STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT BY AGE GROUPS (U10-11-12-13) (Patreon)

By NATIONAL TECHNICAL STRUCTURE OF U15 to U20 (Portuguese FA)!

Development of the Foundations of Football (U10-U11-U12-U13): The duels increase, the spaces increase and greater demand on the level of individual qualities and team organization.

Main Characteristics:

• Evidence of greater balance by accepting others;
• Has greater self-control;
• Has an authentic sense of what is logical;
• Sensitive period for coordinative abilities (rhythm, balance, spatial orientation, reaction and kinesthetic differentiation);
• Increased ability for spatial orientation;
• Huge liking for play/opposition.

Main Objectives:

• Stimulate passion for the game and victory;
• Develop different individual techniques;
• Development of specific motor coordination (balance, body-ball relationship, reaction speed);
• Start adapting to specific positions;
• Start learning individual and collective tactical behaviors.

Structural Dimension:

• Under 10-11: 7v7; 8v8; 9v9 games (more advanced) and Variations Under 12-13: 9v9; 10v10; 11v11 games (more advanced) and Variations.

Functional Dimension:

• First notions of structural organization ;
• Learning the major principles of game organization;
• Development of the cultural principles of the game (penetration, offensive coverage, mobility, width, containment, defensive coverage, and concentration);
• Experiencing different positions and recognizing the behaviors to adopt;
• The 4v4, 6v6, and 7v7 exercise structures continue to be fundamental in the development of individual and collective qualities;
• Improving different technical actions.

Example of Exercises:

1# Objective: Cultural Principles of the Game

Exercise: Game 3v3 with 2 side supports with 4 goalposts.

Space: 20x30 m (variable).

Duration: 3x3' + 1' break = 12'.

Progression: Only 2 goalposts, and 1 of the players from the defending team acts as a goalkeeper.

2# Objective: Cultural Principles of the Game

Exercise: Game GK+(2+3)v(3+2)+GK (2 side supports per team). Goals from crossing without opposition.

Space: 33x30 m (variable).

Duration: 3x4’+ 1’ break = 15’.

Progression: Opposition to the external supports; External support opposite to the crossing can appear inside to finish.

3# Objective: Cultural Principles of the Game

Exercise: Game GK+1v1+GK. Every 30 seconds, one more player enters per team for progressive passing until reaching GK+5v5+GK.

Space: 30x25 m (variable).

Duration: 5x4'+ 1' break = 25'.

Progression: Exit of 1 player to the width for crossing outside the field of play without opposition.

4# Objective: Cultural Principles of the Game

Exercise: Game GK+6v6+GK + 6 outer supports.

Space: 45x35 m (variable).

Duration: 6x3’+ 1’break = 24’.

Progression: Opposition to the outer supports; Opposite outer support to crossing may appear inside to finish.