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Started By
Message
Youth soccer coach looking for advice
Posted on 10/24/14 at 11:38 am
Posted on 10/24/14 at 11:38 am
My son's U6 rec league team didn't have a coach and the league asked parents if they could coach, so even though I didn't play soccer (wasn't offered in my small town at the time), I volunteered. I've learned a lot and we've had a good time, but I have a couple of questions for any other youth soccer coaches or guys that grew up in youth soccer.
Our team is mostly kids who have never played before and at this age, it's supposed to be about having fun, learning the concepts and keeping them interested in soccer. For some of our games, we've been pretty competitive, but for many, we just got stomped. We've played several teams who have been together year round for 2+ years (5 seasons) and coaches who have been working toward travel ball from day one. When we play these kids, it's a bloodbath. Even though we don't keep score at this age, the kids all know they are getting destroyed and you can see that they aren't having fun. I'm not a participation trophy parent and I believe in the lessons of winning and losing so here are my questions:
If I keep this team together, is there any hope in getting them to a point where they can compete or will the skill gap always be there for the kids who are so much better today?
There are two kids on our team who have the skills to compete, is keeping them on this team holding them back? Should I try to find better teams for them next season?
Would it be better to disband the team and spread the kids out to other teams where they would be pushed more at practice?
Or... will this balance out at some point?
Any advice appreciated.
Our team is mostly kids who have never played before and at this age, it's supposed to be about having fun, learning the concepts and keeping them interested in soccer. For some of our games, we've been pretty competitive, but for many, we just got stomped. We've played several teams who have been together year round for 2+ years (5 seasons) and coaches who have been working toward travel ball from day one. When we play these kids, it's a bloodbath. Even though we don't keep score at this age, the kids all know they are getting destroyed and you can see that they aren't having fun. I'm not a participation trophy parent and I believe in the lessons of winning and losing so here are my questions:
If I keep this team together, is there any hope in getting them to a point where they can compete or will the skill gap always be there for the kids who are so much better today?
There are two kids on our team who have the skills to compete, is keeping them on this team holding them back? Should I try to find better teams for them next season?
Would it be better to disband the team and spread the kids out to other teams where they would be pushed more at practice?
Or... will this balance out at some point?
Any advice appreciated.
4
Posted on 10/24/14 at 11:45 am to CajunAlum Tiger Fan
Your tactics are shite. Diamond midfield should fix up your issues.
Seriously, though, they're U6. They have plenty of time to catch up.
If they're not having fun, one thing you can do is introduce skill work into practice. Little things like tick-rocks, pull backs, even step overs are pretty simple. And when they pull off the skill in the game, you go nuts and keep that 'score' on the sideline, and tell them after the game. Make games within the game and keep them focused on 1) improving and 2) having fun.
I don't think you need to disband the team. Teach simple skills and have them try them in the game. Even if it's just once, they'll get so excited that they'll want to keep doing it, and they'll practice more and play more.
At this age, it's skill introduction and fun. If the 'score' is unfavorable, figure out a way to reward them for other, tangible things...tackles, skills tried.
Qualifications: I coached 2-6 year olds in soccer for HappyFeet for two years. That program works. LINK
Seriously, though, they're U6. They have plenty of time to catch up.
If they're not having fun, one thing you can do is introduce skill work into practice. Little things like tick-rocks, pull backs, even step overs are pretty simple. And when they pull off the skill in the game, you go nuts and keep that 'score' on the sideline, and tell them after the game. Make games within the game and keep them focused on 1) improving and 2) having fun.
I don't think you need to disband the team. Teach simple skills and have them try them in the game. Even if it's just once, they'll get so excited that they'll want to keep doing it, and they'll practice more and play more.
At this age, it's skill introduction and fun. If the 'score' is unfavorable, figure out a way to reward them for other, tangible things...tackles, skills tried.
Qualifications: I coached 2-6 year olds in soccer for HappyFeet for two years. That program works. LINK
Posted on 10/24/14 at 12:06 pm to CajunAlum Tiger Fan
quote:
U6
quote:
For some of our games, we've been pretty competitive, but for many, we just got stomped. We've played several teams who have been together year round for 2+ years (5 seasons) and coaches who have been working toward travel ball from day one.
WTF.
That's amazing!
Posted on 10/24/14 at 12:13 pm to Stewie Griffin
Thanks,
For our first few practices, all we did were games and drills that looked like games. We moved away from that because when we played games, they had no idea what they were doing. I started scrimmaging more at practice and teaching them the game. I like your idea of rewarding the skills pulled off in a game. (My kid, who's not the most athletic by any means, pulled off a scissors during a game right in front of all the parents and it was glorious, the fans went nuts!)
For our first few practices, all we did were games and drills that looked like games. We moved away from that because when we played games, they had no idea what they were doing. I started scrimmaging more at practice and teaching them the game. I like your idea of rewarding the skills pulled off in a game. (My kid, who's not the most athletic by any means, pulled off a scissors during a game right in front of all the parents and it was glorious, the fans went nuts!)
Posted on 10/24/14 at 12:36 pm to CajunAlum Tiger Fan
just make sure they have fun. coach up a concept during practice and then end the practice with a game that rewards that concept. at that age, the concept will be something like using the inside of their foot to pass instead of their toe. stewie's skill move idea is great as well. gives them something that they think is cool and they will probably practice it at home.
as far as the team and skill gap and shite, literally none of that matters until they are probably like 8-10. around that age, the really good players need to start looking to play competitively with other players at their skill level.
as far as the team and skill gap and shite, literally none of that matters until they are probably like 8-10. around that age, the really good players need to start looking to play competitively with other players at their skill level.
Posted on 10/24/14 at 1:27 pm to rockchlkjayhku11
Pretty much all of the above is good advice. I can tell you that keeping them together will pay off huge as they grow up. My sons team started at 5-6 age group and the first season we lost the first 3 games. But his coaches (full disclosure I just shag balls and assist where needed) worked on and continue to work on skills, and playing their positions and not bunch ball. Our last game in the 7-8 age is Sat and we haven't lost a game since those first three. That's 5 undefeated seasons and we beat most teams 7 or 8 to 0.
Keep em together and scout other teams for good talent that may be willing to jump ship.
Keep em together and scout other teams for good talent that may be willing to jump ship.
Posted on 10/24/14 at 1:39 pm to BCLA
Keeping with the skill moves/ fun aspect. I show of all the time in front of them( and some of the moms 
) and they love it. But the other day I showed them a video of a 9 year prodigy that Roma signed and when they saw a kid there age/size doing all these tricks something clicked for them. It was like they finally realized that they could actually do this stuff too
And now they wont stop
2-3 kids try to do nothing but juke kids with skill moves. Does it work everytime. No but they love it and have fun.
) and they love it. But the other day I showed them a video of a 9 year prodigy that Roma signed and when they saw a kid there age/size doing all these tricks something clicked for them. It was like they finally realized that they could actually do this stuff too And now they wont stop
2-3 kids try to do nothing but juke kids with skill moves. Does it work everytime. No but they love it and have fun. 
Posted on 10/24/14 at 1:47 pm to MLSter
quote:
Youth soccer coach looking for advice
quote:
MLSter
You should not take any advice from anyone named Molester
Posted on 10/25/14 at 3:57 pm to CajunAlum Tiger Fan
Best advice I can give is: Make sure each kid has a ball at his/her feet at all times, even when standing in line for drills.
Keep drills short and time between sessions to a bare minimum. Attention spans are short at that age. Make sure they always have something to do.
Keep drills short and time between sessions to a bare minimum. Attention spans are short at that age. Make sure they always have something to do.
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