 Posted 14/11/2007 14:04:48
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| We are having an Under 8's Trials day in a weeks time and just wondered what other people look for in players at that age - I've only managed from uner11's upwards and have been asked to help out assessing players on the day. Now to me i'm looking for kids who are enthusiastic and have some general ball control - not looking for wonder kids (although it would be nice) but looking for kids who can run with the ball and keep it under some sort of control - or am i expecting too much from 6,7 & 8 year olds. The ability to pass a ball into a general area - again not exactly to me but in the right sort of direction and get it close. A bit of understanding of the general concept of the game and the positions on the pitch am I expecting too much - some advice would be appreciated cheers Jim
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Posted 14/11/2007 15:20:15
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| I manage an U10s and have coached them since they were U6s enthusiasm, for me, has to be main focus - the danger with young kids, is their brain is still developing, so hand/eye or rather foot/eye co-ordination is still developing - you'll hear the phrase about a young lad being all "gangily" - it's down to brain developing - so you can't and shouldn't expect kids at U8 to be able to do a lot of running with the ball or moving the ball into space for them to run into - that will come with time and coaching. Some can and will - it down to developing at different rates - I had one kid at 6 who could do things with a ball our then U11 couldn't - four yrs on, he's still a great player, but I now have 5 or 6 his equal - so they've caught him up. A desire to win the ball A desire to share the ball - i.e pass A desire to have fun, put in the effot and not be too disheartened would be the 3 key things I would look for Often, the kid with the biggest smile on their face after the session, usually turn out to be ok. There is no right or wrong answer - but at such a young age FUN has to really be the key - they is a lot of time yet before they'll be playing in the Champions League - so keep it fun. All the best and enjoy the day
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Posted 14/11/2007 23:22:33
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TRIALS AT U8S?
If your looking for a happy squad to develop no matter what their ability.
pick the players who dont have big mouth pushy parents who try and tell you just how good their child is and it becomes obvious they will interfere in everything you try and do.
Make life easier for yourself.
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Posted 28/11/2007 18:44:17
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| I would have to agree with Frankie about the parents. It is never pleasant when you hear one parent above all of the other background noise directing his kid to play a certain way. I believe that, win or lose, the kids need to learn how to make decisions on the field. If they make the wrong decision then they can see the consequences. Again, we play non competitive at the U8 level so standings do not matter (in theory). Are the trials for a select team or is it a recreational league? In our organization we are recreational until U9, then we branch out to rec plus who want the "higher level" or staying in the recreational league. The philosophy in the rec league is that each kid plays for 1/2 of each game. I want my team to enjoy playing most of all so I would look for the kids that are having fun. From there look at their ability to see the game. If a kid is good but does not enjoy playing, then it may lead to lack of growth as they do not try to improve. Look at their ability - do they pass to open space or directly at a player, can they dribble, can they use both feet.
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