re: Coaching U6 soccer

I have a bit of experience coaching youngsters that age, and I’m trying to develop my 5 year-old nephew into the next Pulisic. Got my F license about 3 years ago, and working on my D license now.

At that age, their energy is limitless and their attention spans are short. They learn by doing, teaching themselves through experience with the ball. Your job as coach of that age group is to limit down time and keep them moving. You can’t really introduce technical skills beyond the very basics, and certainly not formations or patterns of play. That starts around 8-9.

Keep it fun, and let them play lots of small-sided games. It won’t feel like doing a drill, and they’ll improve their ball skills and awareness.

Don’t expect too much from them attention-wise and keep instructions simple and brief. Kids that age can be absolutely hilarious. One of mine congratulated an older, fat coach on his pregnancy. Hardest I’ve laughed in a while.