Our U10 academy has been growing for the past few years. There are 2 levels of play for the U10 academy Academy Advanced Boys & Girls and Academy Intermediate Boys & Girls. The two levels are the same commitment. The key difference is the skill level between advanced and intermediate play.
The goal for each U10 academy player is to learn to train. Transitioning into practices with structured drills and themes is difficult for some kids at this age. We try and make each practice session age appropriate and keep everything fast paced so we keep their attention for the full hour but it does take some time to learn to train. It also takes time to move these training skills into a game setting. We try to have a ratio of 3 practices to 1 game during the summer, so this transition is sometimes slower than we would like.
Games are for fun, not to keep score or to compare ourselves against other clubs, but for fun. Our team goal is to play nice soccer, pass the ball around and keep possession, just like we do at older ages. Some clubs emphasize kicking and running and usually the stronger, faster teams win the games. But in a year’s time when the skilled players get stronger and faster the better skilled teams usually win those games and those skilled players get looked at for provincial teams. We don’t want to teach bad habits in order to win a few games at U10.
LTPD STAGE 3: Learning to Train
‘THE GOLDEN AGE OF LEARNING’
The effect of the role model is very important at this stage. Children begin to identify with famous players and successful teams, and they want to learn imaginative skills. Skill demonstration is very important, and the players learn best by ‘doing’. Players move from self-centered to selfcritical, and they have a high stimulation level during basic skills training.
This is also an important time to teach basic principles of play and to establish a training ethic and discipline. Repetitions are important to develop technical excellence but creating a fun and challenging environment is still essential for stimulating learning.
• Physical – This is an optimal window for trainability of speed, flexibility and skills.
• Technical – Building a greater repertoire of soccer related movements; technical skills are developed in training and within the context of basic soccer games.
• Tactical – Developing environment awareness and encouraging decisionmaking: simple combinations, marking and running into space.
• Mental – Golden age of learning; intrinsic motivation is developed by the Fun and Enjoyment that foster desire to play; imagination, creativity, increased demands, discipline.
