Kids Grassroots Football - The good stuff!
Discussion
Glassman said:
thread resurrection ...
The team I'm looking after (will be U11 age group) will now be playing nine-a-side and the offside rule comes into play. We've recruited quite well and now have 15 available players.
What is the magic number?
12?
13?
Views?
Snap same here, we have 13 signed on.The team I'm looking after (will be U11 age group) will now be playing nine-a-side and the offside rule comes into play. We've recruited quite well and now have 15 available players.
What is the magic number?
12?
13?
Views?
vladcjelli said:
Introduction of sinbins for dissent.
Discuss.
I think it's a token attempt to get some form of discipline back into the game ala Rugby.Discuss.
To be honest I've seen some appalling behaviour this season from 9/10 year old kids.
Telling the ref to f**k off, kicking players that are on the ground, and yelling expletives at opposing parents.
It's about time something was done about it, how successful it is in practice remains to be seen.
Zoon said:
vladcjelli said:
Introduction of sinbins for dissent.
Discuss.
I think it's a token attempt to get some form of discipline back into the game ala Rugby.Discuss.
To be honest I've seen some appalling behaviour this season from 9/10 year old kids.
Telling the ref to f**k off, kicking players that are on the ground, and yelling expletives at opposing parents.
It's about time something was done about it, how successful it is in practice remains to be seen.
There's no way my son will ever tell the referee (or teacher etc) to eff off. It just won't happen.
Equally, there is no player in the team I'm managing that will do that either. Before we get to play a game, the rules of conduct are clear. When I took over the first task was to get them to put their coats and water bottles in one place, tidy instead of tossing them wherever they felt like it.
Glassman said:
Zoon said:
vladcjelli said:
Introduction of sinbins for dissent.
Discuss.
I think it's a token attempt to get some form of discipline back into the game ala Rugby.Discuss.
To be honest I've seen some appalling behaviour this season from 9/10 year old kids.
Telling the ref to f**k off, kicking players that are on the ground, and yelling expletives at opposing parents.
It's about time something was done about it, how successful it is in practice remains to be seen.
There's no way my son will ever tell the referee (or teacher etc) to eff off. It just won't happen.
Equally, there is no player in the team I'm managing that will do that either. Before we get to play a game, the rules of conduct are clear. When I took over the first task was to get them to put their coats and water bottles in one place, tidy instead of tossing them wherever they felt like it.
Unfortunately I've seen this type of behaviour actively encouraged by coaches of certain teams.
I've always got my team to play the right way and behave the right way, win or lose.
blueant27 said:
I help coach at my sons school, mainly the u10/11's
Anyway I got roped into refereeing a school match this Thursday, I'm not a qualified ref but know all the rules etc
Any tips ? obviously I can't be blowing the whistle every few mins
It's a lot harder than it looks. I've only ever done it at U7 and U9 level, so of course, no linesmen! Being in the right place at the right time is something I struggled with. I was always trying to make sure I wasn't in the way of the ball, and then it would cross the line, and I'd end up blowing for a throw to the reds, at which point EVERYBODY would turn around and shout "It's throw to the blues!" Anyway I got roped into refereeing a school match this Thursday, I'm not a qualified ref but know all the rules etc
Any tips ? obviously I can't be blowing the whistle every few mins
I certainly found it tougher than I expected, and you really feel like you don't want to let people down, being that we're in an era of every decision the referee makes being scrutinised by media and fans alike.
Personally, I tried to let the game flow, rather than blowing for every infringement, as I think people become more frustrated by constant stoppages. Things like foul throws: I'd let the first go; the second I'd have a word; the third I'd blow for.
I found myself playing the advantage rule a lot!
I tend to favour the away team (I've never reffed away). If the ball's gone out of play and I genuinely don't who it came off, I give it to the away side (unless they're giving our lot an absolute pasting).
Be clear, and confident from the off. If you give a decision, stick with it immediately. Kids that age aren't fools, and they'll keeping protesting if they know you might yield.
I always doubt myself and think I've had a howler, but usually get told I did well. I'm just one of the dads watching their son play, so if anyone ever has a go, I just tell them it's my turn, deal with it!
One thing's for sure - my attitude towards giving refs stick changed totally after I tried doing it! It's probably the hardest job in the game.
Glassman said:
Zoon said:
Snap same here, we have 13 signed on.
Did you have to turn any away, or cut from a larger squad?Had to turn a few new players away who enquired about joining but need to get the balance right between game time and having enough players when a couple are away or ill.
Zoon said:
We had 12 at the end of the season, which at 7 a side was too many but I knew we'd need more this season.
Had to turn a few new players away who enquired about joining but need to get the balance right between game time and having enough players when a couple are away or ill.
It's the road we're on but coming in from the other end. Had to turn a few new players away who enquired about joining but need to get the balance right between game time and having enough players when a couple are away or ill.
15 available, and keen to sign. My thoughts are 12/13 squad size. This is made easier if I look at who's up for it, and/or can play more than one position. That's most except two or three. Definitely two. The third has a great attitude. Does everything with gritted teeth and is not afraid to get stuck in. He needs a bit of time/work to see if he can be moulded into a player, probably a defensive one.
Of the two that aren't quite 'meeting the standard', one is the former manager's son. He has a terrible attitude and is a walking tantrum. Won't follow instructions because his lack of fitness makes him lazy (plus he's carrying some timber). When you instruct him to play a CDM role he'll be up top as a No.10. Fine for the box-to-box stuff but he's not quick to get back and help out. When you tell him, he drops his shoulders and does the Ozil walk. Ex manager dad thinks he's improving. He's not and I can't see him challenging anyone for a place in this team. Dad is full of hope and promise.
The second kid is a great lad. His dad is a good bloke. The trouble is, the lad is out of his depth. Dad is shouty/pushy, competitive dad. It's a bit of a worry top hear him shouting stuff at the lad when you can clearly see, he's not that kid. He just doesn't have it in him to sprint, tackle, mark or come to think of it, anything. Last season he got about 5-10 mins a game and he's really not that bothered about being on the pitch or not. Told dad that he might be better playing in a team suited more to his ability and dad got a bit arsey about it saying it's too late [in the approach to the season] now and that the kid 'really wants to play'. IMO, he isn't fussed. Ask him if he wants to go on and he'll say, "Nah, I don't feel well."
I'm slowly moving towards the 'rip it off like a plaster' approach. What I don't want is a backlash where other parents start to sympathise and start telling me to keep them on because a) the club needs money and b) one of the better players will be poached. One has already started such a conversation. His kid will be off (for one or two games) for his bah mitzvah so his reasoning is that the extra two or three will be cover for that event.
Tail wagging the dog...
13 players confirmed and raring to go. In all honesty, I would have preferred 12 but that one extra had to be endured for the sake of peace and harmony all round.
We've played three friendlies so far and aside from the results (two wins and a draw) the performances have been very encouraging. All the drills and lectures are beginning to bear fruit.
There's also a nice balance to the team. We have an out-and-out GK with two/three willing (and decent backups) and the rest of the team is capable of playing other roles if called on. There are two players who still need a bit of work so will, provided we help them keep their heads right, feature more as time goes on and opportunities arise.
One more week before the season officially starts.
Bring it on.
We've played three friendlies so far and aside from the results (two wins and a draw) the performances have been very encouraging. All the drills and lectures are beginning to bear fruit.
There's also a nice balance to the team. We have an out-and-out GK with two/three willing (and decent backups) and the rest of the team is capable of playing other roles if called on. There are two players who still need a bit of work so will, provided we help them keep their heads right, feature more as time goes on and opportunities arise.
One more week before the season officially starts.
Bring it on.
Glassman said:
Zoon said:
vladcjelli said:
Introduction of sinbins for dissent.
Discuss.
I think it's a token attempt to get some form of discipline back into the game ala Rugby.Discuss.
To be honest I've seen some appalling behaviour this season from 9/10 year old kids.
Telling the ref to f**k off, kicking players that are on the ground, and yelling expletives at opposing parents.
It's about time something was done about it, how successful it is in practice remains to be seen.
There's no way my son will ever tell the referee (or teacher etc) to eff off. It just won't happen.
Equally, there is no player in the team I'm managing that will do that either. Before we get to play a game, the rules of conduct are clear. When I took over the first task was to get them to put their coats and water bottles in one place, tidy instead of tossing them wherever they felt like it.
Edited by Steve Campbell on Tuesday 10th September 15:32
First game drawn 2-2 after going 0-2 down, Pleased the boys dug deep and battled for a result.
Lost a registered player a week before the first game which I'm really disappointed about. He was our star man in midfield; an absolute unit of a player and very accomplished in the role. Big loss. His family went back to Lithuania.
Still...
Lost a registered player a week before the first game which I'm really disappointed about. He was our star man in midfield; an absolute unit of a player and very accomplished in the role. Big loss. His family went back to Lithuania.
Still...
Feel I can pop my head in the door and comment as I am a referee, do a Sunday morning kids league (anything from u13-u16).
First game of the season on Sunday just gone, not a single word of dissent towards me from the u16's, I was unbelievably impressed.
I think the threat of sin bins is going to work, I also reffed a Saturday morning church league, adults, hardly any disagreeing from the players, and anything that did crop up was nowhere near my tolerance level.
Then did a Saturday afternoon OA match involving a bit of a known fiery team, 6 yellows, but from what I could hear as AR on the line, no dissent, and I expected some in that match.
I'm actually really looking forward to the new season, I think I'll be coming down hard on dissent as it's needed, hopefully the experiences I've had will start resonating out across the country.
I have a small inkling things will start changing with sin bins.
First game of the season on Sunday just gone, not a single word of dissent towards me from the u16's, I was unbelievably impressed.
I think the threat of sin bins is going to work, I also reffed a Saturday morning church league, adults, hardly any disagreeing from the players, and anything that did crop up was nowhere near my tolerance level.
Then did a Saturday afternoon OA match involving a bit of a known fiery team, 6 yellows, but from what I could hear as AR on the line, no dissent, and I expected some in that match.
I'm actually really looking forward to the new season, I think I'll be coming down hard on dissent as it's needed, hopefully the experiences I've had will start resonating out across the country.
I have a small inkling things will start changing with sin bins.
blueant27 said:
I help coach at my sons school, mainly the u10/11's
Anyway I got roped into refereeing a school match this Thursday, I'm not a qualified ref but know all the rules etc
Any tips ? obviously I can't be blowing the whistle every few mins
Few tips... Anyway I got roped into refereeing a school match this Thursday, I'm not a qualified ref but know all the rules etc
Any tips ? obviously I can't be blowing the whistle every few mins
Remember the abuse isn't personal.
You have every right to get the home team manager /designated official to remove anyone outside the pitch causing trouble, if not, threaten abandonment if you feel the abuse is unwarranted.
Don't expect to get every decision correct, the pros don't, explain that to players before the game /break in play after a decision.
Be confident in your decision, even if its a toss up of who touched it last, if you're not sure, consider giving to the defensive team.
Mainly enjoy it,and if you need any more advice, I'll help where I can.
On squad numbers, although 12 on the day is probably about right at 9-a-side, only the manager can know how many will actually be available. Plenty of players will miss 3,4,5 games per year 'doing something else'. You can always run a rotation system, but make sure it's fair as nothing ticks a parent off then it getting dropped midway through the season. Only two seasons at 9-a-side (round here at least) so you will be looking for three/four more anyway once it's time for 11-a-side.
Lively in our house last weekend U14 team won 4-2 although played poorly and nearly got caught out. First game for U18s (a team of all u17s though, made up of several small groups from other teams) 0-3 down after 30 mins, 2-5 down with 20 mins to go......won 6-5! Game played in a brilliant atmosphere as well which was nice to see.
Lively in our house last weekend U14 team won 4-2 although played poorly and nearly got caught out. First game for U18s (a team of all u17s though, made up of several small groups from other teams) 0-3 down after 30 mins, 2-5 down with 20 mins to go......won 6-5! Game played in a brilliant atmosphere as well which was nice to see.
No dissent in the U9 league my youngest plays in, worst we heard was "oh come on ref he fell over" when one of our players was (definitely) fouled, and that was by their coach, resulting freekick led to the winning goal. The refs seem to be newly qualified teenagers, YEL are pushing a lot through the ref system round here it looks like. My eldest is just joining a U12 team, same team, same training time as the U9s, he'll hardly get any game time, they've got 15 in the squad already and they're a bloody good side, promoted easily last year. Told him not to expect much and he seems happy enough to do the training and if he gets on the pitch it's a bonus.
Neither are particularly talented, youngest can pick a better pass than most but that's about it. They're just enjoying themselves meeting new friends, beats sitting in front of a tablet for a couple of hours a week.
Neither are particularly talented, youngest can pick a better pass than most but that's about it. They're just enjoying themselves meeting new friends, beats sitting in front of a tablet for a couple of hours a week.
toastyhamster said:
No dissent in the U9 league my youngest plays in, worst we heard was "oh come on ref he fell over" when one of our players was (definitely) fouled, and that was by their coach, resulting freekick led to the winning goal. The refs seem to be newly qualified teenagers, YEL are pushing a lot through the ref system round here it looks like. My eldest is just joining a U12 team, same team, same training time as the U9s, he'll hardly get any game time, they've got 15 in the squad already and they're a bloody good side, promoted easily last year. Told him not to expect much and he seems happy enough to do the training and if he gets on the pitch it's a bonus.
Neither are particularly talented, youngest can pick a better pass than most but that's about it. They're just enjoying themselves meeting new friends, beats sitting in front of a tablet for a couple of hours a week.
Interesting we are in the YEL as well.Neither are particularly talented, youngest can pick a better pass than most but that's about it. They're just enjoying themselves meeting new friends, beats sitting in front of a tablet for a couple of hours a week.
The visiting team on Sunday offered us a linesman, who, well, spent most of his time ON the pitch. I didn't moan as the ball was in the other half when he did it. But when it came into his half, he got in the way of our wide man who was making a run off the ball. Not impressed.
In other news, main defender off for the second game (his dad booked well in advance for his Bah Mitzvah). Less than four days to the game and the other 'main' defender's mum has just Whatsapped me a 'he will not be available this weekend' message as he's going on a camping weekend with Scouts and that it was booked and paid for months ago.
Thanks for letting me know
In other news, main defender off for the second game (his dad booked well in advance for his Bah Mitzvah). Less than four days to the game and the other 'main' defender's mum has just Whatsapped me a 'he will not be available this weekend' message as he's going on a camping weekend with Scouts and that it was booked and paid for months ago.
Thanks for letting me know
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