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Junior Member
 
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Last Login: 20/09/2010 15:25:45
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During games some of my U8 players want the ball so much that they will crowd around each, other, get in the way of shots, and even take the ball away from their team mates. How can I get them to spread out and play with each other, not against each other.
Thanks
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Junior Member
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Last Login: 22/04/2010 23:42:14
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I have a brilliant training tactic to use to stop this from happening.its very easy to control them at U7s/U8s ( which I coach) using this technique.you will need at least 15 mins with this and at least 4 sessions. when you play a match at the end of your training, split the pitch into 4 so you have a a left side and right side in 1 half and the same in the other half. The defenders are not allowed forward of the half way line, or cross the middle line. the forwards are not allowed more than a quarter into their own half, but the midfielders can go anywhere. If the defenders cross the half way line or cross the middle of the pitch they give away a penalty to the other side. same if the forward crosses more than a quarter into their own half. This game does need enforcing the penalty every time they go out of their boundry. after about 10 mins of lots of penaltys they will start to think more of where they are. this also enforces passing and working as a team. you need to do this for a few weeks running as otherwise they will slip back to their old ways. Also swap the players positions the second time you try it. after doing this for 4 sessions, then you can do it whenever you think they may be slipping back.
Simon
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It's ironic how we "uncoach" children through the best window of development to not crowd the ball. Then through the teenage years, we try to "re-coach" them to pressure the ball in numbers. Don't get me wrong, I'm the world's greatest fan of irony, but the result is that we throw the baby out with the bath water later on by recruiting enthusiastic players to stay competitive. Of course there's nothing left to do but to blame the system.
Personally, I prefer players of all ages and levels that;
1. Want the ball
2. Know how to get the ball
3. Know how to keep the ball
Could you imagine saying that to a poor child on the streets in South America? He would never get anytime on the ball, let alone master it!
The Clown Prince says, "FTM!"
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Junior Member
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Last Login: 20/09/2010 15:25:45
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Thanks for the responses.
Duncan,
I'm not sure what the point of your response was, but I have no problem with the kids going after the ball in force when the other team has it, but there is a time and place for everything. I player soccer in Nigeria in elementary school and I don't remember us taking the ball away from each other on the same team. In fact, I remember that ball hogs didn't get the ball passed to them by their teammates.
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Last Login: 27/05/2010 04:59:08
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Hi Tokoli,
You bring up a common problem with young US soccer players. It sounds like Simon is at least partly right. As you point out if you did that in the playgrounds of Nigeria you would be penalized in several ways. Simon also suggests enforcing a penalty. My issue with Simon's solution is that I think an actual PK is too harsh and I am squarely against the idea of teaching 8 year olds that they must stay in some highly ridged formation on the field.
Let's stick with the idea of a consequence for wrong behavior. What would be a good consequence for taking the ball from your own player. I can think of several ideas. The one I like best and seems easiest to enforce is to call a "foul" every time this happens in practice and award a free kick to the other team. This way you have a straight forward and direct consequence for the undesired behavior.
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| I think that Wolf suggested a happy medium with the penalty. There was a time when I told my defenders not to cross into the opposing half. I quickly stopped telling them that when one of my players with an open route to goal stopped at the center line and let the ball continue.
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Last Login: 16/09/2011 14:25:09
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| I don't like restricted space at that age until the kids have the mental capacity to understand the on-ball and support player responsibilities. I do agree with the un-coaching of players that Duncan spoke of. Do we want them to be better players now or when it really matters later? not real sure about the rest. I think Wolf has some good ideas also. When we play small sided games in our sessions, if two players on the same team are playing as one player (within arms length) I have those two lock arms or hold hands and play that way for two or three min. At first they will think it is fun and funny, but if you stick with it they will soon get tired of playing that way and separate. this way the hole side does not suffer, the separation issue is controlled, and the players may not feel that they are in trouble for being aggressive (witch is a food thing). Hope this will help and good luck.
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