U5-U6 Level
Pre-K, K aged children
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For our U5/U6 kids, our main goal is to develop their basic skills so they are prepared to move up to the next level. We can’t expect these young players to master everything in a single season, but taught consistently from season to season they will adapt over time. The most important piece at this age is to have fun! This is the first exposure to both soccer and organized sports for many of our kids. They may have no frame of reference or comparative experiences.
Key Objectives for the U6 NYSA Program · Have fun (players, coaches and parents)
For most U6 Players:
Key Objectives for the U6 NYSA Program · Have fun (players, coaches and parents)
- Get players as many touches on the ball as possible
- Introduce basic skills
- Individual and pairs activities
For most U6 Players:
- They will have never played on a lined field
- Are used to playing with their own ball, not sharing
- Lack the discipline to play any type of formation, mostly swarmball at this age
- Soccer is about scoring goals not defending to them
Typical Characteristics of U6 Players:
Below is a list of typical expectations and characteristics you can expect from U6 players in the NYSA program
Below is a list of typical expectations and characteristics you can expect from U6 players in the NYSA program
- 1. Focused on themselves not the team
- 2. Unable to see the world from another’s perspective, we live in their world, not the other way around
- 3. Everything is in the here and now – they live in the moment
- 4. Heating and cooling systems are not efficient – give frequent water breaks (every 7-10 minutes)
- 5. Enjoy playing, not watching, no lectures – make sure every player has a ball in practice
- 6. Very limited attention span (on average 15 seconds for listening, 10 minutes when engaged in a drill) – keep your directions to the point and have kids "show you"
- 7. If they have tried hard, they believe they have done well. This is a wonderful quality and we all should be supportive of their enthusiasm
- 8. Very active imaginations – if we utilize their imaginations in practice activities, they will love practice
- 9. Seek adult approval – “Coach, look what I can do!”
- 10. Unable to think tactically – asking them to think about space relations or runs off the ball is unrealistic
- 11. Typically have 2 speeds -- extremely fast and stopped, no in between
- 12. Usually unaware of game scores – we should keep it that way
- 13. Often like to fall down just because it is fun – they are just children having fun, move on
- 14. Often cannot identify left foot vs. right foot
Player Development Skills:
- Dribble with all sides of both feet (inside, outside, sole)
- Dribble out of trouble · Dribble past someone · Changes of direction and turns
- Introduction to shielding – Players should develop proper technique to shield the balls from opponents
- Introduction to shooting with both feet (with inside of foot and laces)
- Introduction to passing with inside and outside of both feet
- Players should spend equal time developing both feet – this is very important
- Just play soccer!!