Soccer Coaching Curriculum for 12-18 Year Old Players - Volume 1

In this review of Soccer Coaching Curriculum for 12-18 Year Old Players - Volume 1, the bottom line is simple: coaches seeking a structured, age-appropriate roadmap for mid-teen player development will find this manual highly practical. The review highlights that the book concentrates on Stages 4 and 5 of the NSCAA 5 Stage Model and delivers 40 full-color development activities with curriculum diagrams and coaching tips, making it a useful hands-on resource for both novice coaches and experienced staff building a club coaching program.

Key Features

• Stage-focused methodology: Concentrates on Stages 4 and 5 to match coaching practices with typical 12-18 year old development, helping coaches plan age-appropriate progressions.
• 40 coaching activities: Provides a broad set of drills and exercises in full color so coaches can vary sessions and focus on technical and tactical growth.
• Curriculum diagrams: Includes clear diagrams that make session setup and progression easier to visualize and implement on the training field.
• Coaching tips: Offers practical notes and suggestions aimed at improving coach delivery and player learning during each activity.
• Club education ready: Structured material that directors of coaching can integrate into in-house coach education and development plans.

Who It's For

This manual is best for youth soccer coaches, directors of coaching, and club administrators working with competitive or development programs for players roughly aged 12 to 18. It is written to be accessible to a novice coach while containing enough structure and detail to support experienced staff building a consistent long-term curriculum.

Coaches focused on younger age groups or entirely different coaching philosophies may find parts of the volume less applicable, since the manual specifically targets Stages 4 and 5 rather than foundational early-childhood stages. Clubs wanting a full club-wide curriculum should consider this as one volume within a broader series.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Clear, stage-based approach aligns coaching with player development needs for 12-18 year olds.
• Forty full-color activities and diagrams make session planning and on-field setup faster and more visual.
• Practical coaching tips help improve how drills are taught and reinforced during training.

Cons

• Focused on Stages 4 and 5, so it is not a standalone solution for coaches who need material for younger age groups.

Specifications

Title	Soccer Coaching Curriculum for 12-18 Year Old Players - Volume 1
Authors / Brand	David Newbery, Robert Parr, Tony Englund
Target Age Range	12-18 years (Stages 4 and 5)
Content Included	40 developmentally appropriate coaching activities
Visuals	Full-color activities and curriculum diagrams
Intended Users	Coaches, Directors of Coaching, Head Coaches, Administrators

Our Verdict

For clubs and coaches working with teens, this volume is a practical, well-structured tool that converts the NSCAA 5 Stage Model into usable session plans and coaching notes. It represents good value for teams that need consistent, stage-appropriate content to raise coaching quality and player development without reinventing practice structures.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this book suit beginner coaches?
Yes. The manual is written to be accessible to novice coaches while still offering value to experienced staff.

Which ages does it cover?
It focuses on Stages 4 and 5, roughly corresponding to players aged 12 to 18 years.

Can it be used for club coach education?
Yes. Directors and administrators can use it as part of an in-house coach education program and curriculum planning.