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AYSO Extra™ Play
Question
I have 5 and 7-year old boys who participate in all regular season team sports. I am getting pressure to have my kids participate in the select/travel teams at this young age. I want my kids to play because they like to play,
not because I pushed them into it. What is the balance?
Answer
I had a question that was referred to me by the Positive Coaching Alliance. They are a great organization—one of our partners.
I'm finding that many of our coaches and parents are asking the same type of question. My answer would be this: Most coaches when asked an opinion about their kids, they don't look at it from the coaching side; they look at it from the parents' side. My recommendations would be to watch your kids when they play. Are they always playing? Do they ask you to play with them in the yard or on the street? Are they always playing outside with their friends or are they inside playing with the computer or watching TV? Are they engaged with their play? Do they really, truly get involved in what they are doing or are they just going through the motions? The response doesn't have to come from the kid, but what you see. Do they wear their soccer uniform? Would they love to wear their favorite team's hat?? You can see if they are truly into it. Are they creative in their play? Are they free spirited in their play? Do they just want to play and really have a good time? And the last question I really want you to look at is are they enjoying team sport?
I'm going to be a wise guy right now. It's going to sound like sarcasm, but listen to this. You ask the question, "my 5 and 7-year-olds, should they be more competitive?" You know the right answer, I really believe you do. The right answer is you'll know that when you watch them.
They are five, they are seven. Just let them play. They'll tell you when they are ready for more pressure and a more competitive environment.
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Coaching Courses and Training
Question
How long should I wait between coaching courses?
Answer
For the coach who asked how long he should wait between coaching courses, it's highly recommended that you wait at least a year before you go from one course to the other. Especially when you get the U-12s, Intermediate and Advanced levels. Let me just tell you a quick thing. If you take the Intermediate course, it covers the coaching cycle, and a week later you go through the Advanced course which also covers the coaching cycle. You really won't understand the nuances between what you learned in the Intermediate and the Advanced course. And that's just because there are small tweaks that unless you stay at that age group, the Intermediate level, you truly won't understand what is being said about the coaching cycle that works with that age group. Just to throw something additional on it the following week or the next month-you just won't get it. It seems small and it seems simple, but the coaching information really advises that you spend at least one year between coaching courses. I think that if you absorb all that information and use it, and then go to the next course after a year, it will be more beneficial for you.
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Coaching Techniques
Question
For the coach who wrote, can you teach speed to a player?
Answer
You really can't teach speed to a player, but you can teach him to be quicker. Speed is a gift – a gene-pool gift. Some have it, some don't. But we can make all players a little quicker. How do I do that? I recommend that you see some new agility, some explosiveness training that's all over the Web . The three things that I'd like you to consider when you start thinking about speed training are the three elements of speed. That's P.A.L., which is Posture, Arms and Legs. So make sure that players have good posture when they're running, that their arms are energized and they get the full stride length as quickly as they can. But again, pick up a good book or a good video on teaching speed. One I really recommend is Speed Wins. It's the ultimate speed training for soccer players. It's a video available at the AYSO Store.
Question
How do I know I'm a good soccer coach?
Answer
It's quite simple to figure out if you're a good coach: Are the kids having fun?
If the kids have a smile on their faces, they're enjoying it. If the kids want to wear their soccer shirts to school, they're enjoying it. If the kids are crying because they can't get to a game or a practice, they've started to love soccer!
But the opposite is also true. If the kids have to be dragged kicking or screaming or there's no smile on their faces, they're not having fun.
If it seems they're not enjoying themselves, then it might be that they're not given enough freedom at practice to play, explore and enjoy the game. Maybe the practices are too drill-oriented and there's not enough playing. Maybe they're getting screamed at too much.
Don't get obsessed with evaluating their play. If they're having fun, they'll become better players on their own. Embrace the joy of them playing and, eventually, the positives of the game will stick with them.
AYSO has accredited, age-specific coach training. Check with your Region's Coaching Administrator on when the next AYSO coaching course will be offered in your community. Selected age-specific courses are also available online at www.aysotraining.org.
To hear more from John, click here.
Question
How can my players improve their weaker foot?
Answer
It's valuable for soccer players to be able to use both feet. But at the early ages, the focus should be mainly on getting children to be involved in the game and play enough so they're naturally challenged to use both feet - as soccer demands.
As they get older, there are certain ways to encourage players to use their weaker foot. I don't recommend a small-sided game where you force players to only use their weaker foot-but you can help them by tweaking the rules. Play a small-sided game with the aim being for a team to score twice as many goals as there are players on their team. So if they are playing 3 vs. 3, the winning team must score six goals and everyone on the team must score with their right foot as well as their left foot.
Another way to accomplish this is to award three points-instead of one-when a goal is scored with a player's weaker foot. If one team is behind, I'll bet there will be a right-footer trying pretty hard to score with his left.
Juggling is also a good method to hone the touch of the weaker foot. For beginning players, challenge them to drop the ball and kick it up with one foot and then the other before catching it. When they get better at this juggling, ask them to juggle 10 times - six with the left foot and four with the right.
Using both feet well is important, but even the greatest players rely more on their dominant foot. Don't expect the kids to be able to use both feet equally overnight.
Player development is one of the fundamental philosophies of AYSO - a coach's role is to help each player develop to their personal best.
To hear more from John on this topic, please click here.
Question
"How do I know if my players are improving?"
Answer
The progress children make isn't measured by wins and losses, but rather on how they're improving on their individual skills and comprehension of the game.
Watch your players closely and you'll notice their progress - and you'll be able to explain it to parents in case they're only focused on the final score. When an 8-year-old figures out how to control the ball while being aware of what's going on around him or her, that's a huge achievement, regardless of how the game ends. It's very difficult to dribble while looking up and weighing the options. When a young player begins doing that, it's worth a celebration.
Here's an example that I witnessed of a young players acquiring awareness of the game:
An 8-year-old dribbles toward the goal and realizes there are two defenders there. But she isn't just dribbling, she's reading the game. So she pulls back the ball and goes to her midfield. At this point, her grandmother yells, "You're going the wrong way." But while the two defenders chase her away from the front of the goal, the girl puts on the brakes and the defenders blow past her. The girl turns around and heads back toward the goal to score.
Here's where the player read the game better than her grandmother: She knew she needed to create space for herself and was aware enough of her surroundings to figure out how to do it. She had the technical ability to pull off a clever tactical move.
That's an important achievement for a young player and when parents (or grandparents) realize that, they begin to understand that the final score isn't the yardstick they should use to measure their children's progress.
To hear more from John on this topic, please click here
Question
"I'm a licensed coach certified to coach premier travel and went through the advanced coaching classes and many clinics. My problem? I still coach too much on the ball and during the game. Are there specific techniques to use to help me not over-coach -especially on the ball?"
Answer
Bring a folding chair and watch the game while seated in the technical area (AYSO recommends a technical area for our coaches). If you're sitting down, instead of prowling the sidelines, you're less likely to be screaming instructions.
Also, try taking notes during the game. If you see something you want to comment on, write it down instead of screaming. Track your player's touches, especially the ones that had a positive result.
Was the team more successful when the whole team attacked? Was the flank exposed? Tracking these things will also remind you what to address at practice or at halftime.
Another idea is to sit next to somebody. Perhaps your husband or wife (who will tell you when you're coaching too much) - or your assistant - and when you feel like yelling, share your observation with your spouse or assistant instead.
To hear more from John on this topic, please click here
Question
"I have a player on my U-8 boys team who is always in the middle in the action. He's quick and a great attacker, though he tends to throw his entire body into the plays, causing harm to himself and other members of the team. How can I help him change this habit?"
Answer
Endangering himself and other players is indeed an issue that must be addressed. Although you want to keep your practices as free-flowing as possible, in this case you need to take on the role of referee and call him for fouls when he commits them. When he commits a dangerous foul, make him take a "timeout." Explain to him that in Saturday's game the referee will kick him out for that kind of play and he'll have to sit and watch the other kids play. Remind him that no player likes to sit out. Make sure he understands what you are talking about.
He also needs some one-on-one coaching on the proper way to battle for a ball. Have two of your players with reasonable skills play some one-on-one and you can have him watch as you explain what, why and how they are doing what they are doing.
Explain to the boy that he's a player of great potential and if he overcomes his undisciplined style, he will be become a truly good soccer player.
Coach, remember that he is only 6 or 7 and is just starting to begin to grasp the moral rules of the game. U-8 players are just starting to understand that they are part of a team.
To hear more from John on this topic, please click here
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Conditioning and Training
May 5, 2009
Question
Coach, what is the proper warm up I should be using for my team?
Answer
A lot of coaches ask about warm ups. Warm ups are critical. A general warm up should consist of a light physical activity, both in intensity and duration for the sport they're doing. The aim of a general warm up is to simply evaluate the heart and respiratory system. This will increase the blood flow and help with the transportation of oxygen and nutrients to the working muscles. What does that mean for us? What it means is start lightly and get to more intensely. I know that the "old school" use start with stretching, but warm up the muscles first. Those of you who run laps, don't run laps just to run laps because you think you are working on conditioning. You're not. What you are really doing is warming up the muscles. My recommendation is-send them to do a lap, but send them with a ball at their feet. Have them run that lap, go around, and then do another half of one passing back and forth. And do technically without any opposition what you want to do tactically during your workout. What I'm trying to say is start out with the gentlest and easiest activity first, building upon each part with more energetic activities until the body is at physical and mental peak and ready to perform. When they start to break a sweat, then you can add on defenders and get into the tactical development of what you are trying to accomplish for the day.
Question
Some players on my team are out of shape and struggle in practices and games. How can I get them into shape?
Answer
First of all, reject the old-school approach for kids. Running laps will only increase the chances that they'll avoid physical activity, because that's not fun and it can be humiliating. However, all coaches must understand that conditioning is part of training, so instead of running laps, let the kids play! That's right–just let them play.
One idea is to have the kids play small-sided games in short intervals. For example, you can set up 2-v-2 games that last for a few minutes and then give the players a short rest before starting another 2-v-2 game. It's like circuit training. After a little rest, the kids may be more eager to play again.
You can also introduce variations of small-sided games. Take your best player and pair him or her up with the out of shape child. Tell them the aim is that both players score. The players will try hard to score and won't even realize they're "working."
The beauty of soccer is that it demands physical exertion but can be so much fun that it doesn't feel like exercise.
To hear more from John, click here.
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Dealing With Parents
Question
How do I deal with unruly parents?
Answer
Remember the importance of an annual coach update. An annual coach update is critical, and at that point make sure you talk to your coaches about team management. Part of that team management is not only developing team goals and developing your coaching philosophy, but there is one part that says conduct a parents meeting. A lot of new coaches and even older, experience coaches think they don't have to do that or shouldn't do that. That it might be too much to ask a parent to come to a parents meeting. It's critical. You want to set those standards right away about how you expect them to behave. Talk about several things. Talk about the AYSO Philosophies, discuss team goals, but most importantly in your team parents meetings talk about the players' behaviors and discuss your expectations for the players and the parents at practices, at games and after games. There is also a piece that we call the players and parents pledge-make sure you get a copy of that. You can find it in the coaching manual. Make sure you get a copy to each one of the parents. It will help your game day behavior.
Question
"The father of a player on my team keeps screaming instructions at his son during games. Most of them don't even make sense. What should I do?"
Answer
Children need to make their own decisions during a game in order to truly master soccer's challenges. Screaming at them while they're playing hurts their ability to focus and learn how to read the game. One of the biggest complaints of high-level coaches is that players lack creativity and decision-making acumen because they were sideline-coached in their early years.
If the "problem dad" keeps yelling at the next game, then it's time talk to him one-on-one. Tell him you are all ears to his opinions on his son's play, but the sideline screaming must stop.
Point out that young children don't learn much about playing soccer from instructions, especially when the instructions are shouted. They learn by playing. They'll play more if they enjoy it. And they're more likely to enjoy it if adults aren't screaming at them.
Another option is to send out an e-mail to the parents or parent meeting, mention the perils of sideline-coaching. You don't need to single out the dad; just remind the parents that they shouldn't coach from the sidelines because the kids need to explore the game on their own terms. Explain that you, the coach, will give tips one-on-one to your players when you think it's helpful.
Kids Zone is AYSO's initiative to help parents understand they must be sideline cheerleaders not critics. Visit Kids Zone to learn more.
To hear more from John on this topic, please click here
Question
"The parents on the team I coach complain about the referee all the time. Should I be concerned or is that just part of sports?"
Answer
The ref criticism must stop. There is no upside to diverting the children's focus from playing the game to an "injustice" by the referee. There is, however, a good case to be made for allowing children to deal with a referee's decision without their parents' interference.
Most of the sideline ref criticism is unfounded and refs' errors in youth soccer are generally insignificant. But even if a call is unfair, it's better for the players' long-term development if the adults allow them to cope on their own. Complaining about the officiating within earshot of young players teaches them to blame others when things don't go their way.
To hear more from John on this topic, please click here
Question
"I have a problem with some of my players not showing up for practices. How should I handle this?"
Answer
Almost all kids who miss practices miss them not because they don't want to come, but because mom or dad doesn't get them to practice. We don't want to punish the kids because their parents aren't getting them to practice.
Why does this happen? Parents know that AYSO guarantees that each player plays at least half of every game. If the parents have other priorities, they just don't take their kid to practice. Some Regions across the country have guaranteed at least three quarters a game - even if they don't attend practice - and I think that's a great thing.
So what can a coach do? Make every practice so much fun that those kids bug their parents and give them heck if they don't get them to practice. Make it a good time!
Also, have a talk with the parents. Ask them why their child is missing practices. Is there a transportation problem? Maybe a car pool can be worked out. Have a gentle, friendly conversation with the players who miss practices. The answers may help you come up with a solution.
If your practices keep the children active playing the wonderful game of soccer - as opposed to standing in line to do drills or listening to lectures - the kids will try hard to make sure they get delivered to the practice field.
To hear more from John on this topic, please click here
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General Soccer Questions
July 28, 2009
Question
Are there specific ball sizes for each age group?
Answer
There certainly are. For our U-5, U-6 and U-8 players, we use a size 3 ball. A size 4 ball is used for our U-10 and U-12 players. And a size 5 ball is used for everyone else—from U-13 to U-19, high school to college to the professional leagues. I used to say, "Hey, as long as a kid has a soccer ball, it's a good thing." But what they really truly need is a ball appropriate for their size and age.
Now if you want to have some fun with the ball, that's a totally different question. I recommend some of the high bounce kickballs. There are a lot of great, fun activities to do at training. It takes a nice touch to be able to control the kickball, which can end up traveling all over the field if not controlled properly. They will have a good time with a smaller ball, but when you train and play in the game use the appropriate sizes as mentioned.
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Goalkeepers
Question
"Should there be goalkeepers in U-8?"
Answer
Soccer games without goalkeepers provide a better experience for young children for several reasons, which is why not only AYSO but U.S. Youth Soccer and the U.S. Soccer Federation discourage the use of goalkeepers at the U-8 level and below.
First of all, the goalkeeper is denied a chance to run around and chase the ball. The boy or girl who must guard the goal is being prevented from doing what he or she signed up for - play soccer!
Depending on the game, the young goalkeeper is in danger of being bored (if the action is on the other end) and getting discouraged if the ball keeps flying into the goal.
In the worst-case scenario, players who are forced to play goalkeeper at the early ages lose their enthusiasm for the sport.
Also, we want young players to shoot at goal as much as possible, because striking the ball is such an important skill for players to master. Young kids are more likely to shoot often when they're aiming a goalkeeper-free net. With a goalkeeper there, they become apprehensive, looking for the perfect shot that they are not physically mature enough to pull off.
Nor are the very young kids physically prepared to make saves. They may get in front of a tough shot now and again, but they just don't have the tools for the position's requirements and are inclined to feel devastated when scored upon.
In fact, not using goalkeepers makes the coach's job much easier because the coach doesn't need to cajole players to take turns in goal.
And the use of goalkeepers at such young ages also creates a temptation for the coach to make his bigger and more advanced athletes play goalkeeper, because this will greatly increase his team's chances of winning. In other words, the use of goalkeepers encourages the results-driven approach to coaching that hinders long-term player development and can suck the fun out of soccer. The players who are more advanced athletically at the young ages shouldn't be kept from enjoying field play so that the coach can rack up some wins.
When goalkeepers are used, at the U-10 level for example, the goalkeepers should be rotated frequently. Even players who enjoy playing goalkeeper should not be restricted to the position and should get plenty of time playing in the field. Players shouldn't specialize at any one position until they are well into their teens.
Many of the nation's best goalkeepers - Hope Solo, Tim Howard, Brad Friedel and AYSO alum Brad Guzan - spent much of their youth as field players. This not only prevented them from burning out on the position, but honed the foot skills goalkeepers need and their ability to read the game, which is crucial to being good goalkeeper.
To hear more from John on this topic, please click here
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Health and Safety
July 7, 2009
Question
"Many of my U-14 and U-12 players have Facebook pages. Recently, they discovered that I also had one. Now I'm getting friend requests from 14 year olds. As much as I'd like to keep in touch, an adult 'friending' a child I'm not related to is a bit creepy and seems to invite the evening news. I am aware that some individuals will create a secondary profile and tie it to a Region Facebook page. Do you have any suggestions?"
Answer
It's hard to believe that social networking sites like Facebook, My Space, LinkedIn, Friendster, Plaxo and Hi5 were barely heard of five years ago! Today, Facebook alone boasts over 115 million users worldwide, with 17 percent of its users under the age of 18. While Facebook is a useful communication tool and another way to build connections with your players, there are also potential problems that can arise for you as a volunteer coach. For example, once someone "friends" you on Facebook, they can see everything you post on your profile, but you might have personal items on there that you don't want your 14-year-old players to see. To keep your personal life and coaching life separate, if you are going to use Facebook as a means of communicating with your players and their parents, you should create two different profiles - one for AYSO and another for your non-AYSO friends. Having two different profiles can help avoid any perceived impropriety as well; since parents might be confused as to why you appear on their 12-year-old's friend list (even though Facebook prohibits children under the age of 13 from having their own accounts, younger kids do seem to be using the site). For these reasons, it's better to have a separate AYSO-only profile - it will keep from misunderstandings in the future.
Some Regions have also created Facebook groups that are used for everything from keeping teams in touch, to notifying players of upcoming practices or other events and sharing photos of games. It is very important that if you create an AYSO-related group that you ensure the privacy setting is set to at least "closed," which means that you, as the Administrator, will have to approve any new members to the group. You must also monitor the content of the group page, ensuring that it is being used appropriately by the members and immediately removing any content that is inappropriate. You are certainly not the only coach facing this concern, as there are currently almost 500 AYSO-related profiles or groups on Facebook! Used carefully, Facebook can be a great resource for you as a coach.
Question
Should I have my players do off season conditioning to prepare for next season?
Answer
Well Coach, I think there are a lot of issues that come into play when you talk about off season and preseason conditioning. You have to understand that young players really, really play a lot. We don't understand that. Most of us are really concerned about conditioning when we really should be concerned with their overuse and how much they are playing. Many moms and dads think that off season conditioning will lead to better players. And, what I believe it leads to is players who have been playing all year and don't have fresh bodies and fresh minds. The mind and body are things that need to be refreshed, so they are anxious to come back and play. When I talk about rest, I'm talking about getting away from the sport. I truly understand that we as coaches want our players to come in the best shape they possibly can, but we don't have the ability to really train off season conditioning. And, even if we gave them a plan to do off season conditioning, many of them wouldn't follow that plan. My recommendation is to give your players the off season off. Truly let them take it off. I think you'll have athletes who come back healthier are ready to play when the season starts.
Question
My son had a concussion last season, can I let him play this season?
Answer
The question really is should you let him play before he's been medically cleared. The answer is absolutely no. I don't care if it was yesterday, last season or last year. Until your son has been medically cleared from the concussion to go back and play, please don't let him play. However there is a general rule for all coaches, if you have players that have head-to-head contact or run into a goal post and you need to take them out of the game or a practice situation, do not put them back in. Send them home; get them medically cleared and then when they come back, make sure they've been medically cleared. Just remember, you never diagnose or treat, you only prevent. Most head cases you cannot prevent. Make sure they come back with a medical release, not just the parents say so.
Question
I recently saw a U-14 game where a player went down with an apparent injury to his ankle or lower leg. The coach was able to get his player to resume playing by numbing the injured area with an aerosol. I wanted to know your thoughts on this.
Answer
Coaches, our job is to prevent injuries, not to treat them. Remember that. If you go to your manuals, injury prevention is what we do. If there is any doubt at all in your mind, Coach, never put the game ahead of a child's well-being. A coach who puts a kid back into a game after they're injured is only about winning and losing. Don't play injured players. If there is any question about playing them, don't.
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Positive Coaching
Question
"Is it a good idea to single out a couple of players for 'extra effort,' 'nice pass,' 'great goal' after a game or does it make the others feel bad?"
Answer
The answer is yes! One of the best things you can do as coach is to give players some concise one-on-one feedback. You don't need to stand up in front of the whole team and say, "That was a great goal, Sally!" But you can bend down to Sally after the game and deliver your praise.
In fact, coaches should strive to say something positive to each of their players individually at each practice and game. This is easily accomplished if you are looking for the good things your players are doing. So whenever you have a chance, you can quickly look a player in the eye with a friendly smile and say something positive about his or her play.
It can be a simple, "Good job today, Johnny!" Or something more specific when possible, such as: "Anika, I liked the way you used your left foot today!" ... "I saw how you dribbled past three players!" ... or to the goalkeeper, "No biggie about goals they scored, you made a great save on their No. 9's shot!"
And coaches, remember: a smile is worth a 1,000 words!
To hear more from John on this topic, please click here
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Soccer Camps
Question
My daughter had a bad experience at a soccer camp. Do you have any suggestions?
Answer
AYSO offers great, great soccer camps. We are coming to the end of our soccer camps season this year. But it's not too early to start thinking about next year. I highly recommend the AYSO Soccer Camps for a couple of reasons. One reason is that I review and approve all curriculum. All the coaches in the AYSO camps are trained and certified by AYSO people. We have day camps and we have residential camps. If you have a child that is 12 to 17 years old and who would like to send them to the most positive experience in soccer they will ever attend—I highly recommend the AYSO Residential Camp. If you have some young ones, the 8, 9 and 10 year olds, and you just want them to get a great experience, talk to your Regional Commissioner, talk to your Area Director, go to our Web site and find out what you can do to get a camp in your Region next year. I guarantee that your child will have a positive experience at an AYSO Soccer Camp because our coaches understand that they are there to enrich children's lives.
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U-5
Question
Why don't we have U-5 teams practice?
Answer
We must always remember that while we are talking U-6s, they are five and four year olds. The objective of this program is to provide young players and their parents with a pressure-free introduction to the beautiful and simple game of soccer. At this age, players should be exposed to soccer by playing simple, fun activities and games that require little or no practice and a minimal time commit. Years down the road, we'll know if they have a love and passion for the game. We want to make sure we don't burn them out at four or five because there is an overzealous parent or coach. This program allows players to discover the game for themselves, while their parents are giving them a soccer foundation on which to build and grow into good AYSO players. We also work with our referees and Referee Administrators to understand our U-5 program. Talk to your Master Coach, and if you don't have a Master Coach, please assign one to your U-5 program.
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U-8
Question
I'm a U-8 coach, and a few of my players are on the younger side. Those players have a tendency to zone out during practices. Do you have any advice on what I can do?
Answer
At eight, we want to give them a taste of the game and a positive experience. Last year, I did in fact coach U-8 boys and you're right, it's real hard. My team's name was the American Screaming Eagles, and they could scream.
They are 8-year-olds - they want to play. They play hard, and they work hard. I play a lot of 2 versus 2 and when you say you have some younger ones - make sure one of the younger ones plays with one of the older ones. I guarantee it will be a lot more game realistic and they will enjoy it more. Play the same game a lot - 2 versus 2 - but change it just a bit.
Most of us as coaches put goals on the end lines, but what I want you to do is just move them. Take it from the end lines and put one central. Put three goals out on the grid you're working at. Have them play the same game you are having them do whether its dribbling or passing through the gates, but changing the location of the goals will give the game a whole different look to those 8-year-olds. You can also try reducing your practice time, but they're eight. They've been to school all day; they've worked hard, everyone's been telling them what to do. They don't want to come and practice - they want to play, so make sure you're playing them.
Question
"I have nine players on my team. Four are 7-year-olds and five are 6-year-olds. The problem is in a game the players are not playing as a team. Rather, each of them plays as an individual, except a couple of them who go to same school and same grade. Nine players are from four different schools. Do you have any thoughts how I can build the team and develop trust among each other?"
Answer
What you describe is perfectly normal regardless of whether players go to the same school. At this age level, the team concept is beyond their comprehension. Some may be showing signs of some simple teamwork, but don't expect them to start stringing a series of passes together or to work as a unit.
Most important is that the players start becoming comfortable with the ball by playing fun games in practice. Slowly, over time, they'll begin understanding how to combine with teammates. Do not try to force players at this age to play in organized, disciplined fashion, because it will interfere with their natural development.
Sigi Schmid, who coached AYSO soccer before going to the college and pro ranks, explains how young players learn the game: "The first thing is, 'It's me and the ball.' The second is, 'It's me and the ball and where's the opponent?' Then it's, 'It's me and the ball, and where's the opponent, where's my teammate?' He's taking on more information. That's how he develops."
As far as integrating players who aren't as familiar with each other, mix teams up when you play small-sided games in practice. When they play 2-v-2, pair up players who don't go to the same school. I also recommend that you use some good ice-breakers. Jim Liston, president and founder of the Competitive Athlete's Training Zone, has some great ones on his Web site.
To hear more from John on this topic, please click here
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U-10
Question
Can you ever be too positive with U-10 girls? And, should I have a set of rules for them?
Answer
You can never be positive enough. I look at it as "positive coaching always elicits positive results." Remember, they are U-10 girls. At that age group, we want to give them a taste of the game. We want to work them together. Positive coaching, a positive introduce to the sport is what we are looking for. The second part of your question confuses me a little bit - if you are asking should there be team rules for U-10 girls - sure there should be. The rules should come from the girls and not the coach. Let them make the rules, because if the rules are important to them - they will be important to the team.
Question
"My U-10 boys' practices are frequently disorganized. The players seem more interested in throwing balls at each other, wrestling, and lying down on the field than in doing any drills. It seems all they're interested in is doing scrimmages, which we do for about half of every practice. I'm considering doing scrimmages for the entire practice. What suggestions do you have?"
Answer
Players learn by playing, so there's nothing wrong with scrimmaging (playing a lot of small-sided games). In fact, your practices should simulate the games they play on weekends. These boys spend all day in school, sitting in class and following instructions. It's natural that they'll be rambunctious when they hit the field. Letting them play soccer-instead of doing drills-is just what they want AND need.
Try various forms of fun, competitive games, like 1-v-1, in which they try to dribble past each other to the other side of a grid. All variations of small-sided games - 2-v-2, 3-v-3 and so on - keep them active and help them learn soccer skills. Try scrimmaging with multiple goals. Each team aims at two goals, for example. "Scrimmaging" in a variety of formats will have them working on the same individual skills that the drills do - but it will be more fun and more effective, because they'll be in game-like situations.
Don't hesitate to scrimmage (small-sided games) all practice long.
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