Your personality as a coach of 6-year old players is as important as your knowledge of soccer. Making the game fun and enjoyable will keep your players coming back. Tell stories with your activities and bring their favorite characters to life. Have a vivid imagination, patience and a true understanding of the kids you coach. The mental, emotional and physical developmental stage of a 6-year old poses unique challenges and brings great rewards for a coach. They have far different cognitive abilities than even players just two years older. Here are some typical characteristics of the Under 6 player.
Short attention span – directions should be simple and concise.
Most are individually-oriented – reality is what they can see and feel.
Little or no concern for team activities – Unable to see the world from another’s perspective.
Activities should be based on individual play.
Active imagination – be creative. Your activities should be stories.
Constantly in motion – enjoy playing, not watching. Everyone should have a ball at their feet.
Two speeds – All out or stopped.
Psychologically easily bruised. To them EFFORT = PERFORMANCE. They look for approval.
Physical and psychological development for boys and girls quite similar.
Physical coordination is undeveloped - Technique, technique, technique…
Unable to think in the abstract – the concept of space is a mystery.
PRACTICE SESSIONS
Massachusetts Youth Soccer 
Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer 