Development of Pillar for Football Players
by L. Santosh Singh; lecturer Don Bosco College, Panjim (B.P.E., M.P.Ed, N.I.S. (Football))

Pillar is being vertical structure use as a support and ornament for ambitious. The development of football pillar is very most essential for developing of football ambition. football pillar is being today kid at criteria for age groups training. In age groups, one can essentially speak of three main groups of children, adolescents, and youths. All this must distinguish among certain intermediate stages thereby arriving at a fine striations starting with an under '6' stage.
Playing is undeniably a basic instinct which each of us inherits and cannot deny. At the earliest stage a child's interest for the game must be developed. Then, the essential rules concerning the play field, the ball, the duration of the game, the number of players must be adopted according to the individual age group. Later specific elements of technique, tactics and physical fitness must be incorporated in the training step by step. A brief outline of development in different stages and basic characteristics for youth players are listed below.

U6 - Players
Kids at this age do not "play football": they play while at football. Practices must be kept active with fun, imaginative games. Each player's works with his or her own ball for most of the practice. Kids need generous praise. Curiosity should be stimulated through games of their own devising. Look for successes; manufacturer accomplishments. Coach should exert minimal pressure. Provide an environment were kids can experiment and learn. The concept of team is non-existent at this age. Instead of 3 vs 3, it is really 1 vs 5! Practices shouldn't last longer than 45 minutes (60 minutes with good breaks). Focus on dribbling and fundamental movement skills like, running, leaping, hopping, bending, stretching, twisting, throwing, catching, and kicking etc. In practice players should never wait in a line more than 30 second. They should not run laps. The coach should not lecture for long periods of time. Keep players active in the practice. Develop a "flow" in which a flurry of activity is followed by short rests or less demanding activities. Let players demonstrate skills or accomplishments. Players will learn by copying other players. Kids at this age barely understand rules and boundaries. Don't emphasize boundaries in your practices or games. Keep the rules very simple.
Kids enthusiasm and motivation begins at home and a safe playing area is more than sufficient. At this age the kids experiences the ball as a toy, testing its feathers and possibilities of playing. The kids are egoistically oriented. The technical elements of football are part of the game and are applied during practice and are developed during practice.

U8 - Players
At this stage, a kid attending school also understand time limit. He or her becomes a playmate and to participate in a small club or group. This stage basically can be known as "street football".
Children at this age still have fragile self-image. They become more concerned what others think. Players are able to cooperate with a partner. Most of practice is done with one ball per person or one ball per pair. Practices should focus on games and problem solving. U8's started to understand rules and concepts of fairness. Practice should be no longer than 60-75 minutes. Players believe that "if I try hard, then I performed well", regardless of actual performance. Effort equals performance. They still only have a limited ability to attend to more than one task at a time: controlling or dribbling a ball, for example, will take most of the concentration capacity thereby leaving little or no room for making tactical decisions. Players like to "show off" for adults and other players: "Watch me. Watch me. Watch me." Again using players to demonstrate or show skills is an effective way to teach other players. In this age group player starts realizing the basic principles of the game. Increase success is obtained by playing in an organized manner, but on small pitches and teammate and opponents are understood.
In this stage 4-vs-2 formations is better than the 3 vs 1 because it promote a peripheral view of the situation and encourages more dimensional play. Many games 3 vs 3, 4 vs 4 as well as 7 vs7 encourage players to spread out and to appreciate simple basic tactics.

U10 - Players
In this age the parent figure changes from family to teacher, the school has now become as organizational unit where the young child spends most of his time and representing one's school is also psychologically motivating.
In this stage the children have developed the capacity of listening over longer periods of time. His psychological receptiveness is encouraged automatically allowing for prolonged training and exercising. A bigger playing field also demands more physical strain in training. Socialization aspects start and their pronounced sense of justice demand neutral development. In this time Referee are very important and knowledge of rules must be included in training.
In this stage motor skills are becoming more refined. A great diversity in maturity and playing ability is apparent. The players have a better sense of reality vs. fiction but still like imaginative games. U10's demonstrate more responsibility (will bring own ball, water, choose shirt, etc). They are a little more aware of their play or performance. Players will recognize basic tactical concepts (width, depth, and support). They have more leg strength, which means more power. Passing becomes a real part of the game. Repeating technique like kicking, receiving etc. is very important but must be done in a dynamic, interactive environment. Explanations must be brief and concise as for all kids. Players are able to work in small groups during practices. Practice activities should focus on small groups working together to solve problems. Coach can also include games with one player one ball and pair activities. Practice lasts 75-90 minutes max. Continued used of small side games with goals demand improved tactical behaviors i.e. an immediate change from attack to defense and vice-versa.

U12 - Players
A stage one influences player to aim for performance and training is more intense. The number of players are increased to eleven and the young players are psychologically spurred on to find and take the right position in his team. More and more use of the entire field is made. Training leads to more of discussion about the rules. One can observe aggressiveness in conduct; coach must be able to cope with this puberty stage. Players get used to the ball size five, Referee must become more detached and turn to the objective authority. This is a critical age for drop out. Players decided their own participation not solely the will of the parents. Overuse injuries and burnout are associated with high-intensity programs that fail to stress skill development and learning enjoyment. The coach not teaching or not making practices fun turn kids away from the game. Players can start to benefit from limited strength building activities. They also begin to develop abilities to sustain complex coordinated skill sequences. Players will question everything, and will begin to think in hypothetical situations. Practices should focus on problem solving while moving, while playing the game of football (or derivations of the game). Players decide which direction to go, whether to pass or dribble, whom to pass to, and so on. Peer pressure is significant. Team building becomes a very important consideration for the coach.
In this stage, the players particularly attention is given to the development of team spirit. A time for conscious application of the general principles of play to achieve tactical aim i.e. a shooting at goals and preventing goals. Continuation of small sided games or practices i.e. 4vs4 up to 8vs8 emphasis on understanding of basic concepts, supports and different type of movement.