 Posted 13/05/2008 10:38:31
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| Bring on summer football. It's a beautiful sunny early summer day here in East Dunbartonshire Scotland. After months of playing in the rain, mud, snow and freezing temperatures it would have been lovely to get the boys together for a session today but logistically it can't happen.
The winter conditions in this country make it virtually impossible for young players to really show their skills and express themselves. I'm really determined that we give them the best chance to shine and playing on a dry pitch with short grass in the sunshine would really encourage then to show off the skills they have acquired over the course of the season.
However, after discussing the idea of training through the summer with the parents, it seems that it won't be possible. Apparently the parents "need a break". Yes, it must be tough for them. Oh well.
brian p kennedy
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Posted 13/05/2008 12:56:15
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| How interesting that your season runs in the winter. Over on this side of the pound our typical season on the east coast runs from June to Aug. The pitches are not dry enough to start before then. Much to short to develop any elite skills. With the advent of the new artificial turf technologies, we've been able to stretch the season from May to October. In the last couple of years, some municipalities have converted old ice rinks into indoor soccer complex. The results of having kids play year round are phenomenal.
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Posted 13/05/2008 13:58:42
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| Brian, I have been coaching soccer for seven years. The summer is a time when I would always try to get my high school girls to get caught up to the advanced teams in our league. I enrolled them in a coed adult soccer league my first summer, then got them in 6 v6 leagues, which was the best option! However, the girls who were the most advanced on my team would be the only ones to show up to training sessions. They would play hard/physical games, and work as hard at practices. By August, when we would begin our conditioning for fall and they would once again give their all (God bless them, Allah bless them, may buddah enlighten them and may an atheist give them a high five! (we must be political correct in the states to show the rest of the world we are not as arrogant as they think! LOL)). However, those same players by the middle of our fall season would be full of pains - two severe shin problems that they were required to have surgery. Another ankle problems, and the best girl had everything imaginable......they wouldn't always be able to play to their potential. My daughter fell in love with sport as a result of my coaching. From the time she was in 6th grade she would play on one of the more advance teams against us loves the sport so much that she plays at any opportunity with adults, advanced players, and less advance players. This past March she tore her ACL and is depressed as hell. I got her coaching a middle school team that is very developing to keep her involved. If we are able to successfully rehab this summer and I think she is 100% she will be able to play this fall which would be her junior year. However, I may have to have her sit out so she can pursue her dream of playing college ball. I keep asking myself, as a parent/coach should I have allowed her to play so much? I coach some U14 girls on a club team who play for me on my middle school team and are now showing signs of burn out from playing year round. Your desire as a coach is very admirable! Be careful Partner. Although are intentions as coaches are good, sometimes (and i include myself) we are our own worst enemies. Give your lads/lasses a break perhaps. Then let them renew their spirits and bodies. If I coach again at the high school ranks, I will Have my players play a different sport in the summer-- water polo is first on my list! Allow them a breather, reflect on what their true sport is, but keep them athletically involved. I don't know if it will work, but it's worth a try? Miller
Miller
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Posted 13/05/2008 14:52:31
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| I'm the father of 3 little one's I coach U-5G, U-8G and I assist on a U9B team, during soccer season( spring, fall, and winter{indoor}), I don't have the time to do things around the house, my wife tries to do as much as possible but after awhile she starts to get tired and the arguments begging. She looks forward to the end of the seasons so she can get help around the house and find some time for herself. She looks forward to the summers for the whole family to spend time together at the beach, amusement park and at the pool. We always seem to for get about our other half during the soccer season so we try to make-up for it during the summer, I think mothers deserve that much.
Carlos G. Romero
Brick, NJ, USA
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Posted 13/05/2008 16:22:56
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| Is indoor soccer available in your area? It's getting bigger all the time around us. My son plays on both outdoor and indoor soccer teams. In fact, his academy team goes from outdoors (Spring and Fall) to indoors (Summer and Winter) so the team can stay together and practice year round. The facility we use has two large indoor fields: http://www.riserockwall.com/home Perhaps that can one day be an option for you and your team. Good luck!
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Posted 13/05/2008 19:29:36
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| I am sorry to say, here in the West Country, U.K. we do have a problem attaining either indoor, or astro turf facilities in the winter so training is not as good as it should be during our active season. In the summer, brilliant, sunsine on your back, firmer ground to excersize your individual skills, summer six a side tournaments etc etc. For all this, I do believe the younger kids, mabey 12 years and below, do need a break to recharge the batteries. Even small sided games, 7v7 does take it's toll through the winter with the heavy ground and cold weather. The boys i coach at u 10 will have a break and will all come back for pre season training fully refreshed and rearing to go. They will still play footy with thier mates and will also indulge in a bit of cricket or fishing. Hardly ever standing still but the short break from footy does them good. And me I might add.
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Posted 13/05/2008 19:47:27
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| With all the concern about young players overplaying and getting injuries like shin splints through too much football, the answer to this one has got to be no. Summer is for summer sports like cricket and athletics. They can keep their fitness up doing those. Everyone needs a rest, Kids and parents included. I have seen some players looking bored as the season goes on and on into mid May. They really do need a break and the benefit will be that they come back refreshed and with a better attitude at the end of August. Summer Football - Nein Danke
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Posted 13/05/2008 21:42:52
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| Here in Australia we would love a moist damp pitch to play on, we are now approaching winter with the boys still having to play in 25 Degrees C + days, with humidity in the 80-90 percent range. The grounds are so hard with minimal wirey grass cover which does not allow for a good quality game of football. I guess I would love to to continue sessions in summer to keep the team morale and comradery up as they tend to go there own ways and it takes time for them them to team up again come next season. Cheers Mark
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Posted 14/05/2008 01:45:05
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Hi Mark,
I coach teams in the Southern Highlands and we have a lot of good rain this time of year so things are pretty much like uk.
Do you have a ruling on substitution?
Our rules in NSW are crazy, any sub any time on and off.
I have a great team but this ruling means I am duty bound to use these subs as they have paid big money to play $250 a season, which is another crazy ruling.
I always thought that the payment was towards insurance , but I had a lad broke his leg a couple of weeks ago and the insurance is non exsistant.
Anyway we are on a good run at the moment and I dont like changing a winning side,hence grief.
Whats the answer?
Jacko
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Posted 14/05/2008 10:31:26
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| Brian, if I could I'd be out there every day coaching kids because I love doing it! However, after a long hard season in all weathers I feel both the players and the parents deserve a break as indeed I probably do to recharge the batteries and do further research on coaching techniques and sessions to keep everything fresh and challenging for next season. Therefore, it is a 4-week hiatus through July and then back in August in readiness for the new season. Can't wait already...
Tim B-White
Braintree Town YFC
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