brochure-U6-Marlboro Youth Soccer
brochure-U6-Marlboro Youth Soccer
brochure-U6-Marlboro Youth Soccer
U6 Co-Ed Soccer
www.marlboroyouthsoccer.org
2
U6 Player Development
Typically a U6 player that starts at age 4 will have 4 seasons of play before
he/she moves up to U8’s. A fall and spring season at age 4 and the same at age
5. Our goal is to develop their basic skills so they are prepared to move up to the
next level. We can’t expect these young players to master everything below in a
single season, but taught consistently from season to season they will get it over
time. Keep this in mind as you read through this document.
Transition Considerations
This for many or all of your players is the first exposure to both soccer and
organized sports. They may have no frame of reference or comparative
experiences.
Below is a list of typical expectations and characteristics you can expect from U6
players in the MYS program
Along with making sure players have fun, skills is probably the
most important area for youth players to focus on.
low high
Over the next few pages we will go into the specific elements within each area
that players will be encouraged to learn before entering the next age level.
Players should spend equal time developing both feet – this is very important!!!
It takes many years to be a confident dribbler and the process takes a lot of trial
and error on the part of the young player. In the beginning, there will be a lot
more failed attempts at dribbling than successes in both practices and games,
but be assured that with each attempt to dribble the ball, the player is figuring out
what works and what doesn’t work. As coaches and parents, we need to be
patient with the young players as they learn how to dribble. There will be many
times, especially during games, when we will have the urge to yell “kick it” or
“boot it” to the player, but we should refrain from this as it will likely send the
wrong message and discourage him or her from learning this very important skill
and using it in a game-like environment.
We also need to encourage players in this age group to take risks and be
creative in their dribbling. Ronaldinho and Mia Hamm weren’t able to pull off
their great moves when they were six or eight years old – but they might have
been thinking of those moves at that age!!
Coaches should not try to teach young players about tactics at this age. This will
lead to frustration both for the players and the coach. The focus for U6 players
should be learning technique, especially dribbling. Just let them play!!!
• No Tactics!!!
For players or teams who are the more advanced end of the technical spectrum,
simple introduction to attacking and defending could be introduced. Problem
solving and making decisions for themselves are critical tactical elements in
young players and simple 1 on 1 drills can help introduce these concepts. Below
are some of the tactical skills to focus on at this age-level.
Players could be exposed to these simple tactical scenarios and understand how
to both attack and defend these game contexts.
1 v 1 duels could be incorporated into practice sessions to allow all the players to
get plenty of opportunities to learn how to dribble past an opponent and how to
stop one.
Psychological Development
• Keep it fun and enjoyable!!! This will help foster a desire to play (intrinsic
motivation)
• Need approval from adults
• Need constant positive coaching
• Encourage imagination and creativity
The most important aspect of psychological development for young players in the
U6 age group is for them to have fun. As a coach, you should strive to create an
environment where the players, parents and you, the coach, are all having fun.
Young players are constantly seeking adult approval. As such, positive coaching
is critical for this age group. In addition, positive coaching can help build the
young player’s confidence, which is a very important in their psychological
development.
For some experienced U6 players, they could start recognizing the fact that they
are part of a team and they begin to associate themselves with their team. This is
a great opportunity to start teaching young players about the value of teamwork
and what it means to be part of a team (i.e. trusting your teammates, not
criticizing them, etc.). Certain fun teambuilding activities can be done during
some practices, especially in the beginning of the season when players may not
be familiar with each other.
Physical Development
Mass Youth Soccer week by week practice plans offering proper coaching
technique and example drills.
http://www.mayouthsoccer.org/pages/3611_u6_practice_plans.cfm
Marlborough Youth Soccer has posted other coaching resources available for
download at:
http://www.marlboroyouthsoccer.org/Documents.asp?snid=343615339&org
=marlboroyouthsoccer.org
Coaching Notes
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