Youth Coaching Suggestions

[josedob]

So - I somehow agreed to be the coach of my son's 3 and 4 year old team.

Any fun games you'd recommend to help fill practice time??

Thanks,

[Webbo]

If they are only 3 and 4 I'd just give them a ball and let them get on with it. If they can't just have fun at that age then it's not worth playing.

[Uncle Albert]

If they are only 3 and 4 I'd just give them a ball and let them get on with it. If they can't just have fun at that age then it's not worth playing.

What Webbo has said.

Give them a good size three and let them run riot down the park, what I would do mate.

[Sparky]

One thing i used to do when training the younger kids was give them a ball each for 5 mins at the start of training and get them rolling their foot over the ball and dragging it back and keeping it moving from left to right just so they get a good feel for the ball from an early age

[Tommeh]

Whilst it's incredibly easy to do 2 teams and get them running around like headless chickens...even at this age a bit of discipline, skills and even fitness are always helpful. Parents won't thank you for what's effectively reffing something they could have organised in their back garden and for free. I remember my 1st session with my under 9's when they were 6/7 try and split them into smaller groups of 3/4s and get the ball moving, king of the ring is always a winner too mainly because they getva ball each and at that age love tackling. Then ending with a game us always nice but often again make it behaviour permitting I had a session last year when they dicked about so didn't give th again and they were angels at the next session. Just try and get the parents in your side early I.e stay organised, always inform them and run half decent training shifts and you'll be fine.

[DB11]

I'd say give them the ball and let them get used to it

Also, as said, teach them the rules and also discipline early on!

[AjcW]

How about getting Garry Glitter in to see how fast the fuckers can run.

[lou]

I used to love watchin my Sons team when they were little...... 20 kids in a huddle chasing the ball

[sdb]

Whilst it's incredibly easy to do 2 teams and get them running around like headless chickens...even at this age a bit of discipline, skills and even fitness are always helpful. Parents won't thank you for what's effectively reffing something they could have organised in their back garden and for free. I remember my 1st session with my under 9's when they were 6/7 try and split them into smaller groups of 3/4s and get the ball moving, king of the ring is always a winner too mainly because they getva ball each and at that age love tackling. Then ending with a game us always nice but often again make it behaviour permitting I had a session last year when they dicked about so didn't give th again and they were angels at the next session. Just try and get the parents in your side early I.e stay organised, always inform them and run half decent training shifts and you'll be fine.

Do well to get away with that

[josedob]

How about getting Garry Glitter in to see how fast the fuckers can run.

....wrong.....just plain wrong.

Good ideas all......thanks.

[lildave3]

Do well to get away with that

[Tevez]

I'm thinking of doing a soccer school or running a younger team (will play in afternoons if Ben and Loft are concerned) in my opinion youth standard today is on the decline!

[lildave3]

I'm thinking of doing a soccer school or running a younger team (will play in afternoons if Ben and Loft are concerned) in my opinion youth standard today is on the decline!

Something i'd love to do aswell. Something like my neighbour does would be ideal.

[AyewJoking]

3 and 4 year olds! what were you thinking!?????????

Start off by banning crisps, chocolate and fizzy drinks. Actually, keep the fizzy drinks, they'll be better for it.

[AjcW]

....wrong.....just plain wrong.

Good ideas all......thanks.

I thought it was pretty funny actually

[Samilktray]

I thought it was pretty funny actually

Well it wasnt.

[AjcW]

Well it wasnt.

You mean to say... that YOU.... dont find something I said... funny.

Im Shocked!!!!

[Tommeh]

Do well to get away with that

The only post in this thread that answers the given thread question well, gives good advice and was clearly thought through and you decide to pick up on a small typo.

Congrad u fooking lations.

[Uncle Albert]

The only post in this thread that answers the given thread question well, gives good advice and was clearly thought through and you decide to pick up on a small typo.

Congrad u fooking lations.

Alright Tom dont cry about it.

[Thracian]

Like Webbo says the big thing that matters is the ball and that they all get lots of touches. My approach was to have very short pitches, put a kitbag down at each end for the goal and have them play 1 versus 1 then two verus two and three versus three.

The 1 versus 1 allows you to see their individual skills, strengths and limitations but also gives them lots of touches in a short time andknackers them so they'll listen when you stop them and ty to make a point.

Two versus two (when they're tired, though rested, from 1 v 1 enables them to see the benefit of using some help and 3 v 3 gives them experience of the eternal triangles on which so much good football is based.

But whatever you do don't bombard kids with coaching tips. Let em play. And very gradually take opportunities to highlight what might be a better option than the one they took.

Apart from the actual games the only othe thing I'd be interested in is developing their skills in a fun manner with little competitions against each other or against the clock. Unlike some weird thinkers I believe in competition. Sport is competitive by definition and the sooner kids learn to cope in a competitive environment the better, both in sport and in life.