| Football coaching in the UK has seen dramatic | | | | Many young players in the current climate are stopping |
| changes over the last decade; the introduction of the | | | | playing earlier. Kids are put in professional club |
| level 1 course and the failing programme (in some | | | | development centres - many go to different ones |
| places) of the junior team managers course has only | | | | every night of the week - being told different things |
| led to more adults becoming involved in a kids game, | | | | through different club philosophies - is it pass and |
| which had led to an increase in many factors | | | | move, or is it game understanding from a young age, |
| decreasing the quality of performance and experience | | | | or is it fitness/ speed based, or skills based? Mixed |
| of many young people. Factors affecting young | | | | messages and lots of pressure on young shoulders |
| players:o Adults telling players how to play constantly | | | | from the age of 6, travelling after school to different |
| from the touchlineo More than just the coaches voice | | | | centres, doing school work on the way and having a |
| from the touchline - parents screaming instructions, | | | | sandwich and a drink in the car. |
| confusing players and increasing pressure - many | | | | Many people will say "well I know he's young but at |
| times if left the player will surprise you with their | | | | least he's getting the coaching." That's just it though, in |
| decision making.o Coaches getting goalkeepers to kick | | | | most clubs they aren't. Philosophies of many |
| out of their hands and not playing out from the backo | | | | professional academies are so far off the mark it's |
| Coaches shouting things such as, "don't pass it back," | | | | untrue. It's not the fault of the clubs to take younger |
| "don't play across the back," "clear it," "get rid of it," etc | | | | kids, if they didn't and the nearest rival would do so |
| etc etc etc all detrimental to learning. If a player makes | | | | and they'd lose the talent. It's not the fault of the |
| a mistake they process that information themselves | | | | parents either, would you not let your son have the |
| and will rectify the decision next time - they don't need | | | | opportunity and most parents don't see the long term |
| adults telling them not to do it as it causes doubt and | | | | picture just as many coaches don't. |
| decreases confidence and the learning aspect. Self | | | | How many kids will come through from 6 into a |
| empowerment is sadly overlooked in football coaching | | | | professional first team? Not many! The England under |
| courses.o "Don't be greedy" is another - why not? | | | | 18's team was made up of mainly players that had |
| When asked how he became so good Ronaldo | | | | only signed at a professional club at the age of 14 - |
| stated, "put it this way I didn't give the ball to anyone | | | | what has happened to the kids signed at 8-9 or even |
| else." Let kids make their own choices, encourage | | | | being invited into programmes at 6? They go back to |
| exciting play and passing will happen naturally | | | | their junior clubs in most cases - in some cases they |
| anyway.o "Don't lose the ball" - another classic - | | | | stop playing. So whose responsibility is it? |
| immediately by saying "don't," and "lose" the negative | | | | Who runs football? Many people blame the FA. Maybe |
| words increase the tension on the players forcing | | | | they do need to re-organise the coach education |
| mistakes.o A player runs through 1v1 with the | | | | programme - level 1 coaches think they can work |
| goalkeeper - don't tell them what to do or when to | | | | anywhere with kids, etc - this should be stopped - level |
| shoot - he may dribble round the keeper, or square the | | | | 1 coaches working in schools with mass participation |
| ball to a team mate - let them decide and learn.o | | | | and with junior clubs needs a re-think. More kids playing |
| Remembering they are young people - use language | | | | but with less quality environments = decreased |
| appropriate to their game and their age - "stop chasing | | | | performance. |
| lost causes" is a good one - not sure a 5 year old | | | | Many coaches go on the level one course then have |
| would understand that. There are many more | | | | little or no support - the level 2 for most is too much of |
| statements from adults that simply confuse young | | | | a jump. The level two courses are still 'old school' in the |
| people.o Who taught you to walk? Who taught you | | | | sense that stopping sessions to coach dribbling in a 1v1 |
| how to talk? How did you learn to drive? YOU DID IT - | | | | situation is a waste of time. Players need confidence |
| NO ONE ELSE.o As a parent, do you go into your | | | | to try things and experiment and make mistakes. |
| child's classroom at school and shout at them for | | | | Stopping and coaching someone who loses |
| getting a maths question wrong - didn't think so - so | | | | possession just relays negative input into the players |
| why shout at a kid who gives possession away?o Do | | | | mind - players at professional level will tell you which |
| you want your child to be a nice person? Thought so! | | | | session they prefer and it's not the shadow play |
| So why encourage them to cheat at football? I have | | | | stopping and starting ones. |
| seen coaches recently saying, "stand over the ball on | | | | Age related courses are not really going to produce |
| the free kick," "just try get away with not going back | | | | better coaching - Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney |
| ten yards until the ref tells you to," what a wonderful | | | | both state in their books as do most players that they |
| society we have! And great role models! If your child | | | | improved due to playing on the streets or playground |
| stole from you or lied you would be distraught | | | | with older kids, having to be more physical and quicker |
| (hopefully) so why teach them to push boundaries | | | | etc and learning from better players with more |
| playing sport?o Referees - the poor guys! Why have | | | | experience - Wayne Rooney made his debut at 16 |
| them? If you have honest kids (which 99% are | | | | against players twice his age. |
| naturally) let the kids' referee - ask them to be honest | | | | Professional clubs I have visited have a pass and |
| - if they give a free kick or handball - get them to give | | | | move philosophy, teaching positional play at a very |
| the ball to the other team. Keep the adult influence out | | | | young age - it looks ok, but there isn't much learning |
| of the game as much as you can.o A tournament | | | | going on. Players being told not to do too much and to |
| recently at a professional club that invited junior teams | | | | pass all the time will stifle the natural player - the player |
| to play had mostly the above. Adults shouting, | | | | that has always produced himself by having coaches |
| screaming, kids crying, etc (CHILD PROTECTION!). The | | | | as Tony Whelan has described as "men in wellington |
| best team that were unbeaten had one coach, who | | | | boots letting kids play" - this type of coach, maybe |
| sat and watched, didn't say a word. At half time was | | | | with little knowledge used to let kids play - have natural |
| positive in his comments - focused on the kids and his | | | | competition and ask the right questions or even get |
| team was a joy to watch. The parents also kept quiet | | | | the kids to organise practices and games themselves. |
| but said the best thing that you can after a game - | | | | The last visit to a professional academy saw the head |
| "well done son, did you enjoy that? You looked like you | | | | coach telling players not to run with the ball too much, |
| did, we're really proud of you, we all love you." That | | | | to pass, pass, pass, etc. The tempo when he was |
| was it, kids playing how they wanted, trying things and | | | | there went through the roof; he went after 20 minutes |
| making mistakes but having fun with their friends with | | | | and the kids were lost - 11 year olds not being able to |
| nice comments, no tears and lots of confidence as | | | | solve their own problems - they could only respond to |
| they were under no pressure. | | | | shouting - surely a bad habit to get into. When you play |
| At the same tournament, a team in the same group | | | | in front of 76,000 people you can't hear the coach, you |
| had a coach, whose son was playing in defence. He | | | | have to solve your own problem. |
| went on a run though but his team mate lost | | | | Who is policing the game? We now have the FA skills |
| possession and the other team scored. The coach | | | | coaches programme - I have seen some of these |
| blamed his son, brought him off the pitch told him off | | | | sessions too - too many kids stood in queues waiting |
| for going forward and taking risks and he son duly | | | | for a touch, coaching instructions taken a long time, |
| sobbed his eyes out on the bench. What a great | | | | with complicated instruction. It doesn't need all this input |
| experience for the kid! Does it really have to get to | | | | - an environment where kids can learn for themselves, |
| this? Does it mean that much? | | | | is better with small amounts of input, maybe before, at |
| Most kids don't know the score when they finish | | | | breaks and after the game/ session. How many |
| games - they want to win, but they never know if | | | | coaches allow the kids to run their coaching sessions? |
| they have. That's the difference - most kids are | | | | Not many. Did your school teachers tell you the |
| naturally competitive anyway. | | | | answers to all questions? No, they give you the tools |
| Current games format in England | | | | needed - think of your favourite teacher at school - |
| Mini soccer (7v7/8v8) may have seemed ground | | | | the one that was pressure free, helped when needed |
| breaking when introduced. It opened organised football | | | | and recognised your talent and helped facilitate your |
| up to younger kids. It made football more accessible to | | | | needs. |
| more kids because of fewer players being needed | | | | The teacher you disliked was the one shouting, |
| and less space. | | | | complaining, being negative, being old fashioned and |
| Many problems have arisen however:o Transfer of | | | | un-approachable - most coaches are just like this. |
| 8v8 into 11v1 is unrealistic - formations are very | | | | There is no excuse, I have seen hundreds! |
| different and bad habits are merely picked up earliero | | | | "If Im not seen to be 'coaching' then it doesn't look like |
| When things open up and become popular then more | | | | I'm doing my job" The best coaches don't constantly |
| attempt to join clubs - this has led to a decrease in | | | | step in and instruct - they actually do very little. If your |
| places to play due to the sheer numbers attending | | | | players were technically competent and were part of |
| clubs. I often hear, "my son has been training but can't | | | | a technical programme and you allowed them to |
| get into the team as they pick 11 kids every week and | | | | experiment and advised occasionally then you wouldn't |
| he doesn't get a chance." This is ridiculous - stopping | | | | need to over coach and be seen to be working hard. |
| kids playing at all will only lead to a reduction in kids | | | | If your players know why you are not stepping in all |
| playing longer. Why not just play 4v4 split the pitch in | | | | the time and shouting instructions because it's about |
| half and have 16 kids playing every morning.o The top | | | | their development, then they would enjoy it more - |
| academies focus on 3v3, 4v4, 5v5 but no one else | | | | debrief the players in front of the parents at the start |
| does? Why? More touches, better and quicker | | | | and end of sessions so you don't get conflicting views. |
| development. Oh i know, there is no end result and | | | | This approach is alien to many adults - they only see |
| trophy for the adult!!!o We can't play 4v4 as we have | | | | the result and the performance through adult eyes. |
| 9 players training! Coaches adapt - wake up, think! Play | | | | Creating the right environment for kids is more |
| 4v4 with a floater; play 5v4; play one with a GK and | | | | important, as is saying the right thing at the right time, |
| one without; let the kids make up a game, etc etc. | | | | rather than giving john Motson a run for this money |
| "ITS NO POINT IN ME TELLING MY KIDS TO PLAY | | | | commentating on the game. |
| THE BALL OUT FROM THE GOALKEEPER INTO | | | | IN CONCLUSION.... Football coaching has been placed |
| THE DEFENDERS BECAUSE THEY CAN'T HANDLE | | | | on a high priority list my so many. Level 1 coaches are |
| IT" | | | | not qualified to a high standard. Parents, schools, clubs |
| The above is heard everywhere - even in some | | | | should be educated on this. Just because someone |
| professional academies. Great - coaches are there to | | | | has played Sunday football and passed their level 1 |
| coach - not to un-coach! How many chances do you | | | | does not mean they are right to look after young |
| give to players to make mistakes, learn playing the | | | | players and develop them to be as good as they can |
| game correctly to develop their technique for when | | | | when they are older (14+). There are a few |
| they are older? Not many I can assure you, let them | | | | campaigns such as give us back our game that have |
| concede goals - it's the only way young players will | | | | done good work and research on this area and |
| develop - teach them to split wide from the keeper, | | | | academies such as Manchester United that have |
| don't let your own ego and own pride take over - it's | | | | embraced this to great effect. Something further now |
| not about you - it's about the kids getting better. | | | | has to be done - thousands of kids being criticised, told |
| "STOP DOING THOSE FANCY TRICKS WITH THE | | | | what to do, stopping playing at younger ages, having |
| BALL. STOP DRIBBLING ALL THE TIME AND PASS" | | | | no freedom, not learning, living the life of an adult at 6-9 |
| The above comments are the worst - why stop | | | | years old, travelling the length of the country to try |
| players having time on the ball? Why stop kids | | | | make the grade, playing 30 minutes and not playing |
| becoming exciting players and enjoying themselves? | | | | with friends outside their homes. |
| On the streets years ago, no one stopped Wayne | | | | RADICAL THINKING.. |
| Rooney, George Best, Steven Gerrard, etc, running | | | | Why doesn't to FA have a technical director that |
| with the ball - children are clever - they will work out | | | | emails every junior club in the country with one or two |
| when to pass and dribble - but don't stop them! Ryan | | | | session plans each week - each coach then has to |
| gigs, Chris Waddle Paul Gascoigne etc - point proven. | | | | follow the programme at say under 7. It doesn't matter |
| You may argue that defenders such as John Terry | | | | who wins, give them games to play in training sessions |
| don't dribble - they aren't kids though - they did when | | | | and give the reasons why. No need for courses, |
| they played with friends at a young age - that's | | | | unless regional refreshers are needed. Each club |
| because they didn't have coaches telling them and | | | | should have a head coach who is responsible for the |
| criticising them constantly. | | | | programme being done correctly. Could the FA send a |
| It's time to change how you coach - and how you | | | | list of adapted games that teams must play in place of |
| behave - and be a real role model to young kids who | | | | normal match structures for say half the match time |
| want to learn, be challenged and develop - everyone | | | | every Sunday - for example a game designed to |
| starts with one dream - to become a footballer - not | | | | encourage playing out from the goalkeeper with no go |
| concerned with the value of what they might achieve - | | | | areas for the opposition until the gk plays the ball out. |
| it's the adults that quickly turn this dream into false | | | | Getting kids to just pass the ball all the time has to |
| hope and a winning mentality regardless of the quality | | | | stop - this may seem extreme (team game and all |
| of the play. | | | | that) but a 6 year old probably won't play with the |
| On a personal note, I went through professional | | | | same group of friends at 6 that he will at 12 for |
| centres of excellence from 9 - 18, did half an | | | | example, I know I didn't; dribbling, skills, taking players on |
| apprenticeship and had England trials etc. I got to | | | | (even out of defence) is the only way to benefit the |
| international level at 14 through not having a coach. | | | | England team in years to come and increase the |
| Playing with friends at school 4 hours a day, at home | | | | technical skill levels of young kids - passing will come |
| after school for hours on end, and playing in a 5 a side | | | | as a result of players learning through mistakes and |
| league every Saturday from which over 60 players | | | | understanding themselves when to play a short pass |
| moved into pro clubs. I started being 'restricted' as a | | | | or switch play - designing games to teach certain |
| player at the age of 15. A player that is pigeon holed | | | | aspects is all that is required. Work on a scissors |
| (on opinion - which football is apparently all about), can | | | | move for example and play a game where each time |
| easily lose the qualities they have, or want to have in | | | | a player does a scissors move the other team sit |
| their own mind - no one ever finds out the players | | | | down for 3 seconds - you will soon see confidence |
| point of view or studies players feelings - not even | | | | rise. |
| parents. | | | | |