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U6 players, they are cute, active, inattentive, unpredictable, and sensitive. They are your charge, but run to Mom at the slightest opportunity. They cry at the perception of hurt and are tough when they are having fun. You have to teach them some game that they know nothing about and want to pick up the ball even though you've told them over and over not to. All of them will try to steal the ball from their team mates and occasionally go the wrong way on the field. But they are so much fun.
It may be your first time coaching and you are excited about your task. May be you've been an assistant to a coach, either at this level or higher. More often than not, the U6 coach is someone who "volunteered" to coach because there was no one else to do it.
At this age level only a minimum amount of the game can be expected to be learned.
Direction of play (where is our goal and where is their goal) and which goal to try to put the ball in.
Players at this level can be taught the basics of dribbling the ball and using their feet in general to move the ball.
They can be taught how to throw ball in on a "throw-in."
They can also be taught the very basics of offense and defense.
After the first few practices, try to teach them to not bunch, but don't get frustrated if they still do
anyway!
Let them run around the field and enjoy being there. More than likely it is their first experience on a team. Make it a good experience for them (and you).
It is extremely important that you learn the basic rules of soccer, called "Laws." There are 17 of them and are listed on this site. There are a number of them you don't need to know in depth, like off-side and keeper rules. There are a number that you do need to know well, so that you can teach players and parents alike about the basic laws.
Your first practices will need to be designed towards the first time players, who may never had to answer to an authoritative person other than a parent. Be gentle with them. They'll pout and cry at the drop of a hat. Some will readily participate, while others won't. Make it fun.
Do your first practice without goals or lines where possible.
When talking to an individual, GET DOWN TO THEIR EYE LEVEL! This takes away the threatening feeling you may present as one of the first strangers to be in their charge.
Start out by letting them handle a ball, By touching it with their hands to begin with, they'll get comfortable with the ball, a size 3. Explain to them that after this, they can't use their hands anymore.
A very important thing to remember at any age is to keep the standing around to a minimum. Try to have a ball for every player. Some will bring their own, being so possessive that they don't want anyone else to use it. Be sure you have a "community" ball; yours so that you can use that one to show things.
Next, challenge them to get the ball from one point to another, using any part of the foot except the toe. It's okay if they want to use the toe at first, just gently remind them to not use the toe. Let them "push" the ball around with their feet. Don't worry about how or where they go with it. This is a good time to take note of which child has a "feel" for how to move the ball with the feet and which ones don't.
Let them do some foot races while holding the ball. Also while throwing the ball into the air and catching it. This will help in coordination development.
NEVER NEVER EVER raise your voice in a threatening manner. THIS INCLUDES YOUR OWN CHILD!!!
At this age level many of the children will not do things the way you want them to. If you just "have to" have them do things exactly as you picture it in your mind, you will quickly become frustrated.
CHEER THE EFFORT, REGARDLESS OF THE RESULT. Begin to stress the importance of sportsmanship.
End the practice by doing something fun like playing tag while holding the ball in their hands (This drill is very good at later practices except that they all have to dribble the ball while moving from the tag while the player who is "it" also dribbles a ball).
Using cones is something most coaches use for many drills at practice. Cones (or balls, or other things) are good for players to dribble balls around every once in a while. Just don't overdo the cone usage. More is taught by scrimmage situations. The only problem with scrimmages, specially at the lower levels is that some players who are timid, never touch the ball. For that reason, one against one (1v1) exercises are great at this level. BUT this is where you need help from the parents, who help oversee other pairs of players as they do the 1v1. What you (and your assistant coach, if you have that luxury) do is move from team to team to help guide players to not push the other player, keep their arms from flailing, etc. Also try to get the timid ones to attack the ball. At this point, goal scoring isn't important. Just give them targets (cones) to work to. If you find that one of the two players always "wins," look at the other pairs and try to match pairs as best as you can.
After this exercise (probably the next practice), go to 2v2 and 3v3. You'll find that this type of transition helps the young players get a feel for the game. Buy a few target jerseys so they can feel like they are playing a scrimmage game. At least two sets of colors will be good.
Eventually get the goals involved and start introducing the "game" concepts: Goal scoring, proper kick-offs, stopping when the referee blows the whistle, staying within the lines, etc.
Throw-ins are used at this level at some organizations, and not at others. If your organization uses them (verses "kick-ins") start teaching them the proper way. I see many coaches teaching their players to cross their feet, so they don't lift a foot. I crinch when I see this as I have actually coached one U14 team and saw a player cross the feet. One good way to teach them not to lift the feet is to teach them to lock their knees when they throw. Let them try to jump with locked knees, and they soon realize that the only way they can jump is to first bend the knees. By teaching this concept, I actually taught U8 players the next step in throw-in lessons; the running and drag the foot throw-in.
Before you get to your next practice, take a piece of paper and write down some things you plan to work on. Map out the things you will do and you'll find things will go smoothly, even if you need to change what you do. It is okay not to follow your "map" for the day if circumstances warrant change. What is not acceptable is if you get to practice you have no clue as to what you are going to do.
The important thing at this level is to be sure the players enjoy the game and all that goes with it. And when they scrimmage or play a game, DON'T OVERCOACH! It is their game, not yours. Teach them the concepts and let them become innovative in how they accomplish what you taught them.
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