First Season Soccer Kit
A complete, ready-to-run season for first-time volunteer soccer coaches. Every practice fits on one page, every drill fits on a card, and playing time and keeper turns are already worked out.
- 10 one-page practices, about 60 minutes each, in a Play–Practice–Play style
- 20 drill cards with easier and harder versions, 4 per page
- 7v7 fair-minutes rotation sheets with keeper turns for 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 players, plus a blank sheet
- 7v7 game-day basics: field, ball size, build-out line, restarts and positions on one page
- 6 parent message templates, season at a glance and a safety page with heading guidance
One-time purchase · instant PDF download · 29 US Letter pages
Buy the kit · $14Secure checkout through Gumroad. Sales tax handled at checkout. 30-day refund if it's not right for you.
Look inside
10 practices, one skill at a time
Each practice starts with arrival games, moves to one focused skill with simple coaching cues, and finishes with small-sided games. Skip ahead if you lose a week; Practice 10 works any time as a finale.
- Ball Buddies
Close dribbling with both feet, stopping the ball - Beat a Defender
Speed and direction changes, turns, 1v1 - Pass It on the Ground
Inside-foot passing, plant foot, stopping - First Touch
Receiving: show, open up, touch into space - Shoot to Score
Laces shooting, low corners, follow-up - Defend Together
Pressure: fast, slow, low; stay on your feet - Make the Field Big
Spreading out (width and depth), legal throw-ins - Keepers and Building Out
Keeper basics, playing out from the back - Attack, Defend, Switch!
Transition: react when the ball changes teams - Soccer Festival
Skills stations, mini World Cup, celebration
Made for you if…
- You're a parent or volunteer coaching rec soccer
- Your team plays 7v7 with goalkeepers (usually 9U and 10U)
- You have one or two practices a week of about an hour
- You want every kid to play fairly and get a turn in goal
Probably not for you if…
- You coach a travel, club or high-school team
- Your team plays 4v4 with no keepers (most U6–U8 leagues); the drills still work, the rotations won't fit
- You need a physical, printed book shipped to you
Questions
Who is the Soccer Kit for?
Volunteer and parent coaches of recreational soccer teams playing 7v7 with goalkeepers. That's the U.S. Soccer small-sided format for 9U and 10U, about ages 8 to 10. It isn't built for travel or competitive club teams.
Why 7v7 and not 4v4?
U.S. Soccer's small-sided standards have 6- to 8-year-olds play 4v4 without goalkeepers, and 9U–10U play 7v7 with keepers. The two formats use different fields, balls, game lengths and rules, so one kit can't do both well. 7v7 is where first-time coaches meet keepers, the build-out line and throw-ins, so that's where we started. The drills work for younger players with a smaller ball and smaller grids.
I've never played soccer. Will this work for me?
Yes. Each practice is one page with times, what to say, and which drill card to use. A one-page 7v7 guide explains the build-out line, throw-ins and keeper rules in plain language.
What do I get, and in what format?
An instant PDF download: 29 US Letter pages with 10 practices, 20 drill cards (4 per page), 7v7 fair-minutes and keeper rotation sheets for 8 to 12 players plus a blank sheet, a 7v7 game-day basics page, 6 parent message templates, a season-at-a-glance page and a safety page. It prints well in black and white.
How do the rotation sheets work?
Each 25-minute half is split into 3 shifts of about 8 minutes. Pick the sheet for the number of players who show up, write names in the numbered slots, and follow the dots. GK marks show who is in goal each shift, so different children get a turn. Your league's playing-time and substitution rules come first.
What about heading?
The kit has no heading activities. U.S. Soccer guidance is that players 10 and under should not head the ball in practices or games, and many leagues extend that rule to older ages. Always follow your league's rule.
How many balls do I need?
Ideally one size 4 ball per player. The 'What to Bring' parent message asks families to send one.
Can I share it with my assistant coach?
Yes. You're welcome to print copies for your own team, including your assistant coaches. Please don't post the file publicly, share it with other teams, or resell it.
What if it isn't right for me?
Email us within 30 days of purchase and we'll refund you. No hassle.
General information, not professional coaching or medical advice. Follow your league's rules. See the safety notes.