[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css_animation=”left-to-right”]ASC How to Coach U5:U6
U5/U6 General Characteristics:
Mental/Psychological (Cognitive)
- Physical and psychological development of boys and girls are quite similar
- Individually oriented (me, my, mine), egocentric
- Only understand simple rules
- Can process small bits of information
- Short attention span – tends to one task at a time
- Limited understanding of time and space
- Sensitive – easily bruised psychologically – need generous praise
- Love to use their imagination, pretend
Physical (Psychomotor)
- Constantly in motion – love to run, jump, roll and climb
- No sense of pace – go flat out, 100%
- Easily fatigued with rapid recovery
- Body lacks older person’s ability to regulate in different temperatures so may not be aware of body needing water, shade, or rest
- Eye-hand and/or eye-foot coordination is primitive at best – not ready for bouncing or flighted balls
- Physical coordination is immature – can balance on dominate foot
- Controlling the ball is a complex task
- Prefer large soft balls and foam balls
- Catching skills not yet developed
- Love to run, jump, fall, and roll
- Typically 36-40 inches tall
- Typically weigh 30-50 pounds
Social (Psychosocial)
- Love to show off
- Little or no real concern for team activities
- Influential person in their life is primary caregiver, often Mom
- Like to mimic goofy actions
Components of the Game for U5/U6 Players (in priority order):
Physical: Introduce the idea of how to warm-up and movement education. Begin education about nutrition with players and parents. Balance, walking, running, how to start and stop, jumping, hopping, rolling, skipping, changing direction, bending, twisting, and reaching.
Technical: Dribbling (stop and start), kicking, and catching. Experiment with the qualities of a rolling ball.
Psychological: Sharing, fair play, parental involvement, “how to play,” and emotional management.
Tactical: Where is the field? The concept of boundary lines, at which goal to shoot, and playing with the ball wherever it may go (rolling away, rolling toward).
Coaching Tips:
- Coach is a facilitator, friendly, helpful, organizer, motivator
- Coach should be patient, enthusiastic, and imaginative
- General rule of thumb is one ball per player
- Give brief directions, repeat as needed
- Use visual demonstrations
- Many activities of short duration
- Lots of water breaks
- Emphasize familiarity and confidence with the ball
- Activities must be imaginative
- Activities should include all players
- Light coaching on simple techniques
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