Hero worship, identification with successful teams/players and a hunger for imaginative skills, typify the mentality of this age. This is "the golden age of learning" and skill development. The six principles followed at this age are,

1. Are activities developmentally appropriate?
2. Provide clear, concise and correct information.
3. Organize activities simple to complex.
4. Provide safe and appropriate training area.
5. Include decision making by the players within activities.
6. Ensure activities have implications for the game.

At this age the adult has to understand and demonstrate the basic techniques of soccer and deliver to the player in a sensitive, patient, enthusiastic and imaginative manner.

Technique is understood as the mechanics of the following basic soccer skills,

1. Dribbling: Moving the ball at your feet. Player may move the ball to beat an opponent, accelerate away from an opponent or turn away from an opponent.
2. Receiving: Receiving a ball that has been passed along the ground or in the air using any part of the body except the arms or hands. The player's first touch should set them for the second touch.
3. Shooting: Striking the ball with feet towards the opponent's goal. Looking for correct technique and decision making in front of goal.
4. Passing: Playing the ball with the feet to a teammate. Consider the correct technique of the pass. Should the pass be directed straight to the player or into space for a teammate to run onto. The strength and accuracy as well as direction and angle of the pass should be considered.
5. Heading: Intentionally contacting the ball with the forehead. Heading can be practiced, but for short periods.

In soccer there are individual, small group and team tactics. At U11/U12 the key development of technique occurs when there is appropriate management of pressure on the activity (time, space or opponents). Let the player's play a variety of positions in order to develop into a complete player.

Attacking examples could be a player dribbling to beat an opponent, when and where to shoot at goal, when and where to pass and move and the choice of controlling surface. Keeping possession of the soccer ball by using two player combinations and using the angles of support.

Defending examples could be the positioning of the player between opponent and goal, when to challenge for a ball and supporting a teammate challenging for a ball (cover). The defender has to learn how much pressure to apply, channeling the opponent and immediate chase (transition).

Demonstrate increased self-responsibility for preparation and discipline. We must let them initiate play and learn through self-discovery/self expression. All activities should have objectives/method of scoring. Let them enjoy competition. Most importantly keep it FUN and ENJOYABLE to foster a desire to play.