Coaching a kids football team

[Bluesince1979]

Any one done this?

Im 5 games in to coaching my sons u9 football team and i guess im just learning to enjoy it now. Ive learned to understand that its just about winding em up n letting em go!

We are a mid/lower level ability , im just getting that its little things that bring the enjoyment and not all about winning. Although winning is preferable.

Coaching is outsourced to FA coaches so i have no input on that so my job is a small part, along with parents, the league, the refs in facilitating youngs kids playing football and its a buzz.
Apart from little tweaks to lads positions and getting the most out of them that way my job seems to be logistics and motivation.

We lost our first 4 games but yesterday we won with a last second winner. There is certainly none of the reflected glory of coaching higher ability team, but as the team gets closer and i create a bond with them its making sense now and i think im gonna love it.

Anyway, do you enjoy coaching kids footy?

 

[MadchesterCity]

Any one done this?

Im 5 games in to coaching my sons u9 football team and i guess im just learning to enjoy it now. Ive learned to understand that its just about winding em up n letting em go!

We are a mid/lower level ability , im just getting that its little things that bring the enjoyment and not all about winning. Although winning is preferable.

Coaching is outsourced to FA coaches so i have no input on that so my job is a small part, along with parents, the league, the refs in facilitating youngs kids playing football and its a buzz.
Apart from little tweaks to lads positions and getting the most out of them that way my job seems to be logistics and motivation.

We lost our first 4 games but yesterday we won with a last second winner. There is certainly none of the reflected glory of coaching higher ability team, but as the team gets closer and i create a bond with them its making sense now and i think im gonna love it.

Anyway, do you enjoy coaching kids footy?

Are you still coaching 1 year on?
If so how's your son and the team doing?
Still enjoying it?

Can you share your lessons learned?

I'm now involved in coaching 2020 boys and 2016 girls and 2016 mixed.

I really enjoy sharing my knowledge with the kids and now working on attaining coaching badges, I'm also thinking of doing my referee certificates (with a view to broaden my knowledge, not to become a ref)

 

[Bluesince1979]

Are you still coaching 1 year on?
If so how's your son and the team doing?
Still enjoying it?

Can you share your lessons learned?

I'm now involved in coaching 2020 boys and 2016 girls and 2016 mixed.

I really enjoy sharing my knowledge with the kids and now working on attaining coaching badges, I'm also thinking of doing my referee certificates (with a view to broaden my knowledge, not to become a ref)

Yep still doing but itll be my last season, so my kids coaching career will be short lived.

I basically want to be just a Dad again watching my son and my daughter in her games as i currently only get the last 10 mins of hers as they clash

Its definitely rewarding and the parents are largely appreciative but you only need one bad apple of a parent and it can spoil the whole experience.
I know what people will think, why let one person get to you?
When you put a hell of a lot of passion and emotion in it , as i do, get a bond with the lads, even ones that are hard to take to, it can knock you side ways that after a good result you get one parent asking why his son didnt get man of the match (even though dad knows full well its shared equally over the season and his time wil come) and another requesting her son wants to play up front so he can score a hat trick every game.
It did mash my head a bit as i give my all for the whole team and hammer home that its a TEAM game , not about individuals.

People always say its not just about winning at that age, which of course is true, but it bloody helps. Everyone enjoys a win more , kids, parents, me.

If you have a decent team, you can bathe in a bit of reflected glory. But if its a mixed ability or low level its a tough gig. Dont expect huge pats on backs. One or two competitive parents dont care that little jonny , who has 2 left feet, deserves as much playing time as superstar private school pete.
Jonnys dad will be super appreciative.
Peterd dad thinks hes doing you a favour letting his lad play for you

So there ya go! Seems like im not enjoying the whole thing, generally i am. But its a lot less stress stood behind the barrier with the other parents.

Ill see this season out but then its someone elses turn