Coaching Canadian Six-a-Side Football Coaching Curriculum

Coaching Canadian Six-a-Side
Football
Coaching Curriculum
By Brian Guebert
© 2008, 2011, 2015
Intended For:
Saskatoon Minor Football
The Canadian Football League
Football Canada
&
Football Saskatchewan
Introduction
With a growing demand for
football it is increasingly important
that the game itself is appropriate
for the players, coaches, and
communities. Six-a-side football
teams generally have 16-25 players
on a roster. With a smaller roster
size, creating a football team may
not be as daunting when taking into account costs, the number of coaches
needed, and travel expenses.
Six-a-side tackle football also offers a distinct advantage to grassroots football
development. The lower number of players allows more opportunities for players
to touch the ball and ultimately be more directly involved in the game. A smaller
field also allows for a better opportunity for athletes to showcase their abilities on
a field that is more appropriate for the age, size, and skill of the players playing.
Allowing players to become more involved in the game is developmentally
advantageous, especially at younger ages where children have yet to reach their
full physical and cognitive development. Coaching six-a-side football at any age
places emphasis on skill generalization as opposed to skill specialization. With skill
generalization as the focus of six-a-side football players will be equipped with
knowledge and skill set to play several positions which can be particularly
beneficial as the players physically develop; the position one plays at age 9 may
not be the position he/she plays at
age 16 simply because his/her body
type has changed so drastically
throughout puberty. Fewer players
on the field also offer the distinct
cognitive advantage for younger
children because there is more
emphasis on skill and less on
scheme or strategy.
Benefits
• Smaller playing surface
which is more suitable
to the size of the
participants.
• Greater opportunity to
be involved in the play
(i.e. touching the ball on
offence or making the
tackle on defence)
• Fewer players on the
field there allows for
less external distractions
• It becomes easier to read and react to a play facilitating the cognitive
response of the athlete
• Six-a-side football also offers an advantage to coaches creating a
positive psychosocial environment because there are fewer players on
the team it allows the head coach a greater opportunity for one on one
interaction with the players where he/she can model positive
behaviours and techniques for the youth to internalize.
Aim
The aim of the six-a-side football curriculum is participation in the game and
development of football skills amongst youth in a success based environment by
upholding the following values of coaching in sport.
• Sport is considered an integral part of the holistic development of youth.
Football should offer a positive experience where athletes can apply what
they have learned to sport and what they have learned in sport to life.
• Players are encouraged towards an active healthy lifestyle, through the
promotion of skill development and participation. The curriculum of six-aside football must be structured for success in order for athletes to
appreciate and internalize an active healthy lifestyle.
• To make available technical knowledge, directly or indirectly related to
football … and develop assessment techniques for evaluating the skill and
knowledge within the total program.
Goals
The goals of the six-a-side
football curriculum are
focused on the development of
youth within the sport of football.
• Youth participation in football at a
variety of positions.
• Whole player development through learning a
variety of skills at a variety of positions.
• Teach the necessary movement and football skills to
offer participants a solid foundation which to build upon
their skills.
• Basic skill concepts are taught that
are easily transferable to other
positions.
o Staying Low
o Staying Square
o Moving Feet
o Keeping an athletic base
• Coaching and Official development through increased opportunities to
participate.
• Teaching football literacy so participants understand the language of
football to better understand the game and expectations at each position.
Six-a-side Football Rules
1. Any place in the Canadian Amateur Football Rule Book where the term 12 PLAYERS is
used, substitute the term 6 PLAYERS.
2. THE PLAYING FIELD:
The field shall be 35 yards long (towards a common goal line) and 40 yards wide.
End zones shall be 10 yards to 20 yards deep.
3. Hash marks shall be located 13 yards from the side lines. If the natural boundary of the
field is less than 10 yards behind the goal lines, such boundary shall be the DEAD LINE.
4. The length of the game shall be two 30 minute straight time halves with 3 plays
following the expiration of time.
5. At the instant the ball is put into play, at least 3 players of the offensive team must be
stationary on the line of scrimmage.
6. The centre is an eligible pass receiver if he lines up on the end of the line of scrimmage
and is wearing an eligible receiver's number. Any other player on the line, not occupying
the outside position is an ineligible receiver.
7. The convert after a touchdown in 6-man football will be worth (2) points, if kicked, and
that a convert that involves running or passing the ball into the end zone is worth one
(1) point.
Rationale for Skill Generalization
Youth should not feel pressured into deciding the sport of their choice at ages
prior to full development. There should be encouragement for developing youth
to participate in a variety of sports where interaction and generalization, over
specialization, is stressed so that
players will be versed in many
skills and can make the
necessary changes to skill
development with their own
body development. Maximal
time should be dedicated to
participation in youth sport
rather than competition, as
participants should spend their
time learning and perfecting
basic skills in the sport of
football.
Approach for Technical Skill Development
The emphasis on technical development at the grassroots level of football is an
essential step in the development of young football players. The technical
development of a football player is tightly tied to the physical development
because once one has the physical ability to achieve the technical goals the player
will experience success through his/her application of the technical skills used
combined with his/her physical athletic ability. Again, if one is highly developed
technically but lacks the physical ability to carry out the skills within competition,
both the player and the coach must spend more time dedicated to the
development of physical abilities. The technical development is primarily focused
on the development of individual skills. For example, it could be argued that all
players should learn skills of running, tackling, and blocking, however there are
also position specific skills such as: a quarterback must develop the skills of a drop
back, throwing progression, and reading of defences. Every individuals experience
is unique and must be treated as so, therefore, a coach must teach basic skills to
the entire group and continually add as the learner progresses. The progression of
the learner can be planned for but must also account for an adaptive dimension
to simplify for or challenge individuals.
Season Planning
An effective program is a planned program. The start of a regular season
usually leads to some planning. Coaches should outline what they expect from
his/her players for each week of the season. Planning will also include placing
players where they have the best opportunity for success on the field and
enjoyment of the game.
1) Teach the fundamentals every week: Running, Covering, Blocking, Tackling,
and Catching/Carrying.
2) Implement Plays (Progress for Basic to Complex): Teach the basics of
Offense and Defence to All Players:
a. Offensive Holes and Defensive Gaps
b. The Language of Play-Calling
c. Proper Huddle Formations
d. Alignments, Assignments, and Techniques
3) Slot Players into Positions that best suit their abilities: Create a Depth Chart
Team Depth Chart
OFFENCE
QB
Player #7
TB
Player #23
End
Player #88
DEFENCE 2-3
FB
Player #34
Ctr
Player #64
Rush
Player #45
SLB
Player #6
Rec
Player #33
Tackle
Player #75
MLB
Player #11
Safety
Player #19
WLB
Player #44
4) Create a Team Calendar of When you first team meeting will be. Account
for athletes participating in other sports so athletes have an opportunity to
cross-train during the football season. In the calendar be sure to include
any upcoming football camps that players may be interested or encouraged
to attend. Continue to add to the calendar as dates become finalized for
games, championships, and practices.
Weekly Planning
In all sport players embrace consistency and continuity when it comes to
practicing and game times. If expectations are clearly explained at the beginning
of the season it will be easier to have players buy into the philosophy of the
program. In amateur football it is usually the norm to practice 3 times for every
game. The following is an example of how a coach may place his/her practice
emphasis throughout the week.
Fitness
Training
Individual Work (On Own
Time)
Strategy (Main Focus)
None
Light Distance Run
Rest
2
Strength
Moderate Strength
activities
Individual Technical
Improvement
3
Endurance
Active Rest
O/D Team Improvement
4
Speed
Light Strength Activities
O/D Timing
5
Captains’ Lead
Fitness (Fun!)
Rest
Review
Game Day
Cool Down Post Game
Having Fun and Competing
None
Active Rest
Rest
1
Game
Day
0
Practice Planning
Practice planning is essential to get the most out of players and the most out of
the practice. The amount of time you spend on particular parts of practice will
vary throughout the season. For example, at the beginning of the season more
time will be spent of developing individual skill and one on one skill. As the season
progresses there will be less time spent on individual aspects and more time given
to team development as individual skills will be incorporated into team situations.
In order to get the most out of your practice time ensure that transitions are crisp
and players are expected to hustle around the field so no time is lost.
Practice Planning
Time
O-Line & D - Line
QBs & RBs & Rec
DBs & LBs
0:00 – 0:15
Warm Up
Warm Up
0:15 - 0:30
General Team Skills – Blocking/Tackling
General Skill
Development
0:30 - 0:45
Individuals
Individuals
Individuals
Position Skills
0:45 – 0:55
QBs, Rec, & RBs vs.
OL vs. DL
LBs & DBs
One on Ones
0:55 – 1:15
Team Time
OL w/RB,QB, Rec DL w/LB,DB
Run/Pass Plays &
New Plays
1:15 – 1:35
Scrimmage/
Team Activity
CONTROLLED SCRIM/
TEAM ACTIVITY
1:35 - End
Fitness & Cool Down
Fitness
Def. Pursuit & Drills,
Add New Plays
Suggested Implementation
Teaching players a sport for the first time may be a daunting task. The following is
the suggested implementation that coaches follow to ensure that players are
given a foundation of general skill to allow for their football playing success. The
intention of this implementation is whole player development.
Frequency &
Duration
Day 1
Drill or Activity
Description
Fitting Equipment
Day 1 & 2
Moving in Equipment
Day 1 Season
Stance and Initial
Movement
Have each player
fitted by a coach or
equipment manager
to ensure that the
equipment is suited
for the child
Have players run,
change direction, fall
down and get up in
the equipment. This
allows the players to
get used to the
weight and confirm if
it is fitting properly.
Teach players a solid
athletic position to
give them a base to
learn each specific
stance.
• 2 pt (Rec, RB,
LB, DB, QB)
• 3 pt (OL, DL)
• 4 pt (OL, DL)
Coaches Notes:
Coaching Pts
Create some drills and
obstacle courses that
are safe and fun for
players.
•
•
•
•
•
•
Bent Knees
Flat Back
Weight on
Balls of Feet
Eyes up
Proper Weight
distribution
for each
stance
Hands Up
Frequency &
Duration
Day 2 Season
Day 2 5 &
intermittent through
season
Coaches Notes:
Drill or Activity
Description
Agility
Increase players’
ability to move within
their frame, keep
their balance, change
direction, and react to
dynamic situations.
• Up & Down
• Back &
Forward
• To or Around
Pylons
• Over Bags
• Reacting to
Signals
• Reacting to
Sound or
Movement to
initiate drills
Teach the proper
form to tackle an
opponent for safety
purposes.
Form Tackling
Coaching Pts
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Have players
do drills with
or without a
ball
Encourage
players to
keep their
eyes up
Keep an
athletic base
at all times
Tackle with
Eyes Up
Stay Low
Move your
Feet
Wrap around
the Small of
the Back
Frequency &
Duration
Day 2 5 &
intermittent through
season
Drill or Activity
Description
Coaching Pts
Blocking Basics
Teach the proper for
to block an opponent.
Day 2 5 &
intermittent through
season
Ball Handling
Teach Ball Protection,
Taking a Handoff,
Catching and Tucking
a Ball.
Pass Blocking
• Eyes on Chest
• Keep Weight
on Inside Foot
• Punch The
Chest Plate to
Keep
Separation
Run Blocking
• Place Helmut
to One Side of
Opponent to
Gain Leverage
• Stay Low
• Move Feet
• Keep Hands
Inside on
Chest Plate
• Cover both
points of the
ball
• Two Hands
• One Hand and
Elbow
Contain Principles
Teach Players to
Force Ball Carrier to
Inside of Field by
Attacking the Outside
Shoulder of the Ball
Carrier.
Coaches Notes:
•
•
Run towards
Outside
Shoulder
Stay Square to
the Line of
Scrimmage
Frequency &
Duration
Day 3 Intermittent
through season
Drill or Activity
Skill Circuit 1
Description
Coaching Pts
1. Running with
ball over and
around
obstacles
2. Running with
ball and
Tackling a ball
carrier in close
contact
•
Plant on
Outside Foot
and Stay Low
•
Place a Bag
b/w Ball
Carrier and
Tackler each
player 1 yard
away Ball
Carrier
Chooses Left
or Right and
Tackler Reacts.
3. Catching and
Throwing from
Static &
Running
Routes
•
Eyes on Ball
see it all the
way to
protections
4. Coverage –
mirror an
opponent
running
patterns
•
Eyes on Chest,
Maintain
Shade/Leverag
e
Coaches Notes:
Frequency &
Duration
Day 4 Intermittent
through Season
Drill or Activity
Skill Circuit 2
Description
Coaching Pts
1. Pass Blocking
Mirror Drill
•
Eyes on Chest
and
Separation
with Hands
2. Run Blocking /
Defend (Board
Drill)
•
Push
opponent the
opposite
direction.
Hands inside,
Move feet,
Keep Base
3. Running the
Ball / Tackling
in Space (Box
Drill)
•
5 x 5 yard box
Ball Carrier
starts at one
end tackler on
other side. Ball
Carrier
Initiates Drill
and Tackler
must break
down and
tackle carrier.
4. Angle Pursuit
Drill
•
Ball Carrier
Runs down
sideline while
Defender
Pursues with
proper angle.
Coaches Notes:
Frequency &
Duration
Day 5 Through
Season
Drill or Activity
Combining Skills
Description
Coaching Pts
1. One on One
Pass Routes /
Coverage
•
Have players
compete with
skills learned
(teach what
pass
interference
is)
2. One on One
Pass
Blocking/Rush
•
Players
compete to
protect or
rush the QB
3. One on One or
Two on Two
Run Block /
Defend
•
Players
compete for
gaining
ground in run
game
4. Oklahoma Drill
(QB, RB, OL,
REC v. DL/LB,
DB)
•
Have QB pitch
ball to RB
while the OL
block a DL (1
yrd)/LB (4 yrd)
while the DB
backpedals
around a
pylon and
engages the
REC trying to
block him/her.
Don’t give
players too
much at once
Coaches Notes:
Day 5 Season
Insertion of Play
Day 7 Season
Scrimmage
Put in the most basic
plays and build on
them throughout the
season.
Play Offense vs.
Defence
•
•
•
Control the
Contact
Teach players
to play safely
with speed.
Sample Practice Plan
Time
O-Line & D - Line
0:00 – 0:15
Warm Up
0:15 - 0:30
QBs & RBs & Rec
DBs & LBs
Have players dynamically moving to increase heart rate and body temperature. The
Following Exercises provide an excellent Warm Up.
1. Light Jog
2. High Knee Run
3. Butt Kick Run
4. Lunge Walk
5. Reverse Lunge Walk
6. Side Lunge Walk
7. Shuffle
8. Karaoke
9. One Leg Hops
10. Tuck Jumps
11. Squat Jumps
12. Accelerations
13. Sprints
2 Skill Stations:
1. Run Blocking Progression
General Skill
Development
0:30 - 0:45
Position Skills
0:45 – 0:55
One on Ones
2. Close Contact Tackling Drill
Run Blocking to Gain
Leverage
QB Running Back
Exchange
Closing on Ball Carrier and
Wrapping Up
Fighting Pressure of
Run Block
Pattern Running and
Catching
One On One Pass Coverage
and Mirror Drill
One on One Run
Blocking (Board Drill)
0:55 – 1:15
OL w/RB,QB, Rec
Team Time
DL w/LB,DB
1:15 – 1:35
Scrimmage/
Team Activity
1:35 - End
Box Drill (Tackling and Running in Space)
One on One Pass Patterns
Run/Pass Plays & New
Plays
Oklahoma Drill
Lane Drill
Fitness & Cool Down
League Playbook
Please see attached the Offensive and Defensive Playbooks.
Def. Pursuit & Drills, Add
New Plays
Playbook Implementation Schedule – Hilltop Division
WEEK
1-2
Hilltops
FORMATIONS
I Formation
3-4
Hilltops
I Formation
Ace Slot Right/Left
4-6
Hilltops
I Formation
PLAYS
33/34 LEAD
31/32 LEAD
21/22 SPLIT DIVE
33/34 SPLIT DIVE
PRO 33/34 BACK FLAT
33/34 COUNTER
37/38 TOSS
43/44 LEAD
43/44 BOB
37/38 TOSS
PRO 33/34 BACK FLAT END OUT(FLY)
PRO 60/61 ROUTE
PRO 33/34 COUNTER BOOT
PRO 33/34 COUNTER BOOT SLAM DRAG
PRO 33/34 BACK FLAT END POST
Ace Wide Right/Left
PRO 60/61 ROUTE
PRO 67/68 ROUTE
31/32 DIVE
33/34 DIVE
31/32 DIVE RECEIVER REVERSE
6-7
Hilltops
Twin Slot Right
PRO 50/51 ROUTES
PRO 57/58 ROUTES
17/18 POWER SWEEP
17/18 FAKE POWER SWEEP END AROUND
7-8
Hilltops
ALL OTHER FORMATIONS
ALL OTHER PLAYS
Defensive Rules:
• Cover Formations
o F Covers First Eligible Player out of Backfield
o S Covers Second Eligible Player out of Backfield
• NO BLITZING
• 2 Man Rush
• Centre Cannot Be Covered by a Linemen
• May not align with 2 D-linemen in Consecutive Gaps. (i.e. Both A Gaps Cannot Be Filled by
Linemen)
Playbook Implementation Schedule – Hilltop/Huskie Division
WEEK
1
Huskies
2
Huskies
FORMATIONS
I Formation
PLAYS
33/34 LEAD
31/32 LEAD
21/22 SPLIT DIVE
33/34 SPLIT DIVE
PRO 33/34 BACK FLAT
Ace Wide Right/Left
PRO 60/61 ROUTE
PRO 67/68 ROUTE
31/32 DIVE
33/34 DIVE
33/34 COUNTER
37/38 TOSS
I Formation
Ace Slot Right/Left
3
Hilltops
I Formation
43/44 LEAD
43/44 BOB
37/38 TOSS
PRO 33/34 BACK FLAT END OUT(FLY)
PRO 60/61 ROUTE
PRO 33/34 COUNTER BOOT
PRO 33/34 COUNTER BOOT SLAM DRAG
PRO 33/34 BACK FLAT END POST
Ace Wide Right/Left
31/32 DIVE RECEIVER REVERSE
4
Hilltops
Twin Slot Right
PRO 50/51 ROUTES
PRO 57/58 ROUTES
17/18 POWER SWEEP
17/18 FAKE POWER SWEEP END AROUND
5-8
Hilltops
ALL OTHER FORMATIONS
ALL OTHER PLAYS
Defensive Rules:
• Cover Formations
o F Covers First Eligible Player out of Backfield
o S Covers Second Eligible Player out of Backfield
• NO BLITZING
• 2 Man Rush
• Centre Cannot Be Covered by a Linemen
• May not align with 2 D-linemen in Consecutive Gaps. (i.e. Both A Gaps Cannot Be Filled by
Linemen)