Grassroots Football Coaches - Advice Please

[BimboBob]

A very simplistic view. At that age you are limited to what imput you will have

Kids Coaches are majorly under appreciated. Too many parents have the attitude of “coach my kid, make him better”. If only it was that easy.

Also your comment ,”its kids football”. Yep. And where as thats totally true we should also be realistic in admitted that where as its not all about winning, it bloody helps the kids enjoy it.

Be interested to know your experience of coaching kids?

I used to help train the youth team that I played for with the seniors when I had to retire. I think they call it giving something back. I really enjoyed it. This is going back a few years now but yes, we did have various abilities. The biggest thing was to get them to move away from chasing the ball in a pack and try and stick to positions. The other thing we instilled in the kids and parents when they joined the club was that it was designed to be fun. If we won a few games then all well and good but as long as their precious darlings enjoyed it then that was the aim. Sure some parents were pushy but we stuck to our guns. Values like teamwork were lauded above ability.

The club had a great reputation for this and we had to turn away kids because of over subscription/ lack of coaches. At the beginning of every season all the parents and kids met for a going over of the aims of the club. If they took it too seriously then they were spoken to. Any swearing or bullying was clamped down on. Same with the kids ;)

We had 2 teams per age group and they were mixed as per mates/ positions. I don't remember ability coming into it. But it was a few years ago.

 

[Bluesince1979]

I used to help train the youth team that I played for with the seniors when I had to retire. I think they call it giving something back. I really enjoyed it. This is going back a few years now but yes, we did have various abilities. The biggest thing was to get them to move away from chasing the ball in a pack and try and stick to positions. The other thing we instilled in the kids and parents when they joined the club was that it was designed to be fun. If we won a few games then all well and good but as long as their precious darlings enjoyed it then that was the aim. Sure some parents were pushy but we stuck to our guns. Values like teamwork were lauded above ability.

The club had a great reputation for this and we had to turn away kids because of over subscription/ lack of coaches. At the beginning of every season all the parents and kids met for a going over of the aims of the club. If they took it too seriously then they were spoken to. Any swearing or bullying was clamped down on. Same with the kids ;)

We had 2 teams per age group and they were mixed as per mates/ positions. I don't remember ability coming into it. But it was a few years ago.

Sorry it wasnt a leading question, i was genuinely interested

The other week i subbed lads off as they were moaning at team mates, i wont have it. Its rolling subs so a quick that about how we behave to each other and back on.

I agree that enjoyment comes above everything , it just helps winning the odd game as otherwise the job becomes a very motivational one as well as everything else

 

[Jonny_H]

Great idea.
Tell under 7s they are in the third team.
Failures before they begin

Most of the players have no idea about 1st / 2nd and 3rd teams and what it means. Obviously the parents would do but as I say, it's more about them playing at the right level. whats the point in a kid who can barely kick a ball playing with (or against) lads who have already been picked up by academy's? offers no benefit to anybody.

some of the clubs in our league have 7+ teams and they build teams based on abilities, but at that age the kids on the 7th team have no idea what that means.

 

[Jonny_H]

I used to help train the youth team that I played for with the seniors when I had to retire. I think they call it giving something back. I really enjoyed it. This is going back a few years now but yes, we did have various abilities. The biggest thing was to get them to move away from chasing the ball in a pack and try and stick to positions. The other thing we instilled in the kids and parents when they joined the club was that it was designed to be fun. If we won a few games then all well and good but as long as their precious darlings enjoyed it then that was the aim. Sure some parents were pushy but we stuck to our guns. Values like teamwork were lauded above ability.

The club had a great reputation for this and we had to turn away kids because of over subscription/ lack of coaches. At the beginning of every season all the parents and kids met for a going over of the aims of the club. If they took it too seriously then they were spoken to. Any swearing or bullying was clamped down on. Same with the kids ;)

We had 2 teams per age group and they were mixed as per mates/ positions. I don't remember ability coming into it. But it was a few years ago.

Hey - yes this is my worry. We've worked on positions etc with the same kids for months. They get it! they all know whats required of them and as a result we all enjoy competitive games. Adding lower ability kids into the mix will undo what we've done for the past few months. Of course, I can work on them to get them to improve - but just feels a step backwards by integrating them into an already established and high(ish) level team.

I wouldn't turn any kid away but my point all along here is always making it fun and competitive and I'm struggling to see where this is going to happen.

 

[denislawsbackheel]

Most of the players have no idea about 1st / 2nd and 3rd teams and what it means. Obviously the parents would do but as I say, it's more about them playing at the right level. whats the point in a kid who can barely kick a ball playing with (or against) lads who have already been picked up by academy's? offers no benefit to anybody.

some of the clubs in our league have 7+ teams and they build teams based on abilities, but at that age the kids on the 7th team have no idea what that means.

Kids can’t play grassroots football if they are with academies.
And under 7s are not with academies.
They can’t be until they are 9.

 

[Jonny_H]

Kids can’t play grassroots football if they are with academies.
And under 7s are not with academies.
They can’t be until they are 9.

I'm not actually sure how the academies work, but we've definitely seen kids that have been picked up by clubs from ages 5-8. It might not 'academies' as such but they're definitely involved with clubs.

But.... my point still stands, playing players with no experience against players that are a much higher level isn't beneficial for anyone

 

[denislawsbackheel]

They are under 7.
They are playing 5 a side.

Relax.