Covington Youth Soccer Association

Stages & Characteristics of Player Development

Characteristics of the U6 Player:

Kids have to move constantly – learn by doing, not by lecture
Process small bits of information, long sequential instructions are not processed
Focus only on the ball, ignore team mates, opponents, fans; game is often 1 vs 5 (player against the other team and his own team mates)
Don’t care about boundaries
Movement goes forward
Body segments grow at different rates – appendages develop last
Minimal differences in boys and girls
Weight range 30 -50 lbs for boys and girls
Boys height range 35-44”, Girl’s height range 37-45”
Motor development progresses from head to feet and from center outward
Easy fatigue, rapid recovery, heart rate about 90 bpm
Emphasis in training – movement skills (increase use of all body parts)
Locomotion: walking, running, leaping, jumping, hopping
Non-locomotor movements: bending, stretching, twisting, pulling, pushing
Basic manipulative: throwing, catching, striking
Need to explore qualities of rolling and bouncing ball
Difficulty tracking objects in flight – don’t throw balls in at this age
Immature understanding of time (don’t know how long an hour is) and space (don’t know how long 10 yards is)
Rules must be simple
Egocentric – see world only through their eyes – often play next to each other, not with each other
Need generous praise to play without pressure
Do not have a concept of “team” – passing and defense are often accidental
Play with high degree of imagination and pretend activities
Most influential person is most likely mother or significant parent

Characteristics of the U8 Player:

Skeletal system is still growing – growth plates near joints can be injured
Cardiovascular system less efficient than adult - child peaks sooner and recovers slower
Temperature regulation is less efficient than adults - child elevates core body temp more quickly and takes longer to cool down than adult
There is perceivable improvement in pace and coordination from U6 to U8 however the immaturity of a U-8’s physical ability is obvious
Limited ability to attend to more than one task at a time – simply controlling the ball leaves little capacity for making tactical decisions
Movement is forward and backward
Limited experience with personal evaluation; effort synonymous with performance regardless of the actual performance
Very fragile self-concept and body image
Very sensitive; negative comments carry great weight
Approval seeking
Play soccer because it’s fun, intrinsically motivated
Their universe has expanded to the neighborhood
Playmates will prefer small group activities
Will share ball with close playmates
Team identity starts to immerge
Desire for everyone to like them
Most influential person is most likely father or significant parent

Characteristics of the U10 Player:

Gross and motor skills becoming more refined
Boys and girls begin to develop at different rates
Boys constantly moving and poking; girls pace themselves
Will listen to instructions
Can anticipate the ball – abstract thinking
Movement is forward, backward, sideways
Ability to stay on task is lengthened
Greater diversity in playing ability, physical maturity (more, mature have stonger motor skills)
Still more prone to heat injury than adults
Accelerated heat loss increases their risk of hypothermia
Attention span lengthened, ability to sequence thoughts and actions
Pace factor starts to develop (starting to think ahead)
More inclined towards wanting to play than being told to play
Demonstrate increased self-responsibility (bring water and ball, tuck in jersey, pull up socks)
Starting to recognize fundamental tactical concepts such as changing direction of ball but not sure why
Repetition of technique very important but must be dynamic not static
May initiate play on their own
Continued positive reinforcement needed
Explanations must still be brief, concise, and indicate purpose
Becoming more serious about “their play”
Peer pressure starting to be a factor
Prefer identification with team (uniform, balls, equipment)
Adult outside of the family may take on added significance

Characteristics of the U12 Player:

Pubescence begins at age 10 (7-14) and age 12 (9-16) for boys
Strength building activities require overloading muscles more than endurance
Activities – still too young for strength training
Flexibility training key to prevention of injury
High intensity programs that fail to stress skill development, learning and fun will produce overuse injuries, burnout and high attrition
Begin to develop abilities to sustain complex coordinated skill sequences
Increased ability to acquire and apply knowledge
Movement and abstract thought extend 360 degrees
Use of systematic approach to problem solving, game must present the opportunity to think creatively and solve problems while moving
More TV and video, less structured play
Spend more time with friends and less time with parents
Popularity influences self-esteem
Whether a child enters puberty early or late has important psychological effects
Susceptible to peer pressure
Developing conscience, morality and value scale