Grade Level Expectations: U6 (4-6 Year olds)

At this age, we need to spend most of our time on Fundamental Movement Skills.
Our goals for this stage of development is to develop basic movement skills – body management, locomotor and object control – that build ability, confidence and desire to play lacrosse. Getting as many touches with the ball as possible.

Player-centered environment – what it should look like:
Fun, constant active engagement, relaxed, inclusive and positive with frequent changes of activity. Predictable routines. Games that build basic movement skills in the context of lacrosse. Lots of praise and reinforcement from coach and parents.

PLAYER DEVELOPMENT
Athletic Development: Running, jumping, hopping, twisting, turning, stopping, starting, static balance, catching a ball with two hands.

Technical (Skills) Development
Introducing running with the ball, scooping, throwing, exposure to all skills, experimentation, terminology.

Tactical (Strategy) Development
Experimentation with body, stick and ball in a defined space containing “special” areas (ie goal). Stopping, starting, changing pace, running to open space.
Psychological Development – working to support athletes in these areas…
Trying new challenges, effort, following simple instructions.

Social-Behavioral Development – we know that at this age athletes are…
Learning to share; learning to say thank you; like to be with friends; are the center of their worlds; parents are central for praise and approval; need balance and variety of new and familiar activities in short doses.

Cognitive Development
Slower processing speed (time and amount of info) – must use repetition, be clear and concise, and use cue words. Can’t filter out relevant and irrelevant information from the environment.

TRAINING
Ratio of Training (Technical and Tactical Skill Development) to Competition + Competition Specific Preparation
Competition is embedded in activity sessions.

Primary Objective of Training
To develop physical literacy and basic movement skills in the context of lacrosse. Achieved through stations, games and activities; 1:1 ball to player ratio. Include self-directed play.

Developmental Purpose of Competition
FUN, learning to follow simple rules, sportsmanship.