Characteristics of U6Soccer Players
Pre-K, Kindergarten, 1st Grade
Physical Development
Mental Development
Social Development
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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?