Children's Footie

I have just started helping with the coaching of a group of under 7's.

Any advice will be gratefully recieved.

 

I have just started helping with the coaching of a group of under 7's.

Any advice will be gratefully recieved.

 

Go and watch

'Kicking and screaming' starring Will Ferrell as a kids football (soccer) coach.

 

Go and watch

'Kicking and screaming' starring Will Ferrell as a kids football (soccer) coach.

 

Do your level 1 coaching course

that will give you a few exercises to do. They have to be short, fun things for that age group. There are also plenty of things you can find on line, footy4kids for example. Also some of the American sites have good exercises for younger kids as their programs are designed particularly to include girls and so can be useful for the younger ones.

The level 1 course will help you understand their physical and spatial development so that you know what they can and can't do. Most important is to remember to try to make it fun for them

 

Do your level 1 coaching course

that will give you a few exercises to do. They have to be short, fun things for that age group. There are also plenty of things you can find on line, footy4kids for example. Also some of the American sites have good exercises for younger kids as their programs are designed particularly to include girls and so can be useful for the younger ones.

The level 1 course will help you understand their physical and spatial development so that you know what they can and can't do. Most important is to remember to try to make it fun for them

 

plenty of praise

for every good touch and run and tackle and everything....

don't bollock or ridicule anything...

constantly tell them... two touches - one to control, one to pass... (when the ball comes to them, instinct says swing a leg at it..)

what a joy.... ar really enjoyed that bit of my young blokes' childhood.....

One time the old FA Cup came on tour with Ian Callaghan. There was an evening in a sports bar where you could get your picture taken with the Cup. We gatecrashed.. I got a mini-bus up and got my whole team of seven-year olds (in kit) down. We got team foties and each kid on his own with the Cup. They've all got something for the wall there....

 

plenty of praise

for every good touch and run and tackle and everything....

don't bollock or ridicule anything...

constantly tell them... two touches - one to control, one to pass... (when the ball comes to them, instinct says swing a leg at it..)

what a joy.... ar really enjoyed that bit of my young blokes' childhood.....

One time the old FA Cup came on tour with Ian Callaghan. There was an evening in a sports bar where you could get your picture taken with the Cup. We gatecrashed.. I got a mini-bus up and got my whole team of seven-year olds (in kit) down. We got team foties and each kid on his own with the Cup. They've all got something for the wall there....

 

Make it fun...
Do a coaching course.
Look on the Web, plenty of ideas for training sessions.
Look on the FA site, the football parent test is good....
Do not pressure them....
Watch the parents, especially for criticising the kids and putting pressure on them.
Try a session with no goal scoring....get two teams and tell them that each time they complete a move of 4 passes that is a goal. Improves touch and vision but also takes the importance off hitting the net ! They can be totally focused on that and just run around as individuals !!
Most of all FUN FUN FUN ! The biggest single thing for making kids give up football is pressure from parents and coach.
Remember and tell them, everyone develops at a different rate, keep trying.
Good Luck.

 

Is it a mixed sex team?

Maybe TT would like to 'give a hand'?

 

Johan Cryuff

says the problem with most modern footballers is that they receive too much praise for too little quality. he's right.

 

"each time they complete a move of 4 passes that is a goal. Improves touch and vision but also takes the importance off hitting the net !"

I think somebody has been doing that with the BFC senior team the number of times they try walking it in!

 

talking seven year-olds, here..........nt

 

yep?

and so we leave them to fail then? I agree that you can't bollock them but you can't constantly praise either. You have to find a balance. All constant praise does is make people think they're better than they are and that set's them up for a fall in later life.

 

or try

three corners equals a penalty, makes people enjoy attacking more. And rotate players in all positions. try to make them as comfortable playing at the back as they are up front.

 

works well....

playing 5 a side is good. Play in a diamond formation and rotate the players....back, right, front, left. Encourage doing tricks as well, step over, Maradonna, scissors etc....Thats one they use at Man Utd.

 

RE: yep?

You're great you.

 

what

have I done wrong now?