Player Development: Age Group Differences in Terms of Physical & Mental Development
U6 (4 & 5 year olds)
- move constantly
- learn by doing, not by listening
- focus on the toy (ball) and rarely share
- don’t understand concept of teamwork
- passing and defense are often accidental
- focus on movement forward
U8 (6 & 7 year olds)
- more coordination
- concentration devoted almost entirely on controlling ball
- little capacity for tactics
- will share toy (ball) with playmates
- rudimentary passing and defense skills
- focus on attach forward and defense in reverse direction
U10 (8 & 9 year olds)
- coordination and movement more refined
- can anticipate the ball (abstract thought)
- longer attention span
- ability to sequence thoughts and actions
- can play (and think) forward, backward, and sideways
- more serious about “their play”
- increased self-responsibility
- identify with team
U12 (10 & 11 year olds)
