Reader,
I started playing football at age 4. My first football memories consist of running around on a wet, muddy pitch, scoring goals, the smell of the cut grass and playing football with my brother in the back garden.
Funnily enough, not many of these memories are linked to coaches, tactics or session design. I just remember the games, playing until it was dark outside and being at football every weekend in the winter.
Whenever you see a kid down the park with their parents, their siblings or friends, the motivation is usually as simple as the ball and the goal. As coaches, we have to appreciate the impact we have and the importance of early engagement.
This got me thinking, what does the ultimate environment look like for young players who are stepping into organised football for the first time?
I think there are several key ingredients that will help these kids love the game, stay in the game and have great experiences. So here are a few things coaches can do to ensure the best possible experience for young children.
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- Joy: The environment has to be fun. All too often coaches, parents or even older kids can get too serious too soon about football. Our number one priority with very young children is to ensure they enjoy the game, get time on the pitch (not standing on the sideline!) and feel a connection with the game and their friends.
- Belonging: Ensuring that kids feel included, players of all abilities get a chance to play and that we take an age-appropriate approach to our coaching.
- Play: Ensuring that the players get to play may sound simple, but as coaches, we often want to validate our existence, prove our knowledge or be seen by others to be “coaching.” Allowing free play and the ball to roll is essential when seeking to engage children in football. Importantly, play can include competition, but it’s only part of the equation.
Two things to consider.
- Communicate with parents of the players in your team that joy, belonging and play (or whatever elements of engagement you choose) are your objectives when coaching young kids. Try to gain their support and educate them about the importance of the experience, not the result, during these formative years.
- Ensure you bring your best ‘coaching performance’ to every session. Energy, enthusiasm, laughter and connection with the kids is more important than a tactical masterclass at this point in their experience.
One thing for you to try this week.
Plan a session that consists entirely of games for your young team. Ensure that from minute one of the practice the session has goals, direction and realism.
Of course, there are hundreds of small-sided games you can choose from, but see what happens when you just use the game as the vehicle for their engagement and your coaching.
One critical resource on the topic.
Check out our online coaching course, Introduction to Soccer Coaching with Rob Sherman and a range of world-class player development experts who focus on coaching players aged 5-12.
LIMITED TIME OFFER: Save 40% – use coupon code GOAL40 on checkout.
This course will provide you with practical activities and strategies to ensure kids enjoy the game, learn by playing the game and stay in the game.
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