“For players under the age of 12, many of whom are lacing up cleats for the first time, the goal of this approach is simple:
GET KIDS TO FALL IN LOVE WITH THE GAME.”
- Canada Soccer Website
To learn more about the Canada Soccer Pathway and Long Term Player Development, click on the box below:
“The first three LTPD stages, which guide development up to age 12, are built around small-sided games. There are no league standings for these age groups; the focus is on learning and fun.”
Stage One: ACTIVE START
(Females/Males U-4/U-6)
Gives the youngest players the opportunity to develop basic movement skills like running, jumping, landing, kicking, throwing, and catching in a fun setting built around informal play and positive reinforcement.
Stage Two: FUNDAMENTALS
(Females U-6/U-8, Males U-6/U-10)
Allows children to develop their movement ABCs— agility, balance, coordination, and speed—and learn the basics of the game while emphasizing fun, cooperation, and maximum time on the ball.
Stage Three: LEARNING TO TRAIN
(Females U-8/U-11, Males U-9/U-12)
This “golden age of learning,” when children become less self-centered and are more able to reflect on their actions and learn from mistakes, provides an optimal window for further development of skills. The focus is on learning by doing, building a larger repertoire of soccer movements and teaching the basic principles of play in a fun and challenging environment.
Stage Four: TRAINING TO TRAIN
(Females U-11/U-15, Males U-12/U-15)
The onset of the adolescent growth spurt for most kids during this stage is an ideal time for endurance training. Players are also introduced to concepts like mental preparation, goal setting, and coping with winning and losing while learning more advanced soccer skills, including position-specific techniques.
Progressing Into Competition
Stage Five: TRAINING TO COMPETE
(Females U-15/U-19, Males U-16/U-20)
Players are now working to hone their soccer skills under a variety of competitive conditions in an 11 v 11 game format that mirrors adult play. Along with the continued refinement of advanced techniques, players work to develop their tactical awareness, discipline and mental toughness.
Stage Six: TRAINING TO WIN
(Females U-18+, Males U-19+)
With most of their soccer skills now fully established, the focus for EXCEL players at the National Team, semi-professional and professional levels shifts to performing at their best. They work on adapting strategies quickly to suit changing demands, establishing a pre-training and pre-match routine, and maintaining optimal physical and psychological fitness.