Anonymous wrote:What skills should they have and what are they usually working on at this age?
I know positioning is still a work in progress but other skills?

Simple answer, don't read into all the other extensive.

At U12, player should be able to dribble with close control and technique, have decent 1v1 abillity, able to receive and turn on the half turn, be able to use both feet to receive and pass the ball, should be able to protect and make accurate passes in games. If they are misplacing 50% of their passes than it's an issue. I would say you are well off as a middle-of-the road player at U12

Anonymous wrote:The PP did say it was from back when. They refer to heading so definitely at least a few years old so maybe expectations changed as Bethesda opened up more teams? Weren't they more exclusive in the past?

So we got this 2 years ago when my son played U11. It was the season that they went to birth year age groups, so my son went from U9 to U11, so this was a big jump. Of all these things on the list, the 250 juggles was one of the easiest items to meet for all the kids. The kids actually got tested on most of the technical tasks pre-season. With that said, I'm not sure if it was an older document then. I forget when they did away with heading for U11 and younger.

8-9 year olds running under a 7 minute mile?? Yeah, right!

The PP did say it was from back when. They refer to heading so definitely at least a few years old so maybe expectations changed as Bethesda opened up more teams? Weren't they more exclusive in the past?

Anonymous wrote:Back in the day, we got this from Bethesda. This is for a U10.

Expectations from U10 player.

That is a very good one, but we have never received it from Bethesda. I guess it is for their Academic team's expectations. No one in the lower team can do all that or even close.

This is really good. Thank you, PP! 250 juggles at U10!

Back in the day, we got this from Bethesda. This is for a U10.

Expectations from U10 player.
Technical Development
EXPECTATIONS
1 Passing/Receiving: Players should be proficient with the different ways of receiving the ball (in air & on ground) with both feet, thigh & chest. Weight and accuracy of short range pass. Placement of non-kicking foot to pass longer range ball. Redirecting to receive laterally.
Juggling Standard: 250 w/out dropping ball
2 Shooting/Clipping: Players should be able to shoot with both feet and clip a ball 20 yds in the air with backspin.

3 Dribbling: Players should be able to have attack 1 v 1 with an idea of passing to an open player or where the open space is to goal.
4 Turning/Heading: Players should be able to utilize the turns with all 4 surfaces of foot and comfortable heading with the correct footwork and balance.

Tactical Development
EXPECTATIONS
1 Transition in Defense: As soon as the ball is lost there must immediate pressure on the ball with small groups (hunting in packs).
2 Transition in Attack: Immediate width and depth and providing quality supporting options. Introduce the concept of moving into open spaces between opponent lines to maintain possession or penetrate. Introduce how and when to provide width when the ball is played back to a teammate that is unopposed
3 Defending: Complete understanding of pressure, cover, balance and pressing in small groups. Continue to understand team shape in a 7/8 a side game.
4 Attacking: Players need to be proficient in combination play. Have to be able to recognize and run into free and open space.
5 Must be able to play out of the back and understand the basics in strategic possession. Working on Switching the point of attack.
6 Start introducing 4 types of support: Immediate, Continuity, progression, 2nd line.

Cognitive
EXPECTATIONS
1 Players need to open their body to the field with and without the ball
2 Players need be aware, locate, and play teammates in gaps between defenders
3 Players must begin to look around when off the ball to gather information. Locating ball and their direct opponent (player closest to them).

Questions to ask in Tactical and Cognitive
EXPECTATIONS
1 What can you see? What can you do to see the field? Can your teammate pass you the ball? What should you do when the ball is lost?
2 Where can you go to support the ball? Where can you receive the ball to open up the defensive team?
3 Can you see the ball and your opponent at the same time? What can you do to see the opponents?

Physical
Physiology (Fitness or Physical)
1 Stamina is good. Must run under a 7 min mile
2 Motor Skills: Players are comfortable with coordination work
3 Begin to work on their explosive strength and flexibility w/ out the ball 2x week at practice adding more distance at 15 yds. Trying to incorporate in practice small sided games or technical drills.

Psychological
Psychological
1 The player has a healthy approach to the game. He is competitive, but enjoys the game. He is intense, but smiles. He plays to win but honors sportsmanship above all else.
2 Players acknowledge when a coach has addressed them.
3 Sportsmanship: This player is a great sport both during winning and losing. He is a great example to the younger athletes. This athlete leaves the game behind when it is over, makes no excuses for performance, and does not complain about the outcome.
4 Tenacious: This player is tough mentally and physically. The attitude is selfless and intense.

OP here. Asking because I'm wondering what's developmentally appropriate and will fix itself over season or two and what is weakness in players.

A few kids still can't seem to anticipate passes and miss them repeatedly. Another parent commented they are weak players. I thought it seemed expected and normal that some kids have certain strengths and weaknesses and it was too early to pass judgment.

Anonymous wrote:Girl or boy? Most times ball skills will have a large impact on position options.

Boy.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What skills should they have and what are they usually working on at this age?
I know positioning is still a work in progress but other skills?

Positioning should be down by U12. My middle of the road U11 teen gets this.

This is helpful. There are a few kids on the team who really can't play more than one position and don't understand basic strategies.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What skills should they have and what are they usually working on at this age?
I know positioning is still a work in progress but other skills?

Positioning should be down by U12. My middle of the road U11 teen gets this.

What do you mean by the bolded above? Are you saying that players at this age should know and understand how to play all of the field positions?

I’m not the OP.

Girl or boy? Most times ball skills will have a large impact on position options.

Anonymous wrote:What skills should they have and what are they usually working on at this age?
I know positioning is still a work in progress but other skills?

Positioning should be down by U12. My middle of the road U11 teen gets this.

What skills should they have and what are they usually working on at this age?
I know positioning is still a work in progress but other skills?