● Target developmentally appropriate activities
● Give clear, concise, correct information – brevity, clarity, and relevance are critical
● Progress from very simple to more complex activities
● Choose a safe and appropriate training area appropriate for the age and player size
● Player decision making is key – put the players in a position to own their decisions, not be puppets.
● Emphasize the positive at this age – be their cheerleader! Failure does not breed success, success breeds success. Start simply, find the positives, and focus on the good in each player.
● Are the activities fun?
● Are the activities organized?
● Are the players involved?
Kids at these ages have very short attention spans, are individually oriented (work with it, don’t discourage it at this age), are constantly in motion when moving, and have two speeds – on or off. The hand, foot, and eye coordination at this age is very primitive and undeveloped. Boys and girls are developing on similar timelines. As these children progress from 5 to 7, they will gradually develop more coordination, more sense of self, and some limited abilities to work in groups.
Nearly all children in these age groups are very sensitive to negative feedback and dislike personal failures, especially on display in front of a group of other kids.
At this stage, there are no prodigies ready for World Cup or Olympic competition. Even if that is an end-goal for some, focus on developing each individual in the context of where they are developmentally. A 6-year old star today may be out of the game entirely at 12. Don’t presume to know how children will develop or who will succeed at this level. Instead, focus on passing along a passion for sports and active participation! At this age you are a shepherd and caretaker, not a Vince Lombardi – learning is the key, winning will come once the skills are developed.