Junior Football Coaching Question (update pg2)

[OxBlue]

Basically my lad currently trains with two junior football teams, he's an under 5.
But he trains with both teams under 6's as he's at a decent standard.

Now, one club want him to start playing with their under 6's as they become under 7's in September a year before he should as they see him being able to cope and it would be a better challenge for him
The other club want him to drop back in September to his rightful year and start playing in Sept 2014

Any coaches out there or people who can offer an opinion on what would be best for his development?

play a year up this year and compete with older, bigger players, (seems logical to me)
or
play in his rightful year (2014) and dominate the game more and probably be on the ball a lot more. (also seems good to me)

I can't really ask his teams coaches as they have a vested interest in both wanting him to play for their clubs.

 

[Danamy]

Re: Junior Football Coaching Question

Basically my lad currently trains with two junior football teams, he's an under 5.
But he trains with both teams under 6's as he's at a decent standard.

Now, one club want him to start playing with their under 6's as they become under 7's in September a year before he should as they see him being able to cope and it would be a better challenge for him
The other club want him to drop back in September to his rightful year and start playing in Sept 2014

Any coaches out there or people who can offer an opinion on what would be best for his development?

play a year up this year and compete with older, bigger players, (seems logical to me)
or
play in his rightful year (2014) and dominate the game more and probably be on the ball a lot more. (also seems good to me)

I can't really ask his teams coaches as they have a vested interest in both wanting him to play for their clubs.

In my opinion i'd keep him at his own age group at the moment to build his confidence, the last thing you want is him getting knocked off the ball easily and him getting frustrated.

Under 9's/10's is about the age i'd move him up if he's holding his own and work on his upper body strength, this will help him to not get bullied off the ball as it can be a big step.

Others may disagree but that's my opinion mate

 

[kp789]

Re: Junior Football Coaching Question

It depends. I think I would err on the side of keeping him with his own age group for a couple of reasons.

One thing I would like to stress though is that paramount of everything is his own enjoyment and love for football. This has to be encouraged, not 'success' or 'winning'. At the end of the day, everyone wants to play football because they enjoy it. Younger kids especially. Pressure from parents and coaches can destroy the game for them and put them off for a long time.

Anyway, the reasons why you should keep him within his own age group.

1. That is his age group
2. Like you say, if he is a good player, he will most likely see a lot more of the ball. In a competitive scenario, this will improve him as a player.
3. His own enjoyment again being paramount, more of the ball and being more involved is obviously going to be more enjoyable.
4.If he plays in his own age group and is streets ahead of the rest, he will be more likely to get spotted by scouts as he will stand out.
5. A negative of him playing with older lads is that they will more likely be bigger and stronger than he is which will put him at a disadvantage.

 

[Darkhorse]

Re: Junior Football Coaching Question

True, it could affect his confidence, but I do think there is a lot of value in playing up an age group. I have seen a lot of lads who have really benefited from playing with older players as it forces them to develop the right technique and play the game in the right way early on, without relying on psychical talent.

In all likelihood he will struggle at first. But, it really depends on his frame of mind.

If he is a determined lad, then he will take the challenge and find new ways of succeeding. There will likely be a 2 - 3 week bedding in period. If he isn't catching up then (your not seeing improvement). At worst, he could go up for a month and come back down if it is really not working out.

 

[OxBlue]

Re: Junior Football Coaching Question

Thanks, I appreciate the replies.

He's not under any pressure so that's fine, I just want him to enjoy himself.

But's he's 5, so if I ask which group/team he likes best and who would he like to play for/with, he changes his mind every 30 secs as he's got friends in both clubs.

Logic does say that playing with own age will be better for the reasons given, but there's also the stance (that's been put to me) that without any challenge he may get bored or not develop?

To give some more background, he plays training games with the older year already and still stands out in that environment, the fact that they're a bit stronger means there are more kids who can keep up with him and tackle him.

 

[kp789]

Re: Junior Football Coaching Question

Thanks, I appreciate the replies.

He's not under any pressure so that's fine, I just want him to enjoy himself.

But's he's 5, so if I ask which group/team he likes best and who would he like to play for/with, he changes his mind every 30 secs as he's got friends in both clubs.

Logic does say that playing with own age will be better for the reasons given, but there's also the stance (that's been put to me) that without any challenge he may get bored or not develop?

To give some more background, he plays training games with the older year already and still stands out in that environment, the fact that they're a bit stronger means there are more kids who can keep up with him and tackle him.

I think there are positives and negatives for both. Perhaps you could try each scenario?

 

[Skip Donoghue]

Re: Junior Football Coaching Question

It all boils down to can he compete physically in the older group nothing more, if as you say he is technically good, the physical aspect will be his only issue

if he was in an academy at lets say U9s technically gifted and he could cope physically he would be moved up

Also forgot to ask is he a better player than those in the older group or is he on a par, are the players in the younger group better technically than the older boys, if he stands out in the older group great but if he is average in that group he may not get noticed, if he stands out in the younger group he will get noticed, so there are things you need to think about also

 

[CarlWilkinson]

Re: Junior Football Coaching Question

As posted already, best of both worlds would be ideal. All it comes down to is his enjoyment and ability to cope (which seems he is more than able to cope).

I've got a lad playing for one of my teams at the minute (U7 so your scenario next year) who should actually be an U6 (Sept. birthday) and he is arguably the best in the team. If he can cope and he enjoys it there's no reason not to, the worst that can happen is he doesn't enjoy a few games and he just continues to play with the team of his age.

There's no right/wrong and it's just about making sure he's enjoying it.

 

[OxBlue]

Re: Junior Football Coaching Question

Thanks again all.

The clubs that want him to play up a year are starting to have friendlies and a summer tournament he can take part in.
The club that wants him to stay in age group don't start back training until September.

So he will have a chance to see how he enjoys it.

 

[Danamy]

Re: Junior Football Coaching Question

It all boils down to can he compete physically in the older group nothing more, if as you say he is technically good, the physical aspect will be his only issue

if he was in an academy at lets say U9s technically gifted and he could cope physically he would be moved up

Hence the reason for me to say U9/10's is the age I'd step him up if he's holding his own, as another poster has already stated U6's is all about enjoying the game, technique and finding out his position.

After saying all that, if he takes after you he wouldn't be fazed stepping up two years! ;-)