[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css_animation=”left-to-right”]ASC How to Coach U9:U10
U9/U10 General Characteristics:
Mental/Psychological (Cognitive)
- Lengthened attention span
- Ability to sequence thought and actions, begin to think in advance of the ball, anticipate
- Ability to remember, follow more complex instructions and solve high-level problems (e.g., simple combination play)
- Developing ability to focus and stay on task
- More understanding of time and space relations, beginning to think of when and where to move with and without the ball
Physical (Psychomotor)
- Gain tremendous amount of physical strength, endurance and power (related to body size and muscle mass)
- Motor performance includes a variety of takes that require speed, balance, flexibility, explosive strength, muscular endurance
- Pace actor is developing
- Gross and small fine motor skills becoming refined
- Children are in linear growth mode (head to toe)
- Height can approach 5 feet and weight can approach 80 pounds
Social (Psychosocial)
- Self-concept and body image are important
- Less sensitive but still dislike personal failure in front of peers
- Begin to initiate play on their own, want to play
- Becoming more serious about their play
- Included more toward small group and team activities
- Peer group attachment and pressure becoming significant
- Adults outside the family become influential
- Gender difference becoming more apparent
- Team becomes increasingly important
Components of the Game for U9/U10 Players (in priority order):
Technical: Running with the ball (at speed, under pressure), passing, heading, instep drive (shooting, crossing), receiving ground and air balls, throw-in, moves in dribbling, tackling, goalkeeping skills (ready stance, “W” grip, hold after save, catch shots, punt, throw, goal kicks)
Psychological: Working in groups of 3-6, stay focused for entire half, learn how to win/lose/draw gracefully, sportsmanship, how to handle parental involvement, communication, emotional management
Physical: Endurance, range of motion, flexibility, proper warm up, introduce cool-down
Tactical: Roles of 1st attacker and defender, roles of 2nd attackers and defenders, 2v1 attacking (simple combinations), man-to-man defending, throw-ins, restarts, set plays, setting up walls
Coaching Tips:
- Coach is a patient and motivating teacher
- Coach has ability to understand and demonstrate technique
- Coaches provide environments/activities conducive to problem-solving and decision-making by the players; use guided discovery method
- General rule of thumb is four players, one ball (except for dribbling)
- Begin introducing principles of attack (penetration, support, and improvisation/creativity) and principles of defense (recovery, pressure, cover)
- Sessions should be thematic (dribbling, passing, receiving, shooting)
- Light coaching on simple technique
- Include small-sided directional games (1v1, 2v1, 2v2, 3v2, 3v3)
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