 Posted 25/05/2007 14:41:45
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| Hi im sure we all agree that making the game fun is the most important thing for our kids. However i have always wondered what is the best type of football to teach them, there are a few but at a young age it is probably just a couple of 'styles' you tend to see. 1. Short passing, keeping the ball. At an older age this is what we strive for but at a young age there are more mistakes which can knock the confidence of kids and put them off if there mistakes lead to goals. 2. Direct football, getting the ball up the pitch at the first chance and trying to score as much as you can. Gives the kids a better understanding of what they have to do but doesnt teach them the basics of 'good football' and less skill involved. Please guys give me your views!
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Posted 25/05/2007 18:27:20
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| Nick, I have been coaching younger ones for 6 years at this point. I have found that giving the team different goals is key. Scoring goals at the young age may do well for the standings, but if the goal is to score goals give the ball to one or two of your kids that have big boots, are fast and can score. The problem with that of course is that there really is no development that goes along. What I have done is, especially when playing against a team that is stronger than mine is to focus on goals that I know my team can succeed at. Passing (3 consecutive passes), step-over's, pull-back's, using the right language (square, man-on, though etc..). All of these things my team should be able to accomplish, we keep a count that has nothing to do with having the ball go in the back of the net. We have focused on those things for a few games and believe it or not those skills help us bring the ball done the field and mount some very attractive attacks. The point is the kids will have a good time if they can find a tangible and attainable goal. Playing long ball may get you a few "W"'s but over the intermediate term really slows their attainment of skills and I believe also lessens their love for the game... Best of luck! Andy Coach of U-11G's travelling team in California
Coach Andy CV Wanderers, U-11G Class III
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Posted 28/05/2007 12:13:55
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Nick
Andy makes some excellent points here. In the leagues my teams play in you find that a lot of the teams care little about the actual football their teams are playing it is the result that bothers them. So they go for a fast boy up front and some big guys at the back and hoof the ball up to him creating chance after chance. The stupid thing is, like Andy says, if you play a passing game, give your players the target of making a certain number of passes each game then your team rises to the top.
My teams used to lose to that long ball style team but now can easily contain them and pass past them even if individually they are not as good as other teams. We practice small sided games at each training session to give them the confidence to pass. And individually they learn such a lot from you it is a pleasure to watch them develop.
It is of course hard work and sometimes you do get beaten, but stick with it, it pays off in the end.
Dave Clarke Soccer Coach Weekly Editor
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Posted 29/05/2007 14:20:26
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| I've just inherited an under 8 side for next season. Of the 16 or so players perhaps 3 or 4 can kick a ball properly and have any degree of skill. Of those 4, 3 are good players. I refereed a couple of their games last season and they were soundly hammered in every one. All their play went through 2 or 3 players. I've started planning next season and the focus will be as you guys describe - plenty of skills and touches, get them comfortable on the ball, and lots of passing drills. Can you detail the best drill to start with for passing?
Dwyer
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Posted 15/06/2007 13:00:57
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| I have used a passing drill for some time for my under 7's. Not sure what its called but basically 2 teams in different coloured bibs. One team is spread out at random and they have a ball each. A player from the opposite team stands approx 8 yards away and shouts for the ball. They immediately turn do a little run, turn again and return the ball to the original player. This progresses to the player receiving the ball, turning and running and passing to an alternative player. Whilst they are running and looking for an alternative player, myself and a couple of helpers put pressure on the ball players to run rather than walk with the ball and force them into making a decision quickly on who to pass to. It works well but not as good I feel as a small sided 3x3 game. We've gone a full year loosing every game bar 1 which we drew to becoming runners up in a cup competition in our first tournament last weekend and I', sure its all down to passing.
Woolston Rovers Warrington
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Posted 15/06/2007 13:28:42
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| Thanks Noel, I'll try this out tomorrow morning. We've got a tournament on Sunday so need all the help we can get. Dave Clarke (SCW editor) swears by this approach too. He focused on little else but passing when he took over his first team and reckons it really brought them on. Cheers
Dwyer
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Posted 17/06/2007 12:17:22
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Your very welcome, for £12 per month I'll continue to give you my advice
Woolston Rovers Warrington
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