Characteristics of U12Characteristics of U12Soccer PlayersSoccer Players

Sixth & Seventh GradeSixth & Seventh Grade

Psychomotor DevelopmentPsychomotor Development

Cognitive DevelopmentCognitive Development

Psychosocial DevelopmentPsychosocial Development

Notable QuotesNotable Quotes

Dr. Marianne TorbertDr. Marianne Torbert, Temple Professor and , Temple Professor and Director of the Leonard Gordon Institute for Human Director of the Leonard Gordon Institute for Human Growth through play, states:Growth through play, states:

“ “PlayPlay, well planned,, well planned, can become a pleasurable can become a pleasurable means means (tool) (tool) by which children can build a strong by which children can build a strong ‘I can’ feeling while gaining many of the foundation ‘I can’ feeling while gaining many of the foundation skills that make the process of gradually reaching skills that make the process of gradually reaching our existing potential, not only one of survival, but our existing potential, not only one of survival, but one of expansion to deal effectively with an one of expansion to deal effectively with an increasingly increasingly complex and stressful world.complex and stressful world.””

Psychomotor DevelopmentPsychomotor Development

The average age for the beginning of The average age for the beginning of pubescence in girls is 10 years with a range pubescence in girls is 10 years with a range from 7-14; for boys, age 12 with a range from 7-14; for boys, age 12 with a range from 9-16.from 9-16.

Increases in the amount of exercise and the Increases in the amount of exercise and the intensity does not necessarily increase intensity does not necessarily increase aerobic fitness levels in children.aerobic fitness levels in children.

Strength building activities require Strength building activities require overloading the muscles to a greater extent overloading the muscles to a greater extent than endurance activities.than endurance activities.

Flexibility training is key to the prevention of Flexibility training is key to the prevention of injury.injury.

Psychomotor DevelopmentPsychomotor Development

Psychomotor DevelopmentPsychomotor Development

Overuse injuries, burnout, and high Overuse injuries, burnout, and high attrition rates are associated with high-attrition rates are associated with high-intensity children’s programs that fail to intensity children’s programs that fail to stress skill development and learning stress skill development and learning enjoyment.enjoyment.

Beginning to develop abilities to sustain Beginning to develop abilities to sustain complex coordinated skill sequences.complex coordinated skill sequences.

Cognitive DevelopmentCognitive Development

Formal operational stage of cognitive Formal operational stage of cognitive development (Piaget).development (Piaget).

Beginning to think in abstract terms Beginning to think in abstract terms and can address hypothetical and can address hypothetical situations.situations.

Changes in thought processes are the Changes in thought processes are the result of an increased ability to acquire result of an increased ability to acquire and apply knowledge.and apply knowledge.

A systematic approach to problem A systematic approach to problem solving appears at this stage; the game solving appears at this stage; the game of soccer must present the ability to think of soccer must present the ability to think creatively and solve problems while creatively and solve problems while moving.moving.

Cognitive DevelopmentCognitive Development

..

Psychosocial DevelopmentPsychosocial Development

More TV/computer games, less More TV/computer games, less unstructured play.unstructured play.

Beginning to spend more time with Beginning to spend more time with friends and less time with parents.friends and less time with parents.

Popularity influences self-esteem.Popularity influences self-esteem.

Whether a child enters puberty Whether a child enters puberty early or late has important early or late has important psychosocial implications.psychosocial implications.

Learning appropriate sex role.Learning appropriate sex role.

Psychosocial DevelopmentPsychosocial Development

Psychosocial DevelopmentPsychosocial Development

Most children seek peers that are most like Most children seek peers that are most like them in age, race, sex and socioeconomic them in age, race, sex and socioeconomic status.status.

Opportunity to introduce the value of cultural Opportunity to introduce the value of cultural diversity.diversity.

Developing a conscience, morality and a scale Developing a conscience, morality and a scale of values.of values.

Typical U12 Training SessionTypical U12 Training Session

Should not exceed 1 hour and 30 Should not exceed 1 hour and 30 minutes.minutes.

Warm-up, small group activities, Warm-up, small group activities, stretching. (approx. 15 min.)stretching. (approx. 15 min.)

Introduce larger group/team activities Introduce larger group/team activities (6-8 players)(6-8 players)

Continue with directional games. Play to Continue with directional games. Play to targets and/or zones. (approx. 30 min.)targets and/or zones. (approx. 30 min.)

Conclude with small-sided game 8v8 Conclude with small-sided game 8v8 with GK’s. (approx. 35 min.)with GK’s. (approx. 35 min.)

Finish with cool-down activity Finish with cool-down activity (approx. 10 min.)(approx. 10 min.)

Typical U12 Training SessionTypical U12 Training Session

Any QuestionsAny Questions