Bennington Soccer Club

U4 is the introduction to soccer for most players.  Practices/Training portion should be 30-45 minutes long followed by 15-20 mins of 3 v 3 games.  Coaches should keep the ball play.  When a ball goes out of bounds through another ball in.  When the ball is dead this is a great opportunity to get the ball to the feet of more timid players so all will have an opportunity during the game. 

The primary goal with this age group is continuing to make soccer a fun sport for the kids.  The emphasis should continue to be on fun and not competition. 

Three goals for the U5 season;

1. Teach the players what direction to run, and to stay within the white lines.
2. Teach the players not to sue their hands to touch the ball.
3. Teach the players to stop playing when the play stops.

Three goals for the U6 season;

1. Introduction to basic soccer terms.
2. Introduction to corner kicks and goal kicks.
3. Introduction to dribbling, kicking and stopping the ball with feet.

The primary goal with this age group is to begin developing skills, as a player, in ball handling, passing and shooting.  While no positions are being played, you should begin emphasizing spacing on the field.  If their teammate has the ball there is no reason to go to the ball, but rather they should find open space on the field.  The emphasis should still be on having fun with the sport and not on competition.

Three "goals" for the season;

1. Recognize where their teammates are on the field, and find appropriate space on the field.
2. Begin to develop passing skills
3. Recognize they should not be taking the ball from their teammate.