U6 AGE GROUP CHARACTERISTICS AND THEIR IMPLICATIONS 

U6 Characteristics

1. Physically immature
2. Fatigue easily but recover rapidly
3. Short attention span
4. Their play involves a high degree of imagination and pretend activities
5.  Egocentric – they have a “me-me” attitude
6. They do not understand group/collective play, though they may say they do

 Implications for Training

1. Must develop fundamental movement skills:walking,running,jumping,hopping, bending,stretching,twisting,pulling,pushing,throwing,catching,striking
2. Teach how to strike the ball properly – “kicking”
3. Teach how to dribble the ball properly
4. Be sure everyone has a ball with which to train
5. Tactics: the proper goal to attack and the proper goal to defend

 U8 AGE GROUP CHARACTERISTICS AND THEIR  TRAINING

U8 Characteristics

1. Still physically immature
2. Similar fatigue, recovery rate, and attention span as U6’s
3. They equate effort with performance
4. More inclined toward small group activities
5. Have a limited team identity (I play on Melissa’s team.”)

 Implications for Training

1. Continue to develop fundamental movement skills (walking, running, jumping, hopping; bending, stretching, twisting, pulling/pushing; throwing, catching, striking)
2. Continue to teach how to dribble, kick, and control the ball properly – players are still not ready for deep, technical instruction
3. Introduce pair work
4. Introduce spacing and relationship to opponents
5. Tactics: when we have the ball, we all attack; when they have the ball, we all defend.

U10 AGE GROUP CHARACTERISTICS AND THEIR TRAINING

U10 Characteristics

1. Gross and small motor skills are becoming more refined
2. Beginning to think ahead in terms of pace
3. Lengthened attention span
4. More team-oriented
5. Peer pressure starting to be a factor

Implications for Training

1. Dynamic, technical repetition is crucial, ie., fun and active skill-oriented games
2. They should demonstrate their creative abilities on and off the ball (“scheming”)
3. Challenge players to solve problems on the field themselves
4. PLAY is critical – don’t lecture, get activities started quickly
5. Tactics: support in attack, cover in defense, and immediate transition

 U12 AGE GROUP CHARACTERISTICS AND THEIR  TRAINING

U12 Characteristics

1. Variety of physical changes – growth spurts, awkwardness
2. Developing ability to sustain complex coordinated skill sequences
3. Can think well in advance of the ball and recognize width and depth – though acquired at different rates
4. A systematic approach to problem solving appears
5. Developing a conscience, morality, and scale of values

 Implications for Training

1. Full-field training
2. Needs to be “comfortable on the ball” – technically proficient in basic techniques
3. Repetition in training is appropriate
4. More significant time commitment in terms of training and games
5. Tactics: penetration in attack, delay in defense