Principles of Play: Teaching Through Small-Sided Games (9-12 Year-olds)
A Modern, Player-Centered Guide to Coaching 9–12 Year-Olds
Stop running drills that don’t transfer to the real game. Principles of Play gives you a research-backed, game-based roadmap to develop smarter, more adaptable players using small-sided games (SSGs).
Grounded in tactical periodization and constraints-led coaching, this eBook helps you build technical skill, tactical IQ, and decision-making under pressure—all through engaging, realistic training environments.
✅ You’ll get:
- A clear breakdown of key attacking & defending principles.
- Practical session designs for every core concept.
- Tactical periodization explained in simple, coach-friendly terms.
- Coaching insights supported by academic research.
- A framework tailored to ages 9–12 (but adaptable for all youth levels).
Whether you coach grassroots or elite youth players, this eBook will elevate your sessions and align your training with the demands of the real game.
➡️ It’s not about drills—it’s about developing thinkers, not just doers.
Develop smarter, game-intelligent players through small-sided games. This practical guide shows you how to teach attacking, defending, and transition principles using game-based training. Designed for coaches of 9–12 year-olds, it helps you build adaptable players who can read, react, and thrive in the real game.