Coaching kids- advice please
Discussion
Hello I'm after a bit of advice or at least help toward the direction of some decent reading material.
I'm going to be taking on a role at my sons primary school coaching at the after school football club.
Having watched a few previous sessions from afar I think they will need to understand that they need to tackle and an understanding the positions they are in, especially the older ones.
Can anyone give me some advice that could help with these things?
I'm going to be taking on a role at my sons primary school coaching at the after school football club.
Having watched a few previous sessions from afar I think they will need to understand that they need to tackle and an understanding the positions they are in, especially the older ones.
Can anyone give me some advice that could help with these things?
blueant27 said:
Hello I'm after a bit of advice or at least help toward the direction of some decent reading material.
I'm going to be taking on a role at my sons primary school coaching at the after school football club.
Having watched a few previous sessions from afar I think they will need to understand that they need to tackle and an understanding the positions they are in, especially the older ones.
Can anyone give me some advice that could help with these things?
Just be clear on what age group. There are a few FA badged coaches on here (me included) The FA website has lots of videos and an app I'm going to be taking on a role at my sons primary school coaching at the after school football club.
Having watched a few previous sessions from afar I think they will need to understand that they need to tackle and an understanding the positions they are in, especially the older ones.
Can anyone give me some advice that could help with these things?
http://www.thefa.com/get-involved/coach/coachs-app
They also have videos on you tube of most of the sessions, so examples of skills you can get the group to try
Key things
1. Don't worry too much about positions.
2. Focus on making the skills element fun
3. Don't criticize, encourage (for example never say - ooh unlucky - say great effort, good try.)
4. Rotate everyone into every position, equal pitch time
5. Always involve everyone in sessions, no one doing nothing and focus on number of touches on the ball.
So for example if you have an attack (5) vs defence (2) leave a way for the defence to 'win" eg if they pass the ball through two cones or keep possesion for 5 passes. You will be surprised how simple things like that engage the group and make it competitive
Overall, train the way you intend to play, make every skills activity as close to a match as possible
Also if you aren't familiar with these, its a great place to start
https://www.livestrong.com/article/502479-the-five...
Agree with everything said above. Consider doing your L1 FA Coaching badge....it's not too expensive, interesting and you will learn something. Given you've already volunteered to help, why not reach out to your local grassroots football club and ask for advice...or better still.....get involved. Maybe ask to go along to watch at one of their training sessions and consider how that coach approaches it. You may like it or not, but you will either learn how to...or how not to...do it.
Loads of resources on line.....the key thing to remember is they are kids not adults....so they learn differently and they do it for fun...so keep it fun. Age appropriate is fundamental.
Don't be afraid to ask them questions (age appropriate) rather than give them immediate answers...."How might I get the ball off that player ?" "How might that player stop me from getting the ball?" "What would you do if.....?"
Getting them early to think for themselves & solve problems is a key element but can be difficult when we think (as adults) we have all the answers and want to show them options on how to do it....that is part....but some players will surprise you !
Finally.....in addition to them enjoying it as the primary goal.......you have to enjoy it too !
Loads of resources on line.....the key thing to remember is they are kids not adults....so they learn differently and they do it for fun...so keep it fun. Age appropriate is fundamental.
Don't be afraid to ask them questions (age appropriate) rather than give them immediate answers...."How might I get the ball off that player ?" "How might that player stop me from getting the ball?" "What would you do if.....?"
Getting them early to think for themselves & solve problems is a key element but can be difficult when we think (as adults) we have all the answers and want to show them options on how to do it....that is part....but some players will surprise you !
Finally.....in addition to them enjoying it as the primary goal.......you have to enjoy it too !
Edited by Steve Campbell on Wednesday 12th December 17:34
Gargamel said:
Should have said, and well done for volunteering. I ran a juniors side for 7 years with 250 kids. Finding coaches is never easy !
And get one of these ...
"Applaud good soccer"??? Who on earth sanctioned that to be consigned to print?And get one of these ...
Edited by Gargamel on Thursday 27th September 10:49
Be organised. Be on time.
Do a short warm up. Keep them busy and play group games/exercises.
Age appropriate. Loads of examples online.
Short breaks between.
Kids lined up waiting to do a drill is nearly always a disaster and has little to do with playing football.
Having an assistant is very helpful.
You will learn as they will learn, so don't beat yourself up if you have a bad session or if a gobby parent gives you the benefit of their advice.
Ask/watch more experience coaches.
Do a short warm up. Keep them busy and play group games/exercises.
Age appropriate. Loads of examples online.
Short breaks between.
Kids lined up waiting to do a drill is nearly always a disaster and has little to do with playing football.
Having an assistant is very helpful.
You will learn as they will learn, so don't beat yourself up if you have a bad session or if a gobby parent gives you the benefit of their advice.
Ask/watch more experience coaches.
I'm a RFU L1 kids rugby coach so share your frustrations/anxieties/joy albeit with a different shaped ball!
Best technique that I was coached on was that you have 45 seconds from starting the briefing to them running around with ball in hand (foot in your case
)
If it takes more than 45 seconds to explain then it's too complex so strip it down & build it up in layers.
The coach educator on our course blew a whistle at 45 seconds & the rest of us had to run around whilst the student coach re-thought his coaching brief!
Helped me as a father too!
Best technique that I was coached on was that you have 45 seconds from starting the briefing to them running around with ball in hand (foot in your case
)If it takes more than 45 seconds to explain then it's too complex so strip it down & build it up in layers.
The coach educator on our course blew a whistle at 45 seconds & the rest of us had to run around whilst the student coach re-thought his coaching brief!
Helped me as a father too!
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