1. Characteristics of U6 Soccer Players Pre-K, Kindergarten, 1st Grade Physical Development Mental Development Social Development

2. What ever happened to free time?

3. 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

4. Physical Development Easy fatigue, rapid recovery. HR around 90 bpm. Need to explore qualities of rolling and bouncing ball.

5. Physical Development Fundamental movement skills walking, running, leaping, jumping, hopping. throwing,catching, striking, kicking. bending, stretching, twisting, pulling, pushing.

6. In the Bleachers previous dateprevious date | next date | send to a friend | buy a printsend to a friendbuy a print Copyright ©2001 Universal Press Syndicate Published Tuesday 01/29/02

7. 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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9. 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.

11. Social Development Development of self-concept, body awareness, self-image through movement. Egocentric, see world only from their perspective. Demonstrated through parallel play.

12. Social Development Need generous praise. Play without pressure. May verbalize team, but does not understand group or collective play.

13. General Characteristics of Children U6 Short attention span Most individually oriented (me, my, mine) Constantly in motion

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. General Characteristics of Children U6 NO SENSE OF PACE - GO FLAT OUT!!!

18. 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)

19. 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)

20. U6 Tactical Sign This Way or One Way

21. 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?

22. 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?