In order to make practices run smoothly and be fun, it is important for us to have a basic understanding of the intellectual, emotional and physical developmental stage of the players we are coaching. Here are some typical characteristics of the Under 6 player.

• Focused on themselves – reality to them is based on what they see and feel
• Unable to see the world from another’s perspective 
• Everything is in the here and now
• Cooling systems are less efficient - need frequent water breaks 
• Enjoy playing, not watching. Every player should have a ball in practice
• Limited attention span - keep directions concise and to the point
• Effort is performance – if they try hard, they are doing well
• Active imaginations – utilize their imagination in activities, and they will love practice!
• Look for adult approval – be encouraging when they say “Coach, look what I can do!”
• Unable to think abstractly – spatial relationships are a mystery 
• Typically have 2 speeds -- extremely fast and stopped
• Usually unaware of game scores – keep it that way