1	Dacula Soccer Club Characteristics of the Youth Player
2	References USSF National Youth License Course Lawrence, Indiana June 2005
3	“Tions” of Effective Coaching Preparation Organization Explanation Demonstration Participation Correction Evaluation Reflection
4	Coaching Activities Checklist Are the activities fun? Are the activities organized? Are the players involved?…no lines! Is creativity and decision making being used? Are the spaces used appropriate? Is the coaches feedback appropriate? Are there implications for the game?
5	Types of Development Psychomotor: Athletic Ability Cognitive: Receive, process, and act on information Psychosocial: Interaction with others ** There can be a 1-3 year difference in all areas of development. Not all of your players will be at the same point.
6	Three Questions for Youth Soccer Coaches 1. Are we training children appropriately for their age? Psychomotor, Cognitive, and Psychosocial development 2. Are we training children as miniature adults? 3. Are we allowing children to make “soccer decisions” on their own or are we constantly “telling” them what to do?
7	General Characteristics of the U6 Player Short Attention Span Tend to only one task at a time in problem solving situations Most are individually oriented (me, my, mine) Constant motion- Go all out until fatigued. No sense of pace. May verbalized “team”, but have no real concern for team activities Eye-hand/Eye-foot coordination primitive See world only from their perspective: Often demonstrated through “parallel play”
8	Typical U6 Training Session Should not exceed 60 minutes Every player should have a ball Warm-up: (20 minutes) Movement Skills/Soccer-nastics **Running, hopping, jumping, twisting, throwing, catching, striking the ball. Dribbling activities Games/Activities: (20 minutes) Body awareness/Maze Games Dribbling Activities Finish with 3v3 or 4v4: (20 minutes) No Keepers U6 Tactical Sign: ------------------> ONE WAY!!
9	Some Activities for U6 Simple Rules…Emphasis on Fun! Ball Master Red-light/Green-light Tunnel Simon Says King of the Balls Cone knockdown I can do this…can you? “Ouch” Sharks/Minnows Dribble Maze/Gates 3v3 “the game”
10	Three moves for U6 Players The “pull back” Place one foot on ball and roll back in opposite direction The “cut back” Use inside of foot to turn ball in another direction The “chop” Use outside of foot to turn ball in another direction (very difficult for most U6 players)
11	General Characteristics of the U8 Player Attention span a bit longer than U6 players Greater inclination for group activities Still anxious and full of energy. Great need for approval from adults Ridicule from coach in front of group is very destructive Some team identity…”I play on the tigers”…”I play on coach Bill’s team” Sport heroes are becoming important. Imitation is common Still lack sense of pace… Go Flat Out Until They Drop
12	Typical U8 Training Session Should not exceed one hour Warm-up: (15 minutes) One player per ball Soccernastics Activities: (25 minutes) Introduce Partner Activities (cognitive development) Passing in pairs etc. Mixture of individual and partner activities Maze games Introduce target games Finish with 4v4…”the game”: (20 minutes) U8 Tactical Sign: <-------------------> “Change of direction”
13	Some Activities for U8 Players Partner Activities Ball Master: In pairs Passing in Pairs Partner Gates Juggling Follow the leader while dribbling Continue individual dribbling skills Target games Knockout: Inclusion…use two squares Boss of the Balls 4v4…”the game”
14	Three moves for the U8 Player The “V” Place foot on top of ball. Pull ball back and turn 45-90 degrees (V shape turn) Sole Rolls Player rolls ball in various directions using the soles of the feet only Scissors Ex: Outside of right foot circles the ball. Step past the ball and play ball with outside of left foot
15	General Characteristics of the U10 Player Motor skills become more refined Greater diversity in playing ability Rapid gains in performance movement skills common Lengthened attention span Pace factor becoming developed. They are starting to think ahead. Intrinsically motivated to play Beginning to recognize basic tactical concepts such as changing direction of the ball Repetitive technique is very important…Dynamic, not static!
16	General Characteristics of the U10 Player Continued positive reinforcement needed Brief, concise, and purposeful explanations Peer pressure is significant Some are becoming more serious about their play Team identification important…team oriented
17	Typical U10 Training Session Should not exceed 1 hour and 15 minutes Warm-up (15 min) Individual ball skills Partner and small group activities (groups of 3-4) Stretching Activities (25 min) Add more direction to games Play to targets or to zones 6v6…”the game” (25 min) Cool down activities (10 min) U10 Tactical Sign: Awareness of width and direction!
18	Some Activities for U10 Players Ball Master: groups of 3-4 3v1 triangle game 3v1 inside of grid 4v4 to targets 4v4 to end zones Team Knockout 4v4…”best diamond” 6v6…”the game”
19	Three moves for the U10 Player The Step-over Ex: Bring the inside of the right foot around ball. Plant foot and play ball with the outside of same foot 180 degree turn Also can be done by pivoting and playing the ball with the left foot The “Cryuff” Ex: Step past ball with left foot. Play ball in opposite direction with right foot (behind leg) Begin to combine two or more moves together Increase speed of all moves
20	References USSF National Youth License Course Lawrence, Indiana June, 2005