Age Group Training for Soccer Players

Age Group Training for Soccer Players

• The training is a learning process to develop young players for the future.
• It is a continuum, meaning it is an ongoing process that changes over time.

Stages of Development

• 1-4 years: This is considered the "golden age" of childhood.
• 1 year: Infants
• 2-4 years: Early Childhood

Age Group Training Stages

• Stage 1 (7-11 years): Basic training. Focus on psychomotricity (addressing interactions between psychic and biological functions, including motor behavior). Develops basic skills like gesture, posture, attitude, physical activity, and motor skills.

• Stage 2 (12-15 years): Pre-training. Focus on technical and mental aspects. This stage emphasizes building and shaping the player for the future.

• Stage 3 (16-19 years): Training. Focus on tactics, and mental aspects. This stage aims to develop the player's performance capabilities.

• Stage 4 (19-21 years): Post-training. The emphasis is on physical condition, technical and mental aspects. Goal is top-level training, developing players for top skill levels.

Growth Peaks

• 1-5 years: First growth peak
• 6-13 years: Second growth peak
• 14-18 years: End of growth

Training Stages (Summary)

• Stage 1 (7-11 years): Basic.
• Stage 2 (12-15 years): Building/shaping the player for the future.
• Stage 3 (16-18 years): Preparing for performance.
• Stage 4 (19+ years): Training for top levels.

Training Objectives

• Technical Aspect: Individual ball control.
• Technical & Tactical Aspect: Technical moves within match situations (1vs1, etc.) and collective tactical aspects (integration of players in games).
• Athletic & Physical Aspects: Developing performance-related psychomotor and athletic skills (e.g., athletic stamina and coordinated physical movements).
• Psychological & Mental Aspects: Developing performance-related mental attitudes.
• Other Aspects: Improving educational and training concepts.

Training Methodology (7-11 years)

• Focus on developing a repertoire of skilled technical moves, confidence, and coordination.
• Activities include ball control drills, receiving, passing, dribbling, and feinting, under pressure and fatigue.

Training Methodology (12-15 years)

• Focus on defending and attacking in match situations.
• Activities include developing tactical awareness, transitioning between positions (e.g., rapid switches between attack and defense) and understanding tactical relationships between players.

Training Methodology (16-18 years)

• Focus on performance improvement, stabilization of techniques, and development of technical work by position and team unit.
• Activities include complex technical drills under pressure, fine-tuning individual skills, and developing tactical awareness.

Education and Training Concepts

• Personal preparation of players: Emphasizes life hygiene, nutrition, understanding the body, methods of recovery, knowledge of game laws and fair play, managing school life and career, a general culture around sports, and avoiding doping.
• Individual training sessions: Emphasizes effective small group and individual techniques for team performance improvements.

Explore the different stages of development in soccer training aimed at young athletes. This quiz will guide you through the key focuses for each age group, from infants to young adults. Learn how training evolves to enhance players' skills and performance capabilities over time.