The game will show you what the player needs to practice, as discussed in the US Youth Soccer Skills Technique Training DVD.

From a core set of techniques, the growing player will be able to add on many variations and subtleties to the techniques. This most likely will apply to players 15 years of age and older as they fully mature athletically and come to understand how to use a variety of skills in varying game situations. Do not let the developing player's game become obsessed with frills or skills that, while useful, are rarely used.

Be competent in the basic orthodox techniques first. But once that standard has been reached then embroider the player's skills with the less orthodox techniques as they are serious, positive skills which will help the team and not just please spectators.  During the first 14 years of a young player's career, the coaching emphasis must be on technique. The actual execution of a movement is always in the realm of technique. The challenge of when and why to use a movement is one of tactics. Technique is the body's mechanical execution to affect the ball.  For example; receiving, catching, shooting, dribbling, deflecting, etc. It is one of the four components of the game and leads to ball skill.

Skill is being able to execute a technique under the pressure of opponents in tight space and most likely on the move. Without ball skill a player cannot execute tactics. Technique should be taught in a progressive manner throughout a player's career.  Every technique coached at one age must be reinforced at the next age. Techniques taught at U-6 must be reinforced at U-8, U-10, U-12 and U-14. What was learned at a previous age group, or groups, must be refined at the next age group.  During the childhood years of soccer, the general progression of the child's experience with the ball begins with manipulating the ball (for U-6s), then propelling the ball (for U-8s), and then mastering the ball (for U-10s).

U-6 — dribbling, shooting, balance, running, jumping, movement education

U-8 — ball lifting and juggling, block tackle, receiving ground balls with the inside and sole of the foot, shoot with inside of the foot, toe pass and shot, introduce the push pass, throw-in, agility, eye-foot and eye-hand coordination, movement education

U-10 — range of motion flexibility, running with the ball, passing, instep drive, receiving ground balls with the instep and outside of foot, receiving bouncing balls with the instep (cushion) and sole or inside or outside of foot (wedge), fakes in dribbling, introduce heading and crossing. For goalkeepers; ready stance, how to hold a ball after a save, diamond grip, catching shots at the keeper, punting and introduction to goal kicks and throwing.