Player Development & Behavior Characteristics
The United Soccer Coaches has provided the following information on Player Development Characteristics as well as Behavior Characteristics. Please take a few minutes to read through both sets of information as it pertains to your player.
Behavior Characteristics
This document separates kids into five different stages of behavioral development. These stages and their accompanying age groups have been listed below:
Stage One - Early Childhood (3-5 years old)
Stage Two - Middle Childhood (6-8 years old)
Stage Three - Adolescence/Early Puberty (9-11 years old)
Stage Four - Adolescence/Late Puberty (12-14 years old)
Stage Five - Adolescence/Late Puberty (15-18 years old)
Within each of these stages, information is given on key developmental points not only physically, but psychologically, socially, and mentally. Developmental focus points as they pertain to soccer are also listed.
Developmental Characteristics
This document has been separated into separate packets of information that coincide with each stage of development. In addition to the key developmental factors, information is also provided on more technical and tactic goals that each age group should base their training around. Things like frequency of training, game format, and numbers of activities during training are also described in these packets.