Hi everyone,
I'm wondering how to other clubs group and structure their 5-8 year olds? At the moment we have two groups of approx. 20 kids each roughly divided into U6 & U8 by age. What I am beginning to realise however is this is not the best way of dividing. We have lots of 6 year olds who have the fundamental movement skills and need to move on to the next level and equally we have some 7 and even 8 year olds who have yet to master these basics and are struggling in the current U8 group. My fear is we will lose these players as they are getting frustrated however it is difficult to bring them back to the first group as they are called the U6 group. Also, we have 6 year olds getting very frustrated at not moving on skills wise.
I am beginning to think we should treat the 5-8 year olds as one group and then sub divide according to ability calling the groups a name that doesn't make anyone feel they are not "good enough". I would love to hear people's thought on this topic and how other clubs structure their academy.
I'm wondering how to other clubs group and structure their 5-8 year olds? At the moment we have two groups of approx. 20 kids each roughly divided into U6 & U8 by age. What I am beginning to realise however is this is not the best way of dividing. We have lots of 6 year olds who have the fundamental movement skills and need to move on to the next level and equally we have some 7 and even 8 year olds who have yet to master these basics and are struggling in the current U8 group. My fear is we will lose these players as they are getting frustrated however it is difficult to bring them back to the first group as they are called the U6 group. Also, we have 6 year olds getting very frustrated at not moving on skills wise.
I am beginning to think we should treat the 5-8 year olds as one group and then sub divide according to ability calling the groups a name that doesn't make anyone feel they are not "good enough". I would love to hear people's thought on this topic and how other clubs structure their academy.