Koach Karl Dewazien > Coaching > U-6


The SIX YEAR old player INTRODUCTORY YEARS ‘The SIX YEAR old player profile INDEPENDENCE LEVEL They have no soccer background. They need others to learn from. You are their role model. You must teach. PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT Bones are immature Rapid growth in large muscles. Growth in height is more pronounced than weight. Girls will be one year ahead in physical development. SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT They need and want supervision of their activities. They do not compete but merely imitate competition. They exhibit sudden shifts in behavior from bad to good. Boys will fight and wrestle – demonstrating masculinity They have a very difficult time cooperating with others. Self-centeredness and boastfulness beginning to decline. They enjoy group play – show preference for small groups. Group members are continuously changing because of quarrels. Boys and girls play together readily –but, for short period of time. They want approval but do not seek it as actively as those who are younger. INTELLECTUAL DEVELOPMENT � They are interested in learning. Playing soccer is stimulating for them. Most know their right side from their left. They like structure and are willing to apply rules. They are aware of rules governing cooperative play – simple rules only. UNDERSTANDING Don’t bother placing them into positions – they will play bunch ball. Gradually introduce them to play in larger groups – Begin with 1 vs. 1 game. They will play at soccer by imitating rather than playing soccer. Bunch ball. Games should not be too complex or too long in duration… Lack of skill and Lack of interest. UNDER-6’ FIFA WORLD FOOTBALL YOUTH ACADEMY AT THIS AGE, A CHILD DOES NOT NEED THE FIXED DIMENSIONS OF A PLAYING FIELD. A SAFE PLAYING AREA WILL DO. AT THIS STAGE, EVERY GAME ON AN UNRESTRICTED AREA DEPENDS ON THE IMAGINATION OF CHILDREN WHO VERY OFTEN TRANSFORM IT INTO ACTION. THE CHOICE OF THE BALL IS VERY IMPORTANT. IN SIZE AND STRUCTURE IT MUST BE ADJUSTED TO A CHILD’S PHYSICAL CAPACITIES. HIS DEXTERITY WITH THE BALL DEVELOPS SLOWLY AND ONLY WHEN THE BALL IS NEITHER TOO BIG NOR TOO HEAVY. OTHERWISE IT IS NO FUN. IN TIME, THE CHILD WHO IS STILL ENTITLED TO PLAY FREELY WILL CONTROL HIS PLAYING AREA WITH THE BALL. IN THIS AGE GROUP IT’S FUN BEING ACTIVE. A RHYTHM EVOLVES AS THE BALL GOES TO AND FRO. WHEN A CHILD BECOMES TIRED AND CAN NO LONGER CONCENTRATE, HE WILL SIT DOWN. AND HE WILL START AGAIN WHEN HE WANTS TO. MOMENTS OF EFFORT ARE AUTOMATICALLY FOLLOWED BY RELAXATION AND REST. AT THIS STAGE, A CHILD IS VERY EGOCENTRIC. HE IS ESPECIALLY CONCERNED WITH HIMSELF. THE BALL BECOMES HIS VERY OWN POSSESSION WHICH HE UNWILLINGLY SHARES. THE CHILD HARDLY NEEDS ANY INSTRUCTIONS. HE IS SELF-CRITICAL AND WILL FIND A SOLUTION HIMSELF IF HE DOESN’T SUCCEED. HE WILL REPEAT AN ACTION OF HIS OWN ACCORD. WHEN PRACTICING, THE EMPHASIS LIES WITH THE PLEASURE OF PLAYING WITH THE BALL. THE CHILD LEARNS TO CONTROL IT. THIS IS THE HIDDEN START TO PERSONALLY CONTROLLING THE BALL.