Youth football coaching - any advice?
Discussion
I'm after a bit of advice or at least help toward the direction of some decent reading material.
I've recently taken on the role of team manager for my sons U7's team, we're two games into the season so far and the kids are enjoying it but i'm struggling for training ideas that keep the lads attention and keep them all involved.
I'm finding it hard to get across to them that they need to tackle the other players, in training and amongst themselves the boys are brilliant, in the matches though they stand off the other players and almost daren't challenge them. Also, they don't understand the positions they are in and how to keep their shape.
Can anyone give me some advice that could help with these things?
I realise they're only 6, of course it has to be fun but the two teams we've played so far have played us off the park, mainly down to their discipline and passing.
I've recently taken on the role of team manager for my sons U7's team, we're two games into the season so far and the kids are enjoying it but i'm struggling for training ideas that keep the lads attention and keep them all involved.
I'm finding it hard to get across to them that they need to tackle the other players, in training and amongst themselves the boys are brilliant, in the matches though they stand off the other players and almost daren't challenge them. Also, they don't understand the positions they are in and how to keep their shape.
Can anyone give me some advice that could help with these things?
I realise they're only 6, of course it has to be fun but the two teams we've played so far have played us off the park, mainly down to their discipline and passing.
Ok, Keep it simple
Tell your defenders to stay inside their half. Tell them they must stand between your goal and any opposition players (ie never let an opponent in behind them)
Tell them to play the way they are facing - so if they are running back, don't stop and turn, just kick the ball out or pass it to the other defender.
In terms of coaching tackling. Get your team in a circle, a biggish one. one ball, tell them to pass across the circle.
Put one player in the middle, who must chase the ball and tackle, win the ball. Full speed shout at them, they mustn't stand off. This also helps your standing players time passes and control / pass.
Hope this helps, Just remember it is fun.
Gargamel said:
Ok, Keep it simple
Tell your defenders to stay inside their half. Tell them they must stand between your goal and any opposition players (ie never let an opponent in behind them)
Tell them to play the way they are facing - so if they are running back, don't stop and turn, just kick the ball out or pass it to the other defender.
In terms of coaching tackling. Get your team in a circle, a biggish one. one ball, tell them to pass across the circle.
Put one player in the middle, who must chase the ball and tackle, win the ball. Full speed shout at them, they mustn't stand off. This also helps your standing players time passes and control / pass.
Hope this helps, Just remember it is fun.
Thanks Gargamel, i'll keep at it.Tell your defenders to stay inside their half. Tell them they must stand between your goal and any opposition players (ie never let an opponent in behind them)
Tell them to play the way they are facing - so if they are running back, don't stop and turn, just kick the ball out or pass it to the other defender.
In terms of coaching tackling. Get your team in a circle, a biggish one. one ball, tell them to pass across the circle.
Put one player in the middle, who must chase the ball and tackle, win the ball. Full speed shout at them, they mustn't stand off. This also helps your standing players time passes and control / pass.
Hope this helps, Just remember it is fun.
Well, I changed the formation to 2-3-1 this weekend from 3-2-1 and we had a much better game, we still lost, but we got our first goal and should have scored alot more. The lads were great at running forward with some great passing and bits of skill, running back to defend was were we fell apart as they didn't have the legs toward the end of the game. More subs would have helped I think.
I'd suggest you check out the insidesoccer website - sadly lots of it is pay-per-view now but you can still find plenty of free videos on there but you'll need to register, alternatively search for insidesoccer on youtube. Have you considered the level 1 coaching badge? Lots of youth orientated games on it.
I would recommend that you concentrate solely on technique at that age. Let them enjoy themselves and they'll work out positional strengths as they get older. The fear of tackling will disappear - it's amazing to see how a child suddenly realises they can tackle all of a sudden!
Ohhh, and get ourself a futsal if you can, great little ball that doesn't bounce and stops kids from hoofing it.
I would recommend that you concentrate solely on technique at that age. Let them enjoy themselves and they'll work out positional strengths as they get older. The fear of tackling will disappear - it's amazing to see how a child suddenly realises they can tackle all of a sudden!
Ohhh, and get ourself a futsal if you can, great little ball that doesn't bounce and stops kids from hoofing it.
I'm just halfway through my level one coaching badge through the FA now.
I've been involved in kids football for four years - my twin sons started going at under-6 level and now they're under-10's. We've blossomed as a team and finished third in the biggest league in Bristol last season winning a tournament in the summer too.
We've now started a Saturday team as well to bring on the fringe players, new signings and kids coming back from injury hence I need to take my badge. I would say its a must for anyone getting involved in youth football.
Advice? Enjoy it, work hard and give 100%. I'm so proud when I manage my team nowadays even if my two aren't playing. The FA course is well worth doing as a matter of course too.
By the way, 2-3-1 is what most of the successful youth teams play around here.
Good luck!
I've been involved in kids football for four years - my twin sons started going at under-6 level and now they're under-10's. We've blossomed as a team and finished third in the biggest league in Bristol last season winning a tournament in the summer too.
We've now started a Saturday team as well to bring on the fringe players, new signings and kids coming back from injury hence I need to take my badge. I would say its a must for anyone getting involved in youth football.
Advice? Enjoy it, work hard and give 100%. I'm so proud when I manage my team nowadays even if my two aren't playing. The FA course is well worth doing as a matter of course too.
By the way, 2-3-1 is what most of the successful youth teams play around here.
Good luck!
Thanks chaps, doing the course has been mentioned to me but i'd rather wait and see if coaching is something I really want to commit to first. I'm enjoying it so far but trying to contain my own competitive nature is a challenge, some lads want to score and win and nothing else matters, others just turn up because their dads want them to and have no interest whatsoever, tricky managing parents expectations aswell as their childrens sometimes.
I coached my sons team for 4 years, until he was approached by another team and we moved him this year. Better club, players and better coaches than me. So I'm no Pep, however my thoughts on those first few years...
When I first started coaching my sons team, and before I did the level 1 course, I used to use this site quite a bit just for ideas http://www.soccerxpert.com/u6-u8-soccer-drills.asp...
Making it fun has already been mentioned, but it's the most important thing because you've got kids of different abilities, with varying levels of motivation (as well as behaviour and attitude) so it's got to be enjoyable.
A great drill/game to kick off a training session with is "Tails". If you haven't seen it yet, mark out a decent size square and all but one player tucks a bib in the back of their shorts, the 'tail'. The player without a 'tail' needs to pull a bib from an 'opponents' shorts, that player then joins the non-tails and so on. The winner is the last player with a tail. It's a great laugh, the kids love it, it's a good warm up, and teaches them about turning, body positioning, and where team mates and opponents are on the pitch. Most importantly it's not about ball skills, so those less able get a great fun start to the training session, without feeling under pressure.
I used to take the kids for a warm up run round the pitch, varying speeds, sideways, backwards, knees high, but they all have to stay in line with you. Great way to bond with and have a laugh with the kids as you get started.
Oh and don't forget your goalie! I watch so many coaches just stick the goalie in goal to get peppered with shots while the rest of the team are trained. Then get frustrated with them in a game situation when they can't do the basics of rolling out, throwing out, kicking from the floor, out of hand, how to close angles, what to do at corners etc etc...
The FA coaching is good, but only if you know you're going to continue with coaching for a few years. If you are, then I'd recommend it, and some clubs insist on it.
And join in. I guarantee you your players will like nothing more than nutmegging you, or you falling on your arse trying to keep up
IMO it's much better than just shouting instructions from the sidelines, and the kids also see what you're doing and copy you.
Parents...one of the hardest bits if you don't set out your stall early on. You probably need volunteers to help with getting goals out, putting up barriers etc for home matches, so make that clear immediately. Not everybody will, but you only need 2 or 3. If anybody wants to criticise what you're doing, then give them the ball bag and tell them you look forward to their next coaching session, oh and by the way the team needs some friendlies organising, and there's a couple of parents who owe subs, and could they get onto that sponsor you've been chasing as well... They shut up immediately!
I've heard a couple of coaches try and be open to suggestions from parents about tactics, or about their kids positions in the team. It never ends well because you cannot keep every child and parent happy. Take advice from people who know what they're doing, I have a couple of mates who've been coaching for 8-10 years who are happy to share their experiences, and not a parent who thinks their kid is the next Messi or Ronaldo.
Christ I hope I haven't made it sound awful, I loved doing it And if he needed me to do it again I would do, but the guys training him now know a lot more than I do and his football is improving.
When I first started coaching my sons team, and before I did the level 1 course, I used to use this site quite a bit just for ideas http://www.soccerxpert.com/u6-u8-soccer-drills.asp...
Making it fun has already been mentioned, but it's the most important thing because you've got kids of different abilities, with varying levels of motivation (as well as behaviour and attitude) so it's got to be enjoyable.
A great drill/game to kick off a training session with is "Tails". If you haven't seen it yet, mark out a decent size square and all but one player tucks a bib in the back of their shorts, the 'tail'. The player without a 'tail' needs to pull a bib from an 'opponents' shorts, that player then joins the non-tails and so on. The winner is the last player with a tail. It's a great laugh, the kids love it, it's a good warm up, and teaches them about turning, body positioning, and where team mates and opponents are on the pitch. Most importantly it's not about ball skills, so those less able get a great fun start to the training session, without feeling under pressure.
I used to take the kids for a warm up run round the pitch, varying speeds, sideways, backwards, knees high, but they all have to stay in line with you. Great way to bond with and have a laugh with the kids as you get started.
Oh and don't forget your goalie! I watch so many coaches just stick the goalie in goal to get peppered with shots while the rest of the team are trained. Then get frustrated with them in a game situation when they can't do the basics of rolling out, throwing out, kicking from the floor, out of hand, how to close angles, what to do at corners etc etc...
The FA coaching is good, but only if you know you're going to continue with coaching for a few years. If you are, then I'd recommend it, and some clubs insist on it.
And join in. I guarantee you your players will like nothing more than nutmegging you, or you falling on your arse trying to keep up
IMO it's much better than just shouting instructions from the sidelines, and the kids also see what you're doing and copy you. Parents...one of the hardest bits if you don't set out your stall early on. You probably need volunteers to help with getting goals out, putting up barriers etc for home matches, so make that clear immediately. Not everybody will, but you only need 2 or 3. If anybody wants to criticise what you're doing, then give them the ball bag and tell them you look forward to their next coaching session, oh and by the way the team needs some friendlies organising, and there's a couple of parents who owe subs, and could they get onto that sponsor you've been chasing as well... They shut up immediately!
I've heard a couple of coaches try and be open to suggestions from parents about tactics, or about their kids positions in the team. It never ends well because you cannot keep every child and parent happy. Take advice from people who know what they're doing, I have a couple of mates who've been coaching for 8-10 years who are happy to share their experiences, and not a parent who thinks their kid is the next Messi or Ronaldo.
Christ I hope I haven't made it sound awful, I loved doing it
And if he needed me to do it again I would do, but the guys training him now know a lot more than I do and his football is improving. I'm the coach of an under 7 team. Luckily I have 3 other dads who help/coach with me.
We've had our group from reception class so we have had time to develop them.
The most important thing as far as I'm concerned is the kids having confidence with a ball at their feet. Having as many touches of the ball when training is key. Using all parts of the foot. Simple things such as turning with inside, outside and sole of the foot.
Everything else stems from good control of the ball and them having confidence when they have it.
We do a similar game to Tails as a warm up. The first time they play they just run. Then they do it with a ball. It's chaotic at first but they soon get the hang of it. Try to demonstrate to the kids evasion tactics, body shape etc. Also tell them there is no need to be running if they are not been chased. This helps them develop their observation skills.
We use this drill quite a bit. It's easy to adapt to be more attacking or defending.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQ7F7co3C28
Make the pitch narrow if you want to give an advantage to the defender.
It can then be adapted to 2v2, 1v2
Look at the other FA Level 1 videos on youtube for other ideas.
I'll keep adding to the thread when I have time
We've had our group from reception class so we have had time to develop them.
The most important thing as far as I'm concerned is the kids having confidence with a ball at their feet. Having as many touches of the ball when training is key. Using all parts of the foot. Simple things such as turning with inside, outside and sole of the foot.
Everything else stems from good control of the ball and them having confidence when they have it.
We do a similar game to Tails as a warm up. The first time they play they just run. Then they do it with a ball. It's chaotic at first but they soon get the hang of it. Try to demonstrate to the kids evasion tactics, body shape etc. Also tell them there is no need to be running if they are not been chased. This helps them develop their observation skills.
We use this drill quite a bit. It's easy to adapt to be more attacking or defending.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQ7F7co3C28
Make the pitch narrow if you want to give an advantage to the defender.
It can then be adapted to 2v2, 1v2
Look at the other FA Level 1 videos on youtube for other ideas.
I'll keep adding to the thread when I have time
48Valves said:
I'm the coach of an under 7 team. Luckily I have 3 other dads who help/coach with me.
We've had our group from reception class so we have had time to develop them.
The most important thing as far as I'm concerned is the kids having confidence with a ball at their feet. Having as many touches of the ball when training is key. Using all parts of the foot. Simple things such as turning with inside, outside and sole of the foot.
Everything else stems from good control of the ball and them having confidence when they have it.
We do a similar game to Tails as a warm up. The first time they play they just run. Then they do it with a ball. It's chaotic at first but they soon get the hang of it. Try to demonstrate to the kids evasion tactics, body shape etc. Also tell them there is no need to be running if they are not been chased. This helps them develop their observation skills.
We use this drill quite a bit. It's easy to adapt to be more attacking or defending.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQ7F7co3C28
Make the pitch narrow if you want to give an advantage to the defender.
It can then be adapted to 2v2, 1v2
Look at the other FA Level 1 videos on youtube for other ideas.
I'll keep adding to the thread when I have time
Thanks, appreciate the pointers!We've had our group from reception class so we have had time to develop them.
The most important thing as far as I'm concerned is the kids having confidence with a ball at their feet. Having as many touches of the ball when training is key. Using all parts of the foot. Simple things such as turning with inside, outside and sole of the foot.
Everything else stems from good control of the ball and them having confidence when they have it.
We do a similar game to Tails as a warm up. The first time they play they just run. Then they do it with a ball. It's chaotic at first but they soon get the hang of it. Try to demonstrate to the kids evasion tactics, body shape etc. Also tell them there is no need to be running if they are not been chased. This helps them develop their observation skills.
We use this drill quite a bit. It's easy to adapt to be more attacking or defending.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQ7F7co3C28
Make the pitch narrow if you want to give an advantage to the defender.
It can then be adapted to 2v2, 1v2
Look at the other FA Level 1 videos on youtube for other ideas.
I'll keep adding to the thread when I have time
Yesterdays game was much better, lost 2-1 but hit the post 4 times and crossbar twice.
Their manager even said they didn't deserve to win.
Gassing Station | Sports | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff