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• Do we have realistic expectations for our players?
• Does our philosophy reflect the age as well as their physical and psychological maturity? 

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For U-10 thru U-14 Players

• activities for children's participation which focus on involvement with the ball and insure fun
• every player has a ball for practice
• players exposed to playing every position
• rules and equipment modification according to the players age group
• activities designed to maximize the number of touches on the ball and refine their technical abilities
• activities designed to introduce and increase the opportunities for tactical awareness
• de-emphasize winning and losing, emphasize player development
• appropriate balance between training and competition

For U-15 and above Players

• activities that players want to participate in because they are enjoyable
• every player has a ball for training
• activities designed to maximize the number of touches by each player at practice
• rule modifications for players in U-17 (40 minute halves)
• training sessions designed to increase tactical awareness
• training sessions designed to improve players technical abilities and their tactical application
• competition
• educate the players to not only the technical, tactical, physical and psychological demands of the game for their level, but also educate them to develop an appreciation for the game.

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• Children are not defined by chronological age only
• Each child matures and develops at their own pace
• Treat each child as an individual
• Not all children participate for the same reasons

Characteristics of U-6 thru U-8 Children

• short attention span
• inclined more toward individual activities
• constantly in motion
• very sensitive (dislike personal failure in front of peers)
• beginning to develop physical coordination (improved sense of balancing skills)
• like to run, jump, climb and roll
• acquisition of sports heroes (imitation)
• no sense of pace - full speed all the time

Characteristics of U-10 thru U-12 Children

• lengthened attention span
• still in motion but not so busy
• psychologically becoming more firm
• boys and girls beginning to develop separately
• motor skills becoming more refined
• pace factor becoming developed (do think ahead)

Characteristics of U-13 and U-14

• enjoys competition
• psychological development has progressed
• team work has improved
• coordination has improved
• technical competency has improved
• development of speed and strength
• problem solving can take place with teammates
• self-appearance and peer pressure are a concern
• varying stages of puberty for both boys and girls:   through age 10 group co-ed teams can exist without disadvantage, thereafter single gender teams are more suitable
• sense of belonging, achievement and accomplishment
• displays independence and is self-critical
• aware of praise, status and recognition

Characteristics For Adolescence (ages 15 through 23)

• covers a wide range of ages
• transition from childhood to adulthood
• biological, cultural and psychological transition
• strive for personal identity and a self-definition
• time of wanting to be independent and making own decisions
• conflicting influences at times between parents and peers
• age of accepting responsibility and being held accountable
• high expectations of themselves
• need to belong, to be accepted
• have idea of being invincible, take chances because they believe nothing can happen to them
• what is their role at times, child or adult?
• development of value that will govern their lives
• occupational orientation for the future
• decrease in the number of extracurricular activities that they participate in, but increased involvement in those chosen activities

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Training Sessions

Games per Week

• For all age groups we recommend one game per week

Laws, Field Size and Length of Game

• See modified laws for U-8, U-10

Size of Ball

• U-6 and U-8  =  size 3
• U-10 and U-12  =  size 4
• U-14  =  size 5

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