Hi, so I would start with the positives you mention amazing midfielders which is great and also it sounds as tho the players are finding themselves in goal scoring opportunities which is quite often the hardest part. And you are completely right it's not about winning at this age but watching the oppositions players celebrate and the parents excitement on the sidelines will play a part in how young players see the importance of scoring. At present i coach an U8 girls team having previously gone through the age groups with the boys so hopefully you find some of the following useful. Firstly not replacing the fact we are trying to score because thats what we want to achieve here I would look at ways to change what success looks like to U8's.Try to set achievable individual/team challenges that get the team, parents and coach excited, something you can all celebrate just as much as goal. By doing this we are taking away as much pressure as possible from that score line and any worries about what happens in front of that goal just for a while so we can get back to enjoying football. Now for scoring goals and you've probably heard this before so apologies, repetition in training! Design a practice that encourages lots of opportunities for shots on goal, including lots of scenarios where your players will be 1v1 with a goalkeeper. No touch or time limits just simple shots at goal, also play fun games with a twist! A game I like to do is two teams players one at a time dribble through 3 gates and take a shot at goal if they score we have a connect 4 game with cones going on as a way of keeping score where they place their colour cone on top of a 4x4 set of white cones, first team to get 4 in a line wins. Main advice take that pressure off the players and build confidence, good luck let us know how you get on. 

Firstly, I would say that at this age no player has a specific ‘position’ and they should all be looking at improving their shooting finishing. Sessions which have small sided games in and round the box can be useful. Can also reward more goals if they score in an area closer to goal, could call it a ‘golden zone’ marked with cones or spots. This will encourage players to try and shoot from closer to the goal, and can encourage other players to get into this area for passes/crosses or even rebounds 

As a very simple suggestion, how about on match days asking the opposition coach for a penalty shootout. Or American style shootout (players take turns running at the keeper)? 

This allows your players at least a chance to score at the end of a game they have not had many chances in. Also an opportunity to win that shootout which is not massively important but they will have that feeling of success.

And plus every child I have spoken to loves a penalty shootout! 

I would start with making sure your midfield and attack are comfortable attacking from back to front. could work on emphasising passing and moving in drills using end zones. This will encourage players to progress the ball to the final third at a pace. And more importantly allow your players to make runs towards goal where their team mates aim to find them with a final pass. The more repetition you can build in progressing towards the box the, the more natural the attatcking players will feel in front of goal.

Kayleigh Thomas Thanks for sharing your current challenge with your U8 squad. One that many of us will have experienced when working with 8, 18 or 28 year olds. 

It's important to remember that the essence of football is scoring goals and stopping goals. Therefore, I would be interested to know what type of practices you typically put on at the moment that give your very young players plenty of opportunities during practice sessions to then help them to be more confident on match-days.

Therefore, please drop an example in here and I will respond further.

In the mean-time, have a look at this game-based practice to help 'finishing on goal': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8LWqe9WVdk This 'fox in the box finishing' session can easily be adapted for younger players.

I look forward to hearing back from you.

Vinny Halsall

FA Grassroots Development Team & Physical Education Officer