Characteristics of a child 7-8 years of age
CHARACTERISTICS OF U - 8 PLAYERS*
- Attention span is a bit longer than U-6 players but still not at a "competitive" stage
- Inclined towards small group activities.
- Always in motion: scratching; blinking; jerking; rocking....
- Easily bruised psychologically. They will remember negative comments for a long time. Shout praise. Give "hints".
- They want everybody to like them.
- Developing physical confidence. (Most are able to ride a two-wheeler.)
- Starting to imitate older players or sports heros. Want the same "gear" as them.
- Lack sense of pace. They go flat out until they drop.
- Skeletal system growing rapidly. Often results in apparent lack of coordination.
- Cardiovascular and temperature regulation system is not developed. Their heart rate peaks quickly and they overheat quickly. Make sure that they get adequate water breaks.
- Limited understanding with personal evaluation. "If they try hard, they performed well" regardless of the actual performance. Thus, they need to be encouraged constantly, and asked "Now, can you do this?"
- Better at recognizing when the ball is out of play, and remembering what goal they are going for... but, in the heat of battle, they will sometimes still forget. They still find it difficult to really be aware of more than one thing at a time.
THINGS YOU CAN EXPECT
6, 7, and 8 year old players are a bit more compliant than their U-6 counterparts. They will be able to follow 2 or 3 step instructions and are starting to have a good understanding about what it means to play a "game". They are also starting to cooperate more with their teammates. In fact, they now will recognize that they even have teammates by the fact that they occasionally, and I mean occasionally, will pass the ball to a teammate, on purpose. Often, they will repeat the phrase "I can't do that!", but, will quickly run to you to show you that they can, even when they only think that they can. Some other things that you can expect to happen during a season with this age group are:
6, 7, and 8 year old players are a bit more compliant than their U-6 counterparts. They will be able to follow 2 or 3 step instructions and are starting to have a good understanding about what it means to play a "game". They are also starting to cooperate more with their teammates. In fact, they now will recognize that they even have teammates by the fact that they occasionally, and I mean occasionally, will pass the ball to a teammate, on purpose. Often, they will repeat the phrase "I can't do that!", but, will quickly run to you to show you that they can, even when they only think that they can. Some other things that you can expect to happen during a season with this age group are:
- There will be at least 200-300 falls during the season, but, now they will usually pick themselves back up.
- Keep a spare pump in your bag as the players usually do not realize that their ball is flat until they try to kick it, or the coach tells them that it is flat.
- Some of the girls are a lot tougher than the boys.
- They will still want to wear a pinnie, even when the color is identical to their shirt.
- It will be impossible to remember who is who's best friend as you try to make up teams.
- School conflicts will come up... please, let them go (they must face their teachers five days a week).
- They will wear their uniform to bed.
COACHING RATIONAL
Some of the players that are playing as a 7 year old have had two years of soccer experience and thus have already touched the ball a few thousand times in their lives. This, however, does not mean that these players are ready for the mental demands of tactical team soccer. True, they do have some idea of the game, but the emphasis still needs to be placed on the individual's ability to control the ball with his/her body. They are still there to have fun, and because some of the players may be brand new to the sport, it is imperative that activities are geared towards individual success and participation. Following are some more items that a coach of U-8 players should consider.
Some of the players that are playing as a 7 year old have had two years of soccer experience and thus have already touched the ball a few thousand times in their lives. This, however, does not mean that these players are ready for the mental demands of tactical team soccer. True, they do have some idea of the game, but the emphasis still needs to be placed on the individual's ability to control the ball with his/her body. They are still there to have fun, and because some of the players may be brand new to the sport, it is imperative that activities are geared towards individual success and participation. Following are some more items that a coach of U-8 players should consider.
- Small sided soccer is the best option for these players. Not only will they get more touches on the ball, but, it is an easier game to understand.
- Because of rapid growth spurts during this age, players will go through times when they seem to have lost control of their body. What they could easily do 2 weeks ago now seems unattainable. Be patient.
- Passing is not an important part of their game, no matter how much anybody yells at them to do otherwise, it is much more fun to dribble and shoot. Let them.
- Training once or twice a week is plenty, and should not last longer than one hour and fifteen minutes.
- Each player should bring their own size #4 ball to training. Learning how to control it should be the main objective. They need to touch it as many times as possible during fun activities that will engage them.
- Challenge them to get better by practicing on their own. There is no rule which states that they can't learn by themselves, no matter how important we think we are.
- Incidental things are important. They are forming the habits that will impact their future participation. Ask them to take care of their equipment (water bottle included), cooperate, listen, behave, and try hard. Realize, however, that they often forget and will need to be reminded often.
- Ask them to work with others to solve a particular challenge. Start them with just one partner and work from there.
What Should I Expect from U8 Soccer?
Whether your child is moving up from a U6 experience or is trying soccer out for the first time U8 should be an experience filled with fun and learning. The US Soccer Federation has some simple things you can look for to know if your 7 or 8 year old is learning in the best soccer environment.
First and foremost: No Lines. No laps. No Lectures. Young players should be active the entire time, so very limited lines. Young players, since they are active, do not need to “run laps” to warm up or “get fit” playing will allow them to do both, so no laps. 7-8 year old generally just want to play, so no lectures!
At practice players should have a ball as often as possible. A key focus for this age is to encourage players not to fear the ball. When players are “ball hogs” at this age that is great! Children should be encouraged to try as many things as they would like with the ball including changing direction and changing how fast they run, and dealing with balls on the ground and with bouncing balls. For example, by playing stop and go with a ball, players must keep control of the ball while changing their speed as the coach gives them directions. The more a child has a ball at his or her feet, the more confident they will be on the soccer field.
Young players learn by watching and copying. Coaches should say things such as, “See if you can make it look like this.” If a coach cannot demonstrate something then having an older player demonstrate can be helpful. Players should be given an example of what the skill should look like, and then have some fun games that allow them to try the skill. This allows the player a certain amount of freedom to develop their ball control and see that there is more than one way of doing it. The beauty of soccer is that players can be creative, so allow them to take what they have learned and be creative.
Practices should end with a “game.” Children should be playing small sided 1v1, 2v2, 3v3, and 4v4 games on small fields. At this age, boundaries can be acknowledged, but they should not slow down practice or games too much. Basic skills should be encouraged as this will ultimately build their confidence. Games should only be seen as another fun activity that happens to include a soccer ball. These young players are not ready for specific soccer type information and there should be no emphasis on team concepts or positions.
Whether your child is moving up from a U6 experience or is trying soccer out for the first time U8 should be an experience filled with fun and learning. The US Soccer Federation has some simple things you can look for to know if your 7 or 8 year old is learning in the best soccer environment.
First and foremost: No Lines. No laps. No Lectures. Young players should be active the entire time, so very limited lines. Young players, since they are active, do not need to “run laps” to warm up or “get fit” playing will allow them to do both, so no laps. 7-8 year old generally just want to play, so no lectures!
At practice players should have a ball as often as possible. A key focus for this age is to encourage players not to fear the ball. When players are “ball hogs” at this age that is great! Children should be encouraged to try as many things as they would like with the ball including changing direction and changing how fast they run, and dealing with balls on the ground and with bouncing balls. For example, by playing stop and go with a ball, players must keep control of the ball while changing their speed as the coach gives them directions. The more a child has a ball at his or her feet, the more confident they will be on the soccer field.
Young players learn by watching and copying. Coaches should say things such as, “See if you can make it look like this.” If a coach cannot demonstrate something then having an older player demonstrate can be helpful. Players should be given an example of what the skill should look like, and then have some fun games that allow them to try the skill. This allows the player a certain amount of freedom to develop their ball control and see that there is more than one way of doing it. The beauty of soccer is that players can be creative, so allow them to take what they have learned and be creative.
Practices should end with a “game.” Children should be playing small sided 1v1, 2v2, 3v3, and 4v4 games on small fields. At this age, boundaries can be acknowledged, but they should not slow down practice or games too much. Basic skills should be encouraged as this will ultimately build their confidence. Games should only be seen as another fun activity that happens to include a soccer ball. These young players are not ready for specific soccer type information and there should be no emphasis on team concepts or positions.
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