U8 THEME: PLAYING WITH BUDDIES – IN PAIRS
Recreation Program
U8 THEME: PLAYING WITH BUDDIES
– IN PAIRS
CHARACTERISTICS OF U-8 PLAYERS
§ Skeletal system is still rowing; growth plates are near joints, thus injuries to those areas merit special consideration.
§ Cardiovascular system is less efficient than an adult’s; a child’s heart rate peaks sooner and takes longer to recover to full resting rate.
§ Temperature regulation system is less efficient than an adult’s; children elevate their core body temperature more quickly with activity and take longer to cool down than adults.
§ There is a perceivable improvement in pace and coordination from U-6 to U-8, however the immaturity of a U-8’s physical ability is obvious.
§ Limited ability to attend to more than one task at a time; the simple task of controlling the ball demands most of their attention capacity, thereby leaving little or no capacity for making additional decisions.
§ Concept of time and space relationship is just beginning to develop and will be limited by capacity to attend to multiple tasks.
§ Limited experience with personal evaluation’ effort is synonymous with performance, ‘if I try hard, then I performed well’ regardless of the actual performance.
§ Self-concept and body image are beginning to develop; very fragile.
§ Great need for approval from adults such as parents, teachers and coaches. They like to show individual skills.
§ Easily bruised psychologically by both peers and adults; negative comments carry great weight.
§ Like to play soccer because it is “fun;” intrinsically motivated.
§ True playmates emerge with the inclination toward partner activities.
§ Team identity is limited; “I play on Coach Bob’s tem” or “I play on the Tigers” – club and league concepts are non-existent.
§ There is desire for social acceptance’ they want everybody to like them.