Skill Priorities
· Dribble with all sides of both feet
· Dribble out of trouble
· Dribble past someone
· Basics of shielding
· Soft first touch
· Introduce proper shooting technique
· Introduce proper passing technique
Tactical Priorities
· Heavy emphasis on individual technique vs. group tactics
· 1 v 1, 2 v 1 to goal
· Move up and down field as a group
· Understand restarts
Although U8 children may begin to be far more physically and maturationally advanced than younger children, we must remain patient and not try to force them to develop too quickly. Individual skills (dribbling) needs to be the primary focus, though passing and shooting should be introduced at this age as well. U8 players tend to work best when in pairs, allow them to work in pairs (coach selected). Make sure that fun is a central theme in practice. Player development will occur most appropriately and expeditiously if all players are enjoying themselves.
Typical Characteristics of U8 Players
· Tend to play well in pairs – unlike 6 year-olds, the children enjoy playing in pairs. Try to set up the pairs to control the games and manage the ‘personalities’.
· Are now able to take another’s perspective – they now have a sense of how other’s are feeling.
· They do not have the capability to think abstractly.
· Heating and cooling system still less efficient than adults – make sure to give frequent water breaks.
· Still prefer playing to watching – keep everyone active during practice and remember, no lines.
· Limited attention span (on average 15-20 seconds for listening, up to 20 minutes when engaged in a task) – this may vary greatly on any given day depending on school, diet, etc.
· Have an understanding of time and sequence – they now understand ‘if I do this, then that happens.’
· Many have incorporated a third or fourth speed into play – not all players,
· Extremely aware of adult reactions – be very aware of your verbal and nonverbal actions and reactions, they look for your reaction frequently.
· Seek out adult approval – be supportive when they ask about their performance or try to show you their skills. They very much need reassurance, to help build their confidence.
· Begin to become aware of peer perception – a social order is beginning to develop. Be sensitive to this.
· Wide range of abilities between children at this age – children all develop at varying paces. You may have an 8 year-old who seems more like a 10 year-old and one that seems more like a 6 year-old on the same team. Your challenge to is to manage this range in your practice in a way that challenges each player at a level that is reasonable for that player.
· Some will keep score – the competitive motors churn faster in some than others. Surely some parents are fueling the motors with their own child. Regardless, we do not need to stress winning and losing at this age. Results should not be important at this age.
· Beginning to develop motor memories – by attempting fundamental technical skills they are training their bodies to remember certain movements.
· Less active imaginations than U6 players – still have active imaginations by adult standards, but this group will not appreciate some of the silliness that 6 year-olds allowed.
US Youth Soccer Game Recommendations
· Every training session should end in a game to goal
· 4 v 4 (with or without a goalkeeper)
· Field Size: 25 to 35 yds long X 20 to 30 yds wide
