U8 Age Approprite Priorities


The priorities for our academy players:

1. Players need to learn to make their own decisions on the ball (without receiving guidance from adults).  The environment around them changes constantly and players need to be able to adjust to the demands placed on them during the game. Let them make the decisions on the ball!

2. Develop creativity and confidence on the ball. As a program we aim to develop players who are both comfortable and confident on the ball. This takes years to develop and we therefore focus so much on the basic technical skills from U5-­U8, needed to be successful as a player in the years to come. This so players can execute their decisions accordingly. You need to be able to make decisions on your own and be able to execute these decisions accordingly.

3. Develop an understanding of 2 of the main moments in soccer. Offense and defense (and what happens in when you win or lose the ball as well). 

4. Continue to develop their basic motor skills needed to develop as soccer players and athletes in general.

Some benefits of using small sided games include: more player participation, more touches of the ball, more passes attempted, more 1v1s attempted, and different games mean different problems to solve and skills to use.

During these games played in the weekend we do ask all parents to sit back, relax and to enjoy watching their son or daughter play. The game is and will always be the best teacher, so we aim to provide the players the opportunity to play and learn at their pace. Players will only become confident and comfortable on the ball when given the opportunity to make their own decisions.

 


 

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