Why U6 Players Start to Play Soccer

Some under 6's have been playing for a year or two with their elder siblings, cousins, or friends, but most that are joining a league, are just starting to play this wonderful game of soccer. In most cases the children are joining a league because their parents want them to get involved in a sport, and some actually hear that their friends are going to play and ask mom or dad if they can too.

So now what...

Watching U6 players in a game of soccer is a great experience and as a coach you need to understand the players more then you do the sport at this stage. After all; soccer is a team sport and U6's are not used to sharing. In a developmental game you will have 6 players, 2 goals and 1 ball; suddenly every player thinks the ball is theirs and you now have a new game called "Beehive Soccer". The players swarm on the ball and head towards a goal and yes; they may be heading towards the goal with the ball, which they should be defending.

So How Does a Coach Teach a U6 Player?

As a Coach the first thing you need to understand is that your players are 6 years old. I know this sounds silly, but you would be surprised as to how many coaches come into this thinking they need to teach a U6 player everything in the first season so they can follow in the footsteps of a Michael Owen, Alexi Lalas, or Pele.

The best way to coach a U6 team is to create a practice that incorporates a lot of FUN activities/games. If you do this they will learn without even realizing it and your job as a coach will become much easier.

Check with your Director of Coaches and/or your State Association for information on Novice or Youth Module Clinic's that they may be running in your area.

Until then you are free to view our activities for U6's which you can incorporate into your practice sessions.

A Typical Practice Session

A U6 Practice Session should only be held once a week and it should be no longer then 35 - 45 minutes.

1. Start with some warm up activities which should incorporate movement (Dynamic Stretching), with and without the ball (approx. 4 - 6 minutes)
2. Plan for some SIMPLE, but FUN games and activities for individual players with and without the ball (approx. 4 - 6 minutes)
3. Make games more challenging but not to complex (approx 6 - 8 minutes)
   • NOTE: Remember not to make things to complicated.....they are ONLY 6
4. Progress to 2 players working together (approx 8 - 10 minutes)
5. Play 3 v 3 soccer as you would play in a game on game day (approx. 10 minutes)
   
6. Cool down with Dynamic Stretching (approx. 3 - 5 minutes)

• A Ball
• Shin Guards
• Water or Juice (NOT carbonated water, juice or soda)
• Cleats or Sneakers
  

What Every Coach Should Bring to Practice

Players and parents will occassionally forget to bring what is required for practice and/or games, so it is always a good idea to bring the following:

• Extra Balls
• Ball Pump
• Bibs/Pennies
• Additional Water or Juice
  
  • Don't forget to bring paper cups too, and please remember to pick up your trash
• Disc's or Cones
  
  • Its always a good idea to have more then one color for visual effects
• First Aid Kit
  • Ice bags, bandades, gauze pads, non-latex gloves, zip-lock bag (to dispose of any used items - please dispose of correctly)