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Forum Newbie
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Last Login: 23/04/2010 20:33:19
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| I coach B level - Rec U12 boys. Some of them are there because their parents make them play. However at this age, they need to learn a sense of team resposibility and respect for the game. What motivational ideas have been used for some kids that just aren't motivated?
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Forum Newbie
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Last Login: 22/04/2010 19:27:40
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This is a challenging age and situation.
Just remember it's about having fun. I would avoid the idea of "motivation" in the traditional sense altogether. The first thing you need to do is let the kids know you care about them as people, and all that takes is spending a quick second asking them a question or two about themselves, telling a funny story, etc. At least then they won't hate the idea of being there, since they'll at least be comfortable hanging out in the same general vicinity where you occupy space.
You likely have a wide spread of both enthusiasm and skill level.
I've found that when kids aren't motivated to try it's a confidence thing...they feel like they suck so they don't want to try....as if it's better to not try and not be any good than to try hard and still not be any good.
I would gear my sessions to developing a better relationship with the ball, lots of juggling, dribbling, learning moves, etc. All stuff that #1 is geared toward developing confidence with the ball, and #2 they can do at home if they do find they get motivated. That's the fun stuff anyway. Remember, all players need to have these basic foundations to ever have a chance at being any good.
The most important thing is to have the expectation that they are quiet when appropriate and attempt to do the things that everyone else is doing, regardless of their success. Remind them that the most important thing is to give it a try....and then leave it at that. If everyone has a ball and they just want to stand there picking dandelions at least they aren't bothering anyone.
When it comes to games, since, overall, you aren't worried about results, but some of your players are, let the better, more enthusiastic players do what they can to win. There is a valuable lesson in that for everyone...and the more skilled and motivated players will start to recognize who is into it and who is not.
This is basically the last age that kids play just because their parent want them to, so next year it'll be easier!
good luck 
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Forum Newbie
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Last Login: 23/04/2010 22:44:40
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| if you have an assistant coach try a split squad practice. Break the kids up into black and blue squads (avoid A and B teams, 1 and 2 etc., keep it skill level neutral) and organize drills with kids of similar skill levels working together. As they have success playing with kids who are in the same boat in terms of skills, confidence or interests level of personal success grows as do friendships between players. Every now and then switch a couple players in and out of each group to up the challenge level. Once you've done some small group work always finish with the whole team working together. Myself and a friend did this for a couple of seasons with our U10 boys team which had players of very disparate skill levels. We began to see signs that better players were getting impatient with those less adept and self doubt and resentment was beginning to sprout among the developing players so I came up with this idea and it worked beautifully. We managed the groups so it was never a question of which one was better or worse but we did weigh the groups according to skill level and moved players around just enough that the boys never caught on but gelled into a very fun group playing good soccer. Motivation was high and all the kids came back, no one quit feeling out of place and all but one of the "star" players returned.
there are no losers
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