Coaching 7 to 10 Year Olds

From US Lacrosse: Lacrosse Athlete Development Model

Coaching 7-10 Year Old Athletes

KEY OBJECTIVES FOR SUCCESS

• Focus-Where we spend most of our time: Fundamental Technical Skills
• Goals for this stage of development -What we are trying to achieve: To develop a technically sound set of lacrosse skills and athletic movement skills necessary in lacrosse. Getting as many touches of the ball as possible.
• Player-centered environment-what it should look like: Fun, inclusive, engaging, and positive; appeals to this age group’s desire for fun. Improvement and teamwork through the progressive development of existing and new skills. Focus on trying their best and developing a growth mindset.

PLAYER DEVELOPMENT

• Athletic Development: Agility, footwork, dynamic balance, complex coordination, linear speed, speed of coordination, strength, and flexibility.
• Technical (Skills) Development: Proficient at most basic technical skills. Developing dodge variations and exploring shooting/passing and cradling variations. Developing individual defense skills –body/footwork and stick positioning.
• Tactical (Strategy) Development: Proficient with 1v1, 2v1, and 2v2 concepts. Exploring and developing 3v3, 4v4, and 4v3 variations. Transition offense and defense.
• Psychological Development - working to support athlete development in these areas: Love of the sport. Coachability. Concentration. Problem solving. Becoming confident. Making good choices. Learning fairness and taking responsibility.
• Social-Behavioral Development--know that at this age they are... Learning to compete against other players and learning the values of lacrosse. Learning independence and also how to work together as a team. Developing self-awareness – they start to be aware of what they don’t know or what they can’t do. Like to help others and the coach.

PRACTICE

• Practice to Competition & Competition Specific Training Ratio: In-house instructional or 70:30 (Practice:Competition)
• Primary Objective of Practice: To develop a lacrosse-confident athlete with solid fundamental skills and a general understanding of basic game play and strategy. Best delivered through small sided play, including free-play
• Max Recommended Ratio (player:coach): 12:1
• Length of Sessions: 60 minutes
• Frequency: Up to 3x a week, 8-12 week season
• Multi-Sport Participation-Sport and physical activity diversification-Other sports and activities: Sport specific training up to 3x per week for one specific season. Participate in other physical activity or sport 4-5x per week. Ensure time period in the year when there is a break from all organized sports.