Recreational Division (Age 9+)
The recreational division is for U9 and above. Recreational Team Formation takes place in May and June for the following fall/spring seasons. Recreational teams play both fall and spring seasons as one team. Travel is involved as teams will travel to area communities to compete against each other. There may be divisions with some further travel distances, but this is to ensure more even competition amongst teams.
Please refer to the “Girls Playing Coed” Policy, Playing Up Policy, and Fees for more information.
U-9 | Igniting the Passion
Me, the ball and my friend
The objective of the fundamental stage is to learn all basic movement skills by building overall motor skills.
There can be differences now in the motor, cognitive and social development capabilities of the players in this age group. Individual and small group play, especially pairs, is essential for both touches on the ball and learning at their own pace.
The emphasis on movement education and body awareness continues with this age group and is expanded to involve even more activities with the ball.
The attention capacity for this age group is still limited to one task at a time. Unfortunately, they are often distracted by adults giving advice from around the field. Now they have to make a choice: either play the ball or listen to the adults. If the adults want to help the children play their best, they need to be quiet while watching the children's game.
General Characteristics of the U-9 Age Group
- Like to show skills – need approval
- Beginning to develop some physical confidence (most can ride a bicycle)
- Lack sense of pace - go flat out, chasing the ball until they drop
- Still in motion - twitching, jerking, scratching and blinking are all second nature physical movements
- Still into running, jumping, climbing and rolling
- Boys and girls are still quite similar in physical and psychological development
- Attention span is a bit longer than the U-6/U-8 age group
- Developing playmates
- More into imitation of the big guys (sports heroes becoming important)
- Still very sensitive – Dislikes personal failure in front of peers, making ridicule from the coach in front of the group very destructive
- Still do not believe in the intensity of the team at all costs
- Inclined more toward small group activities
Components of the Game for the U-9 Age Group*
Technique: Experiment with the qualities of a rolling or spinning ball. Introduce ball lifting, juggling, block tackle, receiving ground balls with the inside and sole of the foot, shooting with the inside of the foot, toe passing and shooting and dribbling while changing direction. Introduce the push pass.
Fitness: Agility, eye-foot and eye-hand coordination, balance, leaping, bounding, tumbling, catching, throwing, pulling, pushing, warm-up activities and movement education. Continue education on sports nutrition with players and parents.
Psychology: Encourage working in pairs, sportsmanship, parental involvement, how to play, emotional management, creativity, dynamic activities, participation of all players and a safe and fun environment. There is still a short attention span unless the player has peaked (keep interest high). Like to show what they can do- encourage trying new things. Developing self-esteem - activities should foster positive feedback and attainable positive success.
Tactics: Backline and forward line, 1v1 attack and choosing to dribble or pass. Introduce the names of positions (fullbacks and forwards). Institute games of 2v1, 1v2 and 2v2, playing with the ball with a purpose and promote problem-solving.
*Please note that the components of the game are in a priority order for this age group.
Typical U-9 Training Session
Should not exceed one hour.
Free play or a warm-up, each player with a ball, dynamic stretching.-approximately 15 minutes
- Some individual body awareness activities.
- Introduce partner activities.
- A mixture of individual and partner activities.
- Add more maze-type games.
- Introduce target games with a variety of player combinations: lv1, 2v1, 1v2 and 2v2.-approximately 25 minutes
- Conclude with a Small-Sided Game of 4v4, two goals and no goalkeepers.-approximately 20 minutes
Coach's qualities: Sensitive teacher, facilitator, patient, enthusiastic, imaginative, able to demonstrate, understand technique and preferably young at heart.
The game: Preferably these should be unstructured pick-up game style matches. No organized matches where the score is recorded. If scheduled matches must occur then they should be seen as another fun activity that includes a soccer ball. There should be no emphasis on team concepts or positions. Outcome-based matches are in their future. Playing for results must not be part of the U-9 match.
US Youth Soccer Player Development Revised 8/24/17
U-10 | The Learning to Train Stage
The Start of Us
In this stage, children gradually begin to change from being self-centered to self-critical and develop the need for group games. This is a flux phase in a youngster’s soccer career. The motivation to learn basic skills is very high at this age. The game itself should be central to all technical training. 11v11 is too sophisticated and complicated for young players. Small-sided games, which provide the right amount of pressure for the child’s level of development, are more appropriate.
General Characteristics of the U-10 Age Group
- Lengthened attention span - they are still in motion, but not as busy, only holding still long enough for a short explanation
- More inclined toward wanting to play rather than being told to play
- Psychologically becoming slightly more firm and confident
- Some are becoming serious about their play
- Team oriented – prefer team type balls and equipment. Enjoy the uniforms and team association
Components of the Game for the U-10 Age Group*
Technique: Experiment with the qualities of a bouncing ball and running with the ball, passing with the inside and outside of the foot (emphasis on quality push pass), instep drive, receiving ground balls with the instep and outside of foot (body behind the ball), receiving bouncing balls with the instep (cushion) and the sole, inside and outside of foot (wedge), fakes28 in dribbling and turning with the ball. Introduce heading and crossing. Practice throw-ins. For goalkeepers: ready stance, getting the feet set, how to hold a ball after a save, diamond grip, catching shots at the keeper, punting, recovery from down to the ground and up to set position and footwork exercises. Also introduce goal kicks and throwing.
Psychology: Keep soccer enjoyable to foster a desire to play using self-motivation. Working in groups of three, four or five, stay focused for one entire half. There is an increase in responsibility, sensitivity, awareness of how to win or lose gracefully, fair play, parental involvement, how to play, communication and emotional management.
Fitness: Factors are endurance, range of motion flexibility, rhythm exercises and running mechanics. Any fitness activities must be done with the ball. Introduce body resistance exercises and the idea of cool down. Tactics: 1v1 defending, roles of 1st attacker and defender, 2v1 attacking, what it means to get goal-side, small group shape in pairs and threes (emphasize support on both attack and defense), playing on and around the ball as a group with purpose, playing a variety of positions to develop the complete player, introduce the principles of attack and set plays.
*Please note that the components of the game are in a priority order for this age group.
These players will demonstrate increased self-responsibility, so they should be given, to a reasonable extent, partial responsibility for their preparation at training sessions and matches. They are very capable of assuming this responsibility when adults step aside and let it happen. Now they can initiate play on their own, which leads to learning through self-discovery and self-expression. They do enjoy and benefit from competition, so all training activities should have objectives and/or a method of scoring. They will intentionally play in groups, although individualism is still the core of their game. Use cooperative games and activities in training sessions to further instill a team mentality.
Typical U-10 Training Session
- Should not exceed one hour and 15 minutes.
- Free play or a warm-up (ball juggling), partner and small group activities, dynamic stretching. -approximately 15 minutes-
- Introduce small group activities (four to six players).
- Add more directional games. Play to targets and/or zones. -approximately 25 minutes-
- Conclude with a Small-Sided Game, 6v6, with goalkeepers. -approximately 25 minutes-
- Finish with cool down activities. -approximately 10 minutes
Coach’s qualities: Sensitive teacher, patient, facilitator, enthusiastic, imaginative, ability to demonstrate, understands technique and preferably a youthful outlook.
The game: Regardless of the level of competition, these players should always play at least 50 percent of the match; they won’t grow as players sitting on the bench. Through the course of the season expose the players to each position on the team during match play. Versatility is highly prized at the upper levels of the game.
Once the match begins, the coach should sit down and watch, and let the players do most of the talking during the match. The coach should speak up to praise them for doing something well and for trying what they have been taught in training sessions.
It is natural for children this young to be inconsistent in their match performance. For that matter, so are adult professional players. The difference between a professional soccer team and a U-10 team is simply that the pros make fewer mistakes, but they do make mistakes. Don’t fret about inconsistent play with this age group. It’s normal for a team to have highs and lows in match performance.
US Youth Soccer Player Development Revised 8/24/17
