MY COACHING JOURNEY: MANAGING AN UNDER 8 SIDE

[ILS]

Absolutely mate, I think its a good thing.
Don't get me wrong its' not always about dribbling and skills, but the kids signed to contracts are under development - so the coaches main aim is to make as many as possible into professional footballers, so they are on an educational journey with development steps each step of the way.

Reading is actually one of the best academies in the country - up until under 11, they are at the foundation stage - which is all about their own manipulation of the ball - they don't care about winning matches at all (tournaments they do), but they want the children to be explosive, skilled and confident with a ball at there feet (no matter the situation).

The coaches will set up there teams deliberalty to lose games.

Expample being - played southampton, and Saints had 4 in midfield, coashes set up with 2 in midfield, for the exact prupose of teaching them how to deal with being overun - not interested in the result, but learning about specific situations - be it a pass or dribble out of danger etc etc.

These boys can pick a ball from any angle, control and move straight away - all very natural.

Theoir view is that if they can do that, you can teach passing with ease - what you can't teach is that ability to control a ball (you can get better with practise).

Be careful going into trials as well - so many out there that require you to pay, once a kid is signed to an academy he won't be able to play for another team - even school and district teams can be difficult too, its literally just that academy, although many clubs have development centres associated with the academies - they don't charge, but there are loads of 'academy' schools that claim to be the best and offer as a gateway to clubs - I went through a few, but was very lucky that my boy was seen and signed without going down that route.

Interesting to hear about Reading's approach especially against Southampton and sound like they have got their heads screwed on at the club.

My lad is currently training with a development centre that you have to pay £26 a week for two sessions a week but he loves it and a couple of his best mates are there. A lot of people knock these centres where you have to pay for, but they're providing UEFA B Coaches to help your son develop. Before centres like this existed, unless you were in an academy there was no option out there for other lads not in the system to improve during weekdays with good level of coaching. So the gap between the academy lads and the non academy lads just got wider and wider.

A big concern still is for lads that are in the Premiership academy system at 16,17 and 18 are being developed for the top division.Problem is for 19 out of the 20 lads signed who then get released face a massive problems due to the majority of Championship football and below; being nothing like the football they have been playing for the last 10 years of their life. So most of them won't even end up as professional footballers and will struggle at non league level where it is about hitting the channel's and aggression.

Luckily for you your son is a keeper so he should have a better chance then most if he keeps progressing, however i remember the three lads who were at academies in my school year up to 17 never made it and not one of them of were still playing football at 26.

So as a father I still have my doubts whether I want either of my sons if they get the opportunity to get into the academy football system or carry on enjoying themselves and concentrating on school and just being a kid. Also i have seen the impact on home life academy football brings which is another issue entirely.

 

[Shanks]

Your outlook is how I saw it, better coaching, more enjoyment and better development for my boy, it's why I joined similiar local academys that were paid for, and it helped him progress massively.

Like you said though, a keeper is very different from an outfield player, the lucky part for my lad is he was selected as an outfield player for most of the academies and was invited to the development centre as an outfield player - this set him apart from other keepers as he was already decent with his feet - in fact he isn't too far off the level for an academy outfield player as well.

I also get the concern around whether academy football is right over the enjoyment, for my son, this is his enjoyment, he has ADHD so has always struggled to make friends, his social life is his academy football - again I'm lucky in that respect too, plus at Reading the have a huge emphasis on letting kids be kids - it really is a joy to see, and I'm glad he went there over Southampton and QPR who were also in for him.

Whether he makes it all the way remains to be seen, although he is getting an experience he'll never forgot.

 

[jondesouza]

I had a bit of an interesting one on Sunday. My U11s team has really come on in the last month and is playing some lovely football. Our league is non-competitive in the sense that scores or league tables aren't published. The team we were up against gave us a good game last time but they were missing players this match.

At half-time it was clear that we would win. To make it more challenging I got the other coach to put on an extra player and moved all my boys into positions I know they don't feel comfortable in but we were still dominating. I'm very much of the ethos that it's development that's important and that at this age winning games doesn't matter. If games aren't competitive then nobody learns anything.

Have any of the other coaches on here had the same issue and if so how did you deal with it? I kind of regret now not suggesting that we mix up the teams but I just didn't think of it at the time.

 

[Shanks]

I had a bit of an interesting one on Sunday. My U11s team has really come on in the last month and is playing some lovely football. Our league is non-competitive in the sense that scores or league tables aren't published. The team we were up against gave us a good game last time but they were missing players this match.

At half-time it was clear that we would win. To make it more challenging I got the other coach to put on an extra player and moved all my boys into positions I know they don't feel comfortable in but we were still dominating. I'm very much of the ethos that it's development that's important and that at this age winning games doesn't matter. If games aren't competitive then nobody learns anything.

Have any of the other coaches on here had the same issue and if so how did you deal with it? I kind of regret now not suggesting that we mix up the teams but I just didn't think of it at the time.

You are doing it right mate, entirely.

I wouldn't go as far as mixing up the teams to make it fairer, but what you did was a great way of giving your players the opportunity to deal with new situations, it's a great thing to do and seeing what happens in acdemy football, you are doing it right my friend.

Your players are still at the age to grow, so its best not to pigoen hole them into positions, but to develop players comfortable anywhere on the pitch, their natural positions will filter out as they grow - probably around 14/15, as kids grow differently, some will end up big, more suitable for defence, some will be like whippets, decent wingbacks, or wingers..

Giving them that opportunity now makes them better all round players in my opinion and its absolutely critical for developing players and its what I would want in someone coaching my lad.

The only downside to that, is the parents involvement - you might get a dad who loves to see his son score goals, I can asbolutely tell you that kid won't develop much as he'll only ever be used to playing up front. Plus parents are more focused on the winning (more often than not), rather than the development of the kids.

My lad literally played everywhere - defence, in goal, left and right wing, centre forward... I'm not saying thats better, but it seems to work for him.

His club let him play for the school team, which he plays centre midfield for, it's his only chance to play out on pitch, but he loves it considering he is always in goal.
He got selected by the district team, as centre forward - Reading let him play, and he had his first game for the district outfield this weekend.

He started as sub, understandably as he has only ever played in goal for them, but he came on and gave them such a different outlet, they scored 2 quickly.

He wasn't the best outfield player, as there were a few other academy kids playing for his team and for the opposition team (Reading and Southampton players), but he more than held his own, was brilliant to see. He didn't score, but he set up a fair few chances and demonstrated his pace and skill on the ball.

Keep doing what you are doing mate, love hearing stuff like this

 

[jondesouza]

You are doing it right mate, entirely.

I wouldn't go as far as mixing up the teams to make it fairer, but what you did was a great way of giving your players the opportunity to deal with new situations, it's a great thing to do and seeing what happens in acdemy football, you are doing it right my friend.

Your players are still at the age to grow, so its best not to pigoen hole them into positions, but to develop players comfortable anywhere on the pitch, their natural positions will filter out as they grow - probably around 14/15, as kids grow differently, some will end up big, more suitable for defence, some will be like whippets, decent wingbacks, or wingers..

Giving them that opportunity now makes them better all round players in my opinion and its absolutely critical for developing players and its what I would want in someone coaching my lad.

The only downside to that, is the parents involvement - you might get a dad who loves to see his son score goals, I can asbolutely tell you that kid won't develop much as he'll only ever be used to playing up front. Plus parents are more focused on the winning (more often than not), rather than the development of the kids.

My lad literally played everywhere - defence, in goal, left and right wing, centre forward... I'm not saying thats better, but it seems to work for him.

His club let him play for the school team, which he plays centre midfield for, it's his only chance to play out on pitch, but he loves it considering he is always in goal.
He got selected by the district team, as centre forward - Reading let him play, and he had his first game for the district outfield this weekend.

He started as sub, understandably as he has only ever played in goal for them, but he came on and gave them such a different outlet, they scored 2 quickly.

He wasn't the best outfield player, as there were a few other academy kids playing for his team and for the opposition team (Reading and Southampton players), but he more than held his own, was brilliant to see. He didn't score, but he set up a fair few chances and demonstrated his pace and skill on the ball.

Keep doing what you are doing mate, love hearing stuff like this

Cheers mate. Appreciate that. I'm really enjoying the coaching. It can be frustrating at times but the pay off is fantastic when you see boys growing in confidence and improving.

I'm really lucky as all the parents of my boys are fantastic. They're really supportive and I don't get any pressure about positions or results. I made it clear at the start of the season what I was aiming to do so they know we're not about winning at all costs. It'll be interesting if that changes when we do move into a competitive league with published results. I'll see if I get the dreaded vote of confidence!

The other thing I might do in future is put conditions on scoring if we are too comfortable in a game, like all shots must be with your weaker foot or from a cut back or something. I wouldn't want to make it obvious I'd done it as I wouldn't want to be disrespectful to the other team but it would make the game more challenging for my lads.

 

[Nerine]

Gotta say, fair play and all, although I couldn't help but read the link in the OP in the style of Clarksons impersonation of an adenoidal, overbearing car enthusiast.

 

[Shanks]

Cheers mate. Appreciate that. I'm really enjoying the coaching. It can be frustrating at times but the pay off is fantastic when you see boys growing in confidence and improving.

I'm really lucky as all the parents of my boys are fantastic. They're really supportive and I don't get any pressure about positions or results. I made it clear at the start of the season what I was aiming to do so they know we're not about winning at all costs. It'll be interesting if that changes when we do move into a competitive league with published results. I'll see if I get the dreaded vote of confidence!

The other thing I might do in future is put conditions on scoring if we are too comfortable in a game, like all shots must be with your weaker foot or from a cut back or something. I wouldn't want to make it obvious I'd done it as I wouldn't want to be disrespectful to the other team but it would make the game more challenging for my lads.

I'd say in match games, telling them to go with weaker foot is a step too far, as they need to develop that killer instinct a bit as well, although what they do at my lads club is change the formation around, so if they are winning loads, they'll remove the midfield and sit with 1 or 2 people in the middle of the park, stick 2 wide out on the wings and let them learn how to deal with being overun in the middle of the park.

Keeper is instructed to only roll out or pass the ball to the full backs, so they need to learn how to play out from the back - ban long balls, work on throw ins from tricky places, like your own corner area, how to pass the ball out and around the pitch from the back as such.

I'm not a coach or anything but just going by what I see being done at my boys club, as its those scenario's that make you a more well rounded footballer.

Speak to the parents, tell them this is the plan, at half time its all short game to give them experience in dealing with different situations - passing from the back, short balls, not going for goals, but to learn scenario's = competitions and tournaments are where you go all out for the win, plus in a few years when it gets compeititve, you'll have the added bonus of having a team developed and then hone the winning mentatlity.

 

[Turbo]

Interesting to hear about Reading's approach especially against Southampton and sound like they have got their heads screwed on at the club.

My lad is currently training with a development centre that you have to pay £26 a week for two sessions a week but he loves it and a couple of his best mates are there. A lot of people knock these centres where you have to pay for, but they're providing UEFA B Coaches to help your son develop. Before centres like this existed, unless you were in an academy there was no option out there for other lads not in the system to improve during weekdays with good level of coaching. So the gap between the academy lads and the non academy lads just got wider and wider.

A big concern still is for lads that are in the Premiership academy system at 16,17 and 18 are being developed for the top division.Problem is for 19 out of the 20 lads signed who then get released face a massive problems due to the majority of Championship football and below; being nothing like the football they have been playing for the last 10 years of their life. So most of them won't even end up as professional footballers and will struggle at non league level where it is about hitting the channel's and aggression.

Luckily for you your son is a keeper so he should have a better chance then most if he keeps progressing, however i remember the three lads who were at academies in my school year up to 17 never made it and not one of them of were still playing football at 26.

So as a father I still have my doubts whether I want either of my sons if they get the opportunity to get into the academy football system or carry on enjoying themselves and concentrating on school and just being a kid. Also i have seen the impact on home life academy football brings which is another issue entirely.

Don't be so sure. Most of these are set up and 'overseen' by a B level coach but most of the coaching is done by youngsters, inexperienced and at best level 2. If you can find a good grass roots team you may find that you have a UEFA B coach running the side. These aren't bad things, just not the elitist thing most parents see them as. The amount of times I've heard a 'my son plays for Chelsea' when he pays for the lad to go the the soccer school is unreal.

 

[Shanks]

Don't be so sure. Most of these are set up and 'overseen' by a B level coach but most of the coaching is done by youngsters, inexperienced and at best level 2. If you can find a good grass roots team you may find that you have a UEFA B coach running the side. These aren't bad things, just not the elitist thing most parents see them as. The amount of times I've heard a 'my son plays for Chelsea' when he pays for the lad to go the the soccer school is unreal.

Saw it loads myself when I coached my lads grassroots team, some parents come along training and said son played for Arsenal, Chelsea, Fulham - I couldn't figure out how considering they were no better than the average kid in the team, but soon realised it was one fo those paid for academies.

I took my lad to a couple for a short period of time as well.

As for the coaches, even at the lads club, they are typically younger lads, they do a great job with the boys, although I tend to only watch the goalkeeping side of things, rather than the footballing side of things, but on the same breath, my closest friend runs his sons grassroots team and have the B license himself, so there are good coaching sessions run in the local area.

An ex Stoke City player was my lads coach before he signed for Reading, they were a fantastic grass roots team in the local area too.

 

[jondesouza]

Can anyone locate the quote from John McDermott about setting the Spurs Academy teams up to hopefully win some games and lose others to help them in their long-term development please? I want to use it as part of my communication with the parents on the team I coach as evidence that even top clubs don't focus wholly on results.

 

[Marty]

Can anyone locate the quote from John McDermott about setting the Spurs Academy teams up to hopefully win some games and lose others to help them in their long-term development please? I want to use it as part of my communication with the parents on the team I coach as evidence that even top clubs don't focus wholly on results.

https://www.reddit.com/r/coys/comments/4bood3/john_mcdermott_head_of_coaching_and_development/

Young coaches now think it is all about the stats, their W/L ratio and their own ego.

It's a good thread, can't find the direct quote you're looking for but this provides great insight.

 

[Dundalk_Spur]

I recently started coaching an under 11 team and having a couple of problems.

First up is not being able to get all the lads there week in week out, I know it being summer now that people will be away but there is no pattern to it.

Main issue is the lack of discipline, lads thinking they can do what they want, not listen and mess around. As the newbie I have sat back and watched how the other coaches handle it and its pathetic. I will be taking the team myself from this weekend, and there will be a few lads doing laps until they learn.

 

[Turbo]

I recently started coaching an under 11 team and having a couple of problems.

First up is not being able to get all the lads there week in week out, I know it being summer now that people will be away but there is no pattern to it.

Main issue is the lack of discipline, lads thinking they can do what they want, not listen and mess around. As the newbie I have sat back and watched how the other coaches handle it and its pathetic. I will be taking the team myself from this weekend, and there will be a few lads doing laps until they learn.

Don't bother with laps, they don't work. They distract the other kids who watch them pissing about walking around the field instead of doing the session you want them to do. Just sit them out, far enough away so not to be heard by your players who want to be there. I've even told some players to go away and do what they want to do while I coached the rest. In the end they come back if you make it interesting enough and they see that the other lads are enjoying your session.

 

[robbiedee]

I recently started coaching an under 11 team and having a couple of problems.

First up is not being able to get all the lads there week in week out, I know it being summer now that people will be away but there is no pattern to it.

Main issue is the lack of discipline, lads thinking they can do what they want, not listen and mess around. As the newbie I have sat back and watched how the other coaches handle it and its pathetic. I will be taking the team myself from this weekend, and there will be a few lads doing laps until they learn.

I had a few lads who took the piss in training and I believe that this 'attitude' was reflected in our match results each week.

If you've got the luxury of player numbers (which I didn't) I'd either make the culprits miss matches or not play them by way of a lesson. If the parents ask why little Johnny didn't play, explain to them about their behaviour in training and they can do the discipline thing when they get home.


My coaching journey has just come to an end after 6 seasons. I'm a little bit sad about it but part of me isn't going to miss it...

My team were due to move from 9 a-side to 11 a-side and I only had 5 of my 12 wanting to sign up for the next season. Various reasons were given; son wants to try another sport; son is joining another team where he has a few mates playing etc but the main reason given was they didn't want to play with the kids that pissed around all the while. Luckily being a coach, I know a lot of other local coaches and was able to get my son into a new team - so next season I will be a parent spectator (which will feel odd).

My lad was a goal keeper last season and he was pretty good at it - lots of nice comments from other coaches about his performances. He did however 'fill out' a bit from less exercise and next season he'll be back out on pitch some I'm expecting him to shed a pound or too!

 

[jondesouza]

https://www.reddit.com/r/coys/comments/4bood3/john_mcdermott_head_of_coaching_and_development/


It's a good thread, can't find the direct quote you're looking for but this provides great insight.

Cheers @Marty