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U6 Player Characteristics

(From "Jeff Pill's Online Drills" at http://eteamz.active.com/soccer/pills/u-8.htm.)

  • 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.