U-10 Players
Learn About Your U-10 Players
The First Priority of Successful Youth Coaches World-Wide
“We really enjoyed playing soccer for the last few years and have asked our parents to sign us up again. We hope that you will continue to patiently teach us more about this wonderful game.
“We are beginning to learn to cooperate with others but are less spontaneous in our relationship with adults. Because we don’t know how to pace ourselves and can be over-activated at times, please make sure to give us extra rest periods.
“We are beginning to understand that we can win the game not only by scoring more goals than the opponent but also by stopping the opponent from scoring.
“We are starting to understand that the object of the game is to win by scoring more goals than the other team. We are now aware of keeping score, winning, and losing. So, we need for you to be careful in keeping the results of the game in perspective.”
Sincerely,
Your U-10 Player
Expect all U-10 Players to be technically "weak"
To ensure their first exposure to the game is enjoyable,
expect the following in game situations:
FIRST ATTACKER
Player with the Ball
- They will now attack the appropriate goal. However, they will still release the ball too early – they may not release the ball at all.
- Most will still want to get possession of the ball to score.
- Some will begin to look up for space to run into.
- Some will begin to look up to find a teammate to pass to.
- Some will begin to look up and find themselves in a shooting position.
- Some will have learned a fake to deceive the opponent.
- They can pass over short distances on the ground.
ATTACKING TEAM
Team with the Ball
- Some will naturally continue to ‘bunch attack.’
- Many will continue to run in the direction the ball is traveling but to a lesser degree.
- Most will still not understand the concept of space, so any encouragement to play positions is still pointless.
- Most will run towards the appropriate goal to attack. They will begin to position themselves to receive the ball in space and to be able to shoot.
- They will continue to run and change direction in short bursts until tired.
FIRST DEFENDER
Player closest to the Ball
- They will defend the appropriate goal; however, they will need an occasional reminder.
- Some will actually attempt to block shots on goal.
- Many will continue to kick at the ball with all their might.
- Most have a difficult time taking the ball away from the 1st attacker.
- Most will chase after the ball because adults are still telling them to ‘get the ball!’
DEFENDING TEAM
Team without the Ball
- Some will continue to ‘bunch defend.’
- Most will run towards the appropriate goal to defend.
- Some will position themselves properly to defend.
- Some may still simply ‘watch the ball’ or happily chase after it.
It takes Time to Learn Everything
At this age, interest in playing soccer needs to be developed in an enjoyable way, so that the children will eventually end up loving to play the game.
It is a fact that coaching younger players can be especially challenging. Keep in mind that U-10 players can be impatient and easily distracted. This should be expected. Don’t get frustrated. You can reach and teach all players with the right approach.
The FUNdamental SOCCER Practice is a youth soccer coaching approach that has been proven to work with children. No More: Drills, Eye-foot coordination games, Soccer related games, Lines, Laps, and Lectures. It uses a methodology that is often at odds with the traditional methods but really works with children.
