Under 10 Characteristics and Skill Priorities

Skill Priorities:

Technical -

• Further Improvement of U8 Skills (click here for U8 skills)
  
• Passing with inside and outside of both feet
• Shooting with both feet using the laces
  
• Receiving the ball with all parts of body (feet, thigh, and chest)
  
• Defensive Heading

Tactical -

• Basic Attacking Ideas of when to dribble, pass, or shoot
  
• Basic Defending Ideas of when to pressure, support, or cover
  
• Comprehend 1 vs 1 concepts
• Comprehend 2 vs 1 concepts
• Comprehend roles of 1st and 2nd defenders
• Comprehend roles of 1st and 2nd attackers

As we move up the age ladder from the U8 level to the U10 level there are many differences we must attend to in order to provide an optimal experience for young players of this age. However, there are also many similarities. Just as in parenting, it is important to be consistent in coaching and we must make sure that we follow a progressive trend of development for young players. To this ends, we need to continue to focus on technique during our practices, as we did at the younger ages. Creating environments in which players get maximum repetitions of technical skills is key. Players at this age should still work on ball mastery and demonstrate growing familiarity and comfortability with a ball at their feet.

Characteristics of this age group -

• Attention span lengthens from U8 - they start to show the ability to sequence thought and actions
• They start to think ahead and think “If this, then that” - this is why tactics can start to be taught
  
• They are more inclined towards wanting to play soccer rather than being told to play
• Demonstrate increased self-responsibility – bringing a ball, water and all gear should now be their complete responsibility. The player takes more ownership of the game
  
• They start to recognize fundamental tactical concepts
• Children at this age begin to become aware of peer pressure - this can be both positive and negative. Adults must watch this closely
  
• Players greatly affiliate with their team or their coach—“I play for the Tigers” or “I play for coach Amy’s team”
• Players at this age are extremely rule bound — remember each rule you create is the equivalent of a bar in the prison in which you would like to live. Too many rules and they will stop learning
  
• There is a wide continuum of maturity evident on most teams - this, though, is still a crucial age for technical skill development, so regardless of maturity, coaches must still work on developing all players