The Warrior Way
Seven principles. Four pillars. One promise to every parent.
What the Warrior Way gives every coach
Every FYS coach gets session plans for their age group, coaching cues for every activity, and development goals for the season. No guesswork. No Googling “U10 soccer drills” at 6 PM the night before practice.
7 Principles
One principle per week during the 7-week season. Not a separate activity: a coaching lens applied across both practices.
01“The game is the best teacher”
Players learn by playing, not by standing in lines. Every session is at least 40% game play, and every drill maximizes touches. No lines, no waiting.
What this looks like on the field
- •Arrive-and-play PUGs while the team gathers
- •Small-sided scrimmages where every player touches the ball dozens of times
- •K-4th: coaches step back during scrimmages and intervene only at natural stoppages (max 3-4 per 20 minutes)
- •5th-6th: quiet during free scrimmage, real-time coaching OK during tactical activities
- •7th-8th: coach freely during scrimmage; players are ready to process in-play feedback
02“Every touch counts”
Small-sided games (3v3, 4v4) give dramatically more ball contacts per player. We use the smallest format appropriate for each age.
What this looks like on the field
- •If 12 players show up, you run three 4v4 games, not one 6v6
- •Every player has a ball during warmups
- •If someone is standing around, we redesign the activity
03“Mistakes are the curriculum”
Coaches praise effort and creative risk. All feedback is framed as improvement, not failure. The only bad play is the safe one they were afraid to try.
What this looks like on the field
- •A player tries a new move and loses the ball
- •The coach says: "I love that you tried that. Next time, drop your shoulder to sell the fake."
- •Never: "Why did you do that?"
04“Match the message to the mind”
Coach to where kids ARE developmentally. A 6-year-old gets 30-second demonstrations. A 12-year-old gets whiteboard sessions.
What this looks like on the field
- •K-1st: show, don't tell. Keep instructions under 30 seconds
- •4th-5th: use simple diagrams and positional handouts
- •7th-8th: player-led tactical discussions
05“Support the whole player”
Give them choices. Make challenges achievable. Make sure they belong. When kids feel in control, capable, and connected, they stay in sport.
What this looks like on the field
- •"Which game should we play next?" Give choices
- •Make sure every kid has a partner
- •Check in with the quiet ones
- •Celebrate the kid who tried, not just the kid who scored
06“Compete through development”
Development IS the path to competitive success. We build winners by building complete players first. The programs that develop best, compete best.
What this looks like on the field
- •Lead with "What did you improve today?" then talk about the game
- •Halftime: two things we did well, one thing to try
- •Focus on process and preparation, not just the scoreboard
07“Delay specialization”
Multi-sport participation through at least age 12. Rotate positions across the development years. Specialization comes later than most coaches think.
What this looks like on the field
- •K-4th: full rotation, everyone plays everywhere. No one is "the striker" yet
- •5th-6th: preferences begin, but every player experiences at least 3 positions per season
- •7th-8th: players know 2-3 positions well; no one plays the same spot every game
- •All ages: encourage other sports
4 Developmental Pillars
Every session plan, every development goal, every assessment touches all four pillars. No pillar gets left behind.
Technical
Ball mastery, passing, shooting, first touch, 1v1 moves. The foundation of everything.
- K-1st: Ball familiarity, sole rolls, toe taps, inside/outside dribble
- 2nd-4th: Scissors, step-over, Cruyff turn, passing accuracy
- 5th-6th: Driven pass, crossing, finishing placement vs. power
- 7th-8th: Combination play, wall passes, through balls, weak foot
Tactical
Understanding the game: when to pass, where to move, how to defend as a team.
- K-1st: Spatial awareness and direction of play
- 2nd-4th: Support the ball, basic shape (2-3-1), build-out line
- 5th-6th: Pressing triggers, transitions, 9v9 formations
- 7th-8th: Zonal defending, overlaps, set pieces, game management
Physical
Running, jumping, changing direction, and staying healthy. Matched to what their bodies are ready for at each age.
- K-1st: General movement (skipping, hopping, balancing) with a ball
- 2nd-4th: Best age for quickness and reaction time
- 5th-6th: FIFA 11+ Kids warmup, peak agility training age
- 7th-8th: ACL prevention for girls, strength after growth spurt
Mental & Social
Confidence, resilience, teamwork, leadership. The skills that keep kids in sport.
- K-1st: Fun over everything. Does your child want to come back?
- 2nd-4th: Growth mindset. Praise effort over ability
- 5th-6th: Self-assessment, navigating friendships and status
- 7th-8th: Player-led warmups, tactical input, leadership
Our Promise to Parents
These are not aspirations. They are concrete commitments backed by our curriculum, our training, and our bylaws.
- Your child touches the ball hundreds of times per session, not standing in lines
- Every coach gets the same playbook: session plans, coaching cues, and development goals for their age group
- Every term and concept is explained in plain language on our website
- Playing time is equitable: minimum 50% per game (FYS bylaws, Article XI)
- We encourage multi-sport participation; soccer is not the only path
- We measure success by effort, improvement, and love of the game
See the philosophy in action