The Soccer PE Curriculum: Full Syllabus
Every unit and every lesson in the programme, for each age band we offer, with the standards each unit maps to and how the year is paced. Nothing here is a summary: it is the list.

What a week looks like
A lesson is a 55-minute plan a parent runs from the app, with the setup, the steps and the coaching points written out, and the Audio Coach to run it out loud. Most families split one across two sessions. Around it sit the skill drills from the catalogue, a conditioning session, and the weekly Season match, which is where the week's work gets used.
Every session is logged with its date, start and end time and what was done, so the hours below turn into the portfolio, the log sheet and the transcript without a second job of writing them up. The lessons carry the objectives; the record carries the hours; the state decides what it asks for. Check what your state asks for.
How the 36 weeks are paced
The same five phases in every band, with an optional extension, planned at 4 hours a week for U14; 5 hours a week for U16 and U18. The hours are the plan; the record a family keeps is what actually counts.
| Weeks | Phase | U14 | U16 | U18 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-6 | Pre-Season Foundation Fitness base, fundamental skills review, assessment baseline Intensity: moderate | 24 | 30 | 30 |
| 7-14 | Technical Development Skill acquisition, ball mastery, individual technique Intensity: moderate-high | 32 | 40 | 40 |
| 15-22 | Tactical & Game Understanding Game sense, decision making, positional play Intensity: high | 32 | 40 | 40 |
| 23-30 | Competition & Application Match play, scrimmages, applying learning in games Intensity: high | 32 | 40 | 40 |
| 31-36 | Review & Transition Assessment, celebration, off-season planning Intensity: moderate-low | 24 | 30 | 30 |
Hours planned in each phase, by band.
U14 7th – 8th grade · Middle school PE
Tactical awareness, decision-making, and performance analysis.
9 units · 40 lessons · 34 hours of lesson plans · planned at 4 hours a week
144 hours over a 36-week year, against the 120 hours a full Carnegie credit conventionally takes. Your state may set its own figure; the credit calculator uses it where one is on file.
Core units
The programme's own units: tactical, technical, physical and leadership work, one lesson a week.
Tactical Attacking
Advanced attacking concepts - creating overloads, breaking defensive lines, and combination play.
- 1Creating OverloadsSpot the 2v1 or 3v2 overload in 4/5 board or match-clip scenarios and name the pass that uses it; play the 2v1 out with a partner
- 2Between the LinesScan before receiving and take the ball on the half-turn 8/10 times; point out the space between the lines in 4/5 match clips
- 3Combination FinishingScore from a combination play involving 3+ players and 3+ passes
- 4Positional RotationsShow on a board how two players swapping positions creates space, and act out the rotation with a partner 3/5 times
- 5Third-Man RunsExecute 3 successful third-man runs leading to a shot or pass into a dangerous area during game scenarios.
Pressing Systems
How a team presses - high press, mid-block and low block - learned on a tactics board and from match clips, with the pressing run itself practised on the grass.
- 1High Press TriggersIdentify and react to 3 different high press triggers within 2 seconds
- 2Mid-Block DefenseDraw a mid-block (two lines of four) and show how it shifts as the ball moves, correct in 4/5 board scenarios
- 3Pressing TrapsExecute a pressing trap to win the ball in a designated zone 3/5 times
- 4Press-Resistant PlayBeat a pressing partner with a first-time pass or a half-turn and carry the ball forward 4/6 times
- 5Pressing Traps: WideSuccessfully execute a wide pressing trap in 3 out of 4 game scenarios, forcing turnovers within the designated trap zone.
Technical Excellence
Refine technical skills under pressure - first touch, passing range, and shooting accuracy.
- 1First Touch MasteryControl balls from all heights into playing distance within 1 touch 5/6 times
- 2Long-Range PassingSwitch play accurately over 30m to a designated zone 3/6 times
- 3Shooting AccuracyHit target zones in goal (4 corners, center) from 20m 4/8 times
- 4Weak Foot DevelopmentComplete 3 out of 5 passes and 2 out of 5 shots accurately with weaker foot
- 5Volley & Half-Volley PowerExecute 6/8 volleys or half-volleys on target from a driven pass within 10 meters, demonstrating proper technique and contact.
Game Management
Manage game situations - protecting a lead, chasing a goal, time management.
- 1Protecting a LeadMaintain possession and defensive shape to protect a 1-goal lead for 5 minutes
- 2Chasing the GameGenerate 3+ quality scoring chances while chasing a game (down 0-1) in 5 minutes
- 3Tempo ControlChange the tempo of your own play - quick one-touch, then slow and controlled - on a called signal 3/4 times
- 4Reading the GamePlayer will successfully adapt their tactical approach (e.g., possession, direct play, defensive shape) to 3 out of 4 different coach-defined game scenarios during a small-sided game.
Physical Development
Age-appropriate strength, speed, and endurance training for developing players.
- 1Speed & AccelerationImprove 10m sprint time by 0.1 seconds through technique focus
- 2Repeated Sprint AbilityRun 6 x 30m sprints and keep the sixth within 10% of the first - the last one nearly as fast as the first
- 3Functional StrengthComplete a 6-exercise bodyweight circuit with correct form for 2 full rounds
- 4Explosive Power JumpsPerform 10 consecutive box jumps (30-45cm) with proper landing mechanics, and increase broad jump distance by 0.5m over baseline.
- 5Core & StabilityHold a plank for 60 seconds with proper form, complete 15 controlled single-leg Romanian deadlifts per leg, and demonstrate 3 dynamic stretches correctly.
Advanced Set Pieces
Design and execute set-piece routines for corners, free kicks, and throw-ins.
- 1Corner Kick RoutinesExecute 3 different corner kick routines with correct player positioning
- 2Free Kick VariationsExecute 3 different free kick options (direct shot, pass to runner, set piece play) accurately
- 3Defensive Set PiecesOrganize defensive setup for corners and free kicks with correct marking assignments
- 4Attacking Throw-insExecute 3 different attacking throw-in routines successfully in a game scenario, leading to a shot on goal.
Leadership & Captaincy
Develop leadership, communication, and team-building skills on and off the pitch.
- 1On-Field LeadershipGive 5+ clear, audible instructions in 10 minutes of a family, co-op or club game
- 2Team BuildingContribute positively to 3 team-building activities showing encouragement and inclusion
- 3Handling AdversityDemonstrate 3 positive responses to adversity scenarios during training
- 4Lead By ExampleDemonstrate 3 distinct leadership actions (e.g., positive encouragement, high work rate, problem-solving) during a small-sided game, influencing team performance positively.
Family sessions
Lessons written for a parent or sibling to run alongside the student.
Family Tactical Games
Family-play lessons for U14: activities designed for 1–5+ family members of varying ages.
- 1Rondo Variations (2–5 players)Possession games that scale to any family size
- 2Small-Sided Games WorkshopLearn game formats for different family sizes
- 3Tactical Scenarios (Any Numbers)Practice tactical concepts with available family members
- 4Tactical Game PlaySuccessfully execute a chosen tactical principle (e.g., creating overloads, defensive shape) in 3 out of 4 competitive mini-game scenarios.
Extension weeks
The optional weeks 37 to 40, for a family that keeps going.
Advanced Integration & Review
- 1High-Tempo PossessionComplete 15+ one-touch passes in rondo and switch play through all 3 zones within 8 seconds in 4/5 attempts.
- 2Defensive OrganizationMaintain compact defensive shape (no more than 25m between back line and front line) and recover goal-side within 4 seconds in 5/6 reps.
- 3Match PreparationCreate a coherent tactical game plan addressing 4 key phases and successfully implement planned pressing triggers in opposed practice.
- 4Season Capstone MatchDemonstrate autonomous tactical decision-making in a full match with no coach intervention and complete a reflective self-assessment identifying measurable development goals.
U16 9th – 10th grade · High school PE
Position-specific play, conditioning, and self-assessment.
24 units · 100 lessons · 96 hours of lesson plans · planned at 5 hours a week
180 hours over a 36-week year, against the 120 hours a full Carnegie credit conventionally takes. Your state may set its own figure; the credit calculator uses it where one is on file.
Core units
The programme's own units: tactical, technical, physical and leadership work, one lesson a week.
Systems of Play
Read the main formations - 4-3-3, 4-4-2 and a back three - on a tactics board and in match clips: what every role does, how the shape shifts, and when a coach changes it.
- 14-3-3 SystemName every role in a 4-3-3 and walk its movement on a cone layout in 3 attacking and 3 defending scenarios
- 24-4-2 SystemSwitch to 4-4-2 and execute its defensive compactness and striker partnership
- 33-5-2 / 3-4-3 SystemExecute back-3 system with wing-backs providing width in attack and cover in defense
- 4In-Game Formation ChangesExplain when and why a team switches formation, and redraw the new shape correctly for 4/5 match situations
- 5Formations: 4-3-3 vs 4-4-2Players will demonstrate understanding of 4-3-3 and 4-4-2 defensive and attacking shapes by successfully transitioning between them in 3/4 scenarios and maintaining tactical shape for 70% of a conditioned game.
Advanced Attacking Play
Complex attacking patterns, final-third play, and creating chances from various situations.
- 1Attacking in Wide AreasDeliver 3/6 accurate crosses from wide positions to runners in the box
- 2Playing Through Central AreasCreate a central chance through 3+ pass combination ending in a shot 3/5 times
- 3Creating Space for OthersExplain how a decoy run opens space for a teammate in 4/5 match clips, and make the decoy run with a partner
- 4Breaking Down Deep DefensesPlan 3 ways to break down a low block on a tactics board, and show the patient build-up pattern on cones
- 5Rotations & Half-Space OverloadsExecute 3 distinct positional rotations in the half-space leading to a numerical overload and a shot on target during game play.
Elite Goalkeeping
High-level GK training - distribution, sweeping, 1v1 scenarios, and cross dealing.
- 1Sweeper-Keeper PlaySweep up through balls outside the box correctly 4/6 times without fouling
- 2GK Distribution MasteryDistribute to 4 different zones (short, medium, switch, long) accurately 2/3 each
- 3Dealing with CrossesClaim or punch 5/8 crosses delivered into the box under pressure
- 4Distribution Under PressureSuccessfully complete 8/10 distribution attempts (long or short) to designated targets within 5 seconds of gaining possession, demonstrating appropriate technique.
Periodization & Peaking
Understanding training periodization to peak for important matches and tournaments.
- 1Training Load ManagementDesign a 1-week training plan balancing intensity across 4 sessions
- 2Recovery & RegenerationComplete a full recovery session including foam rolling, stretching, and nutrition planning
- 3Pre-Competition PreparationExecute a complete match-day preparation routine (warm-up, activation, tactical review)
- 4Training Load MonitoringPlayers will accurately record RPE and duration for 3/4 training activities and calculate total training load, demonstrating understanding of internal vs. external load.
- 5Tapering & Peak PerformancePlayers will design a 3-day pre-game taper plan, including specific activity types, duration, and recovery protocols, achieving 80% adherence to periodization principles.
Performance Analysis
Use match analysis tools and video review to improve individual and team performance.
- 1Video Analysis BasicsIdentify 3 tactical patterns from a 10-minute match clip using analysis framework
- 2Self-AnalysisReview personal game footage identifying 3 strengths and 3 areas for improvement
- 3Opposition AnalysisCreate a scouting report on an opponent identifying 3 strengths and 3 weaknesses
- 4Opponent Analysis Deep DivePlayers will identify and articulate at least 3 tactical strengths and 3 weaknesses of an opponent based on video analysis, and propose counter-strategies for 2 of these.
Dead Ball Mastery
Advanced dead ball skills including curved free kicks, long throws, and penalty technique.
- 1Bending Free KicksBend a free kick around a wall and on target from 22m 3/8 times
- 2Penalty Technique & PsychologyScore 7/10 penalties using a consistent pre-shot routine and placement
- 3Precision Free KicksScore 3/5 free-kicks from 20-25m, hitting a designated 2m x 2m target zone within the goal.
- 4Corner Kick DeliveryDeliver 4/6 corner kicks into a designated 5m x 5m target zone within the 6-yard box, varying inswing and outswing.
- 5Penalty Spot MasterySuccessfully execute 3/4 penalty kicks, varying placement (left/right, high/low) and power against a goalkeeper.
Player Identity & Development
Self-awareness, player identity, and long-term development planning.
- 1Defining Your Playing StyleArticulate personal playing style with 3 defining characteristics and supporting evidence
- 2Long-Term Development PlanCreate a 6-month individual development plan with specific, measurable goals
- 3Positional SpecializationDemonstrate understanding of 2-3 specific positional roles by executing 80% of role-specific actions correctly in drills and game scenarios.
- 4Developing Playing StyleSuccessfully execute 75% of tactical actions consistent with a possession-based style (e.g., maintaining possession for 5+ passes) in a conditioned game.
- 5Strengths ProfilingIdentify 2 personal strengths and successfully apply them in 3 distinct game scenarios during a match, receiving positive peer/coach feedback.
Health & wellness
Classroom lessons on nutrition, sleep, injury, load and the science behind training.
Fuelling Training: Nutrition for Performance
How food becomes work: energy balance, the three macronutrients, hydration, and reading what is actually in a packet.
- 1Energy Balance and Why It Is Not a DietExplain energy in versus energy out, and estimate a day's intake and expenditure
- 2Carbohydrate, Protein and FatDescribe what each macronutrient does and identify them in real food
- 3Hydration and Measuring It HonestlyMeasure personal sweat rate and describe the effect of dehydration on performance
- 4Reading Labels and Marketing ClaimsEvaluate a sports-nutrition product against what the label actually says
Sleep and Recovery
The training adaptation that happens when nothing is happening: sleep architecture, debt, and the routine that protects it.
- 1What Sleep Does to a Trained BodyExplain how sleep supports adaptation, and why training without it does not stick
- 2Tracking Sleep for Two WeeksKeep a sleep log and relate it to how sessions felt
- 3Building a Wind-Down RoutineDesign and trial an evening routine that protects sleep onset
- 4Travel, Tournaments and Broken SleepPlan sleep around a competition weekend when the routine cannot hold
Injury Prevention and Return to Play
Load, warm-up, the difference between soreness and pain, and who decides when a player goes back.
- 1Soreness, Pain and the DifferenceDistinguish normal training soreness from a symptom that needs stopping for
- 2Why Warm-Ups WorkExplain the mechanism of a warm-up and evaluate your own
- 3Training Load and Doing Too Much Too SoonDescribe how rapid load increases raise injury risk, and read your own load history
- 4Returning After an InjuryOutline a staged return and identify who is qualified to clear it
Heat Illness: Recognise, Respond, Prevent
How the body sheds heat and what happens when it cannot: heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke, the emergency where you call 911 and cool first. Then acclimatization and planning a hot training day.
- 1Heat, Sweat and the Three Heat IllnessesExplain how the body loses heat and tell heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke apart by their signs
- 2Responding: Call 911 and Cool FirstDescribe the right response to each heat illness, and explain why heat stroke needs emergency services and immediate cooling
- 3Acclimatization: Letting the Body AdaptExplain what changes over 10 to 14 days of heat exposure and plan a gradual return to training in the heat
- 4Planning a Hot Training DayUse a real forecast to plan a safe training day and set personal stop rules
First Aid for the Sideline
What a teenager can safely do in the first minutes after an injury or collapse: call for help, keep the scene safe, control bleeding, manage a sprain, and know when CPR and an AED are needed. This is awareness, not certification.
- 1Calling for Help and Keeping the Scene SafeDecide when to call 911, give a dispatcher the information they need, and check that a scene is safe first
- 2Bleeding, Cuts and NosebleedsControl bleeding with direct pressure, protect yourself, and judge when a wound needs a clinician or 911
- 3Sprains, Strains and PEACE & LOVEExplain the PEACE & LOVE approach to soft-tissue injury and recognize the signs that need a clinician
- 4The Recovery Position, CPR and AED AwarenessPlace an awake volunteer in the recovery position, describe hands-only CPR and an AED, and find a certified course
Concussion: Spot It, Sit Out, Come Back Slowly
What a concussion is, how to recognize one, why a player with a suspected concussion sits out for the rest of the day, and how school and sport are stepped back up under a clinician's guidance.
- 1What a Concussion Is and How to Spot OneDescribe what a concussion is and recognize its signs, symptoms and danger signs
- 2When in Doubt, Sit Them OutApply the remove-from-play rule to realistic situations and explain why there is no same-day return
- 3Return to Learn Comes FirstDescribe the stages of returning to school work after a concussion and plan homeschool adjustments with a clinician's guidance
- 4Return to Play, Step by StepDescribe the graduated return-to-play stages and explain why a clinician, not the family alone, decides each step
Skin, Hygiene and Kit Care
Why sweat, damp kit and shared bottles spread infection, how to look after skin, feet and teeth, and when a rash, a sore or a blister needs a doctor.
- 1Sweat, Skin and the Kit BagExplain what sweat does, why damp kit grows bacteria and fungi, and build an after-training routine you will actually follow
- 2What Not to ShareExplain how infections pass between athletes through shared items, and practice keeping your own without damaging a friendship
- 3Common Skin Infections and BlistersRecognize the common skin infections in sport and blisters, and say which need a doctor and which can be cared for at home
- 4Teeth, Mouthguards and Sports DrinksDescribe a daily dental routine, how sports drinks affect teeth, how to look after a mouthguard, and what to do if a tooth is knocked out
Match Nerves and Performing Under Pressure
What nerves are doing in the body, and four practical skills for working with them: a pre-performance routine, breathing, self-talk and a quick reset after a mistake. Also how to tell when worry has become more than nerves, and who to talk to.
- 1What Nerves Are and Why They HappenDescribe the body's stress response before a game in plain terms, and reframe its signals as preparation rather than a warning
- 2Building a Pre-Performance RoutineDesign and rehearse a short, repeatable routine for the hour before a game, built only from things you control
- 3Breathing and Self-TalkPractice two breathing techniques and turn unhelpful self-talk into short instructional cue words
- 4Bouncing Back From a MistakeBuild and practice a quick reset for after a mistake in a game, and know who to talk to when worry lasts
Respect, Bullying and Being a Good Teammate
What respect looks like on a team, how to recognize bullying and hazing in person and in group chats, what a bystander can safely do, how to tell a trusted adult, and how to win and lose well.
- 1Respect, Banter, Bullying and HazingDistinguish friendly banter and ordinary conflict from bullying and hazing, using power, repetition and harm
- 2Group Chats and Online BullyingRecognize bullying in group chats and online, and practice the steps to record it, block it, report it and tell an adult
- 3Being an Upstander and Telling an AdultChoose a safe bystander response and report an incident to a trusted adult clearly and factually
- 4Being a Good Teammate, Winner and LoserDescribe what makes a good teammate in specific behaviors, and practice winning and losing with grace
Screens, Attention and Digital Wellbeing
How phones are built to compete for attention, what notifications do to focus, why a social feed is a highlight reel, and a family screen plan the teen helps write.
- 1How Your Phone Competes for AttentionExplain the design features that keep people scrolling, and measure your own device use honestly
- 2Notifications, Focus and Switching TasksDescribe the cost of switching tasks and test it with a simple home experiment
- 3Highlight Reels and ComparisonExplain why a social feed shows an edited, selected version of life and how comparison can affect mood
- 4A Family Screen Plan You Helped WriteDraft a family screen plan with real input from the teen, covering study, training and evenings
Growing Bodies: Growth Spurts and Bone Health
What a growth spurt does to coordination and flexibility, the growth-related aches active teens commonly get, and how the teen years build the bones you keep for life.
- 1What a Growth Spurt Does to MovementExplain why coordination and flexibility can change during a growth spurt, and start a personal growth record
- 2Growing Pains With Names: Osgood-Schlatter and Sever'sDescribe two common growth-related aches in active teens and know when a doctor is needed
- 3Building Bones That LastExplain how calcium, vitamin D and weight-bearing activity build bone during the teen years
- 4Training Load During a Growth SpurtExplain why training load may need adjusting during fast growth, and plan a sensible week
Posture, Lifting and Looking After Your Back
What the evidence says about posture, how to carry a bag and lift something heavy at home, simple mobility and a homeschool desk set-up, and the back-pain signs that need a doctor.
- 1Posture: Myths and FactsSeparate posture myths from evidence and explain why changing position matters more than one perfect position
- 2Carrying a Bag and Lifting Safely at HomeCarry and lift everyday loads at home with a planned, controlled technique, and know when to get help
- 3Mobility and a Desk That Fits YouSet up a homeschool workspace that fits your body and use short mobility breaks during study
- 4When Back Pain Needs a DoctorRecognize back-pain red flags and know how to respond sensibly to an ordinary back ache
Sun, Cold, Lightning and Air Quality
Training outdoors safely whatever the sky is doing: sun protection, dressing for the cold, lightning rules, and reading the Air Quality Index before you go out.
- 1Sun Protection: UV, SPF and ReapplyingExplain how UV damages skin, read a sunscreen label, and plan sun protection for a long day outdoors
- 2Training in the Cold: Layers, Frostbite and HypothermiaDress in layers for cold training and recognize the warning signs of frostbite and hypothermia
- 3Lightning: When Thunder Roars, Go IndoorsState the lightning rules, identify safe and unsafe shelter, and write a lightning plan for a real training spot
- 4Reading the Air Quality IndexLook up the Air Quality Index and decide how to adjust training at each level
Habits, Goals and Self-Management
How habits form, setting goals you control, keeping a record without letting it run you, and planning a training week you can come back to after a missed one.
- 1How a Habit FormsDescribe the cue, routine and reward loop and design one training habit with an if-then plan
- 2Goals You ControlDistinguish process goals from outcome goals and write process goals measured against the child's own past
- 3Tracking Without ObsessingDesign a short training log, use it to compare with the child's own past, and recognize when tracking stops helping
- 4Planning the Week, and Coming Back After a Missed OneBuild a realistic training week around school and family, and plan a return after a missed week
Your Heart and Fitness for Life
What the heart and lungs do in exercise, measuring your own heart rate and comparing it only with yourself, how much activity teens need, and the warning signs that need a doctor.
- 1What the Heart and Lungs Do in ExerciseExplain how the heart and lungs deliver oxygen to working muscles and how training changes them
- 2Measuring Your Own Heart RateMeasure resting, exercise and recovery heart rate accurately and set up a personal baseline
- 3How Much Activity, for LifeState the CDC and WHO activity guidelines, judge intensity with the talk test, and plan to stay active across a lifetime
- 4Warning Signs That Need a DoctorRecognize exercise warning signs that need a doctor and know the emergency steps if someone collapses
These health lessons come to 60 hours. A half credit of Health conventionally takes 60, so on their own they document part of one; the PE credit is documented by the units above.
Family sessions
Lessons written for a parent or sibling to run alongside the student.
Family Training Partners
Family-play lessons for U16: activities designed for 1–5+ family members of varying ages.
- 1Sibling Serving & FinishingUse siblings as servers/passers for finishing drills
- 2Parent as Training PartnerSpecific drills where a parent provides resistance/service
- 3Competitive Family ChallengesHigh-intensity competition between siblings
Extension weeks
The optional weeks 37 to 40, for a family that keeps going.
Elite Performance & Season Review
- 1High-Intensity Game SimulationMaintain decision-making quality above 75% accuracy during fatigued conditions and demonstrate tactical adaptability across 3 different game-state scenarios.
- 2Leadership & CommunicationDemonstrate effective on-field communication in 4+ instances per game and successfully organize teammates' positioning through vocal leadership.
- 3Tactical FlexibilitySuccessfully transition between 3 formations within 10 seconds and implement a tactical counter-adjustment within 90 seconds of identifying opponent change.
- 4Season Capstone & Development PlanningDemonstrate measurable physical improvement from start of season, lead autonomous tactical decision-making in match play, and create a detailed SMART development plan for the off-season.
U18 11th – 12th grade · High school PE
Independent training design, leadership, and capstone project.
24 units · 100 lessons · 96 hours of lesson plans · planned at 5 hours a week
180 hours over a 36-week year, against the 120 hours a full Carnegie credit conventionally takes. Your state may set its own figure; the credit calculator uses it where one is on file.
Core units
The programme's own units: tactical, technical, physical and leadership work, one lesson a week.
Advanced Tactical Concepts
High-level tactical understanding - game models, phases of play, and situational tactics.
- 1Game Model DevelopmentDescribe team game model covering all 4 phases of play with tactical principles
- 2Positional Play (Juego de Posicion)Map the five vertical zones on a pitch diagram and place every player correctly in 4/5 possession scenarios
- 3Defensive Pressing VariationsExplain high, mid and low pressing, choose the right one for 4/5 match situations, and time the pressing trigger in a 1v1
- 4Situational TacticsMake correct tactical adjustments for 4/5 different match situations presented
- 5Positional Play PrinciplesPlayers will demonstrate understanding of Juego de Posicion by successfully executing 8/10 progressive passes to create numerical or positional superiority in a 4v2 + 2 game.
Technical Mastery
Refine all technical skills to elite level under game-speed pressure.
- 1Passing Range MasteryComplete 5-10m, 15-25m, and 30m+ passes accurately 4/5 times at each range
- 2Advanced FinishingScore using 5 different finishing techniques in a shooting circuit
- 3Ball Mastery Under PressureMaintain possession for 30+ seconds in a 1v1 tight space with close defender
- 4Weak Foot ExcellenceScore, pass 20m, and dribble through 6 cones using only weak foot with 80% success
- 5Elite First TouchPlayer will successfully execute 8/10 first touches to gain an advantage (create space, beat a defender, set up next action) from various incoming ball trajectories.
Peak Physical Performance
Elite-level physical preparation - strength, power, speed, endurance, and flexibility.
- 1Power DevelopmentComplete plyometric circuit with correct form showing explosive power in jumps and sprints
- 2High-Intensity Interval TrainingComplete 8 x 400m intervals at target pace with 90-second recovery between each
- 3Injury PreventionComplete FIFA 11+ injury prevention program with correct form on all exercises
- 4Repeated Sprint EnduranceMaintain a sprint performance within 5% of peak speed over 8 repeated 20-meter sprints.
Elite Leadership
Advanced leadership skills - team culture, mentoring, and self-management.
- 1Creating Team CultureContribute to creating a team charter with 5 agreed values and 3 behavioral standards
- 2Mentoring Younger PlayersPlan and deliver a 15-minute coaching session for younger players on a basic skill
- 3Self-Management & ProfessionalismCreate a weekly self-management plan covering training, nutrition, sleep, and study
- 4Pre-Match MasteryDeliver a 3-minute pre-match talk incorporating 3 tactical points and 2 motivational cues, achieving a peer rating of 4/5 for clarity and impact.
- 5Conflict & MentorshipSuccessfully mediate a simulated team conflict scenario, identifying root causes and proposing 2 actionable solutions, while also providing constructive feedback to a peer on a technical skill, both achieving a peer rating of 4/5.
Elite Set Pieces
Complex set-piece design, execution, and defensive organization at elite level.
- 1Designing Set-Piece RoutinesDesign 2 original set-piece routines with player movements, timing cues, and contingencies
- 2Dead Ball AccuracyHit specific delivery zones (near post, far post, penalty spot, cutback) 3/4 from corners and free kicks
- 3Defending Set PiecesOrganize defensive set-up for corners, free kicks, and long throws without conceding in 8/10 attempts
- 4Elite Corner Kick RoutinesExecute 3/5 rehearsed corner kick routines successfully, creating a clear scoring opportunity, and demonstrate effective defensive organization against 2/3 opponent routines.
Match Preparation & Review
Complete match preparation cycle - analysis, planning, execution, and review.
- 1Pre-Match AnalysisCreate a comprehensive pre-match analysis covering opponent formation, key players, and tactics
- 2Post-Match ReviewConduct a structured post-match review identifying 3 tactical lessons learned
- 3Season Review & Goal SettingComplete a comprehensive season review and set 5 SMART goals for next season
- 4Scouting & TacticsCreate a detailed scouting report and a corresponding tactical plan for an opponent, identifying 3 key strengths/weaknesses and designing 2 counter-tactics.
- 5Debrief & RecoveryConduct a post-match video analysis, identifying 3 individual performance points and 2 team tactical points for improvement, and outline a personalized recovery plan.
Pathway & Career Planning
Prepare for next steps - college soccer, semi-pro, coaching, or lifelong recreational play.
- 1College Soccer PreparationCreate a college soccer recruitment plan including highlight reel requirements and NCAA eligibility
- 2Coaching PathwayDeliver a 20-minute complete coaching session demonstrating all 4 coaching competencies
- 3Lifelong Soccer EngagementCreate a personal plan for lifelong engagement with soccer beyond competitive youth play
- 4Trial Prep MasteryPlayers will identify 3 key areas for improvement from a simulated trial scenario and articulate a plan to address them, aiming for 80% self-assessment accuracy.
- 5Soccer Portfolio ProPlayers will draft a personal soccer resume and identify 3 essential video clips for a highlight reel, demonstrating understanding of self-marketing.
Health & wellness
Classroom lessons on nutrition, sleep, injury, load and the science behind training.
Mental Health in Sport
Stress, pressure, burnout and identity — the part of athlete health that does not show up on a fitness test.
- 1Stress, Arousal and PerformanceDescribe how arousal affects performance and identify your own useful range
- 2Burnout and OvertrainingRecognise the signs of burnout and distinguish them from ordinary fatigue
- 3Identity Beyond the SportExamine athletic identity and its risk at the end of a playing career
- 4Helping a TeammatePractise responding to a struggling teammate and know the referral limits
How Training Works
Overload, specificity, reversibility and periodisation — the principles under every programme, applied to the student's own year.
- 1Overload, Specificity and ReversibilityDefine the three principles and find each one in your own training history
- 2Energy Systems and What They Feel LikeMatch the three energy systems to efforts of different duration
- 3Periodisation Across a YearExplain why training varies across a season and map your own year
- 4Reading a Study Without Being FooledEvaluate a training claim against the evidence offered for it
Substances, Supplements and Risk
Doping, over-the-counter supplements and the everyday substances a young athlete meets first. Florida's HOPE framework names this explicitly.
- 1Supplements and What Is Actually in ThemExplain why supplement regulation is weaker than medicine regulation
- 2Performance-Enhancing DrugsDescribe the main categories, their health costs, and the rules that apply
- 3Alcohol, Nicotine and RecoveryExplain the effect of common substances on adaptation and sleep
- 4Deciding Under PressureApply a decision framework to realistic pressure scenarios
Taking Charge of Your Own Healthcare
What changes at 18, when the appointments, the forms and the decisions become yours: building your own health history, booking and preparing for a visit, the basics of insurance, and the records a college or a team will ask for.
- 1Your Health History, Written DownBuild a one-page personal health history from family records and know what belongs on it
- 2Booking and Preparing for an AppointmentBook a routine appointment yourself and prepare the questions and information to bring
- 3Insurance Basics Without the JargonExplain premium, deductible, copay and in-network in plain words and read a real insurance card
- 4Turning 18: Consent, Privacy and Your RecordsDescribe how consent and medical privacy change at 18, and gather the records a college or team will ask for
Fueling a Match Week and Travel Days
Putting nutrition into a real week: meal timing around training and matches, the day before and the day of a game, eating well on the road, and recovering between games at a tournament. No calorie targets: the aim is food at the right time.
- 1Timing Meals Around TrainingExplain why timing matters as well as what is eaten, and map meals around a real training day
- 2The Day Before and the Day of a MatchPlan the day before and the morning of a match, including what to avoid trying for the first time
- 3Eating on the RoadChoose food well at a gas station, a fast-food menu or a hotel breakfast, and pack a travel bag that covers a long day
- 4Recovering Between Games at a TournamentPlan fluid and food between two or three matches in a day and between days of a tournament
Severe Injuries and Bleeding Control
The step beyond sideline first aid, for the day something serious happens at a field, on a road or at home: call 911 first, keep yourself safe, stop severe bleeding with pressure, and support someone until help arrives. This unit is awareness, and a hands-on certified course is the next step.
- 1Call 911 First and Keep Yourself SafeDescribe the first steps at a serious injury: check the scene, call 911, give a clear location and follow the dispatcher
- 2Recognizing Life-Threatening BleedingTell life-threatening bleeding apart from ordinary bleeding by its signs
- 3Pressure, Packing and Tourniquet AwarenessExplain how direct pressure stops bleeding and what a tourniquet is for, and find a hands-on course nearby
- 4Broken Bones, Dislocations and Waiting for HelpDescribe how to support someone with a suspected fracture, dislocation or neck injury until help arrives
Protecting Your Knees and Ankles
Why knee and ankle injuries happen in soccer, why some players are at higher risk, and what a structured warm-up program such as the FIFA 11+ does about it. Read, practice, film yourself and build the habit.
- 1How Knee and Ankle Injuries HappenDescribe the common ways ACL and ankle injuries happen in soccer, and the risk factors players can and cannot change
- 2What a Prevention Program DoesExplain what the FIFA 11+ includes and the evidence that structured warm-ups reduce injuries
- 3Landing, Cutting and Filming Your Own TechniquePractice landing and cutting technique and use a video of yourself to spot knee position
- 4Making It a HabitBuild the prevention program into a real training week and plan how to keep it going
Energy, Body Image and Health
Why an athlete who does not eat enough for their training gets slower, sicker and more injured, what relative energy deficiency in sport is, how body image and comparison feed into it, and when to talk to a doctor. No weights, no calorie counts and no targets: this unit is about noticing and getting help.
- 1Energy Availability in Plain TermsExplain what low energy availability is and why it harms performance and health
- 2Warning Signs and When to See a DoctorRecognize the warning signs of relative energy deficiency in sport and know that a doctor is the right next step
- 3Body Image, Comparison and SportExamine how sport, social media and team talk shape body image, and challenge the idea that lighter is faster
- 4Fueling as Part of TrainingTreat eating enough as part of the training plan and build a week that protects it
Boundaries, Safeguarding and Being a Senior Player
What healthy boundaries look like between players and adults, the rules that protect young athletes, how to say no and report a concern, and the responsibility that comes with being one of the oldest players on a team. Not sexual-health content: this is about respect, power and safety in sport.
- 1Healthy and Unhealthy BoundariesDescribe the signs of a healthy relationship between a player and a coach or teammate, and the warning signs of one that is not
- 2The Rules That Protect AthletesExplain what safeguarding rules in youth sport require of adults and how a player can use them
- 3Saying No and Reporting a ConcernPractice saying no clearly and reporting a concern to the right person
- 4Leading as a Senior PlayerDescribe the responsibility older players hold for team culture and plan how to use it
Cooking for Yourself
The kitchen skills a player needs before leaving home: food safety, a basic shopping list on a budget, three dependable meals and cooking ahead for a busy week. Cooked at home with a parent nearby.
- 1Kitchen Safety and Food SafetyDescribe the four food safety steps and work safely with knives and heat
- 2Shopping on a BudgetPlan a week's shopping list for a set budget that covers balanced meals and training snacks
- 3Three Meals You Can Always MakeCook three simple balanced meals from memory with a carbohydrate, a protein and a vegetable
- 4Cooking Ahead for a Busy WeekPrepare food in advance so a training week does not depend on fast food
Pressure Off the Field: Exams, Tryouts and Recruiting
The stress that does not happen on the pitch: exams, tryouts, college recruiting and the decisions about what comes after school. Planning the workload, handling a no, deciding without panic, and knowing when stress has become something to get help with.
- 1Mapping Your LoadMap school, training, work and recruiting demands across a term and find the pressure points
- 2When the Answer Is NoRespond to a rejection, such as a tryout cut or a recruiting silence, in a way that keeps you moving
- 3Making a Big Decision Without PanicUse a simple decision method on a real choice about college, work or the next level of soccer
- 4Stress, Study and When to Get HelpUse practical study and recovery habits in a busy term, and know when stress needs more than habits
Sleep When Life Gets Busy
Protecting sleep when the routine cannot: late shifts, early training, long drives, travel across time zones, and the habits that steal sleep at 17. Builds on the Sleep and Recovery unit without repeating it.
- 1The Teenage Body Clock and an Early StartExplain why teenagers' body clocks run late and plan around early sessions and classes
- 2Shifts, Late Nights and Catching UpPlan sleep around a part-time job or late events, and explain what catching up on sleep can and cannot do
- 3Travel and Time ZonesPlan sleep, light and meals around travel across time zones for a tournament or a college visit
- 4Drowsy Driving and the Sleep ThievesRecognize the dangers of drowsy driving and the habits that steal sleep, and set personal rules for both
Driving to Training Safely
Most players drive themselves to training by 17, often tired, often with teammates. Seat belts, phones, passengers, night driving and bad weather, and what to do after a crash, with 911 first.
- 1The Biggest Risk on the Way to TrainingExplain why young drivers have the highest crash risk and name the main causes
- 2Phones, Passengers and DistractionSet rules for phones and passengers that remove distraction on the drive
- 3Night, Weather and FatiguePlan for driving at night, in rain or snow, and after a long day of games
- 4After a CrashDescribe the safe steps after a crash, starting with checking for injuries and calling 911
Looking After Yourself When You Are Ill
What to do when you are sick and nobody is there to decide for you: whether to train, how illness spreads through a team, looking after yourself at home, coming back gradually, and the signs that mean a doctor or 911.
- 1Train, Rest or See a Doctor?Decide whether to train, rest or see a doctor when unwell, and explain why a fever means rest
- 2How Illness Spreads Through a TeamExplain how colds, flu and stomach bugs spread in a team and the habits that slow them down
- 3Looking After Yourself at HomePlan how to look after yourself through a short illness: rest, fluids, food and reading a medicine label with an adult
- 4Coming Back After Being Ill, and the Signs of an EmergencyPlan a gradual return to training after illness and recognize the signs that mean call 911
Starting in the Weight Room
Most college and senior programs lift, and many players arrive without having been taught. What strength training does for a soccer player, learning the basic movement patterns, gym safety and supervision, and progressing by technique and effort rather than by the number on the bar.
- 1What Strength Training Does for a PlayerExplain what strength training does for speed, injury resistance and durability, and dispel common myths
- 2The Basic Movement PatternsPerform the squat, hinge, push, pull and carry patterns with bodyweight or light objects and good technique
- 3Gym Safety and SupervisionDescribe safe weight-room habits, including supervision, spotting, collars and stopping when something hurts
- 4Progressing by Technique and EffortExplain how to progress strength training by technique and effort level rather than load alone, and fit it around soccer
These health lessons come to 60 hours. A half credit of Health conventionally takes 60, so on their own they document part of one; the PE credit is documented by the units above.
Family sessions
Lessons written for a parent or sibling to run alongside the student.
Family Coaching & Leadership
Family-play lessons for U18: activities designed for 1–5+ family members of varying ages.
- 1Coach Your SiblingsDevelop leadership by coaching younger family members
- 2Family Film StudyWatch and analyze professional games together
- 3Family Periodization PlanDesign a weekly family training schedule together
Extension weeks
The optional weeks 37 to 40, for a family that keeps going.
Professional Preparation & Legacy
- 1Elite Match IntensityMaintain technical accuracy above 80% during high-intensity play and demonstrate composure in 6/8 clutch finishing scenarios.
- 2Scouting & Self-PresentationComplete a professional player profile, identify 5+ highlight-worthy moments from the season, and draft a high-quality outreach email to a coach or scout.
- 3Coaching & MentorshipDesign and deliver a coherent 20-minute training session with clear progressions and create a viable community coaching plan.
- 4Legacy & Next StepsArticulate a clear personal soccer pathway, deliver a professional presentation on a career option, and demonstrate leadership in organizing and executing a full match independently.
Electives · Open to every player
Two courses outside the band’s own programme, the same in U14–U18, taken alongside it at the player’s own pace.
For a homeschool family each is a line of its own on the transcript the family keeps. A school or club player takes the same lessons, with no course code or credit attached.
PE-250 · Sports Officiating
A referee course: the Laws learned on the move, signals, positioning and running a game, ending with the student refereeing a small-sided game on Match Day. More about it.
15 units · 60 lessons · 60 hours of lesson plans · 60 hours is a half credit against the 120 a full credit conventionally takes
Becoming a Referee
How a teenager becomes a licensed soccer referee: the six steps, the credentials, the green badge and the respect it asks for, and the kit to wear. Mostly at the table, with one lesson walking a field the way a referee does before a game.
- 1The Six Steps to a LicenseThe student can name the six steps to a first referee license in order and say what to ask the state referee committee.
- 2Credentials, the Green Badge and RespectThe student can say what the green badge tells everyone, which credentials U.S. Soccer asks for at 18, and who to tell if a game turns ugly.
- 3Kit, Dress and Taking GamesThe student can dress in a full referee kit and explain how to accept and give back games without letting the assignor down.
- 4The Pre-Game Field WalkThe student can pack a referee bag and walk a field before kick-off checking the goals, nets, lines, corner flags and goal area.
The Field, the Ball and the Players: Laws 1–4
The first four Laws of the Game, learned on foot: pacing out the field markings, checking the ball, counting and substituting players, and inspecting equipment and colors before kick-off.
- 1Law 1: Walking the Field MarkingsThe student can name the main field markings and state the Law 1 distances for the goal area, penalty area and penalty mark.
- 2Law 2: The BallThe student can check a ball against Law 2 and say how play restarts when the ball bursts.
- 3Law 3: The PlayersThe student can state how many players a team may have and need, and run a substitution the way Law 3 describes.
- 4Law 4, Colors and the Pre-Game ChecklistThe student can inspect players' equipment under Law 4, choose a referee shirt that stands apart from both teams, and run the full pre-game checklist.
Signals
The referee's signals and the assistant referee's flag, learned in front of a mirror, then shown clearly at a distance, then used to referee a sibling scrimmage without a word.
- 1The Referee's Restart SignalsThe student can give the referee's signals for a direct and indirect free kick, a penalty kick, a goal kick, a corner kick and a throw-in.
- 2Advantage, Cards and the CountdownThe student can signal advantage, show a caution and a sending-off, and give the five-second countdown.
- 3The Assistant Referee's FlagThe student can give the assistant referee's flag signals for offside, throw-ins, goal kicks, corners, substitutions and fouls.
- 4Signals at Distance and in a GameThe student can give every signal clearly enough to be read from across a field and use them in a live scrimmage.
Time, the Coin Toss and Kick-off: Laws 7–8
The referee as timekeeper, adding back the time lost, the coin toss and the kick-off, practiced in timed family games with Match Day's watch.
- 1The Referee Keeps TimeThe student can keep time for a short game, end each period on time and keep a record of goals and cards.
- 2Time Lost and Added TimeThe student can track the time lost in a game and add it back the way Law 7 describes.
- 3The Coin TossThe student can run a coin toss, give the winner the right choice, and say who kicks off each half.
- 4The Kick-off and Where to StandThe student can check a kick-off is set up correctly, stand in the right place for it, and rule on kick-off scenarios.
In and Out of Play, Goals and the Penalty Kick: Laws 9, 10 and 14
When the ball is in and out of play, when a goal counts, how to run a penalty kick, and how to run kicks from the penalty mark, practiced on the line and in family games.
- 1Law 9: In and Out of PlayThe student can judge whether the whole ball has left the field and rule on a ball that touches the referee.
- 2Law 10: When a Goal CountsThe student can judge when a goal is scored and plan extra time if a competition uses it.
- 3Law 14: The Penalty KickThe student can set up a penalty kick, stand in the right place, restart it with the whistle and rule on what happens.
- 4Kicks from the Penalty MarkThe student can run kicks from the penalty mark: who may kick, the coin tosses, the order and when it is over.
Offside: Law 11
The student learns what an offside position is, why it is not an offense on its own, how the assistant judges it from the line, and how offside changes in small-sided games.
- 1Offside PositionThe student can say whether a player is in an offside position using the ball, the second-last opponent and the head, body and feet.
- 2Position Is Not an OffenseThe student can explain that being in an offside position is not an offense in itself, name the restarts that cannot give an offside offense and give the restart for one.
- 3The Assistant's LineThe student can stay in line with the second-last defender while facing the field and give the assistant's offside flag signals.
- 4The Right Angle, and Offside in Small-Sided GamesThe student can explain why the call is made from level with the second-last defender and apply the small-sided offside rules for build-out lines and the under-9 games.
Fouls and Misconduct: Law 12
The student learns direct and indirect free kick offenses from Law 12, the six cautions and seven sending-offs, how to show a card, and how to write a short misconduct report that Spatrian never stores.
- 1Direct and Indirect Free KicksThe student can say whether a Law 12 offense they read about gives a direct or an indirect free kick and show the right signal.
- 2Cautions and the Yellow CardThe student can name the six cautionable offenses, show a yellow card clearly and give a caution at the next stoppage after advantage.
- 3Sending-Offs and the Red CardThe student can name the seven sending-off offenses, tell a caution from a sending-off and say who can and cannot be shown a card.
- 4Writing a Misconduct ReportThe student can record cards during a game and write a short misconduct report with the minute, team, shirt number, offense and one line of what they saw.
Restarts: Laws 13, 15, 16 and 17
The student learns free kicks, throw-ins, goal kicks and corner kicks, with the distances, signals and where the referee stands at each restart from the Mechanics Lab.
- 1Free Kicks: Law 13The student can manage a free kick: the distance, the wall, the signal and where the referee stands.
- 2Throw-Ins: Law 15The student can judge a throw-in, signal its direction and handle a team delaying its own throw-in.
- 3Goal Kicks: Law 16The student can manage a goal kick and move up the field to the referee's area for it.
- 4Corner Kicks: Law 17, and a Restart CircuitThe student can manage a corner kick from the right area and run all four restarts with the right signals.
Positioning and Movement
The student learns IFAB's three positioning principles, the open-play spots in the Mechanics Lab, staying close without interfering, and how to referee alone with club linesmen.
- 1The Three PrinciplesThe student can state IFAB's three positioning principles and use them while following a moving player.
- 2Open Play SpotsThe student can choose and run to a good area in four open-play situations from the Mechanics Lab.
- 3Close Enough, Not in the WayThe student can stay close enough to see challenges while keeping out of passing lanes in a moving game.
- 4Refereeing AloneThe student can brief club linesmen and referee a small-sided game alone, covering offside and fouls on both sides.
The Whistle
The student learns when IFAB says the whistle is needed and when it is not, three ways of blowing it, and practices whistle-or-not decisions in a family game.
- 1When the Whistle Is NeededThe student can list the moments IFAB says need the whistle and blow it at the right time in a walk-through.
- 2When the Whistle Is Not NeededThe student can let clear restarts happen without the whistle and knows when to tell players to wait for it.
- 3Three Ways of Blowing ItThe student can blow a short sharp tone, a long strong blast and a firm everyday whistle, and match each to the situation.
- 4Whistle or Not in a Real GameThe student can referee a small game using the whistle only when needed and with the right tone.
Running the Game
The calls between the restarts: before kick-off, advantage, injuries, coaches, dissent, spectators, assistants, and what to do when you get one wrong. Practiced through role-play with the family.
- 1Before Kick-off and the Coin TossThe student can walk a field before a game, greet the coaches, run the coin toss and inspect the players.
- 2AdvantageThe student can decide when to play advantage, go back to the foul when it does not come, and give a delayed card.
- 3Injuries, Coaches and DissentThe student can handle an injured player, a complaining coach and a dissenting player by the Laws.
- 4Spectators, Assistants and Getting It WrongThe student can handle a spectator problem, use an assistant's flag and know when a decision can still change.
Lightning, Heat and a Knock to the Head
When to stop a game for thunder and where everyone goes, how to run drinks breaks and spot heat illness, and what to do about a suspected concussion. Drilled as real moves on the field.
- 1Lightning: Stop, Shelter, Wait 30The student can stop a game for thunder, move everyone to safe shelter and manage the 30-minute wait.
- 2Heat and Drinks BreaksThe student can run a drinks break, add the time back and spot the early signs of heat illness.
- 3A Knock to the HeadThe student can recognize the signs of a possible concussion, remove the player and explain who decides on a return.
- 4Safety ReviewThe student can answer lightning, heat and head-injury questions and act on them in a game.
Small-Sided Games and This Season's Changes
The small-sided rules young referees work under, from the build-out line to no punts, how to read your league's rules, and this season's Law changes. Practiced on a family field.
- 1Small-Sided Games and the Build-Out LineThe student can explain why youth games change some rules and can referee the build-out line.
- 2Offside, Punts and Heading in Youth GamesThe student can apply the small-sided offside rule and the no-punt rule, and find their league's heading rule.
- 3Read Your League's RulesThe student can find their league's small-sided rules and use them to referee a game.
- 4This Season's Law ChangesThe student can explain this season's Law changes that reach youth games and apply the five-second countdown and the ten-second substitution.
Referee Fitness
Warm-ups, backward running and side-stepping, interval runs with walking recovery, a session-effort rating and cool-downs, built into a week of short sessions.
- 1Referee Warm-Up and MovementThe student can warm up properly and move backward and sideways safely while watching play.
- 2Interval Runs with Walking RecoveryThe student can complete an interval session with walking recovery and rate how hard it felt.
- 3Following Play in a GameThe student can keep up with a small game using jogs, side-steps and backward runs while watching the ball.
- 4Build Your Own Referee Fitness WeekThe student can plan a balanced week of short referee fitness sessions and try one.
Capstone: Refereeing a Small-Sided Game
Prepare with the checklist and Match Day, referee a family or co-op small-sided game, write the match report, then look back and plan your next step on the referee career ladder.
- 1Prepare: Checklist, Kit and Match DayThe student can prepare for a game with the checklist, a packed referee bag and Match Day set up.
- 2Referee the Capstone GameThe student can referee a family or co-op small-sided game from the coin toss to full time.
- 3Second Game and Match ReportThe student can brief club linesmen, referee a second game and write a match report.
- 4Look Back and Your Next WhistleThe student can review a doubted call by its Law and describe the next steps on the referee career ladder.
SS-150 · History of Soccer
The history of the game in social studies: a reading, a timeline, map or source work, and one activity with a ball in every lesson, from the 1863 rules to the modern game. More about it.
15 units · 60 lessons · 60 hours of lesson plans · 60 hours is a half credit against the 120 a full credit conventionally takes
Kicking Games Before Soccer
The ball games people played long before soccer had written rules: cuju in China, kemari in Japan, episkyros and harpastum in Greece and Rome, mob football in medieval England and calcio storico in Florence. Taught through short readings, maps and charts, with one lesson in each played on the ball the old way.
- 1Cuju: China's Ancient Kicking GameThe student can describe cuju, say where it was played, and explain why FIFA points to it as the earliest evidence of a game like soccer.
- 2Greece and Rome: Episkyros and HarpastumThe student can describe episkyros and harpastum and explain why historians are careful about calling them early soccer.
- 3Mob Football in Medieval EnglandThe student can describe medieval mob football and explain why towns and kings tried to ban it.
- 4Calcio Storico and the Games That SurviveThe student can compare calcio storico and the Ashbourne Shrovetide game with modern soccer and explain why towns keep old games alive.
Schools Write the Rules
How English schools, Cambridge students and the Sheffield club tried to agree rules, how the Football Association wrote the first Laws of the Game in 1863, and why rugby went its own way. Taught through readings, primary sources and a match played by the 1863 rules.
- 1Every School Its Own GameThe student can explain why English public schools in the 1800s played different versions of the game and describe the dribbling game and the handling game.
- 2Cambridge 1848 and Sheffield 1857The student can explain why Cambridge students and the Sheffield club needed shared rules and describe what each produced.
- 3The Football Association, 1863The student can describe the founding of the Football Association in 1863, name Ebenezer Morley, and explain what the first Laws allowed and banned.
- 4Rugby Splits Off, and the Name 'Soccer'The student can explain why rugby became a separate sport, when the Rugby Football Union formed, and where the word 'soccer' comes from.
First Internationals and the Professional Game
How soccer became a competition: the first international match in 1872, the first FA Cup, the arrival of paid players in 1885 and the first league in 1888. Taught through readings, maps and match reports, with games on the ball played the way the early teams played.
- 1Scotland v England, 1872The student can describe the first official international match and explain why the two teams played such different styles.
- 2The FA Cup, 1871-72The student can explain how the FA Cup began, who won the first final, and why a knockout cup appealed to clubs and crowds.
- 3Paying Players: Professionalism, 1885The student can explain why clubs began paying players, why the FA resisted, and what changed in 1885.
- 4The Football League, 1888The student can explain why William McGregor proposed a league, say where its twelve founding clubs came from, and describe Preston's Invincibles.
The Game Spreads
How British sailors, railway workers, teachers and students carried soccer around the world, how local people made it their own in Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil and Europe, and why FIFA was founded in 1904. Taught through readings, map work and source work, with one ball activity per lesson.
- 1Sailors, Railways and SchoolsThe student can explain how British workers, teachers, sailors and returning students carried soccer abroad and give two examples of clubs that still show it.
- 2Argentina and UruguayThe student can explain how soccer took root in Argentina and Uruguay and why Uruguay became the first great soccer power outside Europe.
- 3Brazil and Charles MillerThe student can tell the story of Charles Miller and explain how soccer in Brazil moved from wealthy clubs to the whole nation.
- 4Europe Organizes: FIFA, 1904The student can give FIFA's founding date and city, name several of its seven founding members, and explain why the British associations held back.
The Early Women's Game
Women who played soccer from the 1880s onward: the British Ladies' Football Club, the factory teams of the First World War, Dick, Kerr Ladies and the 53,000 who watched them in 1920, and the FA's ban that lasted from 1921 to 1971. Taught through readings and primary sources, with a ball activity in every lesson.
- 1Women Who Played FirstThe student can describe women's soccer before the First World War, including the British Ladies' Football Club of 1895, and the attitudes it met.
- 2Munitionettes and Dick, Kerr LadiesThe student can explain how the First World War opened factory teams to women and tell the story of Dick, Kerr Ladies and Lily Parr.
- 3Boxing Day 1920 at Goodison ParkThe student can describe the Boxing Day 1920 match and explain what its crowd tells historians about women's soccer at the time.
- 4The FA's Ban: 1921 to 1971The student can explain what the FA decided in December 1921, the reason it gave, how long the ban lasted and why it ended.
The World Cup Begins
How a world championship grew out of the Olympic soccer tournaments, from Uruguay in 1930 through Italy's titles in 1934 and 1938 to the shocks of 1950. Taught at the table with timelines, maps and newspaper writing, with one on-ball activity in each lesson.
- 1From Olympic Gold to a World CupThe student can explain why FIFA created a World Cup and why Uruguay was chosen to host the first one.
- 2Uruguay 1930The student can describe the first World Cup: who came, how it was played and how the final was won.
- 3Italy 1934, France 1938 and the War YearsThe student can explain how politics and war shaped the World Cups of the 1930s and 1940s.
- 41950: The Maracanazo and the Upset in Belo HorizonteThe student can explain why the 1950 World Cup is remembered in Brazil, Uruguay and the United States.
How the Laws Changed
How soccer's Laws grew from the 1863 rules into the modern game: who makes them, and why nets, the penalty kick, offside, substitutes, cards, the back-pass rule and VAR arrived when they did. History at the table, each lesson tried on the ball and linked to the Laws in Referee HQ.
- 1Who Makes the LawsThe student can explain what the IFAB is, who votes on it, and name three early changes to the goal and to the officials.
- 2The Penalty Kick and the GoalkeeperThe student can explain why the penalty kick was invented in 1891 and how the penalty area and the goalkeeper's handling rule followed.
- 3Offside Through the YearsThe student can describe how the offside law changed in 1866, 1925 and 1990 and what each change did to the way teams played.
- 4Substitutes, Cards, Shoot-outs and VARThe student can put the modern changes to the Laws in order, from the first substitutes to VAR, and explain the problem each one solved.
Tactics Through Time
How teams have organized themselves on the field, from the dribbling game and the 2-3-5 through the WM, Hungary's 1953 win at Wembley and catenaccio to Total Football, pressing and tiki-taka. Formations are drawn at the table and then walked and played on the field.
- 1From Dribbling to the 2-3-5The student can describe how the early dribbling game gave way to passing and to the 2-3-5 formation, and why the 2-3-5 lasted so long.
- 2The WM and the Magical MagyarsThe student can explain how the WM answered the 1925 offside change and why Hungary's 1953 win at Wembley changed English thinking.
- 3Defending to Win: Catenaccio, 4-2-4 and 4-4-2The student can compare catenaccio, Brazil's 4-2-4 and England's 4-4-2 and explain what each was trying to do.
- 4Total Football, Pressing and Tiki-takaThe student can explain Total Football, Sacchi's pressing and tiki-taka and trace how each borrowed from the last.
Television and the Global Star
How floodlit European nights, satellites and color television turned great players into stars known everywhere: the European Cup from 1955, Pele and Brazil, Johan Cruyff and Franz Beckenbauer, and Diego Maradona in 1986. Maps, media comparisons and writing at the table, with each star's signature skill tried on the ball.
- 1The European Cup and Real MadridThe student can explain how the European Cup began and why Real Madrid's first five titles made it famous.
- 2Pele, Brazil and the 1970 World Cup in ColorThe student can describe Pele's three World Cups and explain how satellite and color television changed the way the world saw the 1970 tournament.
- 3Cruyff, Beckenbauer and the 1974 FinalThe student can compare Johan Cruyff and Franz Beckenbauer and describe the 1974 World Cup final.
- 4Maradona and Mexico 1986The student can describe Maradona's two goals against England in 1986, explain the debate around the first, and explain how television made him a global star.
Soccer in the United States
Soccer's long American story: the Oneida club and the mill towns, U.S. Soccer's founding in 1913, the 1930 semi-final and the long wait, the NASL and Pele's Cosmos, the youth boom, the 1994 World Cup and Major League Soccer. Maps, timelines and a family interview at the table, with history tried on the ball in every lesson.
- 1Early Clubs and the First FederationThe student can describe how soccer arrived and grew in the United States before 1914 and explain what U.S. Soccer and the Open Cup were founded to do.
- 2From the 1930 Semi-final to the Long WaitThe student can describe the United States' record at the early World Cups, explain why it took forty years to qualify again, and say how the wait ended.
- 3The NASL, the Cosmos and PeleThe student can explain how the NASL and Pele's arrival in 1975 raised soccer's profile in the United States, why the league folded, and how youth soccer grew.
- 4USA 1994 and the Birth of MLSThe student can describe the 1994 World Cup in the United States and the founding of Major League Soccer, and explain how the two were connected.
Title IX and the US Women
How a 1972 law about schools opened soccer to American girls, and how the U.S. women's national team grew from its first game in 1985 to world titles and equal pay. Mostly at the table, with one on-the-ball activity in every lesson.
- 1Title IX, 1972The student can explain what Title IX says, why it reached school sport, and how it helped girls' soccer grow.
- 2The First National Team and the 1991 World CupThe student can describe the first U.S. women's national team in 1985 and how the United States won the first Women's World Cup in 1991.
- 31996 and 1999: The Crowds ArriveThe student can describe the first Olympic women's soccer final in 1996 and the 1999 Women's World Cup final, and explain why 1999 was a turning point.
- 4Leagues, Titles and Equal PayThe student can name the U.S. women's World Cup and Olympic titles, explain why the first two professional leagues closed, and describe the 2022 equal-pay agreement.
World Cups Beyond Europe and the Americas
How teams from Asia and Africa fought for places at the World Cup and then made history in it, from Egypt in 1934 to Morocco's semi-final in 2022, with the first tournaments hosted in Asia and Africa. Table work on maps and timelines, with one on-the-ball activity in every lesson.
- 1First Steps: 1934 to 1966The student can name the first African and first Asian teams at a World Cup, explain the 1966 boycott, and describe North Korea's run in England.
- 2Breakthroughs: 1982 to 1990The student can explain what happened to Algeria in 1982, why Morocco's 1986 result mattered, and what Cameroon achieved in 1990.
- 32002: Korea and JapanThe student can describe the 2002 World Cup as the first in Asia and the first co-hosted, name two upsets from it, and explain why Japan's 2011 title was a first.
- 4Africa Hosts, and Morocco's Semi-finalThe student can explain why South Africa was suspended by FIFA, describe the first World Cup in Africa in 2010, and explain why Morocco's 2022 run was historic.
Futsal and Street Soccer
The small-sided games: futsal from its invention in Montevideo in 1930 to its world championships, its own laws, and the street soccer played everywhere without a referee. Table work with a small-sided or skill activity on the ball in every lesson.
- 1Montevideo, 1930The student can explain who invented futsal, where and when, and why a small indoor game suited a crowded city.
- 2The Rules That Make FutsalThe student can explain futsal's main laws and how they differ from eleven-a-side soccer.
- 3Futsal World ChampionshipsThe student can describe how futsal became a world sport, name the first FIFA futsal champions, and explain why the first Futsal Women's World Cup in 2025 matters.
- 4Street Soccer and the Homeless World CupThe student can describe street soccer customs around the world, explain panna and Cruyff Courts, and say what the Homeless World Cup is for.
The Modern Game
How money, law, science and technology reshaped soccer from 1992 onward: the Premier League and Champions League, the Bosman ruling, match data and VAR, and the 48-team World Cup of 2026 across the United States, Canada and Mexico. Table work with one on-the-ball activity in every lesson.
- 1The Money Game: 1992The student can explain why the Premier League was formed in 1992 and how the European Cup became the Champions League.
- 2Bosman, 1995The student can explain the Bosman ruling of 1995 and describe how it changed contracts, wages and the nationality of teams.
- 3Science, Data and TechnologyThe student can describe how match data, sports science, goal-line technology and VAR have changed the game, and name the four kinds of decision VAR reviews.
- 42026: Forty-Eight Teams Across North AmericaThe student can explain how the 2026 World Cup was awarded, name its three host countries and several host cities, and explain the 48-team format.
Your Game's History: A Research Project
A research project on soccer close to home: primary and secondary sources, an oral-history interview with a coach or older player, a sourced timeline of a local club, team or field, and a short presentation. Mostly research and writing, with one on-the-ball activity in every lesson.
- 1Primary and Secondary SourcesThe student can tell a primary source from a secondary source, explain why sources should be checked against each other, and choose a research question.
- 2The Oral-History InterviewThe student can plan and carry out an oral-history interview with permission, using open and follow-up questions.
- 3Building a Local TimelineThe student can find local primary sources and build an accurate, sourced timeline of a club, team or field.
- 4Presenting Your HistoryThe student can present a short, sourced history of local soccer that answers a research question and credits every source.
57 units and 240 lessons across U14–U18, and the electives above, listed from the
curriculum the app serves. Counted, not typed: this block is written by
tools/build_curriculum_page.py from the seeded curriculum, and
regenerated when it changes. Younger bands exist in draft and are not offered yet.
The whole programme on paper
Every unit for grades 7 to 12, the pace of the year and the standards each unit carries, as one document for an evaluator or a programme reviewer. A real lesson plan sits beside it.
Download the scope and sequence See a lesson planStart with the band that fits
The setup wizard asks your state and your students, then shows the curriculum, the documentation your state expects, and what a week actually looks like.
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