Coaching Kids

Qwiss

Any one else turned to coaching in their old age? I'm coaching my sons under 9's team this year. I'm finding it a lot of fun. Kids are very enthusiastic and the more football the better. Trashed their local rivals this morning which was all the sweeter after they stole 2 of our better players last year.

Wonder if anyone else has been doing it and has tips, drills, wisdom, etc to share.

lorddulaarsenal

Qwiss just started myself. My eldest son turns 6 in a week’s time. Has been training with the squad he’ll start matches with over the summer.

So satisfying seeing their development. Thoroughly enjoy helping out.

Different age to your lads Qwiss, but no doubt you’ll look to keep it fun for them like we do.

Can be a challenge to get them to concentrate so patience is needed.

If I could do it all over again I’d definitely work on non standard things - so plenty of touches and control with the outside of their boots so they don’t feel they have to trap the ball in the basic way. Id try to make them aware of the spaces they should take up to help defend or encourage attacking movements.

Looking forward to competitive matches.

What sort of stuff have you been working on Q?

Qwiss

lorddulaarsenal my lad started at that age too and the games were good for about 5 minutes before they'd switch off and start watching the clouds or something. Especially on away days when they were somewhere new. Its funny how eventually their heads just click into it though. I don't know what your kids are like but getting them used to tackling was something that had to be worked on too. At that age I think they worry about hurting their friends.

Ball at feet is the main thing at that age. We are only starting now to do more passing drills now as the more confident lads have a tendency to hog the ball. Its a fine balance because you don't want to discourage kids from expressing themselves and trying to take people on.

Coombs that peer motivation stuff is interesting. I've tried to get our lads to go and cheer their team mates (we play 2 games at a time) if they finish first but they usually prefer to just grab a ball and go and play. Not that thats a bad thing either.

Our big issue this season is that we have way to many kids so we need to split the team in 2. The struggle was deciding how to do it. Originally I thought split them in a balanced way but we played a friendly this weekend and the other side had split theirs by ability so we had to too. I coached one of the less skilled teams for a game and I've changed my mind since, the kids were much happier, much more confident and got way more of the ball than when we balance the teams. If you have 3 strong players and 2 guys who are less along in their development they just get bypassed. I'm guessing you lads haven't had to deal with that yet though.

Coombs

I've coached U5s and U6s, which was a blast. I haven't thought about how I'd approach older kids, but for the little ones we really focused on developing a relationship with the ball through the usual host of dribbling exercises in tightly defined areas, with secondary focus on passing, shooting, and ball recovery. Barely addressed positioning or anything tactical.

Also did some peer motivation exercises (practice cheering each other on during drills, make up songs for each other, etc.). Really found that the more invested they were in each other's success, the bigger the margin of victory on game day. Also led them to actually wanting to pass the ball, which was an interesting side effect.

goon

Nice.

Something I've always wanted to do (and did help out someone once) but no idea how you'd even get started.

Qwiss

In my case the club is all volunteers so with the extra kids turning up they needed extra coaches. I felt like the lads who've been coaching my son for 2 years deserved help and I had time so I joined them.

Bring Back Kerrea Gilbert

Qwiss can you just coach or do you need even the most basic of basic coaching quals?

It's starting to pique my interest a bit.

Qwiss

Bring Back Kerrea Gilbert no you need nothing more than being police vetted.

lorddulaarsenal

Really enjoying coaching. It’s so pleasing to see the group of players develop.

Also get to see close at hand my son’s progress and areas to work on.

Not being militant or anything but just giving him advice and he’s like a sponge. He’s got an engine on him and can strike the ball - as can most of the little ones. Difference is I’ve been teaching my lad the dark arts 😂

I noticed he’d often run alongside an opposing player and dangle a foot in looking to tackle. He now jostles, uses his arms and gently nudges opponents to make it tough for them. He is also now quick to get his body between the ball and attacking player and pretty much is now a ball winning machine - ickle Caicedo 😂

Qwiss

Had an end of season 2 day tournament last night and this morning. We came 3rd but its the most intense coaching experience I've had yet. Most of our weekly games there is no league, no public record, etc because thats just how its done here at U9 level but this was by invitation with trophies and group stages and knock our rounds, etc Very intense, very emotional kids, its a whole other side of coaching managing kids who are so wound up, so invested. A lot of highs and lows, long hours, hard running, tears, etc Very rewarding though, very proud of our lads, they played their hearts out. Also the only team in it to take a point from the overall champions who hammered pretty much everyone else. Think as coaches we got a bit Arteta about it and didn't balance the lads fatigue as well as we could. Always something new to learn.

Coombs

Qwiss sounds like a blast. Can't wait until I've got a kid at footballing age again!

Qwiss

You should volunteer anyway. You know kids, you love the game. You coached before didn't you? One of our coaches kids quit and he stayed on just cos he loves football and enjoys coaching. Grab them at a starting age and develop them from there.

Coombs

Qwiss I plan on it, but I'm waiting for my term on the town council to expire next April. Too many scheduling conflicts.

We've got a 6 month old now, which has been some serious whiplash from our last 3 foster placements, who were 4, 5, and 12 years old respectively. Can't wait until she's ready, assuming she sticks around.

Qwiss

Coombs thats brilliant. Very different experience alright. Get a ball at her feet as soon as she can walk. Leave them round the house, its the best way for them to get used to it early.