game moving. If it goes off the side, and skills and come up with their own
encourage players to keep playing or play from a
Child
new ball from the coach. Parents / guardian should Technical / Tactical Psychological
help the children as much as possible.
Emphasis Confidence
Parent Free Play
Awareness
Creating a safe environment, positive reinforcement, Fun
allowing the players to be creative and make
decisions, creating free play and an environment Socio - Emotional Physical
involving the parents.
Agility
Progression Problem Solving Balance
N/A Timing Area Celebrating Co-ordination
Listening Change of Speed
8 Minutes 15m x 10m Change of Direction

Engage the parents throughout the session. Praise and thank them for their engagement and involvement. There are many physical, psychological
Top Tip and social benefits to exercise. Creating an environment where the child can play with their parent will allow the parent and child to bond in a fun
environment and create memories that last a lifetime.
 Active Start
Activity
Finding Nemo & Dory
Organization Objective
Players and parent/guardian have a ball each and are Players are able to be confident, safe and participate in
placed in the grid with cones spread out randomly the activities
across the area. Outcome
Tie a knot in an orange or blue bib. All players - will be able to join in and try some of the
Ask players to name famous fishes. They will most movements and skills
likely come up with Nemo and Dory. Introduce the 20 Most players - will be able to do a variety of moves
bibs as Nemo or Dory and ask the players to close and skills
their eyes. Hide the bibs under separate cones. Some players - will be able to do a variety of moves
and skills and come up with their own
Procedure Coach
Players must swim round the ocean (dribbling their Technical / Tactical Psychological
ball) and shout "Nemo, where are you?” Players look
under the rocks (cones) on the sea bed. The first Parent Confidence
player to find Nemo under the cones wins. Ask Child Ball mastery Awareness
players to do a different variation of a physical Creativity
literacy move, toe taps, hopping etc Repeat with Dory Parent Fun
and then search for both at the same time. Socio - Emotional Physical
Emphasis 20

Imagination, creativity and celebrating! Problem Solving Agility

Listening Balance
Timing Area Communication Co-ordination
Progression Change of Direction
Introduce a player as a defender called Bruce the 8 Minutes 20m x 20m Change of Speed
Shark who has to chase the fish away.

Top Tip U4-U5 players have a short attention span therefore it's important we tailor our practices accordingly. Shorter activities lasting 6-8 minutes are recommended. 6
 Active Start
Small Sided Game
Tom & Jerry

Organization Objective
Players (in white) have a ball and start in front of the Players are able to be confident, safe and participate in
goal they are defending. Parents/guardians start in the activities
front of the opposite end without a ball. Outcome
All players - will be able to join in and try some of the
movements and skills
Procedure 15 Most players - will be able to do a variety of moves
Jerry will get the cheese and put it in the hole (the and skills
goal) and Tom (the parent) will trying to steal the ball Some players - will be able to do a variety of moves
Child Coach and skills and come up with their own
and put it back in Jerry’s house. The game is
continuous.
Technical / Tactical Psychological
Parent
Emphasis
Confidence
Creating a safe environment, positive reinforcement Free Play
Awareness
allowing the players to be creative and make Fun
decisions. Involving the parents and demonstration
of the activity.
10 Socio - Emotional Physical
Progression Agility
Problem Solving Balance
N/A Timing Area Celebrating Co-ordination
Listening Change of Speed
8 Minutes 15m x 10m Change of Direction

Top Tip Check out the whole Active Start Grassroots Curriculum at: http://www.ontariosoccer.net/grassroots 7
Ontario Soccer Resources
Coaches' Guides Grassroots Curriculum
• Game Organisation Guide • Active Start U4-U6 Brochure
• Field Organisation Guide • Active Start Workbook and Practice Plan
• Festival Guide • Active Start U4-U6 (Curriculum)
• 8 Ways to Develop the Grassroots Game • All other online Grassroots Practices
• How does the Inclusive Programming Model
work at your Soccer Club?
• Incorporating Physical Literacy in our Practices

Online Practice Videos

Online Webinars
8