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Coaching U6 Soccer

Focusing on the Fundamentals of Soccer

Tactical

U6 soccer tactics should not be an area of emphasis at this age group. While the coach needs to be aware of the soccer formations and positions for this level of play, other than an introductory explanation of setting up the players on the soccer field. Players at this age are not mentally aware of concepts like time and space, which makes trying to teach tactics a futile endeavor. The important aspect is that all players should have the opportunity to play all positions.

U6 Soccer Tactics

Fitness

U6 soccer fitness and nutrition is important for a coach to understand. Players are not physically developed enough to make fitness a priority. There is no sense of pace, which means these players rocket around the field as hard as they can for as long as they can and then must stop. The implication is that players need to be substituted frequently and provided with ample water breaks during practice and matches. A ritual at this age is “End of Game Snacks” for the team. We think this is a great team bonding experience and should be encouraged.

U6 Soccer Fitness

Technical

Developing soccer skills is where a U6 coach earns his stripes. You are setting the table to succeed at the game with this foundation. Almost all practice time and energy should go into developing comfort on the ball focusing on dribbling skills and agility exercises to create athletic players. At U6, players are marginally capable of playing a game that looks like soccer. Don’t let that frustrate you! Focus on the building blocks, having fun while experiencing ample success which will turn your players onto the game!

U6 Soccer Skills

Psychological

U6 soccer players are fragile people. They constantly crave acceptance and approval. As a coach, this is important to know in forming groups, being careful to celebrate successes while minimizing social embarrassment. Players attention span is short, so you must keep players active and avoid lines at all cost. Frequent changes that present new challenges keep games fresh and players engaged. Players “not listening” at this age is an indication that the activity is not fun or engaging, so change it!

U6 Player Psychology

Team Management

Team Management at U6 breaks down into part coach, part administrator and all cheerleader! If we keep the player in focus, we’ll keep our sessions fun and interesting while on the building blocks of soccer success. Managing parent expectations and communicating with them is paramount to your success since players are not capable of having that interaction with you. Remember, parents are simply advocating for their child, so communicate, communicate, communicate. And, most of all, be the biggest most enthusiastic cheerleader for your team. This aspect trumps soccer knowledge – turn the kids onto the game!

U6 Team Management


Soccer Skills

Find Fun Soccer Drills that Will Challenge your Players

Soccer Coaching Blog
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Area of Soccer:
Psychological

Goalkeeping: Is There a ‘Right’ Age to Start?

There are clearly many myths surrounding youth team goalkeeping. The obvious (outdated) of course is that it is only ever the largest, overweight, tallest, last to be picked, most unpopular, perceived worst outfield or indeed craziest kid who gets ‘stuck’ in goal. This is not and should never be the case. But, how should this be handled?

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Area of Soccer:
Team Management

Five Awesome Things My Disobedient Dog Taught Me About Being a Great Coach

When I finished college, my friends approached me about taking their Golden Retriever/Lab mix. With a second newborn and 900 square feet of duplex to share, it was just overwhelming. I didn’t realize when I took on the challenge of Kita that she was singlehandedly putting me through “Coach’s Boot Camp.”

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Area of Soccer:
Team Management

The Dilemma of Finding Great Soccer Volunteers

Volunteers are the lifeblood of the soccer community. But with 90% of parents willing to sit on the sidelines and do nothing because they’re “too busy” or “don’t know soccer”, we’re regularly burning out our volunteers. Soccer Classroom examines the root causes and proposes an innovative solution.

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Area of Soccer:
Team Management

My Bonehead Coaching Mistake (and how it changed my life)

As a young, straight out of college know-it-all hotshot player and first-time coach, I made a bonehead coaching move in the second game that caused me to lose my self-respect. Luckily, the mistake also provided me my greatest lesson.

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Area of Soccer:
Team Management

How to Build a Great Soccer Player

Listen to this quick interview where he speaks about the three components to build a great soccer player – the answer will probably surprise most parents and coaches. I think it’s also important to note the ages he mentions in identifying players…

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Area of Soccer:
Team Management

Dealing with Devastating Defeat

Defeat is major part of any sporting endeavor. There is a winner. There is a loser. Well, unless of course you tie, but that’s a bit like kissing your sister. No matter the quality of your team it is certain that you will face a difficult loss. As coach, it is your job to pick [...]

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Area of Soccer:
Tactical

Teaching Positions to U6 Players is a Big Fat Waste of Time

Sometimes well-intended coaches take tons of practice time lining up their players on the field like pieces in a World Chess Championship. What’s the end result? A big fat waste of time! Understanding the capabilities of the U6 player, we know that players at this age group have: No sense of direction No sense of [...]

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Area of Soccer:
Fitness

Soccer Coaching Made Dead Simple: The CoachingSphere

We developed the CoachingSphere as a framework to help you visualize your role as coach and to cultivate the best development of players and teams. The five areas are: team management, player psychology, technical skills & drills, soccer tactics and fitness & nutrition. Utilizing this framework enables us to easily break down each of the [...]

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Area of Soccer:
Team Management

Common Problems and Solutions for U6 Soccer Teams

Problem #1: Players are bunching up Analysis: Perfectly normal! Players do not understand space and are totally selfish. Their only focus it to “get the ball.” Solution: Emphasize activities where every player has a ball. Smile, laugh and get ready to say, “Spread out.” Problem #2: Players dribble with their head down Analysis: Well, if [...]

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Area of Soccer:
Team Management

Understanding your U6 Soccer Team

Congratulations, Coach! You raised your hand. Now what? Here is a quick snapshot of the U6 soccer team you’re about to start coaching. Players at this age have an active imagination – use it to your benefit. When choosing a drill, create a story around the activity to make it more fun and interesting and [...]

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