This is my throd season as assistant mgr for my Sons team currently U15

Also working with the U6 andU7 age groups in the club

Took Level 1 badge this summer, plus a number of the online courses

Hoping to do Level 2 this summer

Mark

This is my third season and my girls team are now U10. I've never played football myself but did my FA Level 1 coaching a couple of years ago and have promised myself I will do Level 2 this season. I have some really great players and seem to be attracting more girls all the time (probably because we won the league and the cup last year, finishing unbeaten) I love coaching and motivating the girls, and seeing things come together for them, but I am now struggling trying to stop the girls getting complacent. I'm also struggling with keeping the parents (especially fathers!) off my back, as they now expect us to win all the time, and of course think their daughter is the best player in the squad and should play every game, and that they know better than a woman! I really want to give all the girls a game every week, but it's no longer possible. Any advice on handling father's in a man's world (yes even in girl's footy), gratefully received!

 The subject of parents is raised on here quite a lot and its an issue i have also experienced so i do sympthathise with you. I dont think there is a right or wrong way to keep them happy.

Whatever level of football you are in people will always believe they know best. Every England team picked someone would do it differently and better. I have even seen proper fistfights at proffesional matches because someone rates the manager and someone else doesnt (Steve Bruce - Birmingham City)

I have no family ties to my team and i think that helps as i cant be accused of picking my son or daughter but regardless of that everyone thinks there little jimmy (or jane) should play every week in their preffered position.

My view is this, if i knew i was trying to do the right thing for the whole team and THE PLAYERS (not parents) are happy in the team then i would continue and let as much go over my head as possible. The people with the opinions are usually the ones who wouldnt have a clue how to run a side. I dont fully agree when people say it not about the result because nobody enjoys losing but at an age where we are developing youngsters within a team enviroment then it isnt the be all and end all.

I had a similar incidents a couple of years ago and basically asked exactly what the problem was and most of the time its just peoples excuse to moan.No one had a very good point it was just things like "my son likes it upfront" I nearly left at one time as i had a few opportunites elsewhere and it was the most critical who wanted me to stay more than anyone - someone to moan about each week probably.

Simply stick with it, what i will say though is get yourself through that second basic course ASAP. Especially if you have never played as the later courses are much more beneficial as the first two are very basic. I promise you this though your football education will come from watching and being part of the game but the courses are a good start point.

Head up and stick with it!!

I too have experienced the problem of pushy/moaning parents. I try to get them to focus on their own childs development, rather than the performance and results. Ask them if they know what their child enjoys about football or why they come, if they ask I guarentee that at U10 winning comes way down the list if it appears at all.

Try and encourage them to complete the FA Soccer parent course, it's free and will reinforce what you are saying. One of our teams offered a £5 discount on registration to parents who could produce a certificate to show they had completed Soccer parent course. It improved the behaviour of the parents several times over and once a majority had completed it there was real peer pressure on the rest to do it. One mother banned her husband from coming until he completed it. Let us know how you get on.

Mark

Don't let us blokes put you off - if you're prepared to step up and do it - then that's got to go a long way - you may not have decades playing experience - but knowledge gained by working with the kids - watching, taking the FA courses and being part of forums such as this,can only help you......as you learn, you'll grow and you;ll improve

Don't every forget to have fun along with way

Don't stick to rigid training drills - use you're own personality and experience.

Good luck

Good idea

I'm coach to Hall Green Utd U10s in Wakefield.

Been caoching them since they were U6 - this year first time in league - Hudd & Dist Jnr.

Got involved as I've played since I was 5 - now pushing 40 and still playing 5 a side once a week and 11 a side Saturday...wanted to get involved as can't play forever ...and my lad didn't seem that interested - took him along and helped the coach - who moved on 2 yrs ago to leave me the team - my lad becoming more interested as he gets older - but it sometimes puts a strain, as there are time he's not interested in playing/training and I leave him to follow that path - but it "cuts me deep" - just shows, we're all different

Anyway I have 13 kids in total - love it when they listen - hate it when they mess about - usually on a Wednesday training session when they've had enough of listening to teacher - so don't need me to yap on - which is fair enough

Take immense pleasure when they work hard and win a game - less so when we win against weak opposistion....nothing worth gaining was ever gained without effort.

Amazed that I would find so much pleasure in coaching and helping many kids from different backgrounds to get focused and work together - If it weren't for parents, I might have considered going into teaching

Have FA coach level 1 - wanting to do 2 and 3 when their 16 - but work commitments makes this hard.

Favourite Motto " It ain't about winning, it's about trying to win"

It's in the trying that makes us who we are - and what we will become...not the winning.

My name is James, I coach a U8 girls team in central Texas.  I have been coaching my daughters team for about 2 years.  I started coaching so that my daughter would be able to play, typical scenario of too many kids and not enough parents stepping up and volunteering. 

Since I started coaching I find myself actually watching the sport on T.V. (which is actually hard to do in the states; my belief is that it is do to the lack of commercials so the networks do not get any advertising money) and have become hooked!!!

I hope to be able to find ways to motivate some of the kids to want to play and share what I have found to work with my team. 

I'm a dad who filled in last year when we had 14 under 7's, frantically trying to get them all a game. As usual most teams in our league had the same problems and ended up playing an A team (league) & B team (friendly) game during the same fixture. Now I run the B team in Div 3 on my own. I love it, but seem to have been through the same trials and tribulations as most of you on the boards.

I'm a Level 1 Rugby coach so see both sides of the coin with regard to running teams, discipline, respect, etc. At this age there is no difference in the kids (or the parents come to that). If anybody has any questions about how I do things in Rugby give me a shout, I'm more than happy to lend a hand.

Looking forward to exchanging views over the coming months.

David (WTJFC)