Download Characteristics of U6 Soccer Players

Characteristics of U6
Soccer 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 Development
Fundamental movement skills
• walking, running, leaping,
jumping, hopping.
• bending, stretching,
twisting, pulling, pushing.
•throwing,catching,
striking, kicking.
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Copyright
©2001
Universal
Press
Syndicate
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.
Cleats
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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?