Junior Football - Help #2
- Thread starter h_m_boro
- Start date
Pak_Doo_Ik
Well-known member
A decent league should move teams that are getting heavily beat every week as it does nobody any good.
I’d speak to the club secretary or manager and ask if they’ve contacted the league.
Results aren’t the most important thing at that age group, development of players and enjoyment are the top 2 priorities, however kids will eventually stop enjoying it if they’re losing by the scores you’re talking about as the games should be competitive.
I’d speak to the club secretary or manager and ask if they’ve contacted the league.
Results aren’t the most important thing at that age group, development of players and enjoyment are the top 2 priorities, however kids will eventually stop enjoying it if they’re losing by the scores you’re talking about as the games should be competitive.
Left_peg
Well-known member
I'm not sure if your local league has the same rules in place as mine but in ours all children have to have 50% of the game on the pitch, I thought it was a central FA directive.
If some players are never taken off and others are not given equal game time then the only way to address this is to politely talk to the manager and ask why your son is getting less time on the pitch than others. If they don't give you a satisfactory answer then your only option is to move clubs at the end of the season, they move to 9v9 at U11 so squads can have another 2 members than they can at U10.
As for coaching, if the club isn't identifying and addressing technical improvements for the players then they will continue to lag behind teams who are. My advice would be to identify one aspect that you think needs improvement and then talk about it with your son and take him over the park and do some little drills on it with him. There's loads of videos available on YouTube, Joner 121 has some excellent stuff but it is aimed at elite players but the basic premise of each drill will still hold.
If some players are never taken off and others are not given equal game time then the only way to address this is to politely talk to the manager and ask why your son is getting less time on the pitch than others. If they don't give you a satisfactory answer then your only option is to move clubs at the end of the season, they move to 9v9 at U11 so squads can have another 2 members than they can at U10.
As for coaching, if the club isn't identifying and addressing technical improvements for the players then they will continue to lag behind teams who are. My advice would be to identify one aspect that you think needs improvement and then talk about it with your son and take him over the park and do some little drills on it with him. There's loads of videos available on YouTube, Joner 121 has some excellent stuff but it is aimed at elite players but the basic premise of each drill will still hold.
newyddion
Well-known member
Make sure you kid is having fun.. at that age it really isn't about the results.
As far as the team is concerned,, leave well alone.. when your son is playing do not shout instructions. After the match outside of the match stay positive and encourage.
I can't stress this enough and why it might seem obvious or a simple concept to understand.. it really isn't. You are not the coach.. if your kid fancies a kick about with you then have fun, if he wants to go to the footy.. take him.. if he wants a replica shirt or a poster, he needs new boots.. you do all that stuff.
If he likes football and he enjoys it he will get better regardless of the team or the coaching. Guaranteed if you start going on about results and criticizing the coach etc your kid will get fed up with footy and not want to play.
As far as the team is concerned,, leave well alone.. when your son is playing do not shout instructions. After the match outside of the match stay positive and encourage.
I can't stress this enough and why it might seem obvious or a simple concept to understand.. it really isn't. You are not the coach.. if your kid fancies a kick about with you then have fun, if he wants to go to the footy.. take him.. if he wants a replica shirt or a poster, he needs new boots.. you do all that stuff.
If he likes football and he enjoys it he will get better regardless of the team or the coaching. Guaranteed if you start going on about results and criticizing the coach etc your kid will get fed up with footy and not want to play.
Support Your Local Team
Active member
My eldest is an U11 and playing since 3yo. My youngest is U7 and playing since 3yo. Both a decent standard but not world-beating. Have been around teams for years and help coach and lead matches etc.
Starting in a team at U10 is very late in my experience. By this time teams are mostly "full" and everybody wants in to them but players have been there for years and aren't leaving anytime soon. Working your way in often involves working hard and showing you are as good as the others and able to contribute. I know it sounds harsh, but you couldn't walk up to an established music band and demand to be let in as you want to learn to play the guitar. I'm not saying this applies to you, but in general, lots think kids should be just allowed into a team and get equal time as that's what they want. You will have to work hard and play the long game to join in an established team at this stage.
If they are losing 10-0 etc every week then at the end of the season they should be dropped down the division massively. They really shouldn't be "high enough" that this happens now tbh. Are they a brand new team? Why are they in a division with teams that can do that? Either these teams should have moved up or your team have moved down already. Need some context to understand this tbh.
Until they move down (end of season in May) then looking for all positives is essential. Training should have a theme running through it where every drill focusses on the same thing (passing or tackling or defending are usually the best for weaker teams) then after the drills you play a match at the end as this is chance to put the learning into practice and the kids always enjoy the match the most anyway.
Regarding time, it will depend on the coach. All clubs will acknowledge it is the coach that is the volunteer and without the coach there is no team. Why you have so many is unclear. A good team will have a coach and some dads that help out when needed - but one clear voice. His son will often play the most, get used to it.
Starting in a team at U10 is very late in my experience. By this time teams are mostly "full" and everybody wants in to them but players have been there for years and aren't leaving anytime soon. Working your way in often involves working hard and showing you are as good as the others and able to contribute. I know it sounds harsh, but you couldn't walk up to an established music band and demand to be let in as you want to learn to play the guitar. I'm not saying this applies to you, but in general, lots think kids should be just allowed into a team and get equal time as that's what they want. You will have to work hard and play the long game to join in an established team at this stage.
If they are losing 10-0 etc every week then at the end of the season they should be dropped down the division massively. They really shouldn't be "high enough" that this happens now tbh. Are they a brand new team? Why are they in a division with teams that can do that? Either these teams should have moved up or your team have moved down already. Need some context to understand this tbh.
Until they move down (end of season in May) then looking for all positives is essential. Training should have a theme running through it where every drill focusses on the same thing (passing or tackling or defending are usually the best for weaker teams) then after the drills you play a match at the end as this is chance to put the learning into practice and the kids always enjoy the match the most anyway.
Regarding time, it will depend on the coach. All clubs will acknowledge it is the coach that is the volunteer and without the coach there is no team. Why you have so many is unclear. A good team will have a coach and some dads that help out when needed - but one clear voice. His son will often play the most, get used to it.
newyddion
Well-known member
"But I don't know anything about junior coaching" - surely that says it all.. he shouldnt be going on at the manager.. pretty sure his kid only started this season and there's already been two posts moaning about the team, the manager etc
Priv
Well-known member
Doesn’t sound like this team is a good fit for you or him.
What other teams are in the area, who do his school mates play for, might be worth switching to one of them.
Get him some extra help, book him in to the football skills camps they do in school holidays / half terms to improve his ability. Practice with him more yourself. If he stands out when he plays it will be hard for the coach not to play him.
What other teams are in the area, who do his school mates play for, might be worth switching to one of them.
Get him some extra help, book him in to the football skills camps they do in school holidays / half terms to improve his ability. Practice with him more yourself. If he stands out when he plays it will be hard for the coach not to play him.
newyddion
Well-known member
Did you try West Didsbury and Chorlton?
Biggy
Well-known member
Saw so many parents like this when my lad did the tjfa route, It's very simple. Let your boy enjoy himself and stop worrying about if he is gonna be the next Messi. He isnt. If he was playing below himself he would of controlled parts of the game enough for it not to be a cricket score so he is probably at the right level. they will probably get relegated and fair better next season. You bitching to others about the coaching or moving him will just make him hate them and the sport. sort yourself out.