2026 Fall Season · Randolph, NJ

Randolph Rec Soccer
Coach & Player Development Guide

A coaching resource for volunteer coaches and coordinators. Built around fun, development, and giving every player the best possible experience.

By Ari LevitUS Soccer A LicenseNSCAA Premier DiplomaMindset Coach CertifiedBreathwork FacilitatorCreator of Soltar Play
Section 01

Coaching Foundations

Applies to every coach, every league, every session.

The Three Rules

🚫

No Laps

Laps are not soccer. Replace with ball work and movement games. A player running laps is not playing soccer.

🚫

No Lines

Every player active at all times. No waiting. If your drill only involves 4 players at a time, redesign it.

🚫

No Lectures

You have 30 seconds of attention. Get them playing immediately. Tell them the teams, the boundaries, and how to score. That's it.

The 30-Second Rule

Before any activity, players only need three things: the teams, the boundaries, and how to score. Get them playing immediately. Everything else is discovered through play.

What Players Need From You

1

Make Me Feel Important

Use their name. Eye contact. Phone away. Acknowledge good decisions not just outcomes.

2

Include Me

No player ever watches from the side. Everyone active simultaneously.

3

Challenge Me

Not too easy, not too hard. Use constraints to find the sweet spot.

4

Engage Me

Games beat drills. Competition, novelty, fun challenges.

5

Inspire Me

Your energy sets the tone for the whole session.

Session Formats

60-Minute Session — Micro 1 & Micro 2

  1. 1
    Welcome + Free Dribble5 min

    Ball at their feet immediately

  2. 2
    Warm-Up Game10 min

    Fun, low pressure movement

  3. 3
    Skill Activity 112 min

    Introduce the topic

  4. 4
    Skill Activity 212 min

    Build on it, add a decision

  5. 5
    Small-Sided Game15 min

    Apply it — matches league format

  6. 6
    Check for Understanding6 min

    What did you learn today?

90-Minute Session — C, B & A League

  1. 1
    Welcome + Free Dribble5 min

    Ball at their feet immediately

  2. 2
    Warm-Up Game10 min

    Fun, low pressure movement

  3. 3
    Skill Activity 115 min

    Introduce the topic

  4. 4
    Skill Activity 215 min

    Build on it, add a decision

  5. 5
    Game-Based Challenge15 min

    Competitive, constrained, real decisions

  6. 6
    Small-Sided Game25 min

    Apply everything — let it run

  7. 7
    Check for Understanding5 min

    What did you learn today?

Introduce → Build → Challenge → Game → Reflect
Check for Understanding

How to Run It

Always start with: "What did you learn today?" Then ask 2–3 questions that connect what they practiced to a real game moment. All answers are good answers. The goal is decision-making awareness — not a test.

  • "Why did we spread out? What happens when everyone crowds the ball?"
  • "You had a defender coming at you — what were your options in that moment?"
  • "If a defender comes close, what are your three options?"
  • "We pressed to win the ball back — why is doing it quickly so important?"

Coaching Cues

"Small touches""Look up""Find space""Move after you pass""Get between the ball and the goal""Help your teammate""Can you use your other foot?""What do you see?""Where's the open player?""Spread out""Don't all be in the same space""Try again — good effort"
Section 02 · Kindergarten

Micro 1

This section is pending league approval.
Kindergarten

Micro 1

4v4 · 60 min · Saturday only · 86 players registered

Who Are Kindergartners?

Attention span
Very short — one instruction at a time
Social orientation
"Me, I, mine" — not team-focused yet
Mistakes
Have not learned to accept them — protect confidence
Decisions
Cannot make quick decisions — keep rules simple
What they need
Fun, fun, fun. Lots of touches. Encouragement. Celebrate everything.

Season Model

Weeks 1–5

Foundation Phase

Structured, skill-focused. Each coach leads their group of 8–10 players. Curriculum tells you exactly what to do.

Weeks 6–10

Competition Phase

Festival format. Teams with jerseys. Rotating 4v4 games. Coach encourages from sideline only.

Foundation Phase — Week by Week

Competition Phase (Weeks 6–10)

This section is pending league approval.

Festival Format

  • Teams formed with jerseys before Week 6
  • Rotating 4v4 games across multiple fields
  • Rounds of 10–12 minutes with 2-minute rotation breaks
  • Each team plays 3–4 games per session against different opponents

Team Size Flexibility

Players PresentSplit
10Two teams of 5
9Teams of 5 and 4
8Two teams of 4
7One team or split 4 and 3
6 or fewerJoin another group

Coach Rules

  • Stay on the sideline
  • Encouragement only — no tactical instructions
  • Do NOT say: "Pass it!" "Stay in position!" "Why didn't you shoot?"
  • One positive word when a player looks at you: "Keep going!" "Great effort!"
  • At half time: one question only — "Are you having fun?"

Player First Principles

  • Every player plays every game
  • Score is not kept officially
  • Celebrate effort, creativity, and bravery — not results
Section 03 · Grade 1

Micro 2

This section is pending league approval.
Grade 1

Micro 2

7v7 · 60 min · 1× weekday + Saturday · 105 players registered

Player Profile

  • Beginning to work in pairs
  • Starting to care about peers and playmates
  • Likes to show skills and needs approval
  • Sensitive to failure in front of peers — protect confidence
  • Motivated by visual examples — mimics coaches
  • What they need: Fun, active, short explanations. Encourage trying new things.

Topic Rotation — 4 Weeks

Week 1

Dribbling

Change speed, direction, moves to beat defenders. Gates challenges.

Week 2

Passing

Inside of foot. Move after you pass. Partner work.

Week 3

Shooting

Instep power. Accuracy. 1v1 with GK. Follow for rebounds.

Week 4

Small Sided Games

Free play. Different rules. Let them figure it out.

Key Coaching Points

  • Keep all explanations under 30 seconds
  • Playful and energetic tone at all times
  • Celebrate every good touch
  • Never correct technique in front of the group

GPT Starters

Tap to copy — paste into the AI Session Builder.

Section 04 · Grades 2–3

C League

This section is pending league approval.
Grades 2–3

C League

7v7 · 90 min · 2× weekday + Saturday game · 154 players registered

Player Profile

  • Much more competitive — use this productively
  • Beginning to understand pair and small group dynamics
  • Can start to receive simple constructive feedback
  • Ready for tactical vocabulary — passing lanes, support, space
  • What they need: Partner and trio activities. Guided questions. Game-like conditions.

Topic Rotation — 5 Weeks

Week 1

Control & Connect

Passing, moving after passing, angles of support, receiving on the half-turn.

Week 2

Attacking Space

Counter-attack, running with the ball, penetrating through-balls.

Week 3

Winning the Ball

Pressing triggers, compactness, cover positioning, recovery runs.

Week 4

Finishing / Shooting

Shooting from range, first-time finishes, 1v1 with GK, from crosses.

Week 5

Small Sided Games

Varied rules, multiple goal types. Let them play.

Formation

Attack 2-1-2-1
GKDDMWWF
Defend 2-3-1
GKDDMMMF

2+3 provide the width. Middle player connects.

GPT Starters

Tap to copy — paste into the AI Session Builder.

Section 05 · Grades 4–5

B League

This section is pending league approval.
Grades 4–5

B League

9v9 · 90 min · 2× weekday + Saturday game · 77 players registered

Player Profile

  • Team dynamics and group belonging become important
  • Can understand group shape, pressing triggers, and support angles
  • Wide range of physical development — do not over-value early-maturing players
  • Ready for all four moments of the game at a basic level
  • What they need: Group-based activities. Tactical sessions on shape and transitions. Leadership opportunities.

Topic Rotation — 5 Weeks

Week 1

Defending

Pressure, positioning, cover, balance, tracking, marking.

Week 2

Attacking at Speed

Counter from all areas, quick restarts, numbers forward.

Week 3

Possession / Movement

Playing through thirds, build-up, rotation, support angles.

Week 4

Combinations / Switch

Tight space combos, diagonals, overlaps, up-back-through.

Week 5

Wide Play / Finishing

Crossing, finishing from crosses, creating scoring chances.

Formation

Attack 2-3-2-1
GKCBCBWMCDMWMAMAMF
Defend 4-3-1
GKFBCBCBFBMMMF

Width from wide defenders. CDM connects. Forward presses.

GPT Starters

Tap to copy — paste into the AI Session Builder.

Section 06 · Grades 6–8

A League

This section is pending league approval.
Grades 6–8

A League

11v11 · 90 min · 2× weekday + Saturday game · 88 players registered

Player Profile

  • Team culture, roles, and identity are central to engagement
  • Ready for full tactical complexity — all four moments
  • Need and want ownership of their game
  • Coach becomes more facilitator than instructor
  • What they need: Full tactical sessions. Problem-solving opportunities. Creative expression encouraged. Accountability within team framework.

The Four Moments

Always train all four.

1

Attacking

Penetration, dispersal, support, movement, creativity.

2

Defending

Pressure, cover, balance, compactness, predictability reduction.

3

Positive Transition (just won it)

Disperse immediately, play forward, exploit 3-second window.

4

Negative Transition (just lost it)

Counter-press within 6 seconds, contract, reorganise.

Topic Rotation — 6 Weeks

Week 1

Defending & Pressing

Counterpressing, deep block, pressing triggers, horizontal and vertical compactness.

Week 2

Counter Attack

Different origins, overlapping support runs, playing into space behind defenders.

Week 3

Progressive Possession

Playing out from back, build-up phases, movement patterns, recycling.

Week 4

Switching Play

Diagonal passes, horizontal switches, creating the weak side.

Week 5

Combination Play

Overlap, underlap, third-man run, wall passes, up-back-through.

Week 6

Wide Areas / Final Third

Crossing, finishing, 1v1 situations, timing of runs.

Formation

Attack 4-3-3
GKLBCBCBRBCDM88LWSTRW
Defend 4-1-4-1
GKLBCBCBRBCDMLMCMCMRMF

CDM is the connector — linked to 8 teammates. Five channels occupied. Width from wingers.

GPT Starters

Tap to copy — paste into the AI Session Builder.