U-6 YOUTH SOCCER TEAM

Vacaville Ladybugs

THE U-6 PLAYER

CHARACTERISTICS OF U - 6 PLAYERS

	Short attention span.
	Can attend to only one problem at a time.
	May understand simple rules that are explained briefly and demonstrated.
	May or may not understand or remember: what lines mean on the field; what team they are on; what goal they are going for. We need to be patient and laugh with them as they get 'lost' on the field.
	Easily bruised psychologically. Shout praise often. Give "hints", don't criticize.
	Need generous praise and to play without pressure. No extrinsic rewards (trophies, medals, etc.) should be given for winning.
	Prefer "parallel play" (Will play on a team, but will not really engage with their teammates. Thus, a 3 against 3 game is, in reality, a 1 against 5 game because they all want the ball at the same time.
	Very individually oriented (me, mine, my).
	Constantly in motion, but, with no sense of pace. They will chase something until they drop. They are easily fatigued but recover rapidly.
	Development for boys and girls are quite similar.
	Physical coordination limited. Eye - hand and eye - foot coordination is not developed.
	Need to explore qualities of a rolling ball.
	Love to run, jump, roll, hop, etc..
	Prefer large, soft balls.
	Catching or throwing skills not developed.
	Can balance on their "good" foot.

Written by Jeff Pill, NHSA Director of Coaching. Special thanks to Dr. Thomas Fleck and the National Youth Coaching Staff, Bill Buren, Dr. David Carr, Dr. Ronald Quinn, Virgil Stringfield