Characteristics of U6Soccer Players

Pre-K, Kindergarten, 1st Grade

Physical Development

Mental Development

Social Development

What ever happened to free time?

Physical Development• Movement Education Approach

• Motor development starts with the head and moves downward to the feet, and from the center of the body outward.

• Differences between boys & girls are minimal

Physical Development

• Easy fatigue, rapid recovery. HR around 90 bpm.

• Need to explore qualities of rolling and bouncing ball.

Physical DevelopmentFundamental movement skills

• walking, running, leaping,

jumping, hopping.

•throwing,catching,

striking, kicking.

• bending, stretching,

twisting, pulling, pushing.

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Published Tuesday 01/29/02

Mental Development

• Play consists of a high degree of imagination and pretend activities.

• Tend to only one task at a time in problem-solving situations.

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Mental Development

• Process small bits of information at a time. Long sequential instructions are not processed.

• Immature understanding of time and space relationships.

• Rules must be simple.

Social Development

• Development of self-concept, body awareness, self-image through movement.

• Egocentric, see world only from their perspective. Demonstrated through parallel play.

Social Development

• Need generous praise. Play without pressure.

• May verbalize team, but does not understand group or collective play.

General Characteristics of Children U6

• Short attention span

• Most individually oriented (me, my, mine)

• Constantly in motion

General Characteristics of Children U6

• Psychologically easily bruised

• Little or no concern for team activities

• Do believe in Santa Claus, but will not discuss with peers

General Characteristics of Children U6

• Physical & psychological development of boys & girls quite similar

• Physical coordination immature

• Eye hand and/or eye foot coordination most primitive at best

General Characteristics of Children U6

• Love to run, jump, roll & climb

• Prefer large soft balls and nerf balls

• Catching skills not developed

• Can balance on good foot

General Characteristics of Children U6

• NO SENSE OF PACE - GO FLAT OUT!!!

Typical U6 Training Session

• Should not exceed 60 minutes

• Every child should have a ball

• Warm-up includes movement education problems & soccernastics (approx. 20 min)

Typical U6 Training Session

• Games Activities, mostly of a body awareness type along with some maze games (20 min.)

• Finish with 3v3 game to small goals, NO GK’s (20 min)

U6 Tactical Sign

This Way or One Way

Coaching Activities Checklist

• Are the activities fun?

• Are the activities organized?

• Are the players involved in the activities?

• Is creativity and decision making being used?

Coaching Activities Checklist

• Are the spaces used appropriate?

• Is the coach’s feedback appropriate?

• Is the coach guiding or controlling the players in the activity?

• Are there implications for the game?