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RE: My biggest problem with football coaching

Cougs — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 02:03:12 GMT

At the younger age groups, you can acheive ANY level of fitness you desire while training with the ball. In the simplest terms, fitness comes down to aerobic capacity (endurance) and anaerobic capacity (mulitple short sprints). All of this can be done while developing skills. The biggest impediment to players improving their fitness is coaches who spend ahlf the practice "explaining" what to do while kids sit around. If the session is orgainzed for technical/tactical and physical components and are kept moving through the session, fitness will improve, guaranteed.

RE: My biggest problem with football coaching

Rockasenior — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 08:47:57 GMT

[quote][b]swift1 (16/07/2007)[/b][hr]There is so much more to it than just fitness, it definatly improves the work ethic of the individual and the team and is excellent for team spirit. [/quote]

For sure I agree on this. In a 2 hour session, I will dedicate up to 40 minutes on 'fitness' work.

Not that they would know they are doing any, be imaginative and make it fun, even older players will enjoy the sort of fitness games you can find on the net. Build in an element of intensity into your practices too.

I don't mean, run around the cones before you enter the drill (although sometimes that works).

In a passing and support drill for example. Have players passing to eachother THROUGH small coned gates. Players will often find they have to curve a run around the gate at high speed to receive a pass. Ban players from standing still by issuing a forfeit (2 pressups, 2 star jumps etc, something very short) and they will tire very quickly. Then set them a target, 'twenty more in 30 seconds or we keep going'. It will spur them on to achieve a target, sharpen their skill, get more touches and 'earn' a rest. All at the same time.

I hate laps. If you want them to run for half an hour, set up a cross country run and go with them yourself.

RE: My biggest problem with football coaching

Tommybhoy — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 03:29:29 GMT

first time poster,when I first started out coaching I was determined never to turn training into an ''army boot camp'',all sessions involved 1 ball between 2 or in better times a ball each,kids would be instructed to dribble around an area doing various skills(turns,stepovers,toetaps,etc.)they would also listen for instructions to stop the ball and perform a task(jump,sit on the ball,touch it with the knee,stomach,ear,etc) then get up and quickly dribble away,everything is done twice with kids using both feet and they can quite easily do this for an hour with some breaks taken when needed,mostly for a drink as kid's enjoy running with a ball and dont realise how long they have been running.To this day any training session I take,allways involves a ball or balls for at least 3/4 of the session. However,through time I have learned that kids want and need physical excercise dependending on age.1 group of boy's who I helped coach where successful at 7-a-side for a number of years and found that the transition(U13's) from 7's to 11-a-side easy,the hardest thing to adapt to they said was the size of the pitches.That season they finished 2nd in the League to the same team who beat them in the Cup final(on pens) and who undoubtedly looked fitter aet.I put it down to bad luck,and bad penalties lol,the kids knew it was fitness and urged us to incorporate more physical training for the season ahead,so we got a deal with the local gym and the kids attended for 1 hour a week doing circuits,weights,bikes and once a month some endurance running.As a group the boy's had bonded well over the years but we found that the extra hour together in a different enviroment brought them closer as they encouraged one another to do thier best and not let the instructor ''beat them''.A couple of months into the season it was plain to see that the extra session was paying off,as the Boy's now finished games still full of energy.That season they won the League comfortably and were knocked out in the cup-semi by a bigger and stronger team ( some years later we found out they had overage players).

From U13 and upwards some teams within our club still use the gym,while others prefer to mix it in with the training,IMO physical training of some sort is definetly required for kids who are playing on full size pitches and more so as they get older,as for younger ones it benefits them to gradually introduce stretches and so to warm up's but no need for laps around the pitch which does happen at some Clubs.

RE: My biggest problem with football coaching

swift1 — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 14:02:27 GMT

I havent been on here for ages as i am no longer involved in youth or football in general but i thought i would log on today to see what the discussions are based on.

In response to the quote regarding how we do things in this country compared to abroad what i would say in Ian Rush's book he claimed he did a lot more small sided and ball work with Liverpool than he ever did with Juventus as they focused a lot on fitness and tactics.

I believe the work rate which is bred into our game (British) is no bad thing and our technique seems way too over analysed.

Football is as much about hard work and team work as it is anything else and although improving technique is 100% vital and good for the game lets not over look the parts of the game which any average playing will be doing for the other 88 minutes they dont have the ball!

RE: My biggest problem with football coaching

js240875 — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 23:33:48 GMT

I have to say i agree with the thoughts on "fitness training" with young boys. You get so little time with them all focus should be on developing there skills with the ball. And while doing this there fitness improves anyway. I as a coach actively encourage my player to take part in many other sports that will also have an impact on there fitness. Also opens there eyes to see that they may also have other talents within the sporting world.

John WWW97s

RE: My biggest problem with football coaching

Shadybhoy — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 17:26:17 GMT

Red,

I agree a wee bit with what you're saying about the need for fitness. I think it depends on where you are in your season. naturally early on or preseason you need to be going into it with the intentions to build up the stamina it takes to go the full match. mid way through or near the end you don't need to focus nearly as much time on it in training. plenty of sessions can incoporate fitness with a ball though to keep it fun especially if you're coaching weans

RE: My biggest problem with football coaching

REDSWANNY — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 12:39:31 GMT

Hi Fellas

I both agree and disagree with the "it makes a difference and it doesn't" camps, Why? becauses all kids are different and have a different excercise background.

I started an U15 B team last year, we already have a well established A team. Some lads who turned p couldn't do 1 lap of the pitch, some managed easily, when I talked them it emerged that did pe at school but that was it, home to playstations.So we trained 2/3 times a week every week, even through the summer and for the first 10 mins we did warm ups and the 15 mins fitness again depending on the response from the lads( had they had pe that day for example) I have to add that where possible we trained for 90 minutes including a game.

Continuing through the season but only twice a week Does in my opinion, build on NATURAL energy/pe and all.

The point I really agree with is it builds the team and work ethic.It also provides a great point to start focusing on the technique part of the session

RE: My biggest problem with football coaching

djasha68 — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 20:17:48 GMT

This conversation came up on another forum, I was told about a pro player,I cant remember the name of this pro player, or even who he played for, but this is what he said about English training.

"In England they spend hours doing shuttles, sprints all without a ball. Although it does get you fit it never compares to the training back home, we play ssg that are very intense and we bring in conditions to make us work even harder, such as you are not allowed to stop running or you give the other team a goal. The training helps you become fitter,but develops your technique as well."

I completely agree with this statement. Playing football with a lot of effort is far more fun than shuttles, also you still get all the fitness you need. Pro players are a little different to us though, they have loads of time to train in gyms etc. Children will definitely become better players if they play more. When you are spending 1-2 hours doing fitness work without a ball even at U17 you are denying them the 1000s of touches that will improve them.

If you need to use fitness work without a ball, then I would say you are not playing the right ssg to get the fitness levels up. I play a game of 6v6 with U16 where you have to run at 3/4 pace for 4minutes, unless you have the ball, it is played on a larger than normal area, 70x30 so to allow long runs and the chance for them to practice long balls, then they rest for 4 minutes whilst the rest of the squad play. The game is a killer, try it or try this game.

3v3 on a 30x15/20 the rest of your team are stood right around the edges of the pitch with a ball in there hands, every player is available for a wall pass only. Inside the area are gates 4 or 5 no more than a metre wide. Teams have to make as many passes through the gates as possible in an allowed time. The game works them hard because of the competitive element, but also because there is never a time that the ball is not out of play, because as soon as it leaves the pitch a ball is kicked in immediately. Coach and players around should get involved with encouraging them to work hard.

RE: My biggest problem with football coaching

edlongo — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 17:12:53 GMT

I agree with coachdownunder. General rule of thumb for practices promoted by our state soccer program - No Lines, No Laps, No Lectures! every practice routine / drill / whatever is an opportunity to work on 4 key soccer components:

Physical Fitness - Mental Fitness - Technique - Tactics

Done right, you should not have to spend valuable time running laps around the field, though I do see teams that continue to take laps during warm-ups but are at least having the team dribble or pass with a partner while taking those laps. At least they are getting in valuable touches (technique) as well as getting in some physical fitness.

I suspect, however, that much of the physical fitness training to be done at practice can be accomplished with extensive (and creative) small-sided scrimmage opportunities. Great way to work on all 4 components at once.

RE: My biggest problem with football coaching

swift1 — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 10:13:06 GMT

All fair points but i still go along with the fact that fitness work does improve work rate and energy levels. Its a well known fact that during a 90 minute game each player is probably in possession for two minutes.

Technique with the ball is essential but there is a lot of work off the ball during a match which means having a good work ethic and fitness level should be worked on in its own right.

Sooner or later wheteher a player is 10 years old or 18 years old they will need to win a match with as much hard work as technique thats just the nature of the game.

If the sessions are balanced and everything is looked at then that will create more rounded and complete players.

If you have some superstar player who has wonderful technique but when he's tired he has no desire to push himself to do the off the ball things essential to his team then you wont have such an effective footballer - there is more to football than just kicking the ball.

Work rate is vital and that can not be instilled by everyone ONLY working on technique. My players technique is more than adequate and we play an effective passing game yet my principles have always been the same and it hasnt effected my players.

RE: My biggest problem with football coaching

coachdownunder — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 12:58:15 GMT

Guys

Have read through some of the posts but not all and everyone has made some valid inputs. I will add my tupence worth which you may or may not agree with but then if we all thought the same way and did things similarly then there would be no need for these forums...

Well here goes... Kids should not be standing around in lines and queues, kids should not be spending 20 minutes doing 'shuttles' and sprints. These activities take away valuable ball working time, kids should be having as many touches of the ball as possible during a session.

A session can be structured to ensure that the kids get maximum amounts of touches on the ball as well as improving their fitness levels at the same time.

My sessions last for about one and a half hours, my kids will touch the ball in excess of 600 times each and they will also run on average about 2.5 to 3km they will also not be inactive for more than 20 seconds and this can all be done in an area less than 20 square meters.

RE: My biggest problem with football coaching

Orangepen — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 20:43:59 GMT

What really makes a good point about running for me is a quote from Jose Mourinho:

"A great pianist doesn't run around the piano or do push ups with the tops of his fingers. To be great, he plays the piano. He plays all his life and being a footballer is not about running, push-ups or physical work generally. The best way to be a great footballer is to play."

He's right isn't he. I try and limit the amout of just running to a bare minimum in the warm-up and if more ABSOLUTELY has to be done, then I make sure somewhere a ball is involved.

RE: My biggest problem with football coaching

steven — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 09:51:16 GMT

hi,

get use to stretching habit and light dynamic warm up is good.

BUT any variaty? like warming up with the ball, ball mastery, foot work, fun game or incoroperate basic motor skill in it..

regards,

steven

RE: My biggest problem with football coaching

Candu — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 23:08:47 GMT

I agree completely with MattR. Running laps is just plain lazy coaching. Get there early, set up a fitness circuit, speed ladders, hurdles, rings, sprint races, intermixed with ball work, keep-away, dribbling courses heading challenges, juggling, and rapid shooting drills stations. Keep the players moving to the next station every five minutes and they never stop moving for an hour (water breaks needed). The kids are getting power, stamina, speed, agility and ball skills and there are loving every minute of it. Yes, you need parental help and assistants but you can do it.

When you scrimmage try these "house rules"- all players except the keeper have to be in the attacking half or the goal doesn't count, all defending players have to be in the defensive half or the goal counts for two. After every goal the attacking team has to touch their own goal post before they can re-join the game. Build the stamina needed for football by playing or practicing football not running laps.

Sport science is coming to the understanding that static stretching is of limited value and then most of the benefit is from a "cool down". Your warm-ups should be ball touches, passing, movement and then dynamic stretching only once the body temperatures are up. Do not letyour kids blast the ball until they are fully warmed up, sooner or later you will get a serious muscle pull if you don't heed this.

Candu

RE: My biggest problem with football coaching

MattR — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 16:02:12 GMT

James,

Bang on!!

RE: My biggest problem with football coaching

James — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 17:00:58 GMT

I can understand where you're coming from, but as a coach of an u10s team, I can see the need for some fitness work, as - and forgive me if this sounds like a rose tinted glasses view - kids just aren't as naturally fit today. You can have all the skills in the world, but if you can't run, you can't play. As one nearing 40 yrs old and still playing 11 a side and 5 a side weekly - I know this to be true ! - I don't think my ability to trap a ball, pass, see a move, any less than 20 years ago - but I can't run as well as I use to.

Take my kids - I have 5 who are like whippets and can run (and do) all day

I have 4 who can't and funnily enough don't - especially during a game - so what can I do ?

I have 2 hrs a week and cannot get them into shape, as my influence is 2hrs a week -what they do at home/school is beyond my control...what i do, is talk to them about fitness, eating right etc and whilst ever conscious that I aim my talks in a way that doesn't stigmatize or offend - I can't help wonder if collectively, we're all sooo sensitive that it's no wonder obesity in the UK is a real worry.

However, I do think playing football is as good a way to get fit as running. Most kids won't run, so I do build in "fitness" work into my training sessions, but have devised lots of "drills" with the ball - so the kids don't see it as fitness work, more ball work.

E.g we do regularly do shuttles - but always with a ball - either dribbling, running or mixing it up, so we carry a ball to say shuttle 2 and next player when they get to 2, pick it up and move to 3 etc.

Also, spend time running around a marked area, but with the ball - so whist the kids get use to dribbling and getting as many touches as possible -they also get to expend energy and so improve fitness and stamina

Finally - as 10 yr old, flexibility and "natural" fitness does start to go unless worked upon, so I do all in all, think it's important to have balance and some fitness work is necessary - though I do agree as coaches of children, we should refrain from doing the same "pre season" work that I have to undertake for myself and it's not all about running.

RE: My biggest problem with football coaching

MattR — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 21:02:25 GMT

Swift1 and Nick,

I personally agree with both of you will disagreeing at the same time. What I mean by this is (Nick), fitness is a big part of this game and yes I have seen the guy who thinks 30 laps of the pitch is benefitting his 9 year olds.

I think what the issue here is or rather the challenge, is how do you incorporate fitness into a 1, 1.5 or 2 hour session so that not only do the benefit from the movement but they are getting lots of touches. The anwer I think is very simple...put a ball on their feet. Does this mean that they now do laps with the ball in circles...NO.

When I run my sessions (for the last 2 years U-9,U-10 and now they will be U11 girls soon), I spend the first half hour with constant movement in a 20 x 20 area dribbling and introducing various moves. By the time they have finished this half hour, I can almost guarantee you that they have run the equivalent to 8 laps of the pitch. The difference is, they don't realize it.

Now how do I know that this is working...out of 13 girls on my team....11 girls came in the top 20 regional school cross country race in our area (aprox. 200 runners). 3 of them were in the top 5.

So in short...Fitness is very important, but how you do it so you the players are learning something, is the what we should discussing.

My 2 cents...more like 25.

RE: My biggest problem with football coaching

Noel — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 11:58:02 GMT

I have 2 teams of under 7's about to be under 8's this year.

I dont have them running laps around the pitch or sprinting but I do have them doing stretching. This isn't because I believe the 7 yr old's body needs stretching but I do it to get them in the habit of doing it so hopefully in a couple of years when they do need to stretch their muscles they are used to doing it and do it without even thinking about it.

I start by getting them jumping up and down on the spot moving their feet out and in, then forward and back. Then some star jumps whilst they all shout 'easy, easy' etc' I get them rolling their arms trying to waft some air to cool me down, roll their heads around and shaking their hands. Just basically getting as many parts of their bodies moving as possible to get the blood flowing. Then about 3-4 minutes of stretching.

They aren't going to get injured by not doing this, but they are more alert and ready for the session about to begin and like I've said above, they are accepting that its part of football training which hopefully will stay with them.

I took an under 11 team about 1 month ago who had just ran around the pitch a few times for their warm up. They just couldn't be arsed basically to do any stretching because they'd never done it before.

RE: My biggest problem with football coaching

swift1 — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 10:59:50 GMT

Frankie,

I completely agree. As i put on one my previous posts on this subject. Last season i did an hour and a half mid week for fitness leaving Saturdays free for skill / tactics etc, plus the players seemed fresher on a Sunday without the fitness work a day before.

There is so much more to it than just fitness, it definatly improves the work ethic of the individual and the team and is excellent for team spirit.

My under 18's start pre - season Saturday August the 18th and the following Wednesday we will all be back for fitness training, we only do the mid week session for four weeks due to the fact of the nights drawing in but by after a long summer break i believe it is just the trick!!

RE: My biggest problem with football coaching

Frankie — Sat, 14 Jul 2007 14:52:40 GMT

MY Lads are going up to under 11s this season and up to 11 a-side full size pitch. Because of this we have 1 hour fitness training midweek, Stamina nd sprinting, at a weekend 2 hours footie coaching.

If the midweek does anything it seems to bring the lads closer they work hard have a good laugh while creating a great team spirit then on Sundays they are really enjoying their coaching.

WORKS FOR ME.

RE: My biggest problem with football coaching

johnnyM — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 23:53:02 GMT

a few good points there lads, at the moment i'm not to sure on it. next season i will be managing an u-11 team who i had last year and i beleive that if i can get them fitter that they will improve. the way i am going to approach is for first half hour kids will have a ball at there feet followed by conditioned games and i'll leave the physical running til last, tiring kids out and expecting them to perform skills well wont work i think. running at end will prob have to finish with relay or fun game.

RE: My biggest problem with football coaching

David Clarke — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 17:18:31 GMT

I think what lies behind the fitness idea is that in the last 10 minutes of a game you can catch the opposition out because they tire and you have the run of the pitch. My under 11s win everything, but in the last 10 minutes of a match are out on their feet. I got it in the neck from parents saying I didnt do enough physical training with them. Dont get me wrong they didnt lose games because of it, they just didnt run as much. If a clear opportunity arose for a midfielder to run up the pitch they passed it to transfer the responsibility so they didnt have to run any more. Surely it is far more important they had the skills to do this rather than be fit enough to run and run and run and run?

RE: My biggest problem with football coaching

Sharks — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 17:09:20 GMT

Hi Nick,

It's not that fitness training isn't useful, but the real question is at what age does it make sense. You are right, that at younger ages, especially, it really is just a very poor use of time that you have to train.

I watched a coach of a team of 6 year old girls this past spring practice 4 weeks in a row. The girls had been moved up an age division by the coach and parents because they had a couple of players that were better than the other kids their age and they were "beating" all the other teams. After moving up, they were "losing" all of their games because the other teams were bigger and faster. (This information came from a mom with a daughter on the team.) DUH!!! What did they really expect, that the other kids weren't going to be physically different a year older at this age group? The worst part was the way the coach responded to the difference. In the typical 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minute practice, the coach would spend a good 10 minutes stretching. This was done first, without any type of warm-up or anything to get the blood circulating through the muscles. I faulted the coach less on the lack of warm-up than the need to do the stretching at all. 6 year olds don't need this. What a waste of time. When is the last time you saw a 6 year old pull a muscle on the playground due to not stretching and warming up? Doesn't happen. Their bodies are physically different and applying the principles that we know so well as adults doesn't make sense.

After stretching, the coach then went to sprint work. After all, the girls were being out run by the physically older kids. He spent another 10 to 15 minutes just doing sprints. He made it a competition and the kid that won the sprint got to sit out the rest of the sprints. So the slowest kid on the team got to run a lot. Not that she was out of shape and couldn't run, it was just where she was in her physical development as a kid. :(

So now, 25 minutes into practice they get the soccer balls out. Not that they start playing soccer, but they get in lines. They pass the coach the ball and run from the corner made by the mid field line towards the goal the coach passes them the ball and they try to one touch into the goal. Almost none of the girls could do this successfully. They didn't have the skill to receive the ball and re-direct it with one touch. They would all bobble the ball around and get it under control after the 3rd or 4th touch and then dribble once toward the goal before taking a shot. Each kid got about 3 or 4 tries at this. There were a couple of drills like this and they always resulted in very few touches by each kid and always had the coach serving the ball or being the one passing the ball out to the kids.

The only other drills during practice involved the kids in lines and running as fast as they could to the ball and kicking it out of bounds. There were a couple of varieties of this. The emphasis was on getting the ball out of bounds and stopping those faster girls that were breaking away from them during games.

And that was it. Well, one week they ran laps, without the ball. For 4 weeks, I couldn't watch anymore after that, but I'm sure it continued. I would guess that each kid got maybe 100 touches during an hour long practice if lucky. As equally as sad as this coach being okay with this, the parents seemed very happy with the way this guy was coaching their kids. I can't even imagine that this was fun for the girls and developing any sort of love for soccer in them. Kids at this age need lots of touches. Lots of time to experiment with the ball. Lots of work on technique. They should get 1000's of touches a week each to develop those skills. Forget about the stretching, sprinting, and lap running altogether. They shouldn't be focusing on the fact that kids are breaking away and running to kick the ball out of bounds, but focusing on how to dribble and control the ball when THEY get it. Focus on how to play 1 v 1 defense when a kid on the other team gets the ball, i.e. put themselves between the ball and the goal, don't dive in but get the ball when the other kid kicks it way out in front of them.

There comes an age when sprint work, distance running, fitness training, stretching, etc. all make sense, and not even necessarily at the same age. As kids bodies start changing around 10, 11 and 12 it is important to be doing the warmup and stretching of the muscles. Introducing this at earlier ages can develop the habits, but it needs to be weighed against having that time used for actual training with the ball. At the younger ages you are right, any fitness and endurance needed can be achieved through normal training. If the kids are actually moving and playing for and hour during practice twice a week, then there is no reason to believe they can't do this during the game each week. One of the larger problems in this area is that many coaches don't know how to run a practice that keeps the kids moving and playing. They end up with lots of lines, standing around, lecturing (hoping they have the kids attention), etc. instead of 30 seconds of this is what I want to see including the demo and then making it happen.

As the kids get older additional focus should be given to some fitness training. I like what Nick had done with his U17 boys. You are right, we should work to teach them about fitness and encourage them to do this work on their own. Some will, some won't. As coaches, it is our responsibility to put the best team on the field we can. This includes fitness level as well as technique. So as the kids get older and need more fitness training, this needs to be added into our training schedules to make them the best players we can. We typically train the older kids longer and more often than the younger kids so adding fitness components into training schedules doesn't have to mean less training with the ball. If we are really on top of what we are doing, we should be able to use a lot of small sided games to not only work on techniques, but on fitness as well.

RE: My biggest problem with football coaching

Nick — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 11:59:15 GMT

Yeah i can agree with that.

I would definately agree about the 17 and over age groups, especially with them all drinking at a younger age now and generally being much more lazy.

Yeah i concede that it is probably more benificial than i first thought.

Thats the benefit of something like this i suppose.

RE: My biggest problem with football coaching

swift1 — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 11:03:53 GMT

Fair point Nick

But - what fitness work also achieves is a good work ethic, i agree that maintaining your own fitness should be encouraged but with older players who are working and not doing sporting activities at school etc during the week then i find it really does make a difference.

If you dont believe 20 minutes of fitness work can be effective i strongly disagree. It helps in the momentum of training, hard work then fun, if they learn a good team and work ethic by doing the things that they do not always enjoy as part of a team then it definatley builds up the work rate of the individual and the team.

I encourage my team to work hard for each other and i strongly believe that certain fitness drills not only keep them physically fit but also instill this. Obviously 20 minutes isnt going to turn them into olympic athletes but i certainly think it has more benefit than not doing any at all.

Please remember though i am working with 17 and 18 year olds and not kids as such and i thoroughly agree at younger ages this isnt anywhere near as important as ball work and technique etc.

RE: My biggest problem with football coaching

Nick — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 10:00:47 GMT

Absolutely no chance that i can agree with the last bit.

No way does half an hour of fitness make a difference to your matches.

Young kids dont need it. They need educated on how to keep fit but thats all.

You may be introducing an extra session but if the child wants to sit playing games the rest of the week then whats the point in your session. Its all about mentality at a young age.

I cannot possibly say its wrong because you say they find it fun but i believe it would be better this way-

Drop the fitness aspect e.g running round the pitch shuttle runs etc.

Educate your kids on how its important to keep fit and explain that you will take them off during matches if they are struggling (this will give a child more incentive to keep fit because they hate sitting on the sidelines).

And when you see certain players are struggling explain that if they cant last the game then someone else will get the chance.

Maybe i am wrong because i am less experienced but i remember what i thought when my manager made us do it.

RE: My biggest problem with football coaching

swift1 — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 16:58:11 GMT

In response to the post on "fitness training" i do agree to a point as kids / teenagers have a natural energy. I think at a young age absolute priority should be technique, understanding of the game and team work, the thing with fitness work certain drills can be good fun and as well as working on their stamina and fitness it can be made enjoyable and add the training experience for the youngsters. I believe though once they go into playing on larger pitches and 11 a side that stamina is important. I have seen plenty of games at under 13 and upwards where teams although technically good run out of steam. Exhaustion physically also means exhuastion mentally and as football is a lot about decsision making then i do believe that fitness is important and should be worked on to improve stamina and to channel their energy correctly over the duration of the match. With most training sessions being only two hours a week i normally dedicate about 15-20 minutes per session. Last year at under 17 while the light nights allowed i had an extra mid week session to work purely on fitness to leave my saturday training purely for working on systems of play / team shape and ball work etc. The mid week session was half hour shorter at one and a half hours and the benefits were massive. I can honestly say for the first 6 - 8 weeks of the season our fitness won us as many games as anything else - and just for the record there would be a full attendance at each fitness session and the players thoroughly enjoyed it which was good considering no footballs were even allowed it was purely just fitness work!!

My biggest problem with football coaching

Nick — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 16:24:49 GMT

I have a real problem with coaches who make kids run around doing 'fitness training'.

Most coaches only have 1-2 hours a week training and what i dont understand is that they believe that making them run around the pitch or doing shuttle runs for that 1 hour is really going to make a difference to these kids.

1 hour of fitness a week will never make a difference.

Football training should mean exactly what it says. FOOTBALL training.Leave the fitness aspect to the professional players who train everyday.

I have no problem with giving the kids knowledge about keeping fit and maybe giving them excercises they can do themselves but concentrate on the football guys please.

Why also is it worse in pre-season? I bet there is a huge number of you who make your first training excercise of the new season a fitness excercise.